On The Dark Side

The Zoo Crew is spinning the infectious On The Dark Side by Corey Taylor, a track from his 2022 EP CMFB ...Sides, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its hard-rocking energy. This song is a cover of the 1983 classic by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band, originally featured in the film Eddie and the Cruisers. Taylor’s version stays true to the original’s arena-ready spirit, complete with jangling guitars and hand claps, but he infuses it with a modern, polished production that amplifies its raw rock 'n' roll charm. In an interview with SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Taylor called the song “one of the best rock tunes ever,” revealing it’s a favorite to perform live due to its electrifying crowd response. He shared that the cover was recorded during the sessions for his debut solo album CMFT, showcasing his love for blending nostalgic influences with his signature intensity.

Adding to the trivia, Taylor announced the release of On The Dark Side as the lead single for CMFB ...Sides via a lyric video premiere, which he promoted on his X account on February 11, 2022. The post invited fans to check out the video and hyped the EP’s drop date of February 25, 2022, generating buzz among his followers. The song’s inclusion on the EP, which features a mix of covers, acoustic renditions, and live tracks, reflects Taylor’s eclectic musical taste, ranging from Metallica to KISS. Reviewers, like those at Kerrang!, praised the track for its faithful yet fresh take, noting how Taylor’s powerful vocals elevate the nostalgic vibe. Fans on the Corey Taylor Fan Club Facebook group echoed this, sharing stories of blasting the song at road trips, calling it a perfect anthem for their inner Zoo Freak spirit.

Corey Taylor’s journey to rock stardom began in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was born on December 8, 1973. Raised mostly by his single mother in Waterloo, Iowa, Taylor’s early life was marked by frequent moves across 25 states by age 15, exposing him to diverse musical influences. His grandmother introduced him to Elvis Presley’s rock 'n' roll, while a 1979 trailer for the horror film Halloween sparked his fascination with masks and theatricality, later defining his Slipknot persona. As a teenager, Taylor battled drug issues and a sense of displacement, but music became his outlet. In 1992, he co-founded Stone Sour with drummer Joel Ekman, laying the groundwork for his career. His big break came in 1997 when he joined Slipknot, replacing their original vocalist Anders Colsefni, and his raw, emotive vocals helped propel the band to global fame with their platinum-selling debut album.

Taylor’s versatility shines through his work with Stone Sour, solo projects, and collaborations with bands like Korn and Anthrax. His debut solo album CMFT in 2020 marked a bold step into exploring genres beyond metal, influenced by his lifelong love for punk, classic rock, and even jazz. A pivotal moment in his early career was watching Faith No More perform Epic at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards while recovering from an attempted suicide, an experience he told Loudwire inspired him to pursue music relentlessly. Today, Taylor remains a dynamic force, engaging fans through his Facebook and Instagram accounts, where he shares tour updates, personal reflections, and glimpses of his masked and unmasked life.

For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, Corey Taylor’s official website offers tour dates, merch, and news on his latest projects, including his 2023 album CMF2. His X feed is a raw, unfiltered space where he interacts with fans and drops occasional teasers about upcoming music. The Facebook page keeps the community updated with live performance clips, while Instagram showcases his life on and off stage, often featuring his wife Alicia and their travels. Fan-driven spaces like the Corey Taylor Fan Club on Facebook and the Slipknot Wiki provide a treasure trove of trivia, discography details, and fan art, perfect for any Zoo Freak looking to connect with fellow enthusiasts. These platforms keep the spirit of Taylor’s music alive, much like the Zoo Crew’s record-spinning sessions at THE ZOO.