The Slipknot Story
Note:
This is a long hauled description of events; it shows how fate has brought
Slipknot together and how this makes Slipknot more than an everyday band; the
music is their life not just a ploy for fame. Slipknot are hard core expression
and emotion that WILL rock the music industry! They are a band with an undying
passion!
The
foetal stages of the band Slipknot began way back in 1992 in the basement of
Paul Gray under the name Painface (A band name Anders Colsefni later re-used).The
band shortly changed the name to Pull My Finger which was later shortened to
Pull. Although the band did not assemble under the title Slipknot, the group had
the agressive feel you'd expect from Anders Colsefni, Shawn Crahan, Paul Gray
and Patrick Neuwirth. During this early period the songs "Slipknot", "Gently",
"Idiot", "Whats wrong" and "Wise up" were recorded, later to be known as "The
basement sessions". Unfortunaltey Shawn got to busy with work and the project
fell through
Slipknot formed in the year of 1995 as a result of the work of Paul, Shawn
and Anders Colsefni (ex-vocalist). (They had originally played with the idea of
making a band as early as 1993 and even began writing songs; however the project
fell through when Shawn became busy with his welding occupation.) These three
along with guitarists Donnie Steele (ex- Body Pit guitarist) and Quan Nong began
practising under the name of Meld. However, at some point Quan Nong left, this
time is uncertain, but is expected to be following the first six practices due
to his following of a more Alternative/Punk style. Following his departure the
band started anew, with a project named, "The Pale Ones". During this period
Shawn (a.k.a Clown) was the lead drummer.
Paul was determined to get Joey involved with his new project, despite
failing to receive his interest in earlier projects such as Body Pit. Paul met
up with Joey at Sinclair's where Joey worked nights, there he tempted Joey to
watch rehearsals within Anders' basement. Joey reluctantly agreed and despite
missing two rehearsals due to work priorities, eventually made it down to the
basement to view a practice session. This basement, was "largely, open spaced",
not only was the area so small and cramped but for soundproofing the members
used carpet samples and scraps from a nearby pet grooming centre, these made the
whole basement smell of Cat piss. The first song that Joey heard them play was a
song known as "Slipknot", followed by "Gently" and "Fur". Joey soon realised
that he had to be in this band and soon began to play the drums; pushing Shawn
onto percussion. A band had formed.
Within the cramped basement new songs were being turned out by the minute,
including titles such as "Killers Are Quiet", "Bitchslap", "Do Nothing",
"Confessions", "Some Feel", "Part of Me" and "Tattered and Torn". Paul, Shawn
and Joey also began to meet up at Sinclair's to discuss ideas and plans for the
future. Here they planned everything, here they decided the rules that define
the current Slipknot.
1. "We do not answer to anyone"
2. "We do not worry about trends"
3. "We play what we want"
4. "We would not allow people to have any sort of influence on the band"
Shawn and Joey also decided that the band would require three drummers to
provide a hardcore audio assault. Shawn wanted a drummer to the left and right
with one at the back controlling it all, creating a wall of power, a fist
layer... . Joey plays the main set and as a result is the main drummer who holds
the band together. Shawn is the "Total Power Drummer" and is all aggression. The
third element of percussion was often performed by Anders. Within Sinclair's
Shawn and Joey also realised that the band would need another guitarist. Josh
formerly of Modifidious and Inveigh Catharsis was called and he soon added
himself to the band. Now there were six.
Soon the band decided on a new title for themselves, they toyed with the
name of "Pyg System" however agreed on the more simple name of "Slipknot", the
title of their first song. The people of Des Moines knew that a new band was
forming and they knew who was in it. However no one had heard or seen them. Soon
a small performance was given, the band suited in Kiss styled makeup, fitting
the music perfectly with the green glowing lights. This spawned the idea of the
masks. This idea evolved and following discussions and Shawn turning up to a
practice wearing his legendary Clown mask, the sextet decided almost
unanimously, with the exception of Donnie, that masks should be worn. Joey came
fully equipped with his moulded and expressionless Kabuki Mask and despite
difficulty within practices the idea took off, the whole anti-image appearance
which fitted so well with their rule of ignoring trends had a great appeal.
Soon Shawn contacted Mike Lawyer, due to an interest in recording some
studio work. Mike got an engineer/producer of his named Sean Mcmahon to meet up
with them during a practice session. Sean, not only stunned by the wolf skin
attire of lead singer Anders, was also blown away by the sheer sound of
Slipknot. The band soon started work on their first project, dubbed, MFKR. "Mate
Feed Kill Repeat". The band grabbed every available moment to practice, perform
and record within the SR Audio Studios, customising the room with posters,
lights and many other objects. Many happenings occurred around this studio,
including the drawing of corpses on the road outside and a performance in the
nude by Joey.
