Structure was precarious, some members did not fit on the stage and buckets ended up strategically positioned on the sides
When watching a show Slipknot Today, in large arenas, the physical demand on musicians is noticeable. Everyone is always dressed in overalls and with the famous masks on their faces.
From the beginning, it was like that. However, the lack of structure in the presentations made the members’ experience even more difficult.
Sofia Johnthe band’s first manager — back in the 90s —, recalled to Metal Hammer the group’s first appearances in their homeland of Des Moines, in the US state of Iowa. The hot summer and the intensity of the performance made the situation difficult. So, drastic measures were necessary.
In the words of Sofia:
In the summer time, the heat was so bad that they had buckets on the side of the stage. You saw them lift their mask, vomit into the bucket and carry on!”
The precarious structure also got in the way. Sofia recalled the distribution of the group on stage, which did not always have room for everyone. She said:
We played shows in the basement of Gameworks (music venue), on a stage where half the band was outside because there wasn’t enough space. Paul (Graybassist) was on the floor and the poor guy Craig (Jonesat the time guitarist, later keyboardist), he was in a booth with all his things, because there was no space on stage.”
Meanwhile, in the front row…
In its early years, Slipknot had Anders Colsefni on vocals. Corey Taylor was in music, but dedicated himself exclusively to Stone Sour.
However, the future singer of the Masquerades was at the group’s first show, in 1995 — and was impressed with what he saw. Taylor told the Barstool Backstage (via Loudwire):
I was there at the first show, in 1995, and it was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. They didn’t come from backstage, they walked among us. They didn’t even have to push anyone out of the way… they didn’t tell anyone what they were doing. And when they got on stage, all they did was play this one crazy low note, and Joey (Jordisondrummer) detonated for probably 30 seconds to a minute.”
At that moment, Corey He had the thought that it would change the band and also his own career. The vocalist says:
I was in the front row and I remember saying to myself, clear as day: ‘I’m going to be the singer in this band’. I never felt it before, I’ve never felt it since, and literally two years later they called me.”
Corey Taylor joined the Slipknot in 1997, which put a temporary end to the Stone Sour. From 2000 onwards, the vocalist began dedicating himself to both groups, but his original band went on another hiatus in 2020. The Des Moines masked men have continued to be active uninterruptedly since the beginning.
Collaborated: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
