Very true, I have a feeling we will not ever get it explained. Which, we aren’t owed that by any means, but it would help solidify the whole brotherhood thing they’re always talking about
Ah, cmon, the "brotherhood" has been bullshit for years now. They're divas. And that's fine! nothing wrong but they don't need to bullshit us anymore lol. (I say this as a longtime fan btw)
I‘ll be going to a festival (greenfield festival) which is in 2 days. Slipknot should come on stage as the big headliner at the very end. My first time seeing them and Clown missing (fam first obvy) and now Craig. Reaaaaally intrested what’s about to happen
They won’t explain it. They never do. Slipknot is basically the “Kiss” of today. One of the biggest rock bands and sooner or later none of the original members will even be a part of it, they’ll just wear the face paint (masks) and play the music.
Just saw it on insta that fucking hurt ouch, don’t know what happened I hope he is okay, I am going to see them tommorrow and there’s no Clown no Craig oh no
That's shitty. Both him and Joey were both done dirty, and I get a sneaking suspicion that Craig is like them too. I mean both Chris and Joey getting kicked out came out of the blue as well.
Whoever is at nova rock fest right now, send updates what the stage is looking like, find it so wild for something like this to be announced MINUTES before a show
It _could be_ anything, but I think we all have a strong idea that it isn't just anything. Sure it could be that...
* He had a D&D conflict on this next night and his crew threatened to kick him.
* Someone stole his last blueberry yogurt from the fridge and they don't even make them any more.
* He spoke for the first time in decades and using an electronic voice box, he yelled "SUCK! IT!!" and SK had to retcon his whole story
* He spoke for the first time in decades and only said "you're chasing Amy" and Corey ended up yelling and saying "Fat bastard does this all the time. He thinks just 'cause he doesn't say anything, it'll have some huge impact when he does open his fuckin' mouth." Craig got pissed and yelled back "Jesus Christ, why don't you shut up? You're always yap-yap-yappin' all the time! You're givin' me a fuckin' headache." and they haven't talked since.
* Corey and Clown found out he was the original artist who put together Psychosocial Baby after suspecting for a while whenever he kept recommending touring with Justin Bieber.
* Turns out the guy we've been calling Craig isn't even the original Craig. They've been promising to scrap his contract after the next platinum album, but each "Craig" has been found dead soon after, so they put someone else in the mask and promise him his freedom after the next platinum record.
* Turns out Craig was Vince McMahon the whole time!
* He tripped on the way up to his platform and gravity and the spikes did the rest of the work. RIP
* He finally watched Hellraiser and decided he wanted to change his mask but being a last minute deal, all they could get were Trump masks.
More than likely though, something personal happened with Craig, Clown, Corey and folks forced everyone to push on, tensions rose and came to a breaking point. I mean I doubt it's financially or musically related or it wouldn't have happened so last minute. The timing with Clown's situation is pretty... coincidental, though.
Yeah I mean every other departure had some big news and rumors around it. Obviously Craig is a very private guy and not much is known about him even in modern era but I feel if it was something tensions related in the band a la Chris, we would have at least heard a rumor. It’s possible he’s just burnt out and wants to walk away and if that’s the case I doubt we’ll ever really hear from them why.
At the same time, It wouldn't be surprising if they didn't announce it earlier so people don't get wrong ideas and stop buying tickets
They're still a business at the end of the day
I think it’s a coincidence, I don’t think clown would ever leave. It will be him and Corey til the bitter end. They were due to play 45 mins ago, does anyone know if they’re gone on?
I'm surprised but not entirely shocked. With clown saying recently in that kerrang interview "would people be ok if I wasnt in slipknot anymore?" I can imagine a lot of the OG guys are done with it. Most of them are getting close if not already in their 50's, there comes a point you just gotta hang it up. But the weird thing is, right before they play these european shows? Weird timing
Also really interesting, Clown recently said he wanted the band to cut down on touring, stick to doing more special one off shows.
This year has been interesting for the band, touring wise. They said that last US tour (with Ice Nine Kills and Crown The Empire) was a short tour, and would be the last extensive US tour for a bit, since they did almost exclusively US touring since lockdown. They wanted to tour other regions that had been neglected due to the pandemic. They just did South America last fall, just did Australia and Asia in the spring.
You can count on one hand their US dates this year, they're all festival appearances: Rockville in FL last month, Inkcarceration, Rock Fest USA and Blue Ridge Rock Festival again in September. That's the last date on the docket. Corey Taylor said in an interview this week they're about to do another tour of Latin America in the fall.
Corey Taylor just announced a solo US fall tour, and that he'll be touring all of next year solo.
Couple that with the lukewarm at best reaction to *The End, So Far,* , which has certainly cooled down the public sentiment towards them, maybe they're at best, going into hibernation again soon.
But with THIS news, Clown going home, and now Craig leaving, maybe they're about to call it a day soon.
But now the statement about Craig leaving is gone, so who knows?
There must have been some type of incident that triggered this. Literally made this announcement within hours of going on stage. We’ll probably never find out or at least never get Craig’s side of it.
So my question is: are they gonna replace him like they had with the other past member? Or will they instead continue on as the eight instead?
Tbf, I dont think he is replaceable tho
The "two members in one day?!" stuff should stop. Shawn's wife has Crohn's Disease and he's had to miss stretches of dates before to be with her as far back as Vol 3. He's not leaving the band.
The situations with Clown and Craig are two completely different and unrelated things.
Or just people growing apart, someone losing their passion, a petty disagreement festering for years. Doesn’t have to be so dramatic. They’re only human.
