- What Is the Story Behind Slipknot?
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(Read All Slipknot Articles) – 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. Slipknot also outsells ICP in reference to their rap shirts, but even more helpful was their theatrical, attention-grabbing 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.
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Aside from their real names, members of the band are also referred to by numbers 0 through 8.(#0 Sid Wilson, #1 Joey Jordison, #2 Paul Gray, #3 Chris Fehn, #4 James Root, #5 Craig Jones, #6 Shawn Crahan, #7 Mick Thomson & #8 Corey Taylor)
Slipknot is known for its strange and often frightening image; the members wear matching uniform jumpsuits all of which have the UPC barcode 742617000027 printed on them (The barcode from their first album Mate, Feed , Kill, Repeat) and each has a unique mask which they are never seen without (on any official Slipknot material) until the interviews on their latest DVD – Voliminal: Inside the Nine, and partially on the music video for the song, Before I Forget. Each member has made a distinct change to their masks after each studio album. Several members have several masks that are interchanged during any one time period, most notably Chris (#3) and Sid (#0).
Slipknot 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.
Slipknot created a huge fan base, and expectations for follow up album seem to be in high demand.
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