It’s hard to imagine, but Korn’s Jonathon Davis turns 40-years-old in the next couple of months. In some ways it only seems like yesterday that he was the young, weird and brutally angry singer screaming his lungs out about his less-than-happy childhood.
In the process, he was also helping to create an entirely new genre of music on that very first Korn record. Many have since proclaimed the death of ‘nu-metal’, and yet Korn live on and still prosper enormously, recently releasing their ninth studio album, the very raw and stripped-back Korn III – Remember Who You Are , touring far and wide across the globe and returning to Australia for a major tour. The softly-spoken singer spoke to Beat recently about the passage of time, and many Korn related issues while on tour in Atlantic City.
“I’m trippin’!” Davis admits of having to face the idea of turning 40 shortly. “But I don’t feel like I’m 40,” he laughs, “I don’t feel like a 40-year-old or whatever. I think it’s a lot different these days,” he muses, “it’s not like it was back in the ‘50s and beyond. It’s more like turning 30 now, I think,” he grins. “You’re as old as you feel. I keep telling myself that,” he laughs.
“They say the older you get, the quicker the years go flashin’ by,” he continues, “but it’s really true. I can’t believe we’ve been doing this for so long. And I can’t imagine not doing it; so we’re gonna keep doing it… keep it going on.”
The band make a very long and eagerly awaited return to these shores at the start of December, opening their tour in Townsville of all places, before hitting the five major population centres over the ensuing week and a half.
They’re also bringing a couple of amazing Aussie bands with them as support, being mighty, long running Kiwi/Aussie rockers Shihad and sensational Melbourne alternative metallers Sydonia, which makes for one hell of an awesome bill. So, with that in mind, if you’re heading to Festival Hall on December 5, make sure you get there early enough to catch these two excellent acts.
But, on that topic, it’s been quite the long period of time since Korn last graced us with their presence, and they seemingly can’t wait to get back here. “Yeah, we always love going to Australia,” Davis enthuses genuinely, “it’s been a while since we’ve been there.
We always have a blast when we’re there. We love the country and the audiences are always very receptive.”
Happily, with such a massive back catalogue at their disposal now, the band have expanded their show out beyond the hour and a half mark. Davis is more than happy to give a sneak peek into their set-list and, indeed, Korn’s show as a whole. “It’s gonna be a lot of hits,” he reveals, “plus four new songs.
“It’s gonna be in your face and slammin’,” he grins. “We’ve been doing an hour and fourty five [minutes],” he adds of the length of the show. “We’ve never played that long… it’s hard,” Davis emphasizes of the strain that puts on the band’s members. “It’s weird,” he adds, “the older we get, I don’t know… we’re getting better! I’m able to sing that long, and go off for an hour and forty five minutes.”
Possibly a major reason behind this rejuvenation of the band has been some pretty major changes in the Korn camp over the last few years. One major aspect has been the change in record labels, from EMI/Virgin to the world’s biggest heavy-label, Roadrunner, and the other having been some major lineup changes.
In 2005 guitarist Brian ‘Head’ Welch left the band, and a year later long time drummer David Silveria also departed after suffering carpal tunnel syndrome (and wanting to spend more time with his family and his restaurants), to be replaced by well-known former David Lee Roth and Army Of Anyone drummer Ray Luzier. Jonathon discusses the effect these changes have had on the band, noting “It’s going great,” Davis states, regarding the new relationship with Roadrunner.
“I mean, we love the label,” he points out happily. “It’s the last label left that cares about music; it’s not like a major label. It’s the first time I’ve ever been able to call up the president of the label, and he’ll pick up,” Davis laughs.
“It’s a great relationship, we’re having a blast working with them. They’re very passionate about the music, and I love being on the label.”
And what of Ray Luzier’s inclusion? “Awesome!” Davis states contentedly. “He’s an amazing drummer, and it’s great to have his spirit in the band. He’s so passionate about playing his drums. He loves his drums; he lives drums,” he laughs. “At the moment he’s in Canada doing drum clinics! He’s constantly playing, and when we got in the studio with him he really brought the best out of us because of his ability to play, and the passion he puts into it. He’s been a great addition.”
Whether you dig that miscast genre term ‘nu-metal’ sound or not, Korn remain a band that must be experienced live. They are almost literally bone-crunchingly heavy (try being up the front for one of their shows, and you’ll know what we mean by literally bone-crunchingly) while still remaining incredibly raw and brutal, much more so than on their albums (and their albums aren’t exactly lightweight affairs).
Davis is happy to acknowledge this fact, and to offer gratitude to the legion of Korn fans, before the band return to crush some heads in Australia once more. “I just want to say thanks for your continued support, and thanks buying the records and coming to our shows,” he says, “and for sticking with us for this long.
“Definitely we’re going to keep putting music out,” he says of the future, “and keep making you guys happy!”
We’ll all drink to that.
KORN bring their huge, mind-blowing live show back to Australia with a massive tour that hits Melbourne at Festival Hall on December 5. They’ll be supported by none other than the decidedly excellent Shihad and Sydonia. Do NOT miss this one – it’s going to be massive. Tickets and info from 136 100 and ticketmaster.com.au. Korn III – Remember Who You Are is out now through Roadrunner.
