Korn Founder and Guitarist James 'Munky' Shaffer on Music, Sobriety, Drug & Alcohol Addiction

[@houmanhr8641]

When doctor asked "when did you get good?(at music)" and munky said "haha, still working on it", man how humble someone could be😁😍

[@LITTLEXALIENS]

Munky is one of my biggest inspirations and I am currently over 6 months sober from alcohol. my last time drinking was actually at a Korn show... it was an appropriate closing to a turbulent chapter in my life. seeing Munky’s transformation the past decade (and the band in general) has given me hope I can restructure my life, settle down and still be a crazy musician. the brain scans were fascinating and the conversation was therapeutic thank you Dr. Amen & James 🙏

[@geraldhoffman2606]

I think korn might be responsible for peoples drinking addictions but it’s good too see what munkys doin now

[@andtuningforall4957]

@@geraldhoffman2606 no, they're not responsible

[@claymack1109]

It'll be one year in April since I quit

[@LITTLEXALIENS]

awesome!! i'm still rocking right now @@claymack1109

[@HailTheApocalypse]

@@LITTLEXALIENS one day at a time brotha. And that goes for everyone else that is fighting. 🙏

[@tattoobillyvon9764]

Proud of my brother, we did some “bad habits” together

[@5150Reaper]

Munky has the coolest dreads ever.

[@elusive_mg_gaming]

Yeah

[@josephbrenner2278]

He's had them since the late 80s. He's the real deal. Love Munky

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

This man is baring his soul, and this is what you chose to post?

[@5150Reaper]

@ are you stupid? Welcome to the internet. Where humans can post whatever they want. Also, you’re a year late. 🤡

[@jdfckrr]

Munky is definitely one of my biggest inspirations. I’ve been trying to get over some bad habits myself and seeing him be open about being sober reminds me that healing will take time and determination. Thank you, Munky, for being so brave and open about your experiences and sobriety. You will always be appreciated and loved by me and every fan out there! ❤

[@Mischiefmaniacs2270]

Scans should be mandatory. It’s like we’ve gotten to heal with the other band members but munky has been said to be the sweetest most kind individual as long as he’s sober. I’m so thankful I saw this. He is an inspiration on and off the stage. Dreads are Definitely next level.

[@niallstallard5936]

Wow, this was surprisingly deep in a good way. I’m happy for Munky and grateful that he is sharing his story with us.

[@IXAIAX]

Munky is a genius, total music legend

[@creativecreep]

I grew up listening to Korn and going to their concerts. As someone in the very early days of sobriety myself, it's so inspiring to see someone like Munky come so far and leave behind what was damaging to his life.

[@juliemalone9139]

I was adopted and feel the same way…identity issues, abandonment, etc.

[@hawkeye9382]

Your mother wanted you to have a better life than she could give you!!!

[@frusciantegeartone]

James is the most humble dude.

[@monicag4855]

Munky your musical ability that you have shared is insane. Im not suicidal but youve saved my life, if that mean anything to you! Ive been abused all my life. I appreciate your vulnerability and honesty... Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@janicehathaway3406]

Thank you Munky for being so honest and revealing such deep personal emotions. I have so much respect for you, and wish you only a healthy, happy life. You have such a beautiful, loving wife and 3 amazing children with Evis. You have so much to live for. You’ve got this!

[@shawnstarks1743]

I like this dude, you don’t hear enough from him. Very very descent human. Not what I expected.

[@SummerDuperly]

I don’t get why all doctors don’t see a scan of the brain before they medicate people. Why isn’t this the common protocol. This video is so informative; like a master class for free. Thank you Dr Amen!🤗

[@xNachtmahRx]

Private insurances will work wonders

[@usnavyvet4038]

I absolutely love, admire and respect Munky so much! I'm a recovering alcoholic. I'm 5 1/2yrs sober. And I can relate to so much of what he thinks and how he feels.

[@kevinac4397]

Man he really comes across as a grounded and decent person. Congrats on getting the family you deserve.

[@bethwatts5527]

I’m so proud of you for getting sober. A lot of good people have been lost from drugs and alcohol. Stay strong I know you can do it. God be with you all

[@Seaker24]

He put is mom’s needs, even if only perceived, above his own. Good man!

[@chelsea8504]

Awww he has been thru alot, he is a great guy. And I'm glad he was able to get sober and live his life for his family. Proud of you man 🥰 I'm proud of all you guys!

[@sheellasheella]

I love watching these Munky episodes! My favorite Korn member.

