SLIPKNOT Drummer Explains How Creative Tension Fuels Their Creative Process
“That only makes for great art. The phrase ‘iron sharpens iron’ is really true for us”
If you’ve ever thought about how creative tension can roost inside a band’s dynamic, take a moment to think of Metallica, for example: without a doubt, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich seem creatively hard-headed when it comes to songwriting. But that’s just two out of four dudes in a scenario where everyone has earned a right to their opinion. Can you imagine what it’s like when you got nine dudes in a group, each as uniquely creative as the next, as is the case in Slipknot?
At a bare minimum, the odds of overcoming three or four bandmates seem a tad more realistic than they do with eight. Regardless, Slipknot make it work. And, as drummer Jay Weinberg recently explained to Magenta Musik, the tension and the creative give-and-take are exactly what the Iowa metal champions thrive on in order to get the best out of themselves.
“We’re nine very passionate people about what we do, so when it comes to the creative side of things, you have nine creative voices shoehorning into a song,” Weinberg described. “But, what I’m proud to say is that, at the end of the day, we all know each other’s strengths and what we bring to the table, and how we collaborate and respect one another in that way.
“And all of those things end up shining through. It takes a long time for us to put together what we’re proud of because there’s so many people and lots of ideas, lots of inspiration. The nine of us have very different inspirations from each other, you know. So when we filter what we wanna do creatively through the voice of Slipknot, it ends up being something that’s completely new that’s filtered through our tastes and talents and whatever.”
Slipknot are currently streaming their brand new single, “Yen,” from the forthcoming LP, The End, So Far (and no, they’re not breaking up). The album will be available on September 30 and pre-order/pre-saves are available here.
Weinberg continued by admitting that “Yeah, sure, we all have our ways of trying to carve something out of stone, to make it a song that we’re really proud of. And it takes a lot of work, for sure there’s creative tension, but that only makes for great art. The phrase ‘iron sharpens iron’ is really true for us. We want the best from each other, we want the best from ourselves, and I think that translates to what we’re able to do, whether that’s in the studio or live on stage.”
See Slipknot on tour at one of the many dates below.
8/11 Tallinn, EST – Saku Suurhall
8/13 Turku, FIN – Knotfest Finland
8/15 Malmo, SWE – Arena (no Vended)
8/18 Charleville Mezieres, FRA – Cabaret Vert
8/19 Hasselt, BEL – Pukkelpop Festival
w/ Ice Nine Kills & Crown The Empire
9/20 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
9/21 Springfield, MO Great Southern Bank Arena
9/24 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
9/27 Austin, TX Germania Insurance Amphitheater
9/28 Dallas, TX Dos Equis Pavilion
10/1 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Amphitheater
10/2 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion
10/4 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Amphitheatre
10/7 Irvine, CA Five Point Amphitheater
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