Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch has opened Zivel, described as an “all-in-one performance and recovery suite” that will focus on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of touring musicians who suffer from constant fatigue on the road.
Welch and Zivel's co-founder officially opened its first facilities in Bakersfield, California and Nashville, Tennessee. Welch noted, “In 2005, I found healing after years of struggling with addiction, depression, and suicidal ideation. I consider myself extremely blessed to have been made whole — body, mind and spirit — and I've devoted my life to help others find the healing they deserve.”
Welch added, “The most exciting thing for me about Zivel is that our services can help revitalize every part of a person's life — body, mind and spirit — which again, is what I feel is my life's purpose.”
Welch left Korn in early 2005, announcing at the time that he kicked his addictions to drugs and alcohol by becoming a born-again Christian. He rejoined the band in 2013.
He told us a while ago that he bottomed out during the last two years before he left the group: “2003 is when I started using speed every day. Meth. I got hooked on meth and in order to get up and function, even play the show, I had to snort lines, you know. And I told myself, 'I'll do this tour, I'll do this Ozzfest, and I'll do meth the whole time and I'll go home and check into a rehab.' And it scared me, you know, 'cause I was like coming — every month I would tell myself, 'I'm gonna stop this tour,' and I wouldn't be able to do it. Like a fear would come over me. I was just trapped.”
The guitarist's partner in Zivel is Dr. Matt O'Neill. With over 15 years of clinical experience, O'Neill experienced firsthand the abuse that is felt by touring musicians on the road when he toured with Korn in 2017 as the band's physical therapist.