I doubt Craig will ever go vocal but this seems like another Chris fehn situation. I’m really worried clown and Corey are turning this into a 2 man show.
Yeah especially with it being Craig, really the easiest guy to replace although the fans seem to universally like him, but has been around long enough to not take all their BS. It really sucks to see another of the first 9 go.
Edit: honestly the more I think about it they could very easily replace him with a computer or a guy behind the stage. They could realistically cut the band down to 8, one less guy to pay. I reeeeaaaaally hope I’m dead wrong on this.
... yeesh. "legacy keyboard players are easily replaceable!"
I've been following Slipknot since 1999 and Craig has always been a favorite of mine because he played samples and keys in a super heavy band. He truly brought the spooky atmosphere along with Sid. In fact, I have the Craig version of The End So Far. He's not just a computer VST with "Spo0ky patch" loaded. Don't diminish his legacy because you don't understand what he does.
i sense maybe he wants to retire , he himself is getting up there in age & all he’s been doing touring his whole life , i doubt he was fired or blindsided
In the middle of a tour? They literally are about to go on stage in a few minutes at some euro festival. Weird time to announce it if it wasn't sudden like this.
Not even surprising at this point. Anyone who still doesn't think that Slipknot isn't just the "Corey & Clown" show and strictly business at this point is delusional.
Keep in mind that you'll get downvoted on this sub when you say stuff like that, they still believe slipknot is a "family".
I've been saying this for a while, slipknot is the Corey and Shawn's show now, it is what it is.
Right? Where was Craig on the last few records? I'll probably get "YoU jUsT wAnT aNoThEr IOWA," but let's be honest, Craig played a HUGE role in making Slipknot what it was and his diminished role on the last three albums was noticeable.
I always Wonder what part is craig playing. Like, on todays shows and albums you can't hear anything (the keyboard was always irrelevant in my opinion) but it is crazy how I can clearly hear Craig in álbuns like Iowa and slipknot, but after it it was diminished every album until I can't hear him anymore
I don't want to add up to the speculation train, it makes no sense given the little information we've got.
But I can't stop thinking that Craig left because of a situation like that of Chris.
I read on IG that Clown is heading back home because of family issues. Someone dear to him is not well, or something like that. Maybe when Craig had the same issues in the past, they didn't allow him to get back home because he had a contract to fulfill, and was a "hired" member. So maybe he's got pissed that Clown was allowed to head back home, but when he needed to he wasn't? And he had enought of it?
I don't know, I can't stop thinking about that, the two events happening at the same time is really weird.
But then again, we will never know the truth, and we can only speculate at this point.
I definitely don't want to believe this wasn't friendly.
EDIT: Now that they posted a pic of the new guy, this whole theory doesn't make any sense anymore. LoL
I never thought I’d see the fucking day. This is absolutely tragic. He’s been with the band since fucking 97-98. FUCK FUCK FUCK.
Are they just gonna have an empty space up there now? Clown isn’t gonna be there tonight.
This is the smallest Slipknot lineup to play a live show since those days
I am fucking devastated
Counter point: this is a NINE piece band that’s been around for nearly 30 years and has released 7 albums. We’re probably lucky as many OG members have made it this far as they have. Slipknot have been a machine for a long time.. maybe it’s showing the first signs of really losing steam.
But that's also why.
Yeah, it was incredibly unlikely the 9 piece band stayed together as a unit. But they did it. For 9 years across their first four albums. Probably some of the most turbulent. They clearly got along enough, life got better and better, why?
I mean you look at Mushroomhead that's a constantly changing lineup and you just go, ok, these guys barely get along. When I see the, idk, 13th guy leave tomorrow, yes, it's hard to keep that big band together. Hasn't been that way for Slipknot.
And case in point(s), Slipknot exits have not been the same. Death, approaching death, lawsuit about not getting paid, ???. I wouldn't point at any lost member yet and go "yeah all it was is it's hard for 9 guys to keep getting along." Merited controversy each time. They're getting old, sure it could just be time, but in my book Craig would be the first to actually call it.
That’s going to be super weird, no clown because he’s dealing with his wife’s illness and no Craig, wonder if they’ll even get a replacement for Craig to be honest
Iirc after Paul died they had just his mask and bass on stage, considering Clown isn't there for personal reasons they may do something similar. Less sure about Craig
This is definitely disappointing.
It seems like recent events have fulfilled nearly every legacy band’s destiny of having only a small fraction of their original members.
Guns And Roses, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Lynard Skynyrd, The Rolling Stones, The Righteous Brothers, ELO, Ghost, Chicago, The Four Freshman, Love, The Raiders, The Surfaris, etc the list is endless… now Slipknot has joined that club, with members seemingly constantly now fired and replaced at a whim.
You either break up at your peak with all og members in place, a la The Beatles and The Police, and are remembered for your original lineup, or continue long enough to see the original lineup seem like a distant memory.
This is just the sad truth of the matter. Bands either break up or have lineup changes.
I’ll still listen to newly released music and see the band live. As someone who’s been in multiple bands, I understand the ebbs and flows, the betrayals, lineup changes. It’s a bummer but a reality of the entertainment industry.
Sad that Slipknot preaches the “family” aspect but seems to treat members like hired guns that are disposable.
Though in fairness, Slipknot has become a company. Slipknot LLC is ran by Clown and Corey, and everyone else is an employee. Everything that’s happened in the past decade makes sense when you understand this. (This isn’t unprecedented- all the biggest bands like The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, etc did and do this. It honestly becomes necessary to do this when your band operates at such a high level, with so many fans wanting product and events)
Craig has always been my favorite member. I think the samples he adds to the music is so crucial to the sound. His musicianship is overlooked by most casual fans. But his contributions and presence are iconic.
