Love and Death’s Teenage Guitarist J.R. Bareis Ready for Future

Nu-metal alternative group, Love and Death, look to make 2012 their year and are in a strong place to do so.

Things truly started in 2005 though. That’s when Brian “Head” Welch left Korn.

Of course, this had shaken up the rock community, but Welch needed a change. He had seen a new light in Christianity and wanted the chance to finally give his daughter, Jennea, the attention that he felt she didn’t get before.

However, he wasn’t finished with music, not one bit.

In July 2007, he first released an autobiography on his life and career, named “Save Me From Myself.” He talked about his personal troubles and  addictions – he held nothing back about his life, but emphasized that that he needed a change. The book was a success, as it became a New York Times best seller.

After that, in 2008, Welch released a solo album under the same name as his book. The music was heavy, but it sent a positive message to fans.

You do get second chances.

His first single, “Flush,” was released on July 8, 2008, exclusively for iTunes. The controversial music video for the song caused the album to be pulled off some retailer’s shelves, but otherwise, reviews were generally positive.

Welch played many shows on tour and felt satisfied with the live band that played behind him, enough to want to do something more.

The original group was a six-piece, with Chris Valentine on Bass, Scott “SVH” Von Heldt on Guitars/Vocals, Dan Johnson on Drums, Ralph Patlan on Guitar, Brian Ruedy on Keyboard.

After they toured for two years, Ruedy was relieved of his duties and Von Heldt left the band. Von Heldt cited financial reasons for his departure. Patlan also left the band for reasons unknown. The intense search for a new guitarist would soon begin.

In 2009, Welch looked for musicians through YouTube, where he held open auditions. Whoever made it through the first cut had second round auditions. He kept a keen eye on all the competition.

In March 2011, two weeks before a tour, Welch found the “perfect fit” for the bandwhen he looked through audition videos. It came in the form of 15 year-old J.R. Bareis.

Since he had only been in a couple of local bands before this, Bareis had plenty going on in his mind when he had sent in the audition video.

“I was kind of scared at first because I never really auditioned for a band before so when I sent it in, I was hoping that they would like it,” said Bareis. “At the same time, I thought that they may not like it either, but they did.”

At that point,  Bareis had only played guitar for six years. He was already in his first “big band.” He was beyond disbelief.

“It was crazy,” said Bareis. “Playing guitar and being in a band was always a dream. When it all happened, I was kind of in shock. I didn’t think it was real.”

Bareis, 17, is the youngest member of the band, but age is only just a number to him. The key word is “ability.” Bareis possesses tons of it.

“All the guys are really cool about it and accepting [his age],” said Bareis. “I think it really helps the band too, to bring in some younger fans. It’s pretty cool.”

The group is now made up of Welch, Bassist Chris Valentine, Bareis as Lead Guitarist and Drummer Dan Johnson.

They released their debut single called “Chemicals,” in early April. A EP with the same name was released on April 24. They also released a cover of the song, “Whip It,” by the band Devo.

When the band recorded the “Chemicals” EP in the studio, the band was impressed with most of their songs, but not every song made the cut. Those decisions are not always the easiest, but instead of putting an axe on them, the band had other ideas.

“There were a couple of songs, but we’re trying to improve on them and put them on the new album hopefully,” Bareis said.

Their current single, “Paralyzed,” has become a hit radio single and has made its presence felt on the rock music charts. The song was produced by Jason Rauch, who has also worked with other bands like Red and Breaking Benjamin. Lee Bridges mixed the song.

The band has flourished in all the recent mainstream attention, as they have just recently finished a tour with the bands P.O.D., Red and Icon For Hire. They are working on a full-length set to come out this October. The work is non-stop, but that kind of dedication is needed. Things don’t get handed to you. You have to make things happen.

Albeit, The band feels confident in the new material to come. Fans are in for a treat.

“I love it, it’s great,” said Bareis.

Welch felt as if this was a new start and came up with the name “Love and Death” as a re-branding of his music.

The band draws its influences from many other metal/rock bands. Bareis himself was strongly influenced by Noah Henson, who played guitar for the band, Pillar.

“He is really the reason why I started to play guitar and why I love music. I picked up my guitar and I just play it in my room non-stop,” said Bareis. “It’s really cool now though because I know him now and we are actually really good friends and we talk all of the time. It’s pretty crazy how you get to meet the guy that made you want to play guitar and now you’re friends with him. It’s pretty cool.”

In 2011, Love and Death toured three times- two in the spring and one in the fall.

Love and Death go all out to make sure fans remember their time on the stage. They want the fans to get all of their money’s worth. They are absolutely fearless when the lights shine down upon them and the music is deafening and the crowd is restless. It’s their moment and nobody else’s.

“I love to play in front of people,” said Bareis. “At first, I was pretty scared, but I love it now. It gets me more pumped up and I go even crazier on stage. It’s awesome.”

Rebranded and revitalized, Love and Death are happy with where things are.

“Things are going good. It’s kind of like a restart,” he said. “Things are looking good for us already though.”

Needless to say, they have very high hopes for the future. That’s all they can have. A positive outlook on things will get you far. That was Welch’s original intent when he had started Love and Death and now he has three other members on board.

“Right now, we are just taking it one day at a time and just enjoying what we are doing,” said Bareis.