Sean Mcmahon: "I was contacted by former members of a band called Body Pit
to check out their new band at their rehearsal space. I did. I was Floored! That
band was Slipknot."
Within February of 1996 a great change occurred within Donnie Steele; he
found God. He realised that he could not be within such a band as Slipknot with
the beliefs he held and as a result withdrew himself from the group, the others
respecting his descision. At this crucial point in time a new member was called
up; a former member of Joey's band Modifidious, his name was Craig. He had been
recommended by Jordison. During his arrival the MFKR album was already in its
mixing stages. The mixing of MFKR was anything but smooth. Each song being
remixed many times. Strain was added by different view that each member held and
things often got intense. Not only was their problems with the mixing but the
band was also unhappy with the mastering that was done on the CD, hence they
insisted that Sean should do it.
Slipknot's first major show in which they would unveil themselves to the
people of Des Moines became booked for the 4th April 1996 at the locally known
meeting place pronounced, "The Safari". On the day's arrival the room was packed
with 200 people. The band arrived in Joey's car and each member sported their
individual garments. Paul with a wore wrapped around his head, weaving in and
out of his piercings, Josh showing off an executioners hood while Craig had
placed pantyhose on his head. Joey and Shawn each used the masks they had always
worn, the Clown and Kabuki. Before the band began to play Joey began to
incessantly shout, "I need a little Christmas in my drink" repeatedly with each
new phrase increasing in volume, energy and power. The band then slammed into
their debut song, "Slipknot". By Slipknot's second performance at the club Paul
had found a new "Pig" mask. Within this show the band played with another band
named, "Stone Sour", Corey Taylor was the lead singer. The band played a total
of seven shows at the club in one month alone.
The band carried on playing their shows which were much more "insane" than
we see these days (taming of the media,etc...), rather than the same uniform
jumpsuits and regular masks the band played in different things, for example
Shawn rented out a large purple "Barney" suit and others wore Nun dresses and
even ballroom dresses or a Little Bo Peep outfit. The shows were really dark,
underground and scary however they still carried an element of humour. The shows
would start with strobe lights flashing and a sample from Craig, usually of a
mad laugh and "ice cream" man chimes, Shawn would drop a power saw to create a
series of sparks to fly over the crowd.
Joey still felt that the band was incomplete. He wanted more; a different
sound and a greater variety. Craig was promptly shifted onto samples, leaving an
empty vacancy. Hence Mick arrived.
MFKR was eventually finished on Halloween, 1996. The party had began and
400 people turnt up.
The album was sent out to many people and a person named Sophia at a local
station managed to hear it and liked it. This lead to the arrangement of
Slipknot's appearance in the local battle of the band's contest. The on air
tournament that spanned across several weeks soon began with the individual
heats. Slipknot faced Corey's band; Stone Sour - they won. Slipknot also
defeated "Maelstrom" and "Black Caesar" who came second. Slipknot conquered all.
This was one of the band's highlights that fuelled them to their current
stardom. The money from the win helped fund the heavily in debt band's new
projects and demos.
By this time several record companies had investigated the band, one of
these being Roadrunner who felt that they should not pick up Slipknot due to
their thought that the vocalist required more melody. This rejection continued
and no where could they be signed. Sophia became their first manager due to her
contacts and love for this new band.
Things then seemed to get worse; Shawn bought the Safari which took time
away from the band despite being a good investment. The band could no longer
play in Anders' basement and things were falling apart. There were often
tensions between Joey and Shawn and "Slipknot" had no where to play. However
they still managed to make it onto the bill for the local "Dotfest" in June.
There they played to the largest crowd in their history, a crowd of 12 000,
containing many industry people. Not only was the sound dodgy and kept going out
but the crowd began to throw chicken bones on stage. At the show Slipknot came
out throwing Tampons into the crowd and had several "gimps". This was the first
and last time for the "gimps". The gimps were Frank with a gas mask, Lanny with
tribal markings in liquid latex, Greg covered with liquid latex and a ball gag
in his mouth and Greg's friend Slick Rick in a latex hood. Slipknot had the
original idea of having a professional stunt man, Rick, come out dressed as
Shawn and then Shawn would come out and set him on fire. They had all the things
to do it (for a long time it set in the cooler at Safari) but the city would not
issue the permits to perform it so the event had to be abandoned. The set ended
with them being cut off and an almost riot breaking out as Andy cut open his
arms and tossed CDs over the fence to the fans. Joey quit. But he reconsidered
and came back. Some good things did come out of this though, their performance
left a mark, they made new fans and most importantly they discovered Sid Wilson
(even though they did not speak to him).