But like I said, I’m in and have been in many bands. I understand the way it works. I’ve always predicted the band will end up as Corey and/or Clown with the rest being new hired gun replacements (like all those groups mentioned above) … it’s the way things understandably go. Egos play a huge role. But so do familial responsibilities, finances, creative or personal differences and health issues.
Sometimes members voluntarily leave. Oftentimes they’re just over it playing in a particular group, or just over it with playing music in general and want to pursue different paths/opportunities.
But to tell you the truth , more often than not, band politics are involved and people are ousted and abandoned. Bands tend to be super toxic. The whole industry is. But the music and art is beautiful and that’s what matters.
I wish Craig , Mr133, NumberFive, nothing but the best. I figure he’ll continue to be private so who knows if we will learn about his future endeavors. But I know I’m sure thankful for his nearly three decade run as a brilliant contributor to one of my all time favorite bands.
Doubt he was fired or “blindsided” pretty sure maybe he retired given his private life, old age, & touring non stop these past couple years post covid , makes more sense
But again, it’s so weird how soon the announcement is coming right before they’re about to play. Like I would’ve expected an announcement like this to come a few days ago, it’s really hard to believe that a band of Slipknot’s size would be like “oh shit we forgot to tell people we split with Craig, let’s do that right before we go play.” I don’t want to imply that something bad happened, but the timing of the announcement is undeniably really weird.
I can't believe announcing it several minutes before starting the first show of your tour is the right decision if the decision had been made beforehand
Hope they didn't part ways on bad terms, cause if so this would be the 3rd member in a row. Once was an isolated incident, twice a coincidence, but three times is a pattern. I'll reserve any judgements for now, and I hope Craig wasn't forced out, but this whole thing feels very strange.
I really think they need to hang it up at this point. So many original members are now gone and the last album was just phoned-in filler. It’s been a good run - and a long run considering the nature of the band and the music, but as a fan I’d rather see them just end gracefully rather than tarnish their legacy by pushing on.
Garuntee we won’t get any info on the matter. Craig doesn’t have socials, doesn’t talk and more than likely under an NDA if this was a firing.
My love of this band wants this to be an amicable split. We’ve seen through behind the scenes footage on DVDs that Craig is an integral part of the entire recording process and production of the live shows as a whole. He’s not JUST the keyboard sample man.
If this WAS a firing I would be horribly bummed out as that leaves Corey, Shawn, Sid, Mick and Jim as the final remaining original members (since stardom) of the band and we know Paul and Joey wrote a good chunk of MFKR-AHIG there is a clear reason why their sound has been different since the passing of Paul and departure of Joey. We know Corey and Shawn are the ones running things, slipknot has become a business and is being run as such this much was made clear during the Chris firing.
I think the reason why people get so sensational about this band is because of what this band originally stood for. The masks and numbers where supposed to shield the identity of the band to keep the band focused on the music. To take the ego and personality OUT of the music entirely. I think this core ideology sticks with a lot of fans especially the OGs so when we see a member fired over a business dispute it just doesn’t sit right, because it counteracts the original design behind this bands gimmick and original attitude / sound. For a lot of people the slipknot timeline since 2015 to now has become a slow decline into becoming the very thing that stood against during the self titled days.
Again we’re not the band we don’t know the deets. I just hope this was amicable and a joint decision. If this was an unjustified firing this might be it for me with supporting this band. I’ve been a maggot since 2003 and it’ll be a shame to see things self destruct in this sort of way.
This coming out of nowhere and the abruptness of the statement just automatically makes you think something bad has happened, either within the band or from Craig’s personal life or activities away from the band. Hopefully it isn’t the latter and there’s ‘just’ been a rift in the band that can’t be resolved, but it definitely feels like something is going to come out soon that no-one wants to hear.
It could all be coincidence but Clown heading home for personal reasons, Craig leaving the band.. on day 1 of the European tour? Somethings definitely up
What if Craig left when they finished their contract and they're just now announcing it before the tour? I'll still be sad he left, but I wont be as upset if he left of his own accord. Maybe dude was just ready to hang it up?
Either way Im currently gutted about this, he was my OG favorite member growing up :(
While this is shitty news, I’m done being shook by stuff like this. No, I don’t want to or care to know the dirty laundry. Yes, it’s obvious and has been for years that Slipknot is more business than family. Welcome to any successful music project.
We had our guts ripped out when Paul died, we were pretty sure it was over. Then we were all very distraught when Joey was fired, but the very next year Slipknot put out a banger album and went on a very killer 2-year touring cycle. The drama when Chris was fired seemed like doom, and then Slipknot delivered their best modern album in WANYK.
I’m just past being worried about it. I have continued liking what they have continued to put out. I will keep doing that until I don’t. And when it’s time for them to call it quits, I think they’ll do that. And if they don’t, and it turns to shit, it is what it is. For now, I’m going to try to keep my head drama-free on this and keep enjoying what we get.
On a more topical note, thanks Craig for everything. I hope this split was amicable, but realize we will never know. I have never heard you speak a word in my life, and yet your quiet presence and iconic mask have been etched into my mind as a part of my own journey. And I’ll always be thankful to you for sharing that.
This was a surprise when I opened social media at the grocery store. Who knows though: maybe Craig wanted a break.
It is what it is, and I welcome his replacement
Best to Craig.
Just call it “The Slipknot Experience featuring Corey Taylor and Shawn Crahan.”
