KXM
KXM is an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2013, consisting of drummer Ray Luzier of Korn, vocalist and bassist dUg Pinnick of King's X, and guitarist George Lynch of Lynch Mob and formerly Dokken.[1][2] The band's name derives from the initials of their primary groups: K for Korn, X for King's X, and M for Lynch Mob.[2] Since its inception, KXM has released three studio albums—KXM (2014), Scatterbrain (2017), and Circle of Dolls (2019)—blending elements of alternative metal, hard rock, and progressive influences through high-energy riffs, powerful vocals, and intricate rhythms.[1][3][4] The group originated from informal jamming sessions that began at Luzier's son's birthday party in early 2013, where the three musicians, long-time acquaintances in the rock scene, quickly bonded over shared musical visions.[1] Their self-titled debut album, released on Rat Pak Records, featured tracks like "Rescue Me" and "Gun Fight," which showcased Pinnick's soulful vocals, Lynch's signature guitar solos, and Luzier's dynamic percussion, earning praise for its cohesive sound and boundary-pushing energy.[2][5] Follow-up efforts Scatterbrain and Circle of Dolls expanded on this foundation, incorporating more experimental structures and thematic depth, with the latter recorded in an intensive 12-day session that highlighted the band's improvisational chemistry.[6][3] KXM has performed at select rock festivals and toured sporadically to accommodate members' commitments to their main bands, maintaining a cult following among fans of 1980s and 1990s hard rock.[4]History
Formation
KXM was formed in Los Angeles, California, in early 2013 as a hard rock supergroup consisting of vocalist and bassist dUg Pinnick, guitarist George Lynch, and drummer Ray Luzier.[7] The idea for the band originated during a casual gathering at Luzier's home, where the three musicians, already acquainted through the Los Angeles music scene, decided to jam together for the first time.[8] The spark occurred at Luzier's son's first birthday party, attended by Pinnick and Lynch among other friends; the trio's impromptu discussion about collaborating led to their initial sessions, with no predefined agenda beyond exploring their combined musical chemistry.[9] This organic meeting highlighted their mutual respect, as Luzier had long admired Pinnick's work with King's X and Lynch's guitar prowess from Dokken and Lynch Mob.[10] The band's name, KXM, was derived from the initials of the members' primary bands: "K" for Korn (Luzier's group), "X" for King's X (Pinnick's band), and "M" for Lynch Mob (Lynch's project).[2] Conceived as a side project, KXM allowed the musicians to blend their diverse experiences in hard rock and metal without interfering with their commitments to Korn, King's X, and Lynch Mob, emphasizing creative freedom and occasional releases.[10]Self-titled debut album
KXM's self-titled debut album was recorded in 2013 primarily at guitarist George Lynch's home studio in California, where the band embraced a raw, organic process without pre-production, click tracks, metronomes, or Pro Tools editing.[11] The sessions began around July or August 2013, with the trio jamming ideas live and capturing them spontaneously to foster creative freedom.[12] Self-produced by the band, the album's engineering was handled by Lynch and drummer Ray Luzier, emphasizing the members' chemistry from their initial house jams.[13] Released on March 11, 2014, via independent label Rat Pak Records, the 13-track album showcases a blend of hard rock grooves, soulful vocals, and intricate instrumentation drawn from the players' backgrounds.[14] Key songs include the atmospheric opener "Stars," the anthemic "Rescue Me," and the riff-driven "Gun Fight," which highlight dUg Pinnick's versatile bass lines and soaring leads from Lynch.[15] The track listing is as follows:- Stars
- Rescue Me
- Gun Fight
- Never Stop
- Faith Is a Room
- I'll Be Ok
- Sleep
- Love
- You
- Hero
- Burn
- Do It Now
- Above