Korn

Bakersfield friends James “Munky” Shaffer, Reginald “Fieldy” Arvizu, and David Silveria formed the funk-rock band LAPD in 1989 and relocated to Los Angeles with their friend Brian “Head” Welch as their roadie. Later, with Welch joining as a second guitarist, they renamed the band Creep and recorded a demo with Ross Robinson.

During a visit back home, Shaffer and Welch met Jonathan Davis, who brought a darker, goth-tinged vibe to the band's heavy groove. Robinson noted that although the band had killer grooves and good riffs, it was Davis who brought a dark and gothic feel when he auditioned, transforming the band's sound.

They took on the name Korn, inspired by a story Davis overheard, and recorded four songs influenced by acts like Pantera, Ice Cube, Duran Duran, Cypress Hill, The Cure, and Primus. This demo caught the attention of Immortal Records. Their debut album initially peaked at #72 in the US but eventually sparked a new heavy music style known as nu-metal. Davis reflected in 2015 that before Korn, rock felt stagnant and their new, emotional sound changed the landscape, influencing a shift in fashion among fans.

Korn’s second album, "Life Is Peachy," began to introduce a lighter tone with songs like their cover of “Low Rider” and the track “ADIDAS.” The formula found success in the UK. However, Korn broke into the US mainstream with their third album, "Follow The Leader," mixing dark with playful songs, leading to widespread popularity.

Although they kept releasing successful albums into the 2000s, besides the experimental "The Path Of Totality" which fused metal and dubstep, their music was seen as formulaic. The band remains best known for their debut "Korn" and "Follow The Leader." By 2005, there was a common sentiment that Korn's best albums were the odd-numbered ones: the first revitalized metal, the third made it mainstream, but the fourth, "Issues," was seen as dense.

Welch left in 2005 after a religious awakening, and Silveria followed in 2006, expressing discontent with being creatively restrained. Welch returned in 2013. Over decades, the band’s lifestyle shifted, as they focused more on inspiring fans through overcoming personal struggles.

By 2020, Korn had released 13 albums, with the first seven certified platinum, solidifying their role in creating the 'nu-metal' genre, a label Davis himself once rejected. On June 21, 2021, Arvizu announced a hiatus from Korn, citing personal issues and tension.