Reginald 'Fieldy' Arvizu

Biography

Reginald Arvizu, widely known as Fieldy, is an American bassist whose distinctive groove anchored the California-born nu-metal band Korn. Born June 2, 1969, in California, Fieldy grew up with a deep appreciation for funk, hip-hop, and metal, absorbing rhythms from Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Les Claypool of Primus, and Bootsy Collins among others. He began playing bass in his early teens, experimenting with funk lines and a heavy bottom-end that would become a hallmark of his sound. In the late 1980s and early 1990s he cut his teeth in local Los Angeles-area and Bakersfield outfits, developing a percussive, groove-first approach to bass that emphasized feel over flash. His path crossed with Jonathan Davis and James Shaffer in the Bakersfield scene, and by 1993 Arvizu joined the fledgling group that would become Korn. With Korn, Fieldy helped catalyze a movement in heavy, groove-driven metal. The band's self-titled debut, released in 1994 on Elementree Records and produced by Ross Robinson, fused downtuned guitars with pounding rhythms and Arvizu's heavy, thudding bass. The follow-up Life Is Peachy (1996) broadened their range, while the 1998 album Follow the Leader became a worldwide breakthrough, delivering hits like 'Freak on a Leash' and 'Got the Life' and earning Korn a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 2000. The subsequent Issues (1999) and Untouchables (2002) cemented their status as touring powerhouses, headlining Ozzfest and the Family Values Tour, and influencing a generation of metal and nu-metal bands. Fieldy's tight pocket, percussive slap technique, and distinctive stage presence anchored the band's ferocious live shows and their signature recorded identity, further developed through collaborations with producers like Ross Robinson and other key producers who shaped their aggressive but melodic approach. Fieldy's signature style blends funk-inflected bass lines with hardcore weight, producing the rolling grooved backbone of Korn's sound. His use of a five-string bass enabled deeper tunings and lower-end punch, while his percussive right-hand technique achieves a drum-like attack that can drive brutal grooves as well as anchor slower, heavier sections. This approach has influenced countless bassists in nu-metal and modern metal, encouraging players to pursue rhythm-first bass parts that lock in with the drums. Gear wise, Fieldy's work has tended toward robust, stage-ready setups optimized for reliability and bottom-end clarity, reflecting a philosophy of groove and timing over flashy soloing. Fieldy's impact on metal and rock extends beyond Korn's studio albums and tours. His emphasis on groove, cohesion, and identity helped redefine what a bass instrument could contribute to a heavy band and his work continues to influence new generations of players seeking to blend funk, hip-hop, and metal into a single, tight pocket. Today he remains an active force with Korn and engages in side projects and collaborations that showcase his bass-forward sensibility, ensuring his legacy endures as a touchstone for rhythm-driven metal.