CLOWN Clarifies Who Actually Started SLIPKNOT

Amidst the recent firings in the Slipknot camp – namely classic members Chris Fehn in 2019 and Craig “133” Jones in 2023 – came comments about there being barely any original late ’90s members left. Though according to percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan, that’s been the case for years now.

In a recent chat with The Break Down With Nath & Johnny, Crahan clarified that he, bassist Paul Gray, and vocalist Anders Colsefni (real name Andy Rauw) are the sole three founders of Slipknot. Notice anyone missing from that trio?

“There’s all these real misunderstandings about who started the band or whatever,” said Crahan. “And the bottom line is it was Andy Rouw, the original singer, myself and Paul.”

“Andy ended up leaving really early in the game, and so once we were signed it was basically just Paul and I. The press and the families and all the people that have their heads up their asses, they like to adhere everything because of ego. But I’m here to tell you my friend, Paul Gray was at my wedding three years prior [to] he and I and Andy starting the band. That’s that.”

It’s an interesting comment because it seems the general public perception is that Slipknot was founded in 1995 by Crahan, Gray, and drummer Joey Jordison – not Colsefni.

Slipknot would go on to release Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. in 1996 featuring Crahan, Gray, Colsefni, and Jordison alongside guitarists Donnie Steele and Josh “Gnar” Brainard before evolving into their classic 1999 self-titled debut lineup over the next three years.