Brian Welch

Brian Welch (born June 19, 1970 in Torrance, California), better known by his nickname, "Head," is a former member of the band KoЯn, an influential group in the rise of the nu metal movement. Welch played rhythm and lead guitar with the act as well as provided backup vocals.

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Early in his life, Welch claims that he was different from most kids and was picked on a lot in school. He had one passion: music. Before the formation of Korn, Welch was friends with James "Munky" Shaffer. The two jammed together on guitar. When Shaffer's band, L.A.P.D. ("Love and Peace, Dude"), was looking for another guitarist, he joined and the two would become one of rock's most revered guitar-tandems. Eventually, the band found a singer in Jonathan Davis, and they released their album KoЯn in 1994 which would be the first of many successful albums, including Life Is Peachy, Follow the Leader, Issues, Untouchables, and Take a Look in the Mirror.

Welch's main — if not exclusive — guitar was/is an Ibanez 7-string. Most were custom made guitars built and assembled at the Ibanez LA Custom Shop. During the later days in KoЯn, he made, along with James "Munky" Shaffer, a signature series Seven String Guitar called the K7, which was distributed by Ibanez Guitars. He, with Munky, mainly used Mesa Boogie amps (specifically, a Triple Rectifier or Road King). Favored effects included the Digitech "Whammy pedal" [then known as the Digitech XP-100 Whammy Wah pedal], the Dunlop UV-1 Uni-Vibe, Boss PH-2 Super Phaser, Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, Rocktron Tremolo, and the Boss RV-3 delay.

In 1998, while the band was on the UK version of Ozzfest, Brian and his wife Rebekkah gave birth to their first daughter, Jennea Welch. The band left the tour so that Welch could be by his then-wife's side. He and his wife have since divorced and Brian now has custody of their daughter.

On how he got his four-letter moniker, Welch says, "I got a big head... go get me any hat, and it won't fit."

On February 22, 2005, KoЯn's management announced that Welch had parted ways with the band, citing that he had "...chosen the Lord Jesus Christ as his savior, and will be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end." [1] On March 10, 2005, Welch was baptized in the Jordan River [2] with a group of believers [3] hailing from Bakersfield, California. He has declared that he has rid himself of all drugs in his "own personal rehab" with God, in which he had checked into a hotel room and sat in his bed for countless hours. He has recently built a home, which he calls "The Crib" for a group of Indian children numbering over 200.

Welch claims he decided to quit Korn finally after hearing his daughter sing lyrics "All day I dream about sex" from the KoЯn song A.D.I.D.A.S.

Welch has also been tattooed with the words Matthew 11:28 ("Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.") and Matthew 5:8 ("Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.").

Welch is now working on his solo album. He has already made his debut with the song "Kry" and "A Cheap Name", a controversial song bashing the rapper 50 Cent.

Welch's new album is entitled "It's Time to See Religion Die" and more info can be found at FortitudeEntertainment.com

External links

• Brian Welch's Website