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In the early 90’s, in Bakersfield, California, there was a sound. It started off slow and quiet. That sound grew and intensified into one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time. The voice spoke to a generation with no modern American leaders. KoRn came from the combination of two lesser-known bands from the Bakersfield, California area. They changed music by combining rock, rap, and funk music. In 1994, KoRn debuted with their self-titled album. It featured quick drums by David Silveria, violent guitar riffs by James “Munky” Shafer and Brian “Head” Welch, impressive bass line by Reggie “Fieldy” Arvizu, and emotional vocals by Jonathan Davis. Most of the songs off this are about the troubled childhood of Jon Davis. When asked if rock- super-stardom was fun he responded with, “I wouldn’t say fun, but very rewarding and very relieving. Every time I do it, it makes me feel better- the comeback from the crowd and seeing all the madness out there I’m touching something, I think, that people want to talk about, that people can relate to. It’s hard night after night, but I need to do it, I have to do it.” KoRn got their sound different from other bands. The first difference is the very rare seven string guitar used by both Munky and Head. The extra string allows them to have many more chord combinations. Fieldy’s bass set up also differs from most other bands. Using a five string bass tuned down to a rumbly hammer-like style give the bass a “percussion-like,” sound according to Fieldy. KoRn’s first album went platinum. From the slow emotional “Daddy”, about the physical, sexual, and mental abuse by Jon Davis’ father. The song has only been performed live once and Jon became too emotional and was forced to leave the stage. After the song, if you listen on the album, you can hear the door creak as Jon leaves the recording room with the tape rolling. Their debut also features “Blind,” a song about Jon Davis’ former drug use, it say, “Another place I find to escape the pain inside,” this is talking about the drugs controlling his life. They provided an escape from the pain he endured as a young adult, and he could not see any future direction for himself. Jon is now clear of drugs. In 1996, KoRn’s second album “Life is Peachy” hit stores. KoRn had not failed to keep this one darker and heavier that their debut. 1998 was KoRn’s year. They finished their third album “Follow the LeadeR,” they created their own rock festival, the “Family Values” tour, they created their own record company “Elementree Records,” and a weekly on line program called “KoRn T.V.” “Follow the LeadeR” had various guest artists like Fred Durst from Limp Bizkit, Ice Cube and Cheech Marin. The single “Got the Life” was constantly played on the radio and MTV. While “Freak on a Leash”, which is about the music industry using them to make money, picked up two awards at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards. On November 16 KoRn released “Issues,” their fourth album. This album is based primarily on the subject of child abuse. Jon is quoted for saying, “I wish someone would have helped me when I was younger.” All of the money from the multi- platinum album was donated to help end child abuse. -Writen by Kyle Marshall for a class project. I received a 98% for it.