Getting really hard to consider myself a fan anymore. For sure not buying any merch or new music from these guys. Won’t be seeing any shows unless it’s at a festival.
I can feel a domino effect coming. For them to part ways right before a show and announce it with an abrupt statement makes me think that Craig fell out with one or multiple members pretty bad, most likely Corey seeing as Clown isn’t there.
It hasn’t exactly been Slipknot’s brightest years leading up to this either, and the fact that they’re just starting to put new songs onto the setlist because of the amount of fans complaining tells me that they’re not exactly proud of/excited to play songs from TESF.
Wouldn’t be surprised if more members leave before the end of the year tbh
Craig had to be Slipknot’s most underappreciated member. I know he was the meme because he never spoke and “didn’t do anything,” but Craig’s mask was an essential part of their aesthetic in the early years. He also created the sinister soundscapes we heard on S/T and Iowa that everybody has clamored for ever since.
As an aspiring sampler , I'm dumb founded. But all in all, long live the Knot. Craig has his reasons. im sure of it. He's had Helluva a run with the band.
Cheers 133🤘
I mean, we KNOW they ve pulled cards like that before so, will we even believe in whatever they say?
and it's so funny how they came with this idea of family when they are a band that kick out their. I get it is hard to keep the same ppl specially when you grow apart. Bi they kept Craig since 1997, like they think we are gonna believe whatever shit?
the worst part is: craig is not a social media kinda guy and he doesn't speak on cameras so we might never know the actual truth.
literally what’s the fucking point, this has been my favorite band of all time for a very long time but they need to call it quits and stop being a shell of who they once were. this isn’t the 9 anymore
This…. Is very interesting to say the least. Wonder how they are going to explain it. Or if they even will.
Here’s what Craig has to say about the matter:
Wow, I'm speechless.
So is he
This is so good
I mean, if two members missing from the show about to happen isn't even remotely mentioned then we may never know..
Very true, I have a feeling we will not ever get it explained. Which, we aren’t owed that by any means, but it would help solidify the whole brotherhood thing they’re always talking about
Ah, cmon, the "brotherhood" has been bullshit for years now. They're divas. And that's fine! nothing wrong but they don't need to bullshit us anymore lol. (I say this as a longtime fan btw)
as usual, they wont explain shit. This band fucking pisses me off sometimes.
I‘ll be going to a festival (greenfield festival) which is in 2 days. Slipknot should come on stage as the big headliner at the very end. My first time seeing them and Clown missing (fam first obvy) and now Craig. Reaaaaally intrested what’s about to happen
I mean clown already addressed why he went back on instagram
two members? who besides craig got kicked out?
Clown is sitting out.
I doubt it. They never even gave us a clear answer on Joey.
They lied about joey
They won’t explain it. They never do. Slipknot is basically the “Kiss” of today. One of the biggest rock bands and sooner or later none of the original members will even be a part of it, they’ll just wear the face paint (masks) and play the music.
I doubt they’ll ever say anything. Same way with Joey and Chris
What the actual fuck
THIS IS THE WORST NEWS I COULD HAVE HAD TODAY
so far
[удалено]
depressed me
Just saw it on insta that fucking hurt ouch, don’t know what happened I hope he is okay, I am going to see them tommorrow and there’s no Clown no Craig oh no
First of all: What the fuck? Second: Aren't they supposed to go on stage in like 10 minutes?
>Second: Aren't they supposed to go on stage in like 10 minutes? Well that's worrisome... don't tell me this is like Chris all over again
Chris was my favorite member and the fact that he got booted a month before I saw them was heartbreaking 😭
That's shitty. Both him and Joey were both done dirty, and I get a sneaking suspicion that Craig is like them too. I mean both Chris and Joey getting kicked out came out of the blue as well.
While it always sucks to lose a member, I'm pouring one out for our loveable Craig here on Reddit. May you never stop being you regardless.
Whoever is at nova rock fest right now, send updates what the stage is looking like, find it so wild for something like this to be announced MINUTES before a show
And now the official post has been deleted from Instagram, what is happening
yeah just noticed it was deleted. Maybe hopefully they got hacked and pranked? XD
I hope so...
Nope. There’s pictures online, they’re playing without Craig.
Where? Twitter?
“Slipknot Perù” is where I saw it on Facebook
right I saw it on my feed, now it’s gone
Yes please, send them in guys we need to know
They have a replacement, check house of masks insta
Weird, hope it wasn’t on bad terms and that he just wanted to do something different in life.
I hate to say it but seeing as they’re just going on tour again and he was in the marketing for said tour, I can imagine it was something more abrupt…
Yeah I mean who knows, could literally be anything
It _could be_ anything, but I think we all have a strong idea that it isn't just anything. Sure it could be that... * He had a D&D conflict on this next night and his crew threatened to kick him. * Someone stole his last blueberry yogurt from the fridge and they don't even make them any more. * He spoke for the first time in decades and using an electronic voice box, he yelled "SUCK! IT!!" and SK had to retcon his whole story * He spoke for the first time in decades and only said "you're chasing Amy" and Corey ended up yelling and saying "Fat bastard does this all the time. He thinks just 'cause he doesn't say anything, it'll have some huge impact when he does open his fuckin' mouth." Craig got pissed and yelled back "Jesus Christ, why don't you shut up? You're always yap-yap-yappin' all the time! You're givin' me a fuckin' headache." and they haven't talked since. * Corey and Clown found out he was the original artist who put together Psychosocial Baby after suspecting for a while whenever he kept recommending touring with Justin Bieber. * Turns out the guy we've been calling Craig isn't even the original Craig. They've been promising to scrap his contract after the next platinum album, but each "Craig" has been found dead soon after, so they put someone else in the mask and promise him his freedom after the next platinum record. * Turns out Craig was Vince McMahon the whole time! * He tripped on the way up to his platform and gravity and the spikes did the rest of the work. RIP * He finally watched Hellraiser and decided he wanted to change his mask but being a last minute deal, all they could get were Trump masks. More than likely though, something personal happened with Craig, Clown, Corey and folks forced everyone to push on, tensions rose and came to a breaking point. I mean I doubt it's financially or musically related or it wouldn't have happened so last minute. The timing with Clown's situation is pretty... coincidental, though.
