CLOWN Reflects on SLIPKNOT's Evolution: "We’re Not as Close as We Once Were"
The founding member addresses lineup shifts and the band's current dynamics.
- Slipknot’s lineup has undergone major changes, with founding members like Paul Gray and Joey Jordison no longer with us.
- Clown admits the band is no longer as tight-knit as in 1999 but says they’ve adapted to keep going.
- The band is celebrating their 25-year anniversary with a packed 2024 tour, including stops in the UK, Brazil, and Germany.
Slipknot has certainly had its fair share of shake-ups since their 1999 self-titled debut. Founding bassist Paul Gray passed away in 2010. Founding drummer Joey Jordison followed in 2021. Longtime percussionist Chris Fehn exited in 2019, and Craig “133” Jones, the wizard behind the keyboards and samples, bowed out in 2023. The lineup is beginning to look like a rotating door, but hey, nothing lasts forever—especially in the chaos factory that is Slipknot.
Speaking to Metal Hammer, M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan, one of the band’s few remaining original members, admitted the Slipknot of today is a far cry from the band’s early days. Relationships have shifted, and so has the dynamic.
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“I can’t tell you how close we were back then,” Clown shared. “We’re not that close anymore. People are gone. Craig’s gone. Chris is gone. Joey’s gone. Paul’s gone. The band is different. But back then? Nine guys wanted to be in the same place, and somehow, we made it work. We got here. And, honestly, here is wonderful.”
It’s worth noting, despite the revolving-door reality, the group isn’t exactly reduced to a glorified tribute act. While Clown remains the last true founder, mainstays like Mick Thomson and Jim Root on guitars, Corey Taylor on vocals, and Sid Wilson on the turntables have been holding down the fort since 1999. So, if anyone’s concerned about authenticity, rest easy—it’s not just a bunch of new faces in vintage masks.
Reflecting on the loss of Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, Clown didn’t hold back on their importance. “They’re missed greatly, and as we go through this 25-year anniversary, I feel it even more. I appreciate, love, and acknowledge who they were to all this. These are two guys who should be talking to you, but they can’t.”
And here’s where Clown dropped the hammer: “Joey and Paul—oh man, they wrote this. Number 1 and Number 2. After they were gone, the path changed. We had to adapt, move forward, and carve out something new. But that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten our roots or how we got here.”
For fans still eager to catch Slipknot in their current form, the band’s 2024 tour is jam-packed with stops celebrating their legendary debut. Here’s where you can catch the chaos live:
- 10/11 Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
- 10/19 São Paulo, BR – Knotfest Brasil
- 11/8 Guadalajara, MX – Calle 2
- 11/9 Mexico City, MX – Parque Bicentenario
- 12/5 Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome
- 12/6 Dortmund, DE – Westfalenhallen
- 12/8 Stuttgart, DE – Schleyerhalle
- 12/9 Leipzig, DE – Quarterback Immobilien Arena
- 12/11 Zürich, CH – Hallenstadion
- 12/12 Paris, FR – Accor Arena
- 12/14 Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
- 12/15 Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
- 12/17 Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
- 12/18 Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
- 12/20 London, UK – The O2
- 12/21 London, UK – The O2
You can get your tickets here.
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