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Brian “Head” Welch
Save Me From Myself
Driven Music Group/
Warner Brothers Records) Interview with Brian "Head" Welch - Vocals/Guitars
When acclaimed Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch announced his conversion to Christianity and his subsequent departure from the chart-topping group, many wondered what would become of the oft-mercurial axeman. Would he join an already established act? Would he become a televangelist? Fortunately for all parties involved, it wouldn’t take long for the notoriously outspoken guitarist to respond. Following the release of 2007’s ingenious New York Times Best Selling autobiography Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, And Lived To Tell My Story, Welch quickly re-established himself as a bona fide ‘…creative and commercial force not to be ignored…’. Now, three years later, armed with a wealth of razor sharp material in the form of his long-overdue solo debut Save Me From Myself, Welch has once again returned.
On the brilliant Save Me From Myself (2008), an expertly assembled eleven song collection of searing, deliciously multi-dimensional Heavy Metal, each track, beginning with the hauntingly eerie (if not outright disturbing) “L.O.V.E.”, and the relentlessly pummeling first single “Flush” (a video helmed by Frankie Nasso of Nova Entertainment was released on 09/25/2008), immediately commands the rapt and undivided attention of all parties involved, myself most definitely included. Wisely refusing to conform to the downtrodden, ‘…tried and true…’ formulas so often embraced by the crème de la crème of his few would-be contemporaries, Welch flexes his more than considerable creative muscle(s) early and often, blissfully reminding us all of his inexplicably overlooked technical prowess via a blistering, hook-laden sonic barrage of quasi-epic proportions.
Continuing with the curiously titled “Re-Bel”, and the maddeningly infectious “Die Religion Die”, the steadfast (to say the very least) combination of vocalist/guitarist Brian “Head” Welch, rhythm guitarist Archie J. Muise, Jr., bassists Tony Levin (King Crimson, Peter Gabriel and Bruford Levin Upper Extremities, to name only a few), Trevor Dunn and John Peña (Carlos Santana, Glen Hughes) and drummer extraordinaire Josh Freese steamroll ahead at what can only be described as a carefully calculated pace. Tearing through an impressively varied collection of material that is as stylistically varied as it is initially satisfying, Welch and his band of ‘…not necessarily merry…’ men waste little--if any--time delivering the proverbial goods, a much-welcomed and increasingly factor that will, with a little luck, convert the guitarist’s few remaining detractors.
With much of the all-consuming musical detour that is the mighty Save Me From Myself finding Welch sailing through previously charted territory with an almost sickening ease, other standouts, including the shimmering (yet oddly menacing) “Money”, and the exhaustive equally impressive closer “Washed By Blood”, only further solidify the ever-evolving Nü Metal pioneer’s well-deserved reputation as a creative force to be reckoned with. Seemingly guaranteed to appeal to the oxymoronic anomaly known as the ‘…discriminating Metalhead…’ (particularly those with a genuine and sincere interest in broadening their musical horizons), Welch exponentially expands his coveted target demographic by augmenting the now trademark, miscarriage-inducing onslaughts of Life Is Peachy and Issues with a previously unimagined lyrical and instrumental depth.
Still not sure you’ll dig it? Seriously, dude…give me a freakin’ break. Easily the greatest album Korn never released, Welch deftly emulates his former band mate’s collective efforts whilst boldly forging an impressively unique overall tonality. The end result, as you may have already guessed, is ultimately as effective as anything the born-again axeman has ever recorded. Even if you somehow find yourself unable to openly embrace the majority of Welch’s Platinum-encrusted past, one must, at the very least, sincerely admire the guitarist’s intestinal fortitude for embarking on such an undeniably perilous journey. Thus, if you’ve once again found yourself in search of a less than obvious departure from the puréed bullshit that is so often ‘…force fed en mass…’, then this, my friends, might just be the cure for what ails you. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
Recently, legendary former Korn guitarist Brain “Head” Welch, always a man of many words and interesting stories, was kind enough to take a break from his decidedly hectic schedule to speak with us regarding, among many other things, the release of his highly-anticipated second novel Washed By Blood: Lessons From My Time With Korn And My Journey To Christ…
Todd: What was the main motivation behind the release of Washed By Blood: Lessons From My Time With Korn And My Journey To Christ?