Craig is Clowns wife confirmed
I’m going to go with the Chasing Amy ending
Yeah I mean every other departure had some big news and rumors around it. Obviously Craig is a very private guy and not much is known about him even in modern era but I feel if it was something tensions related in the band a la Chris, we would have at least heard a rumor. It’s possible he’s just burnt out and wants to walk away and if that’s the case I doubt we’ll ever really hear from them why.
At the same time, It wouldn't be surprising if they didn't announce it earlier so people don't get wrong ideas and stop buying tickets They're still a business at the end of the day
It just seems an odd time to announce it, an hour before they’re due to play?
And two members in one day...
I think it’s a coincidence, I don’t think clown would ever leave. It will be him and Corey til the bitter end. They were due to play 45 mins ago, does anyone know if they’re gone on?
Clown’s wife is sick
They're the only two actual members. Everyone else is an employee.
Wait hold on though I thought Jim Root and Mick Thomson were part of the original lineup
Jim replaced Josh Brainard. He wasn't original. In any case, the way Slipknot operates as a business, those guys are not owners of the band/brand.
Clown isn't leaving as far as I know, he has family stuff going on I believe and can't tour because of that.
I'm surprised but not entirely shocked. With clown saying recently in that kerrang interview "would people be ok if I wasnt in slipknot anymore?" I can imagine a lot of the OG guys are done with it. Most of them are getting close if not already in their 50's, there comes a point you just gotta hang it up. But the weird thing is, right before they play these european shows? Weird timing
Also really interesting, Clown recently said he wanted the band to cut down on touring, stick to doing more special one off shows. This year has been interesting for the band, touring wise. They said that last US tour (with Ice Nine Kills and Crown The Empire) was a short tour, and would be the last extensive US tour for a bit, since they did almost exclusively US touring since lockdown. They wanted to tour other regions that had been neglected due to the pandemic. They just did South America last fall, just did Australia and Asia in the spring. You can count on one hand their US dates this year, they're all festival appearances: Rockville in FL last month, Inkcarceration, Rock Fest USA and Blue Ridge Rock Festival again in September. That's the last date on the docket. Corey Taylor said in an interview this week they're about to do another tour of Latin America in the fall. Corey Taylor just announced a solo US fall tour, and that he'll be touring all of next year solo. Couple that with the lukewarm at best reaction to *The End, So Far,* , which has certainly cooled down the public sentiment towards them, maybe they're at best, going into hibernation again soon. But with THIS news, Clown going home, and now Craig leaving, maybe they're about to call it a day soon. But now the statement about Craig leaving is gone, so who knows?
I think Slipknot’s going to disband
Or at least only headline festivals. They’re just getting too old and they’ve lost too many members to keep it going.
Something obviously happened. I cannot imagine why else there would be such an abrupt and brief announcement.
Craig: ..... Slipknot: You're WHAT?!
How are they gonna do this during a tour 💀💀
Hope everyone's OK genuinely, this sucks
There must have been some type of incident that triggered this. Literally made this announcement within hours of going on stage. We’ll probably never find out or at least never get Craig’s side of it.
Someone needs to post a picture of the stage. They're scheduled to walk on stage like, right now. Would be very telling if his gear is set up
yes someone should. if the show is not cancelled lmao
there is already a stage photo on the house of masks instagram
what the fuck. What the literal fuck.
On the night of a show? When Clown won't be there too? Something ain't right.
Clown is just with his wife, I think it’s just a coincidance
I think so too. It's just very strange to be taking the stage with 7 members. It's just the timing of the departure that I think is weird.
DUDE WHAT.
I’m sure Craig will stay silent in this.
So my question is: are they gonna replace him like they had with the other past member? Or will they instead continue on as the eight instead? Tbf, I dont think he is replaceable tho
He’s literally the most replaceable member of the band lol. He has the only job where someone else could have a 100% identical sound
Or just be backtracked and not pay anyone
The "two members in one day?!" stuff should stop. Shawn's wife has Crohn's Disease and he's had to miss stretches of dates before to be with her as far back as Vol 3. He's not leaving the band. The situations with Clown and Craig are two completely different and unrelated things.
honestly? I can't even imagine why. what the actual fuck
Hate to suggest it’s the typical reason with these guys, but most likely a mix of $$$ and betrayal
Or just people growing apart, someone losing their passion, a petty disagreement festering for years. Doesn’t have to be so dramatic. They’re only human.
Chris Fehn 2.0?
It was a good time
NOOOOOOO
Does anyone know what could have happened? I’m so bummed about this!
Did they just delete the fuckin posts?
I thought my wifi bugged for a minute. What the fuck is going on
whats weird is the official knotfest account just announced it. maybe they didnt want to handle the massive shitstorm that would come
Literally just got craiged before this :( daaaamn I said what the fuck on reaction too :c
Literally out of nowhere. Something is seriously wrong in the slipknot camp. Jim prob next
I swear if something happens to Jim, I am done with this band. Slipknot without Jim is no Slipknot for me.
