Korn guitarist James ‘Munky’ Shaffer recently opened up about the current status of original bassist Reginald ‘Fieldy’ Arvizu. He addressed speculation about his potential return to the band in an interview with Rolling Stone Brasil.
Shaffer discussed the challenges the band faced with Fieldy’s engagement during their recent recording sessions. He explained the circumstances that led to his hiatus from touring in 2021.
“There’s been moments where it’s difficult in imagining what it could be right here, if he was in the band, what would he do, kind of thing,” Shaffer said. “But on the last couple of records, he was kind of checked out, and trying to get him engaged was a little bit difficult, just to stay in the room while we were writing.”
The guitarist elaborated on Fieldy’s behavior during recording sessions. He shared the band’s understanding of his situation.
“He would always just kind of leave, and he’d be in there for a few minutes, and then kind of just not focused, and he just kind of lost his ambition, I guess,” he continued. “But it’s okay. It happens. Everything goes in cycles. We’re definitely not mad at him or anything. We want him to be happy, and it didn’t really feel like he was happy being a working musician at the time. So it was a mutual sort of… I wouldn’t say ‘split’, because… I still use the word ‘hiatus’. I think he needed a break from [the band].”
Shaffer explained how the demanding nature of the band’s schedule may have contributed to Fieldy’s decision to step back.
“We work our asses off,” he said. “Even when we’re not touring, we’re writing music or we’re working on things. And when we go home, we take a couple of weeks off from tour, and then we’re back at it. And I think that sort of schedule just became too daunting for him, after 30 years, to continue. It takes a lot of stamina.”
The guitarist emphasized the band’s supportive stance toward their longtime member and his well-being.
“I just don’t feel like he had it at the time, or just had a lot of other personal stuff happening too,” Shaffer noted. “He wasn’t happy. It was obvious that he wasn’t happy. And at the end of the day, he’s our brother, and we want him to be happy. So it’s, like, ‘Well, do what you wanna do. Just stay healthy. Keep your mental health on the track to pursue whatever it is that makes you happy.'”
Shaffer concluded with positive updates about Fieldy’s current state and his involvement with his family.
“I’ve heard he’s doing well,” he said. “I haven’t spoke to him personally in probably a few months. But, yeah, I see his kids. His son is playing bass, and he’s doing a band, and I think Fieldy’s been helping with that, and with his son. It looks like they’re having a good time. And, yeah, he looks like he’s doing better, honestly, which makes us all feel great. We definitely wanna see him at his best and enjoying being home with his family and staying healthy.”
Shaffer’s comments come more than five years after Fieldy’s initial departure from the band’s touring activities. They provide insight into the ongoing situation between the bassist and his longtime bandmates.
Bass Magazine reported that Fieldy officially announced his hiatus on June 21, 2021, via a statement on social media just before Korn’s summer tour with Staind. In his statement, he explained that he had been dealing with personal issues over the past six years. These included falling back on “bad habits” that caused tension within the band. He committed to taking time off to heal at the suggestion of others while staying creative to “keep my mind & soul in a good place.”
Since Fieldy’s departure, Metal Injection noted that Ra Diaz from Suicidal Tendencies and Infectious Grooves has taken over bass duties for Korn’s live performances. The band has continued touring with Diaz as their bassist. They maintain their rigorous schedule that Shaffer referenced in his recent comments.
In April 2026, Fieldy provided additional clarity about his exit during an appearance on the Shady Characters podcast with former L.A.P.D. bandmate Richard Morrill. Loudwire revealed that Fieldy disclosed COVID-19 played a significant role in his decision to step away from the band. “COVID happened. That’s it. I’m like, ‘I’m not going out there.’ … I didn’t get vaccinated or anything,” he explained during the podcast.
Despite his extended absence, Fieldy left the door open for a potential return. He remained cautious about making any definitive commitments. “I’m retired from Korn today, but we’ll see what the day brings tomorrow,” he stated during the same podcast appearance. However, as of May 2025, Wikipedia documented that Fieldy had not spoken to Korn members since 2019. He did not anticipate reuniting with the band soon, suggesting that any potential return remains uncertain.