Brian “Head” Welch: “…It was a decision made by the publishing company. …It’s the same book…it’s Save Me From Myself stripped down so that eight to ten year olds can read it. It just takes some of the raw details out, ya know? The shocking stuff. It’s just aimed at kids. It was their idea and I just went with it, ya know? My daughter is ten years old and let her read it. I wouldn’t let read the other book, so… I’ve got some friends who were like ‘Yeah, I let me eight year old daughter read it’ (Save Me From Myself) and I was like ‘Dude! What are you doin’?’ (laughs). That’s like adult stuff.”
Todd: In hindsight, were you surprised by the overwhelmingly positive reaction to Save Me From Myself? I would imagine you weren’t anticipating it become a New York Times bestseller…
Brian: “Yeah, because I didn’t know what to expect, ya know? I had been in hibernation for two years. …A lot of people hated me because I acted weird when I first left Korn and began my life as a Christian. I did some stupid things, so a lot of people hated me and I didn’t know how people were gonna react. I guess a lot of people understood because I just shared my heart like the struggles and pain that I went through. It was pretty cool to have so many people understand instead of throwing rocks at me and stuff (laughs).”
Todd: What prompted you to develop the Driven Music Group? How much of an impact did your time on a major label with Korn have on the formation of the label?
Brian: “It just kinda fell into place. I was on a big major label for so many years with Korn. It was cool because we had a lot of success and had a big engine behind us, but I wanted to do something on a smaller scale that we could have total control of, ya know? Do things in my own timing. It just kinda landed in my lap and I went for it. …I’ve got two partners…Greg Shanaberger and Mark Nawara. Mark had these bands…he was in a relationship with them on his former label Crash Music. He’s been in the business for a while, so he took his contacts and brought them over to Driven. We didn’t really go out and sign them. They were already there from Mark…that was his label.”
Todd: Any truth to the rumors that work on your solo debut Save Me From Myself has at long last been completed?
Brian: “Yeah. It’s finished and is ready for release on September 9th. It’s done…done, mastered, printed and everything. …A lot of people are sayin’ that they can totally tell that I came from Korn because it’s very similar. A lot of the guitar tricks are the same as I did in Korn. It’s heavy…it’s really heavy and in your face…it’s loud Rock music, ya know? You can hear Korn all over it, but I was one of the founding members and main songwriters in Korn for the music and stuff.”
Todd: Overall, have you been pleased with the response to the album’s first single “Flush”?
Brian: “…It’s been pretty cool. It’s pretty hard to get into the bigger stations like K-Rock in L.A. and stuff like that, ya know? When Korn first came out, we could be anywhere. That’s just how it was. But I’m not goin’ out there payin’ people to play my stuff. It’s been pretty cool. The response I’ve been getting is that people are saying it’s not anything like what they expected to hear. …They thought I was going to have some soft spiritual music or whatever. It’s really kind of a jump back to the old Korn days, ya know? …As far as the music and some of the guitars and stuff.”
Todd: Musically and stylistically, how does the material on Save Me From Myself compare from the majority of your recorded efforts with Korn?
Brian: “It’s really heavy in spots like Korn, but then in some spots, the music is different and takes you on a journey…for me it does, anyway. It’s so chaotic. There’s screamin’ and then all of a sudden, there’s some cool piano, strings and melody goin’ on. It takes you somewhere else. I love soft music with sturdy emotions and I love heavy music, so I wanted to combine the two, ya know? I thought I got a good combination of the two. It was pretty fun.”
Todd: What musicians did you ultimately work with during the recording of Save Me From Myself?