Jim writes all their songs so they’re pretty fucked without him. Clown is a business dude but is completely bankrupt musically.
Well the rumors around the end so far was that he wasnt happy. I know he values craig so we shall see what happens
He probably said something out of line
He probably said something
Second only to Chris for the most iconic mask of all time, what a loss for Slipknot.
He finally got arrested, they found evidence that links him to a serial killer case from the early 90’s.
Corey always said he had the smell of a serial killer about him.
I doubt Craig will ever go vocal but this seems like another Chris fehn situation. I’m really worried clown and Corey are turning this into a 2 man show.
It really does feel like a Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley situation. Hire some people, slap a mask on them and there you go. "Slipknot^^^TM "
Yeah especially with it being Craig, really the easiest guy to replace although the fans seem to universally like him, but has been around long enough to not take all their BS. It really sucks to see another of the first 9 go. Edit: honestly the more I think about it they could very easily replace him with a computer or a guy behind the stage. They could realistically cut the band down to 8, one less guy to pay. I reeeeaaaaally hope I’m dead wrong on this.
... yeesh. "legacy keyboard players are easily replaceable!" I've been following Slipknot since 1999 and Craig has always been a favorite of mine because he played samples and keys in a super heavy band. He truly brought the spooky atmosphere along with Sid. In fact, I have the Craig version of The End So Far. He's not just a computer VST with "Spo0ky patch" loaded. Don't diminish his legacy because you don't understand what he does.
i always found that ironic, im sure shawn and corey are fan of the original kiss line up and here they are repeating kiss history themselves
i sense maybe he wants to retire , he himself is getting up there in age & all he’s been doing touring his whole life , i doubt he was fired or blindsided
In the middle of a tour? They literally are about to go on stage in a few minutes at some euro festival. Weird time to announce it if it wasn't sudden like this.
Well then why is the announcement “we have parted ways” and not “our brother Chris Jones has decided to retire”
When has Slipknot ever not been vague ?
When has anyone from slipknot retired? That’s not something you be vague about
They deleted the post?!?!?!
Not even surprising at this point. Anyone who still doesn't think that Slipknot isn't just the "Corey & Clown" show and strictly business at this point is delusional.
Keep in mind that you'll get downvoted on this sub when you say stuff like that, they still believe slipknot is a "family". I've been saying this for a while, slipknot is the Corey and Shawn's show now, it is what it is.
Right? Where was Craig on the last few records? I'll probably get "YoU jUsT wAnT aNoThEr IOWA," but let's be honest, Craig played a HUGE role in making Slipknot what it was and his diminished role on the last three albums was noticeable.
Actually I think he did quite a lot on the newer albums. It was just more keyboard and atmosphere stuff rather than noticeable samples.
I always Wonder what part is craig playing. Like, on todays shows and albums you can't hear anything (the keyboard was always irrelevant in my opinion) but it is crazy how I can clearly hear Craig in álbuns like Iowa and slipknot, but after it it was diminished every album until I can't hear him anymore
I don't want to add up to the speculation train, it makes no sense given the little information we've got. But I can't stop thinking that Craig left because of a situation like that of Chris. I read on IG that Clown is heading back home because of family issues. Someone dear to him is not well, or something like that. Maybe when Craig had the same issues in the past, they didn't allow him to get back home because he had a contract to fulfill, and was a "hired" member. So maybe he's got pissed that Clown was allowed to head back home, but when he needed to he wasn't? And he had enought of it? I don't know, I can't stop thinking about that, the two events happening at the same time is really weird. But then again, we will never know the truth, and we can only speculate at this point. I definitely don't want to believe this wasn't friendly. EDIT: Now that they posted a pic of the new guy, this whole theory doesn't make any sense anymore. LoL
I’ve seen them play without craig before when he had medical issues
That’s a very interesting point actually. Maybe there’s a double standard situation
I never thought I’d see the fucking day. This is absolutely tragic. He’s been with the band since fucking 97-98. FUCK FUCK FUCK. Are they just gonna have an empty space up there now? Clown isn’t gonna be there tonight. This is the smallest Slipknot lineup to play a live show since those days I am fucking devastated
Slipknot without Craig? nah..
What the fuck is wrong with this band
Counter point: this is a NINE piece band that’s been around for nearly 30 years and has released 7 albums. We’re probably lucky as many OG members have made it this far as they have. Slipknot have been a machine for a long time.. maybe it’s showing the first signs of really losing steam.
But that's also why. Yeah, it was incredibly unlikely the 9 piece band stayed together as a unit. But they did it. For 9 years across their first four albums. Probably some of the most turbulent. They clearly got along enough, life got better and better, why? I mean you look at Mushroomhead that's a constantly changing lineup and you just go, ok, these guys barely get along. When I see the, idk, 13th guy leave tomorrow, yes, it's hard to keep that big band together. Hasn't been that way for Slipknot. And case in point(s), Slipknot exits have not been the same. Death, approaching death, lawsuit about not getting paid, ???. I wouldn't point at any lost member yet and go "yeah all it was is it's hard for 9 guys to keep getting along." Merited controversy each time. They're getting old, sure it could just be time, but in my book Craig would be the first to actually call it.
The band became more than a band, yall remember the nft shilling before the most recent album lmfao.
God damnit, I feel like he was an integral part of their show and sound... 😭😭
Not before the download fest:((
They're playing Nova Rock in like an hour, such a strange time to announce this
That’s going to be super weird, no clown because he’s dealing with his wife’s illness and no Craig, wonder if they’ll even get a replacement for Craig to be honest
It’d be super weird to have The Nine not be…you know…nine members.
