Editing Korn (section)

=== Early years and formation (1989–1993) ===
[[Image:Korn Logo Black PNG.png|thumb|left|Korn's original logo designed by Jonathan Davis]]

Before Korn was formed, three of the original members of the band were associated with the band [[L.A.P.D. (band)|L.A.P.D.]]–[[James Shaffer]], [[Reginald Arvizu]], and [[David Silveria]].<ref>{{cite web |title=L.A.P.D. – Overview |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lapd-mn0000118924|website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=March 20, 2013|author=Torreano, Bradley|url-status=live|archive-date=January 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110220400/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lapd-mn0000118924}}</ref>{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=36}}{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=37}} 
The group originally consisted of Shaffer, Arvizu, and lead vocalist Richard Morrill; Silveria joined when he was 16.{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=36}} When the band moved from [[Bakersfield, California]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pridgen |first=Andrew |title=People come from around the world to steal a Calif. street sign |url=https://www.sfgate.com/centralcalifornia/article/people-steal-california-street-sign-korn-row-19379392.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223151525/https://www.sfgate.com/centralcalifornia/article/people-steal-california-street-sign-korn-row-19379392.php |archive-date=February 23, 2025 |access-date=2025-03-07 |work=SFGATE |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Californian |first=CESAREO GARASA For The |date=2016-10-19 |title=Korn again: Guitarist reflects on pull of his hometown |url=https://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/music/korn-again-guitarist-reflects-on-pull-of-his-hometown/article_a43fa443-9a6c-50f6-9f67-fb85a3cc9f14.html |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=The Bakersfield Californian |language=en}}</ref> to Los Angeles, Silveria dropped out of high school and Shaffer stayed in Bakersfield.{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=38}} When Shaffer reunited with the band, they found a manager and released an [[extended play|EP]] entitled ''Love and Peace Dude'' in 1989 through [[Triple X Records]].{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=50}}{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=53}} L.A.P.D. released their sole full-length studio album ''[[Who's Laughing Now (album)|Who's Laughing Now]]'' on May 3, 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/whos-laughing-now-mw0000841594 |title=Who's Laughing Now – L.A.P.D|website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=March 20, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110213843/http://www.allmusic.com/album/whos-laughing-now-mw0000841594 |archive-date=January 10, 2014}}</ref> After the album's release, Morrill departed from the ensemble. The remaining trio were also briefly known as Creep, recording a demo with a singer named Corey before enlisting [[Brian Welch]] and [[Jonathan Davis]] to form the band that went on to become Korn.{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|pp=53–71}}

{{Listen
| filename=Korn - Predictable (demo).ogg
| title="Predictable" (1993)
| description=30-second sample of the song "Predictable" which the band would eventually re-record for their debut album. ''Neidermayer's Mind'' featured the first captured, recorded sound of Korn in the form of four tracks.{{sfn|Small|1998|p=16}}
}}
When thinking of a band name, someone suggested "corn", but the band rejected that name, so Shaffer had the idea to spell the name with a "K" instead of a "C", and a backwards "R", so the band's name would appear as "KoЯn".{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|pp=53–71}} The idea of using a backwards "R" came from the logo of toy retailer [[Toys R Us]], for which many of the band members had previously worked.{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|pp=53–71}} Silveria explained the logo, designed by Davis, "the music makes the name, because Korn's a dumb name. But once we get established, it makes the name cool."{{sfn|Small|1998|p=16}}

Korn rented a studio from Jeff Creath called Underground Chicken Sound, in [[Huntington Beach, California]]. While they were recording there, a crowd had been [[loitering]] outside the studio.{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=63}} The band began playing a prelude to a later song "[[Clown (Korn song)|Clown]]", attracting a larger crowd. Arvizu said the crowd gathered because it sounded so "different."{{sfn|Arvizu|2009|p=64}} Korn started performing at gigs in the summer of 1993, with members saying that touring was a "pain-in-the-ass." While in Huntington Beach, the band was spotted by [[Immortal Records]] [[A&R]] employee Paul Pontius. Pontius would describe Korn's sound as "the new genre of rock." In 1993, Korn released their first [[demo album]], ''[[Neidermayer's Mind]],'' which had very limited printing. It was not well received by critics or the public.{{Why|date=January 2025}}{{sfn|Small|1998|p=16}} It was released to [[record company|record companies]] and to people who filled out a flyer given out at gigs they played for free with [[Biohazard (band)|Biohazard]] and [[House of Pain]].{{sfn|Small|1998|p=16}} With this demo, Korn pioneered the nu metal sound, riffs, and rhythm.{{sfn|McIver|2002|pp=10; 12|loc=How did we get to nu-metal from old metal?}}<ref name=Unterberger2004>{{cite journal|last=Unterberger |first=Andrew|title=Top Ten Nu-Metal Bands|date=September 10, 2004 |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1220 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041009181930/http://www.stylusmagazine.com/feature.php?ID=1220 |journal=Stylus Magazine |archive-date=October 9, 2004|access-date=September 25, 2014}}</ref>