Brian: “(A Perfect Circle/Nine Inch Nails drummer Josh Freese) came in and laid down the drums for all the songs. I wrote the songs and laid the basic drum patterns…the beat and stuff and he would come in make my stuff sound professional, ya know? He just came in and nailed it. He’s my favorite drummer. I also got Tony Levin, who’s a really respected and legendary bass player. He came in and nailed some songs. I also had a guy named Trevor Dunn from Mr. Bungle. He laid some stuff for me. And another guy named Archie J. Muise laid some rhythm guitar tracks when I was out of the studio or was havin’ a sissy fit or something. He came in played my parts for me (laughs). It was cool to have different types of musicians, ya know? In Korn, all I ever jammed with were the guys in Korn or maybe Limp Bizkit or something. These guys were different than what I was used to, ya know? It was cool to just play with some pros, ya know?”
Todd: Looking back, how did your time in the studio recording Save Me From Myself differ from your experiences in the studio with Korn? Were they more or less frustrating?
Brian: “I’d say both. In the beginning, I was stressed out, but I was having fun. I was goin’ through challenges, ya know? When you do methamphetamine, it messes with your emotions and mind and stuff. …Partying for that many years…it’s like a kid goin’ to the candy store every day. Sooner or later, he’s gonna end up sick and unhealthy, ya know? …After time passes, you start to become more normal again, but I had a lot of fits or rage. I would break things in the studio if things didn’t go my way, so that had to go. But the times when things were goin’ really good were fun. While I was going through those challenges, I could take time off. I would take like even six months off, ya know? In 2006, I hadn’t done music for a while and just wanted to take a break. It was cool to do that because there was no pressure. There was no one tellin’ me ‘Dude, you gotta get into the studio and finish this. We’ve got a deadline’. There was no deadline. It was just whatever happened, ya know? Everything happened the way it was supposed to because I’m a new man now. I’m totally calm. When things don’t do my way, I don’t freak out. …I’m just a new person and it feels great.”
Todd: What are your current touring plans? I’m assuming you’ll be touring as much as possible in support of Save Me From Myself…
Brian: “Right now, we’ve got an in-store record store tour. In September, were gonna just go around and get the word out and see the reaction from people. Then, hopefully, we’ll be able to get something together and get out on the road. There’s nothing set in stone yet. I’m just takin’ things one thing at a time. I just got done with my first video for “Flush”... I’m just takin’ things one day at a time right now. I’m lookin’ forward to playin’ again, though. It’s been three and a half years. …I’m just goin’ with the flow and kinda lettin’ things happen. I’m not tryin’ to be anxious for anything anymore. I really live by faith, ya know? Two years ago, things looked hopeless at some points. When I was doin’ the record, I was like ‘Man, this thing’s never gonna get out’. Then I learned to just go with the flow, ya know? Things just kinda fall into place now. …I look forward to rockin’ out again and singin’. I went through a little intimidation and nervousness because I was never a lead singer in front of a crowd, but now I look forward to facin’ it head-on and havin’ fun with it, ya know? As the album gets closer to the date when it’s comin’ out, I’m starting to get more and more excited about the subject of touring. …Towards the end of Korn, all I did was do drugs, so I had a bad time on tour. …But I’m a new man, now so I’m excited.”
Todd: At this point, do you have any idea what type of set list you’ll be working with?
Brian: “I don’t know. I don’t know what type of set list we’ll be using. I couldn’t tell you. …I have an idea. I’d like to play the album front to back just like it is on the CD, ya know? That would be really cool because then the real fans that have the album and play it would be able to listen to the album live front to back. So we’ll see if that happens, ya know?”
Todd: At this point in your career, taking everything into consideration, do you consider yourself a Christian Metal artist?