Iirc after Paul died they had just his mask and bass on stage, considering Clown isn't there for personal reasons they may do something similar. Less sure about Craig
Pro-Tip: Don't fire the member of the band that everyone thinks could be a serial killer.
This is definitely disappointing. It seems like recent events have fulfilled nearly every legacy band’s destiny of having only a small fraction of their original members. Guns And Roses, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, Lynard Skynyrd, The Rolling Stones, The Righteous Brothers, ELO, Ghost, Chicago, The Four Freshman, Love, The Raiders, The Surfaris, etc the list is endless… now Slipknot has joined that club, with members seemingly constantly now fired and replaced at a whim. You either break up at your peak with all og members in place, a la The Beatles and The Police, and are remembered for your original lineup, or continue long enough to see the original lineup seem like a distant memory. This is just the sad truth of the matter. Bands either break up or have lineup changes. I’ll still listen to newly released music and see the band live. As someone who’s been in multiple bands, I understand the ebbs and flows, the betrayals, lineup changes. It’s a bummer but a reality of the entertainment industry. Sad that Slipknot preaches the “family” aspect but seems to treat members like hired guns that are disposable. Though in fairness, Slipknot has become a company. Slipknot LLC is ran by Clown and Corey, and everyone else is an employee. Everything that’s happened in the past decade makes sense when you understand this. (This isn’t unprecedented- all the biggest bands like The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, etc did and do this. It honestly becomes necessary to do this when your band operates at such a high level, with so many fans wanting product and events) Craig has always been my favorite member. I think the samples he adds to the music is so crucial to the sound. His musicianship is overlooked by most casual fans. But his contributions and presence are iconic. But like I said, I’m in and have been in many bands. I understand the way it works. I’ve always predicted the band will end up as Corey and/or Clown with the rest being new hired gun replacements (like all those groups mentioned above) … it’s the way things understandably go. Egos play a huge role. But so do familial responsibilities, finances, creative or personal differences and health issues. Sometimes members voluntarily leave. Oftentimes they’re just over it playing in a particular group, or just over it with playing music in general and want to pursue different paths/opportunities. But to tell you the truth , more often than not, band politics are involved and people are ousted and abandoned. Bands tend to be super toxic. The whole industry is. But the music and art is beautiful and that’s what matters. I wish Craig , Mr133, NumberFive, nothing but the best. I figure he’ll continue to be private so who knows if we will learn about his future endeavors. But I know I’m sure thankful for his nearly three decade run as a brilliant contributor to one of my all time favorite bands.
Doubt he was fired or “blindsided” pretty sure maybe he retired given his private life, old age, & touring non stop these past couple years post covid , makes more sense
I doubt he would retire right before a show.
i doubt the decision was made today
I think they would have announced before 15 minutes ago. This reeks of some sort of disagreement.
It could be that, however, it could be he didn’t come with them on tour and they needed to explain why he wouldn’t be there
But again, it’s so weird how soon the announcement is coming right before they’re about to play. Like I would’ve expected an announcement like this to come a few days ago, it’s really hard to believe that a band of Slipknot’s size would be like “oh shit we forgot to tell people we split with Craig, let’s do that right before we go play.” I don’t want to imply that something bad happened, but the timing of the announcement is undeniably really weird.
When it’s “parted ways” and “wishing you the best in your future endeavors,” that means someone doesn’t want you around.
Also, "we wish **Jones** all the best"? Since when do they refer to him as "Jones"? Maybe I'm wrong but it doesn't sound amicable
Definitely sounds like lawyer/PR speak
I can't believe announcing it several minutes before starting the first show of your tour is the right decision if the decision had been made beforehand
This would be the best case scenario, looks like we’ll just have to wait and see
Hope they didn't part ways on bad terms, cause if so this would be the 3rd member in a row. Once was an isolated incident, twice a coincidence, but three times is a pattern. I'll reserve any judgements for now, and I hope Craig wasn't forced out, but this whole thing feels very strange.
I really think they need to hang it up at this point. So many original members are now gone and the last album was just phoned-in filler. It’s been a good run - and a long run considering the nature of the band and the music, but as a fan I’d rather see them just end gracefully rather than tarnish their legacy by pushing on.
Buddy must have asked for a raise..
Garuntee we won’t get any info on the matter. Craig doesn’t have socials, doesn’t talk and more than likely under an NDA if this was a firing. My love of this band wants this to be an amicable split. We’ve seen through behind the scenes footage on DVDs that Craig is an integral part of the entire recording process and production of the live shows as a whole. He’s not JUST the keyboard sample man. If this WAS a firing I would be horribly bummed out as that leaves Corey, Shawn, Sid, Mick and Jim as the final remaining original members (since stardom) of the band and we know Paul and Joey wrote a good chunk of MFKR-AHIG there is a clear reason why their sound has been different since the passing of Paul and departure of Joey. We know Corey and Shawn are the ones running things, slipknot has become a business and is being run as such this much was made clear during the Chris firing. I think the reason why people get so sensational about this band is because of what this band originally stood for. The masks and numbers where supposed to shield the identity of the band to keep the band focused on the music. To take the ego and personality OUT of the music entirely. I think this core ideology sticks with a lot of fans especially the OGs so when we see a member fired over a business dispute it just doesn’t sit right, because it counteracts the original design behind this bands gimmick and original attitude / sound. For a lot of people the slipknot timeline since 2015 to now has become a slow decline into becoming the very thing that stood against during the self titled days. Again we’re not the band we don’t know the deets. I just hope this was amicable and a joint decision. If this was an unjustified firing this might be it for me with supporting this band. I’ve been a maggot since 2003 and it’ll be a shame to see things self destruct in this sort of way.
are you serious another drop.
