KORN Guitarist MUNKY: 'HEAD Won't Return My Phone Calls'

KORN fan site Korn Unleashed conducted a brief interview with KORN guitarist James "Munky" Shaffer in late April. An excerpt from the interview follows:

Korn Unleashed: You mentioned that while writing "Untouchables" your grandmother passed away, and that helped you put your aggression into the music. Has Brian's [Welch, a.k.a. Head] departure from the band done the same for you?

James: "I really didn't know he was leaving right away. But when I knew he was really gone I had to step up my songwriting for sure, and yes, it inspired me to do the best I can."

Korn Unleashed: You two have been friends for two-thirds of your life. Did his leaving the band affect your friendship at all?

James: "Well, there really isn't [a friendship] anymore. He e-mails me some Jesus stuff, but won't return my phone calls."

Korn Unleashed: Do you think he will remain a friend whether you're a Christian or not? It seems like a waste to just throw away 20 years of a strong friendship.

James: "I think we will remain friends no matter what. He just needs some time to...do whatever he needs to be happy. That's what I really care about."

Korn Unleashed: The band recently finished your contract with your record label. If you don't re-sign to a major label, do you feel that this will slow KORN down or speed KORN up now that you don't have someone telling you everything to do?

James: "At this point I'm not sure. It's kind of wierd. Who knows, the songs are fucking amazing so nothing will slow it down!"

Read the entire interview at KornUnleashed.net.