That Time When Slipknot Supported A Jazz Band

Just because they're a touring giant now with their own festival doesn't mean Slipknot had their pick of the gigs in the early days. Far from it. In a new interview with the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, frontman Corey Taylor remembers the time the Iowan Nine supported a jazz band in their hometown of Des Moines.

“It was a gig-trade because Clown owned a bar in Des Moines," said Corey. "They all, like, stared at us like we had shit in our hands and had thrown it at them. They were so stunned with the madness."

The booking sort of makes sense, though. Sure, Slipknot are a force of nature, oozing venom from every pore, but their 1996 release Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. did include some jazz elements and odd time-signatures.

That was little comfort for the awful trip home after the gig, though.

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“Driving home, both vans broke down in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of winter. So some of us stayed, some of us walked to call a tow truck. That’s what you did," continued Corey.

“And I can remember constructing cardboard ventilation for the heater just to get some back. We all huddled our gear as close as we can to this weird cardboard ventilation system – it was brutal. And then having to get up the next day and go to work…"

During the same interview, Corey also spoke about the inspiration he receives from watching other bands, citing their tour with Beartooth as a prime example.

READ THIS: How Slipknot changed my life

Slipknot are returning to the UK and Ireland in January for a tour alongside Behemoth. Get your tickets now.

Slipknot UK/Ireland tour 2020

January

14 Dublin, 3Arena
16 Manchester, Arena
17 Newcastle, Utilita Arena
18 Glasgow, The SSE Hydro
20 Sheffield, FlyDSA Arena
21 Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
22 Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
24 Birmingham, Arena
25 London, O2 Arena