| |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Members- Corey Taylor - Vocals
- Mick Thompson - Guitar
- James Root - Guitar
- Paul Gray - Bass
- Joey Jordison - Drums
- Shawn 'Clown' Crahan - Percussionist
- Chris Fehn - Percussionist
- Sid Wilson - DJ
Biography
Slipknot's mix of grinding, post-Korn alternative
metal, Marilyn Manson-esque neo-shock rock, and rap-metal helped make them one of the most popular bands in the so-called
nu-metal explosion of the late '90s. But even more helpful was their theatrical, attention-grabbing (some critics said
ridiculous) image: the band always performed in identical industrial jump suits and homemade Halloween masks, and added to
its mysterious anonymity by adopting the numbers zero through eight as stage aliases. Add to that a lyrical preoccupation
with darkness and nihilism, and an affectionately insulting name for their fans ("Maggots"), and Slipknot's blueprint for
nu-metal success was set.
Slipknot were formed in late 1995 in the unlikely locale of Des Moines, IA; after some
early personnel shifts, the nine-piece lineup settled around (in order from number zero to number eight): DJ Sid Wilson,
drummer Joey Jordison, bassist Paul Grey, percussionist Chris Fehn, guitarist James Root, sampler/programmer Craig Jones,
percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan, guitarist Mick Thompson, and lead vocalist Corey Taylor. The music scene in Des Moines
wasn't much to speak of, and the band's big-time ambition was usually met with disbelief and ridicule, which provided the
initial spark for its mostly anonymous stage visuals. On Halloween 1996, Slipknot self-released an album called Mate. Feed.
Kill. Repeat., which began to build a buzz around the group once it found its way to several labels. It was picked up for
distribution by the Nebraska-based -ismist label, and also caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, which signed
Slipknot in 1997. Working with producer Ross Robinson, Slipknot recorded their official, self-titled debut album, which was
released in 1999. They gradually built an audience through near-constant touring, working their way up to the summer
Ozzfest package tour, which really expanded their audience. Their live shows were a much-discussed hit with metal fans,
and the band performed with such energy that Crahan gashed his head open on his own drum kit twice that summer, requiring
stitches both times. The tracks "Wait and Bleed" and "Spit It Out" got the band some airplay, but most of the buzz came
from touring and word of mouth. Finally, in the spring of 2000, Slipknot was certified platinum; the first such album in
Roadrunner's history.
The anticipation for Slipknot's follow-up was intense, and many industry observers predicted
that it would debut at number one; however, faced with some stiff competition that week, the band's sophomore effort, Iowa,
bowed at number three upon its release in 2001. More heavy touring followed, including another, more prominent slot on that
summer's Ozzfest. After a long spell on the road, Slipknot took a break while the members worked on side projects. The band
set up its own label, Maggot Recordings, and signed a band called Downthesun, whose lead singer had served as Crahan's drum
technician. Wilson, meanwhile, began DJing solo under the name DJ Starscream, and Root and Thompson both worked on solo
material. Drummer Jordison worked with a side group called the Rejects, where he'd actually served for quite some time as
guitarist. Taylor, meanwhile, started a side band called Superego, and also contributed a solo song, "Bother," to the
soundtrack of the 2002 blockbuster Spider-Man. That May, the band got some amusing press when some of its fans discovered
the website of a British crocheting group also called "Slipknot," and flooded the members' in-boxes with excessively
rude e-mails. Guitarist Joey Jordison and Static-X guitarist Tripp Eisen teamed that summer for the Murderdolls project,
while Taylor reformed his old band Stone Sour and released an album. By the winter, Slipknot had still not reunited and
Taylor wrote a commentary on the band's website stating that they had not spoken in months, and that they'd rather break
up than become "the next Gwar". The statement sparked a quickly resolved minifeud between Taylor and Gwar frontman Oderus
Urungus. but it also sent many of the Maggots into a tailspin. By early 2003, Taylor had retracted his comments, and
announced plans for a new Slipknot album. That August the entire squad decamped Iowa for LA, where they began work on the
new record with producer Rick Rubin. "Pulse of the Maggots" appeared in early 2004 as an exclusive download; it was
followed by a full track listing for Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses. Slipknot then embarked on a brief tour as a warm-up
for their dates headlining Ozzfest that summer. (The group also debuted a fully redesigned third generation of their
famous masks.) Subliminal Verses was released in May 2004. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200, and the band toured
steadily for the next year and a half in support. They released 2-disc live album in November 2005.
The Best Slipknot Video
Slipknot - Spit It Out
| |
| |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