[@megatedassaultituary6783]

this guy is way humble for someone his calibre, Munky was a guitar god even before Korn, check out his LAPD stuff not only a phenomenal shredder but a killer songwriter

[@robertmclane7034]

Stay strong Munk. Legendary band with some of the worst drug/alcohol addiction in music history and they all went to war with it and have gotten better and survived. The Korn story is like no other with the amount of trials and tribulations and an absolute inspiration to those who suffer with addiction

[@jmpayne333]

I just realized I’ve never heard James speak. I’ve listened to JD talk a million times and if you haven’t I highly recommend his recent interviews, but James is so much different than I perceived him for 30 years.

[@cpkay33]

so nice to see munky in the spotlight with this. super relatable with his story on addiction and feelings of abandonment from adoption. what a great dude.

[@SeekingandBeing]

Here in Bako! LOVE YOU MUNKY 💗 Much Love, Many Blessings, You're Powerful and I'm so happy to see you shining your Beautiful Light ✨️

[@SeekingandBeing]

Love you too Doc! I've been following you for well over a decade on TV, books and now KZbin 🙏🏼

[@joePARKS]

I love this so much! I grew up with James in Rosedale - I remember watching him start, just the beginning of addiction and drifting that direction. Then watch him rise in fame but fall apart internally. Seeing him in this video makes me smile and celebrate

[@iamwe7035]

brave man. thanks munky for sharingQ as much as we love korn we also understand the human side specially your older fans! we grow with you ! and to all of you that are fighting , you got it ! love for all

[@happy_bubble7]

Man... I needed to watch this. I've been going round and round and round with OCD thinking, and none of the therapy, medications, or journaling has ever helped.

[@suziediamondcain]

Whoa... Came to watch as a fan of Doc & Neuro-nerd only to discover this man's personal journey has a lot of similarities to mine... Adopted as a baby, guilt in wanting to find my biological family, parents died, experience of abuse, trauma, undiagnosed adhd + addictions... Wow. Recovery is both beautiful & possible guys. Stay blessed and take charge of those thoughts 🙏💓

[@rhighan4357]

you are strong and loved. keep going friend

[@Kairuofficial]

Thanks for opening up like this Munky 🙏 Huge inspiration 🙏

[@Loki-sk7bi]

Love you Munk! You’re my inspiration

[@HailTheApocalypse]

I knew JD had issues as a child but I didn't know Munky had it happen to him too. Damn. As long as I've known this band or thought I knew, I had no idea Munky went through that stuff too. I had a one time thing happen to me by a babysitter when I was 6 or 7. I self medicated for many years. My mom was an alcoholic and for those who don't know, it's hereditary. I don't want to write a book here but I'm still working on things.

[@kellylyons1038]

I was surprised to learn that too. I dealt with a lot of sexual abuse in my childhood and always found myself resonating with the singing of JD and Chester Bennington, who also was a victim of CSA, but i never knew why until i learned that about them. Having your childhood innocence taken from you like that really shakes you deeply. Its inspirational seeing people make the most out of themselves despite it.

[@HailTheApocalypse]

@kellylyons1038 my mom had things done by her step father and her mother ignored it and/or didn't believe it was happening. I didn't have a very good relationship with my mother unfortunately because of it. Again my mom was an alcoholic and wasn't exactly mother of the year. That's for sure. I loved her but I didn't like her. I mean, we had some good moments of course but for the most part, ugh. It hurts thinking about it. I know what she did and was, wasn't her fault. It's hard to separate those feelings I had for her. I just hope she's in a better place now.

[@HailTheApocalypse]

@kellylyons1038 and yes, Jonathan is kinda like my therapist in some way. Whenever I feel like shit about something, I'll listen to their first 2 albums and I get lost in them. In a good way. Another thing that helps me is that I know other people have gone through worse or are going through worse than I have. And I send my prayers out to them.

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

The song ‘Daddy’ is not about an experience Jonathon had, he has said over and over that it was not about himself.

[@HailTheApocalypse]

@@symptomoftheuniverse4149 who said it was?

[@haywoodwardiii4686]

Thank yall, this may have been my key in the door.

[@tommycutler2032]

Munk you are amazing I'm proud to call you brother!!

[@MichaelMccune-d8k]

Munky and head are bad ass together when they play guitar I love that heavy ass 7 string sound hopefully there around for a good bit longer and please come to Baltimore it's been 24 freakin years I've saw korn in va/dc but the ride there sucks

[@jvejar]

Thank You . God Bless you both 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I have learned something from this video

[@BalGonzales]

love and prayers❤❤❤

[@98Dougmorris]

Thank you for sharing!

[@BackRoadStoneRevival]

You will be alright James. Love and Prayers

[@tgunzz3790]

Talk about being the person that needed to see this.

[@the90sguy]

an amazing human and an inspiration for us all

[@Pointsbeingmade]

Great talk. I like how he approaches thoughts.

[@centsmith6121]

I love this guy and Head since my elementary days!

