Former SLIPKNOT Drummer JAY WEINBERG Says Upcoming Solo Album Reflects Years of Quiet Work and Creative Freedom: 'I'm Playing Everything on It'

Former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg is preparing to release his first solo album, a project he has quietly developed over the past decade.

Speaking on the Podioslave Podcast, Weinberg described the work as deeply personal, creatively ambitious, and long overdue.

What He’s Making

Weinberg calls it a solo album, but it’s far from a one-man project. He’s writing the songs and playing all the instruments himself, drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards, but inviting multiple guest vocalists to contribute.

He said the record is a way to finally realize musical ideas that had been sitting on the shelf since at least 2011 (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH). One demo dates back over a decade.

“I’ve always wanted to do something like this,” he said. “You meet people and say, ‘Let’s start a side project.’ But then life happens, and it’s hard to make that real.”

By writing entire songs on his own and reaching out to vocalists he admires, Weinberg found a way to make those long-discussed collaborations finally happen.

His upcoming performance at Colorado’s Field of Vision festival in August will include previews of this material, some of which will be filtered through his side project with artist Argus (real name: Conner Sullivan).

Where It’s Going

The album doesn’t have a firm release date yet, but Weinberg said he hopes to start releasing music in the fall.

He’s taking his time because he’s doing nearly everything himself, not just playing the music but also handling the artwork. That learning process has been slow but rewarding.

“I made kind of a deal with myself,” he said. “I’ve had this material I wasn’t able to work on. Now that I can, it’s been a great creative outlet.”

He also sees the process of playing other instruments as a way to better understand his own drumming. Hearing the music as a full composition, not just a drum part, changed how he approaches his craft.

What It Sounds Like

Weinberg says the music reflects influences that haven’t always shown up in his previous work. He mentioned bands like Neurosis, Interpol, and My Bloody Valentine as key inspirations.

He’s especially excited for listeners to hear a different side of his musical personality, something more atmospheric and introspective compared to the aggressive style he played with Slipknot.

Why It Took So Long

The idea for a solo album goes back several years. In 2017, during a break from touring, Weinberg formed a group to rehearse his solo material. But the project was put on hold until recently.

“I haven’t touched these songs since then,” he said in a past social media post. “It feels good to finally set the intention of releasing some of this new music in the coming year.”

He’s balancing this work with his current duties as drummer for Suicidal Tendencies, a role he took on in early 2023. He’s also been playing with Infectious Grooves, another project tied to Suicidal Tendencies’ frontman Mike Muir and Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo.

Leaving Slipknot

Weinberg was let go from Slipknot in November 2023. The band said in a short statement that they had made a “creative decision” to part ways. Weinberg later posted on Instagram that he had been “heartbroken and blindsided” by the news.

He played his final show with the group on November 3, 2023, at the Hell & Heaven festival in Toluca, Mexico.

Weinberg replaced Joey Jordison, one of Slipknot’s original members, in 2013. During his time in the band, he recorded three studio albums: .5: The Gray Chapter (2014), We Are Not Your Kind (2019), and The End, So Far (2022). All three topped rock charts and earned Grammy nominations.

What He Said About It

In July 2024, Weinberg spoke briefly about the situation on the One Life One Chance With Toby Morse podcast.

He said he wasn’t ready to fully discuss the split but is working through it with the help of a therapist.

“It’s not just about the last six months,” he said. “It’s about 10 years of my life, fully committed to one thing. There’s a lot to process.”

He said he plans to talk more openly about his time in Slipknot eventually, but only after taking the time to reflect properly.

What’s Next

Weinberg is spending most of 2024 on the road with Suicidal Tendencies, including supporting Metallica on tour. At the same time, he’s carving out space in the studio to finish his solo record.

“It’s been a fulfilling experience,” he said. “I’m starting to like where these songs are headed.”

There’s no title yet, and no exact date, but the album is expected to start rolling out this fall.

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