In a recent interview with Knotfest Australia, M. Shawn Crahan “Clown”, co-founder and percussionist of SLIPKNOT, discussed the band’s choice to part ways with drummer Jay Weinberg following his decade-long tenure with the masked metal group.
He said (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “I’m very excited about this idea of a new drummer. There’s many reasons for it. It’s not to be confused. It doesn’t matter what the situation may seem like. Unless you’re in the band and understand — there’s no hard feelings; there never was. We just went our way. There was really no bad things. That’s as much as I can say.
“What I can say is SLIPKNOT decided to move on, and that’s what we’ve done,” Crahan continued. “And I’m very excited for what we have done. And we’re really working hard. And there’ll be new music, there’ll be new masks, there’ll be new people, there’ll be new ideas, celebrating a 25-year anniversary. I would imagine there’d be some shows. It can be 200 people, 500 people, 700 people, 2,000 people.”
As for the SLIPKNOT‘s plans to release new music, Crahan said: “I wouldn’t look at it like new music like album and stuff like this. I think we’re gonna have some fun. I don’t know exactly what we’re trying to do. I know that we just wanna do what we wanna do. So however it happens, it happens. We’re not gonna push it and we’re not gonna mold it into something it doesn’t need to be, but I will tell you, we’re having a really good time right now. There’s some real magical stuff that’s happening.
“Everything in SLIPKNOT is meant to be. So, when it does happen and you shed a tear and you have a little smile, it feels good, man. It feels good to have good feelings in this reality. So we always want everybody to have good feelings.”
In a last year’s interview with NME, Crahan said that Weinberg‘s departure from the band was not voluntary. Clown clarified that Weinberg did not leave the band but was fired for “creative” reasons.
“As far as Jay goes, what people need to know is Jay did not leave the band, and what I want to say is that we’re moving on,” he said. “Like the statement said, we’re choosing to do something different. This space that we’re at right now is a very, very special space, thought about and generated mostly by the OGs [longstanding members Crahan, Corey Taylor, Mick Thomson, Sid Wilson and Jim Root].”
On November 5, SLIPKNOT cited a “creative decision” for parting ways with Weinberg, who had contributed to several successful albums during his tenure with the band. Despite the setback, Jay remains optimistic about his musical journey ahead.
Six days later, Weinberg has expressed his deep appreciation for his tenure with the band, stating that he cherishes the invaluable memories and profound experiences he gained as a member of the long-standing extreme metal group. He emphasizes that these moments are irreplaceable and hold immeasurable value in his life.
He wrote in a social media post: “For 19 years, my goals in music and art have always centered around maintaining some sort of forward motion. It feels a bit paradoxical at times to look in the rearview mirror, but some moments and milestones are significant enough to take pause and reflect.
“Today marks the 10th anniversary of becoming a part of something I grew up believing in. I don’t hold onto many mementos, but to me these represent a decade of focused and impassioned dedication to that forward movement. Throughout that time, I learned much about application, tenacity, and the satisfaction of committing to breaking through creative thresholds; reaching those artistic goals through constant, concentrated hard work — all fueled by true love of the music.
“In some respects, the person who wore the mask on the right and the person who wore the mask on the left feel like two completely different individuals — separated only by experience gained, miles traveled, friendships created, and a connection to the instrument strengthened and deepened so far beyond what I thought was possible.
“The memories and experiences that these four masks represent, I wouldn’t trade for the world. And I’m honored that you all have been there, every step of the way.
“So — here’s to you, the last 10 years, and wherever the next 10 years bring us.”
On Saturday (March 9), the band posted a picture of a broken drumstick on social media with the caption “Rehearsal.”, indicating that they may have already found Weinberg‘s replacement.
While SLIPKNOT has not provided any clues regarding the new drummer’s identity, numerous fans have observed that the Promark drumstick suggests that the potential replacement behind the kit might be former SEPULTURA drummer Eloy Casagrande, who is endorsed by Promark.