Slipknot looked for the success they were not getting and decided to
enlist Corey Taylor of rival band Stone Sour, to join the line up. Joey, Shawn
and Mick confronted him with the an ultimatum at his work place, "The Adult
Emporium". They said, "Join the band or we will kick your ass!" Slipknot
provided an opportunity not present in Stone Sour; the band could go places. The
music over image policy also appealed. Corey began practising with the band and
the first lyrics he wrote were to be used in the song, "Me Inside". This was a
very experimental move and everyone was wondering how it would turn out. This
change resulted in Anders being pushed back to percussion and back up vocals.
Soon this new breed of the Knot performed a show; it turned out it was a charity
event for a local hospital. The Safari was packed to the brim. Corey came out
wearing a large amount of makeup that gave a dark appearance, this was added to
by two latex crosses marked over his eyes. Despite this excitement the show was
riddled with technical problems and was the show that resulted in Joey's
nickname, "Superball".
Their next show was on 17th September, again at the Safari. This show was
a great improvement however nearly a year on from the MFKR release an
announcement was to be made. Just before Slipknot were about to storm into their
final song, "Scissors", Anders made an announcement, "This will be my last show"
he stated. This stunned both band members and the audience. Following this
sudden change the band returned to the studio to re-record the songs on their
untitled second CD - minus Anders' vocals. Of these songs included, "Gently",
"Do Nothing", "Slipknot", "Tattered and Torn", "Me Inside", "Carve", "Coleslaw",
"Scissors", "Windows" and "May 17th" a song written by Shawn.
To cope with Ander's departure a new member was brought in, he was named
Greg a.k.a Cuddles (a tattooist @ axiom piercing). Cuddles was extremely insane
and very much like Slipknot's DJ, Sid. He would smash up the sets and even throw
his drum kit into the crowd. Cuddles joined the band despite warnings from
family and friends and he is also responsible for the tribal "S" tattoo on
Anders' leg. Cuddles had previously drummed for the "Havenots" a band which Joey
and Paul had been in. Cuddles is the naked guy in the MFKR inlet. Cuddles played
his lst show in the Summer of 1998, he was the only member of Slipknot to be
sacked, this was due to his lazy attitude towards the band. He moved to South
Dakota and started up the tattoo parlour, "The Ultimate Prick", this has since
been shut down. Following Cuddles' departure there was one show in Malibu which
took place wile auditions were occurring, hence there was a replacement and that
was Brandon, he played one show and wore the "liar" mask.
One night Joey and Shawn checked out a clan named "The Sound Proof
Coalition" at the Safari containing the DJs, A-Rock, Loodachris, Phase II, Rek,
Sub Two, Iniversoul and Starscream. Starscream, a.k.a Sid Wilson introduced
himself to them and told them they rocked at Dotfest, Shawn said they needed a
DJ, Sid said he was the man. Following pestering by Sid he was allowed to view a
practice and following a session of head butting it was decided he was fit to be
part of the group.
Auditions were being carried out for a Cuddles replacement, these
auditions brought about a person named Chris Fehn, he had seen the band played
and had previously asked to become a roadie. He was soon added to the group,
despite being put through a vigourous ordeal. This included his initiation test
commonly known as the secret track on the self titled album.
Soon after this event Slipknot came up with the barcode, number and
coverall ideas. A new song was also written; it was called, "Spit it Out".
Slipknot now had offers flying in from mainly internet reports. However the band
really wanted Ross Robinson to work on the project and he was contacted through
Sophia. Robinson checked out the demo tape and flew into Des Moines to view a
practice session and a live show. After watching the practice (which very few
are aloud to see) he knew the band would go far. Ross not only felt the vide of
the music but the vide of the passion; a passion he himself had felt. This was
the beginning of a wonderful creation. He then saw Slipknot perform live at the
Safari on 2nd February 1998. Word soon got back to Slipknot that he was willing
to record the album, label or not. Ross later signed them onto his own label, "I
am recordings". Ross then got in touch with Roadrunner and the band publicly
signed to Roadrunner Records outside of the Axion Studio (tattoo parlour) in Des
Moines. Following a call on the 23rd September, Slipknot drove out to LA to
begin the recording of their album. The band practised solid for a week and soon
began the recording that left the band sore. They then travelled upto the
legendary Indigo Ranch to carry on the recording. To add a necessary expression
to this music, Ross got Corey to explain his lyrics to all the other members, so
they could "feel it". This took the music to a higher level; it made it raw
expression and emotion, it added an element not seen before.
Despite the many changes that had occurred within the Knot, another was to
occur. This time it was Josh's time for departure, he left due to "family life"
and would not have been able to cope with the extensive touring that lay ahead.
The band knew instantly who they wanted to replace him, the Atomic Opera star,
Jim Root. Jim originally said no to the offer due to his desire to stay true to
the band he was currently working in. However after a bad show he called Shawn
and essentially joined the band.
And the Sickness continues....