[@monicag4855]

When i listen to you talk about yourself,i cant make it through the interview. 😢 Thank you for speaking!!!

[@PennyHorwell]

I took my 12 year old daughter to see them in London last Sunday! Thanks for helping create a metal head... Road trips are gonna be great now.

[@hannaraoul7731]

Thank you for sharing

[@austinsmith1771]

Truly genuine dude. Love it.

[@saadesigner07]

Congrats Munky. Stay strong brother.

[@bobklein7366]

Thank you Munky for sharing.

[@Galahad_the_14th]

What a great video.

[@elusive_mg_gaming]

I love His music,

[@dannycee3955]

This is very inspirational, I enjoyed this very much. I don't know how I got here but this comes at a time where I need to settle down and focus on health and my family. Thank you Korn and Munkey for this good and needed boost of motivation. 🤘

[@Hicks-g1m]

I love Munky Korn rock it's so good to hear him talk about something like this 🤘🤘

[@Amir_Nassir]

ive spent months steranded in alaska in the woods and bears this happed to me once. i was stranded at sea for 700 days. i ate nothing but bacon, eggs, steak, shrimp, corn, cheese, butter, hambugarm, chckein,cheese, butter, corn

[@ll-li9pz]

Im here for u munky i love u 😫

[@gregcoppola6320]

Dude rules 🤘🏼

[@upnorthvlogs]

KoRn forever

[@mattl6835]

That hit deep man. Great video

[@AmenClinic]

Appreciate that ❤️

[@rw3283]

James Munky RULES...

[@ibanezjimi]

Great story Respect.

[@Cmiro22544]

Nice interview

[@guitarconcepts8850]

I gave this guy guitar lessons. I talked to him about his drinking, I thought he was gonna die. He called me every name In the book. Now he's repeating everything I said to him. I dunno If I should be mad or not lol .

[@johnnysins1171]

When was this filmed?

[@LayneStaley-zl2iq]

I would of been where he was at 40. Sober. If this bs never spawned from the demons on earth. Happy for Munky. ❤️‍🩹

[@robertarce5377]

Munky 🐒 get well soon!

[@radiantlove7136]

Aww it’s really tough to lay it all out like that. To be vulnerable. I hope he finds God. He’ll even heal more. God talks about self-control and discipline as well. The gravity is your demons that keep pulling you in. Until your delivered!

[@steviechivo]

This guy was adopted 😮

[@shmeeky.kleeky3440]

Yeah I didn't know either. I've been a fan since 1994.

[@demonicaturner]

Yeah he was

[@raulfigueroa588]

Yup I found out maybe a year or two ago. I also had a hunch he was Latino. I remember him saying he was Mexican when he was joking around one in a video but it all makes sense now

[@demonicaturner]

@@raulfigueroa588 Yeah he was confirmed to be Mexican and Native (Indigenous)

[@LeadMe2TheBliss]

Yes, he was adopted, and he also cut off the tip of one of his fingers (Much like Tony Iommi) when he was sneaking out of his house to go to a keg party, he got his finger stuck in the chain on his 3 wheeler that he was going to drive to the keg party haha. They had keg parties out in fields in the middle of nowhere out in Oildale, which is only about 3 miles away from his parents home in Bakersfield.

[@2011vortex]

Is this the 1st time he talked about sex abuse?

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

Oh, man I did not expect this. We have recognized us woman being molested and raped as children but the men rarely speak out.

[@AmenClinic]

Thank you for watching

[@symptomoftheuniverse4149]

@ You are welcome, it was very insightful.

[@josetierrablanca1705]

Your sobriety is the and strongest, this so call doc wanted you to fall so he can say he's helped you, your wife and your family have already done it. Don't let your pass hurt your family you are a part of history around the world.

[@IllusionaryUsername]

He barely ages.

[@victorknutson105]

Just do what Brian is doing that way your free either way... and Evan then you'll be free walking with god

[@marsoblivi0n945]

Ohh yeah it’s that easy. Gtfo

[@Loki-sk7bi]

Absolutely unnecessary.

[@xlouiex3006]

Would be awesome if James Munky becomes a Christian like Brian Head

[@margaridacosta270]

Ok but the question is Is your life any better without alcohol? I have 46 years, no friends,no wife, no girlfriend, no kids.... Family 5 or 6 peopke o know,i hate my job, i hate the olace i live, i hate the house i live, i live alone fir 20 years. I have only one good thing, financialy i am ok, i would say above average but the rest is a big hollow. I drink 1 or 2 times per week heavily and i forget about my shit life.I dont drink five days.

His mom should had pressed charges against the abuser if she knew about it

[@kirtfrank3458]

munky better on druygs icl

[@MICHAELRG7321]

Ok Bunny going