Brian: “I definitely consider it Metal and Heavy. Let people label it however they want, ya know? It totally sounds like Korn and it’s heavy. I always just considered Korn heavy, ya know? People would ask us what type of music we play and we’d always be like ‘Heavy’. People came up with the name Nü Metal and that’s fine, ya know? …I’m pleased with it and I just hope people can get into it. …I wouldn’t say I’m a Christian Metal artist. I’d say I’m a Christian who plays Metal music. …My stuff it just real life, man. I sing about my drug addictions that I had, I sing about leaving Korn, I sing about some spiritual things. The reaction I’ve gotten out of people that have heard the record is that it doesn’t sound like any Christian album they’ve ever heard, ya know? It is what it is, ya know? It could cross over because I could sell it in Christian stores because it’s not like obscene or nothin’ like some of my other stuff was. I am a Christian, but I wouldn’t call it Christian Metal. …Maybe some people might, but whatever.”
Todd: Were you surprised by the negative reaction to your “A Cheap Name” single? It seemed to have sparked a great deal of controversy…
Brian: “…That was just me comin’ off of drugs. When I wrote that, I was a little bit out of my mind. I can laugh about all of it now, but that was then and this was now. …They should make that song a ‘Don’t Do Meth’ campaign, ya know? (laughs) Like if you do Meth, you might go out a chase down a Gangster Rapper, ya know? (laughs) I was just a little bit nuts.”
Todd: In retrospect, what led to your decision to make a pilgrimage to India? What goal(s) were you hoping to achieve by making the trip?
Brian: “That was a trip. Like I said, I’ve learned to just go with the flow in my life. I met up with this guy who was goin’ to India to hand out and help some orphans. I had just quit Korn and was like ‘I’m goin’ with you. I’ve got money, so let’s go’. So I went down there and it was just a trip. I didn’t go anywhere for myself. It was all to help somebody else. It was a trip to see kids there starving and stuff…and be able to help them out, donate money to them and just hang out with them and sing songs and stuff. It was a trip, but I only went that one time and donated some money. There’s a Ministry that takes care of all of those kids. They’re the real heroes. I wanted to show my fans what I was up to, so I put it out in the press a little bit… …No one recognized me over there. Just the people that knew I was comin’ over. It’s a lot different over there, ya know? When I landed there, there were people hangin’ out in the streets beggin’ for food. It’s not like the USA at all.”
Todd: Considering all of the proverbial ‘…water under the bridge…’, how would you describe your relationship with the remaining members of Korn?
Brian: “It’s really good. I just talked to them last Summer. It’s all good, ya know? …When you hang out and drink beer and do drugs with someone for ten years and then you get sober and then go hang out with them again, you’re going to feel uncomfortable. I still feel a little uncomfortable. I’m sure there’ll be a day when I can hang out with them again. It has nothing to do with them. It’s just the circumstances, ya know? I don’t know what the future holds. Maybe if one day wanted to do an album that had something to do with what I’m into now… You never know what the future holds, but I’ve got no plans to hook up with them musically as of now, but I never know what the future’s gonna bring.”
Todd: Based solely on the depths of your addictions, if you hadn’t gotten clean and sober, do you think you’d still be alive?
Brian: “I don’t know, man. I wasn’t eatin’ nothin’ but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, I was havin’ all kinds of pains in my chest… I went to a heart specialist and after I had all these tests done, I went home and snorted even more speed. I was killing myself. …Looking back, it was just the drugs that were pointing me in a bad direction. You can’t do methamphetamines all day and then take Xanax at night. You can’t mix uppers and downers. People die like that all the time. So I don’t think I would have lived. I wouldn’t be alive. …It was unbelievable. I was a madman. I kept it off and on during the early days of Korn and just drank beer, but towards the end, it just got really, really heavy.”
Select Discography
Save Me From Myself (2008) ***
Washed By Blood: Lessons From My Time With Korn And My Journey To Christ (2008) **
Save Me From Myself: How I Found God, Quit Korn, Kicked Drugs, And Lived To Tell My Story (2007) **
Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (2004) *
Take A Look In The Mirror (2003) *
Untouchables (2002) *
Issues (1999) *
Follow The Leader (1998) *
Life Is Peachy (1996) *
Korn (1994) *
* as a member of Korn
** as an author
*** as a solo artist