Upon entering Valley Bible Fellowship church on Feb 27, it was apparent this was not to be an ordinary service.
CNN, MTV, local media as well as tattooed and pierced teenagers piled alongside the usual religious types to bear witness as Brian “Head” Welch, former guitar player for the rock band Korn, whose hits include “Freak on a Leash” and “Blind,” made his official departure from the limelight.
Welch, who is from Bakersfield, quit the band in order to devote his life to religion after a friend invited him to a service two months ago.
“I can’t go to church, I just drank a six pack and yelled at my wife. I thought there is no way I am going to church. Then I read the good book at home,” Welch said.
Another reason for leaving the band was to set a better example for his daughter. He felt music videos were making him look bad, and he has since decided to dedicate his music to Jesus Christ.
Senior Pastor Ron Vietti mentioned what it was like when he had a meeting with Welch at Romano’s Macaroni Grill. “People saw us there and were thinking, ‘Pastor Vietti and Korn? We don’t get it.’ Now we are brothers.”
Just before Welch appeared at the first service, a man standing in front of a cross with a cell phone made an announcement that the crowd was being watched in Las Vegas. The crowd cheered and raised hands in lieu of flicking lighters.
After welcoming Welch to thunderous applause, Pastor Vietti asked Welch what life was like before he found God. Welch replied, “I thought I had it all. I got money, I got girls, I kept getting everything I thought when I was a kid was important. I was like, ‘Wow, this is cool! I’m richer, richer, richer!’ ”
At the same time, Welch said he was sinking as a person. “I came to a point I didn’t want to live.” Even after being saved, Welch continued to use methamphetamine. “I came to church on drugs.”
Referring to Pastor Vietti, Welch remarked, “This man serves God. Rehab can’t cure it, AA can’t cure it. I hit rock bottom. Once I came here (holding his bible), just like that.”
Welch claims he is dedicated to helping kids and others.
“If a truck is coming, I’ll push them out of the way,” he said. “I’ll take the hit. I don’t care. I’ll change this world or die trying.”
Ashley Allen and Zac Lantz, both 19, drove 2,300 miles from Indiana to attend the service. Lantz said, “Thirty-three hours in a car. It was a long ride, but it was worth it.” When Welch heard about their devotion, he jokingly responded, “I guess I owe you gas money.”
When asked what he thought about Welch’s service, Al Garza a regular at the church said, ” I think he is doing real good. He’ll be a good role model. This is not a traditional church. It is a come as you are church.”
Jodi Gutierrez, a teenaged Korn fan, said she felt disappointed. “I don’t understand. I thought he was happy. I thought it was all about the music. Whatever makes him happy.
BC student Damien Lomack said, “As long as he keeps singing, I’ll support his decision.” Another BC student, Kaitlyn Hulsey, said, “Korn had its purpose about five years ago. I respect his decision. It is not the most ridiculous reason to leave.”
As a final thought, after the church service, Jarrett Bishop, another teen fan who sports a Korn tattoo on his leg, thought it was good. “He’s got to do what he’s got to do. I am a big fan and still support Korn.”
On March 5, Welch was baptized in the Jordan River in Israel by Pastor Vietti.
Staff member Marilyn Whipkey contributed to this story.