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While his Korn bandmates enjoy some time off following a summer spent on the Family Values Tour, frontman Jonathan Davis isn't going to get off the road any time soon. Instead, Davis — for the first time since forming Korn nearly 15 years ago — is venturing out on a 24-date, monthlong solo tour. The tour, which stops at Lonestar Pavilion at Sunset Station on Wednesday, Nov. 28, will feature covers, acoustic tunes and some of the more obscure songs Korn has recorded. It will also feature an opportunity for Davis to showcase some songs from 2002's “Queen of the Damned,” a film that Davis helped score. Before he brings his solo show to San Antonio, Davis talked to 210SA and other media members about playing without Korn, the state of the music industry and finding sobriety.
 

Which covers can fans expect?
There's three right now. I'm doing “The Chauffeur” from Duran Duran, and I'm doing (Neil Diamond's) “Love on the Rocks” and “Blue Monday” from New Order. It's crazy, and the “Blue Monday” cover's pretty crazy. It's really slowed down, and it's way different from the original. And I might throw in another one.

How did the guys in Korn react to the solo tour?
They were cool with it, and they were happy for me. They knew I wanted to do it for a long time, but we've had no time because we've been touring nonstop. At the end of this (Family Values) run, there was a two-month break, and I thought it was the perfect time to do it. Actually, I think (Korn bandmates) Munky and Fieldy were both like, “Go for it dude, but can we get tickets to the L.A. show?”

How does that acoustic vibe differ from Korn?
I won't say this show is completely acoustic because we've got keyboards and mixture, but there are no distorted guitars. I really like it because it was completely the polar opposite from what I do in Korn, the sounds and guitars. We get onstage and rock out and really put 100 percent of our body and soul into what we do in Korn. This is more laid back, more intimate. There's something about it I really dig because it's a completely different thing.

How much does integrity play into what music connects with the fans?
I think there is some with the older bands, but right now with the state of music from my eyes, it's really in a sad spot with all the labels and the music industry in general. Younger bands don't really have a chance, and it's sad because I'd like to see more of them come up and do their thing. (Integrity) is a huge part of the music. When you get in a band, you believe in integrity and not selling out. It's part of the whole rock and roll thing. I wish there were more bands that could do it and had more chances, and hopefully things will turn around in the industry. Hopefully, more bands will have a chance and not be thrown out there if they have a hit, and if not, on to the next band.

Having been sober since '98, does playing gigs like this mean more than they did in the past?
Yeah, definitely. When Korn was at the point where we were playing clubs like this, I barely remember. I was a complete out of control alcoholic drug addict. I was going around trying to be a rock star, thinking that's what a rock star should be, stereotypical like Jim Morrison because I'd been watching too much of “The Doors.” Growing up, I was thinking that's what a rock star should be. I was out of my mind, and going back to these places now and playing in an intimate setting, it's going to be special. It's a first time again for me because I don't really remember a lot of that. It's going to be fun and crazy at the same time.

What prompted you to get sober?
For me, it was coming home and my 3-year-old son seeing me drunk, all f**ked up out of my mind. He gave me a look I'll never forget and made me feel like the biggest piece of s**t. My grandfather passed away, and the trauma of that made me think about being here for my kid and being a positive role model for him. I don't want him to grow up seeing me being a drunk. The way I was going, I was going to be one of the statistics, man. I was going to die ..... It was time for me to be a dad, and I didn't need it in my life. On Aug. 22 (1998), I had my last drink, said this is my last drink and cigarette. Everyone said, “Whatever,” but I haven't touched it since. I stopped cold turkey.

What was your last drink?
A Jack Daniel's and Coke. That was my favorite drink. I smoked my Marlboro Light cigarette and haven't touched it since.

CLINT HALE | 210SA