Brian Welch
Brian Welch (born June 19, 1970 in Torrance, California), better known around the world as "Head," was a member of the band KoЯn, which is said to have revolutionized the genre of nu metal. Welch played rhythm and lead guitar with the act as well as provided backup vocals.
Before the formation of KoЯn, Welch was friends with James "Munky" Shaffer. The two jammed together on guitar. When Shaffer's band, LAPD, 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 [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 Tremelo, and the Boss RV-3 delay.
In 1998, while the band was on the prestigious Ozzfest, Welch's first daughter, Rebekkah, was born. The band left the tour so that Welch could be by his then-wife's side. He and Rebekkah have since divorced and Brian has custody of their daughter. holy fuck nuckles
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] Welch has also been tattooed with the words Matthew 11:28, a verse referring to the "rest" sinners receive on conversion.
Head is now working on his solo album.