Slipknot‘s Clown has opened up about why the band rarely discuss the group’s late drummer Joey Jordison.
Jordison, who founded the metal band in 1995 alongside Paul Gray and Shawn “Clown” Crahan, was the band’s drummer up until 2013 when he was fired from the group with the band citing personal reasons. Jordison later revealed that he suffered from the neurological disease transverse myelitis. He passed away in July 2021 at the age of 46.
In an interview with Knotfest, Crahan opened up about his relationship with the late drummer and former bandmate. “I don’t know, man, it’s just like something that you had your whole life, that you lost, when we lost Joey,” he told the publication.
He continued: “And if everybody thinks about it, we really never talk [about that situation]. You can’t find anything of us explaining all that, because it’s nobody’s fucking business, and he’s our brother. And who knows, man, there might have been a chance in life. I don’t know the future. There might have been a chance we would have gotten back together. I don’t know.
Joey Jordison and Shawn Crahan of Slipknot performs on stage at the Soundwave Music Festival at Sydney Olympic Park on 26th February 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Martin Philbey/Redferns)
“I can’t tell you yes or no, but there’s a better chance [of] yes [than] not because of friendship and growing older and talking and being able to understand things. So I just want you to know we’re having a really good time with our music and with each other. We’re all working really hard right now, really hard. As hard as it is to break in new philosophies, to do this setlist, to make new things, to have new people. It’s so much work.”
Speaking to NME about their plans for their shows and the future, Crahan said late last year: “In 25 years of writing seven albums, we’ve allowed ourselves to do anything and everything we want. We do what we want, as much as we want, when we want, how we want. I’m ready to move on from what has been, and move onto a world that I know needs to be. For instance, normally we’d have about two years on and one-and-a-half years off — we’re not doing that anymore.
He continued: “We’re going back to basics. I’m ready to kick everybody in the face again! I’m ready to do a 100-person venue again! I’m ready to do a 500-person venue. We want to play in front of 500 people, but there are a lot of factors that will mean it can’t happen. We’re at the point where we’ve got to ensure safety.”
“As far as the new album, that’s happening, but that’s another plan. These live dates are coming first and we’re here to have a good time. This band has never been happier, and that takes a lot because we’ve been through a lot — drugs, women, money, fame, ego, isolation. But we are on track.”
Slipknot are currently on their ‘Here Comes The Pain’ tour of North America, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of their 1999 self-titled debut album. They have been playing the record in full, including at a show at New York’s Madison Square Garden, which you can watch in full here.
For all of the anniversary shows, the band have revived their classic look, bringing back the red jumpsuits and elements of their early masks.
Slipknot. Credit: Jonathan Weiner
They are also back on the road later this year, with a UK and European tour set to celebrate 25 years as a band – you can purchase tickets here.
The metal giants will kick off the tour at Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on December 5, 2024, before heading onto a trio of shows in Germany, followed by dates in Zürich and Paris. The band will then continue to Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham and will wrap up at London’s O2 Arena on December 20. Check out the full dates here:
Slipknot’s 2024 UK and European tour dates are:
DECEMBER
5 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Ziggo Dome
6 – Dortmund, Germany, Westfalenhalle
8 – Stuttgart, Germany, Schleyerhalle
9 – Leipzig, Germany, Quarterback Immobilien Arena
11 – Zürich, Switzerland, Hallenstadion
12 – Paris, France, Accorhotel Arena
14 – Leeds, UK, First Direct Arena
15 – Glasgow, UK, OVO Hydro
17 – Manchester, UK, Co-op Live Arena
18 – Birmingham, UK, Utilita Arena
20 – London, UK, O2 Arena
In other news, Crahan recently revealed that he wants the band to perform at the 2028 Olympic Games.
Elsewhere, frontman Corey Taylor has revealed that he’s making changes to his touring schedule and routine after he previously cancelled a North American solo tour, citing struggles with his well-being in January.
Last month, the band’s DJ Sid Wilson was hospitalised for serious burns to his face and arms after a bonfire explosion, but has been confirmed for a return to the stage soon.
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