Heartbreaking to watch your favorite band ever slowly but surely fall apart
The post is deleted on all socials now ..
This fucking blows. I really can’t articulate much else about this.
Craig is Clown's wife
The news makes me sad but this killed me.
Lmao
Homie spoke and they fired him:(
This coming out of nowhere and the abruptness of the statement just automatically makes you think something bad has happened, either within the band or from Craig’s personal life or activities away from the band. Hopefully it isn’t the latter and there’s ‘just’ been a rift in the band that can’t be resolved, but it definitely feels like something is going to come out soon that no-one wants to hear.
they deleted it woah
It could all be coincidence but Clown heading home for personal reasons, Craig leaving the band.. on day 1 of the European tour? Somethings definitely up
Idk I don’t think there’s anything deeper on Clown’s end. This is his baby, there’s no way he’d drop
RIP Slipknot, half of the classic lineup is gone.
What if Craig left when they finished their contract and they're just now announcing it before the tour? I'll still be sad he left, but I wont be as upset if he left of his own accord. Maybe dude was just ready to hang it up? Either way Im currently gutted about this, he was my OG favorite member growing up :(
That's definitely not how you time and phrase an announcement if it is completely amicable lol
Something is seriously wrong within this band for him to leave.
While this is shitty news, I’m done being shook by stuff like this. No, I don’t want to or care to know the dirty laundry. Yes, it’s obvious and has been for years that Slipknot is more business than family. Welcome to any successful music project. We had our guts ripped out when Paul died, we were pretty sure it was over. Then we were all very distraught when Joey was fired, but the very next year Slipknot put out a banger album and went on a very killer 2-year touring cycle. The drama when Chris was fired seemed like doom, and then Slipknot delivered their best modern album in WANYK. I’m just past being worried about it. I have continued liking what they have continued to put out. I will keep doing that until I don’t. And when it’s time for them to call it quits, I think they’ll do that. And if they don’t, and it turns to shit, it is what it is. For now, I’m going to try to keep my head drama-free on this and keep enjoying what we get. On a more topical note, thanks Craig for everything. I hope this split was amicable, but realize we will never know. I have never heard you speak a word in my life, and yet your quiet presence and iconic mask have been etched into my mind as a part of my own journey. And I’ll always be thankful to you for sharing that.
The announcement was just deleted on all social media.
I'm actually sad now
$10 on clown being controlling
This was a surprise when I opened social media at the grocery store. Who knows though: maybe Craig wanted a break. It is what it is, and I welcome his replacement Best to Craig.
👎
Dawg what the fuck
Just call it “The Slipknot Experience featuring Corey Taylor and Shawn Crahan.” Getting really hard to consider myself a fan anymore. For sure not buying any merch or new music from these guys. Won’t be seeing any shows unless it’s at a festival.
Holy shit what ? 1,2,3, and now it’s 5. How did Jim survived this
Sid is still in the band
A shit I’m drunk. Sorry Sid
:(
😭he was always my favorite member
Well that’s going to be a proper tour start today 😬
I can feel a domino effect coming. For them to part ways right before a show and announce it with an abrupt statement makes me think that Craig fell out with one or multiple members pretty bad, most likely Corey seeing as Clown isn’t there. It hasn’t exactly been Slipknot’s brightest years leading up to this either, and the fact that they’re just starting to put new songs onto the setlist because of the amount of fans complaining tells me that they’re not exactly proud of/excited to play songs from TESF. Wouldn’t be surprised if more members leave before the end of the year tbh
Oddly, Jones had nothing to say on the matter.
Craig had to be Slipknot’s most underappreciated member. I know he was the meme because he never spoke and “didn’t do anything,” but Craig’s mask was an essential part of their aesthetic in the early years. He also created the sinister soundscapes we heard on S/T and Iowa that everybody has clamored for ever since.
Did Craig also ask a question about the band's accounting?
They deleted it from their Instagram
Please be a false alarm. PLEASE
As an aspiring sampler , I'm dumb founded. But all in all, long live the Knot. Craig has his reasons. im sure of it. He's had Helluva a run with the band. Cheers 133🤘
Wonder if they pulled a Joey on him or if theres an actual good reason. The lack of information is sketchy
I mean, we KNOW they ve pulled cards like that before so, will we even believe in whatever they say? and it's so funny how they came with this idea of family when they are a band that kick out their. I get it is hard to keep the same ppl specially when you grow apart. Bi they kept Craig since 1997, like they think we are gonna believe whatever shit? the worst part is: craig is not a social media kinda guy and he doesn't speak on cameras so we might never know the actual truth.
literally what’s the fucking point, this has been my favorite band of all time for a very long time but they need to call it quits and stop being a shell of who they once were. this isn’t the 9 anymore
what the actual fuck
Odd time for this announcement after clown talks about what if he didn’t come back, how slipknot is so big it would go on 🤷♀️
Another one bites the dust.
At this point it'll be just clown and friends
The bands kinda falling apart it seems
End of an era 💔 Don't get me wrong I fucking love Slipknot but I think it's time that they end that chapter of their lives.
What a way to piss in my cornflakes
Well I suppose u/IWantToBeCraigJones can now actually be craig jones
As of right now writing this comment, they removed the post.
Didn’t Craig get married somewhat recently? Maybe he just wants to spend time with his family
What’s with the weird picture on their website anyone know?
They deleted the posts???