S L I P K N O T
Know The Mask? Well, actually there are nine of them, making loud music and listening to the name SLIPKNOT. Recently this American crossover band did a 'steaming' gig in Amsterdam. Preceding The Kinda Muzik caught up with one of the Slipknots to chat about their albums, Ross Robinson, Ricky Martin and...pissing over eachother.
by bart nijssen
'Number 3' of the band, Pinocchio-look-a-like Chris Fehn, is one of the percussionists of the band. In coffeeshop �the Bulldog� in the heart of Amsterdam he acted as Slipknot's spokesman that day...
How would you describe the music you make?
"Very heavy, very powerful. It all comes from the heart. We play from the heart. There are nine guys in the band, so that means a lot of influences. Of course we go back to Slayer, Black Sabbath, Kiss and bands like that. And then you have the new things. Our DJ likes jungle and rave-type music. There's a big spectrum Slipknot falls into."
Your first record 'Mate. Feed. Kill Repeat.' differs a lot from your latest album 'Slipknot'. Some songs almost sound like death metal, while other songs are rather funky. How has Slipknot developed to the �nowadays�-Slipknot?
"It's pretty much Ross Robinson. He helped out a lot. He cut off lots of parts of the songs, that didn�t really keep it driving, that didn�t keep it moving along. You know, like the funky parts in the old one. He just cut them out, took out a couple of guitar solos that weren�t needed and stuff like that. Just keep it straight forward, a heavy album."
How many people where in the band during the recordings of 'Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.'?
"Six. I wasn't in it. I was a fan."
You have already mentioned producer Ross Robinson. Was it obvious for you from the start that Ross was the perfect person to produce your album?
"Yes, definitely. Just for the fact that the first Korn- record is just unbelievable, a classic album. While we were recording the album, Ross is in there with us, slamming and throwing things at us. Just going crazy. You can nearly tell that on tape. It's a very raw album. Ross is a very spiritual person. He�s there for everybody all the time. It was a really smooth thing to do, because it's our first album like that. So, of course we were nervous and all that stuff. He�s great, a great guy."
Can you give a reaction to the following thesis: With their masks Slipknot have created an image that is even more attractive than their own faces.
"Showwise, yes. During the show it�s definitely a great visual. You can�t drop that. It�s good for the kids, you know. Along with the music behind it, it makes it a complete show."
Which upcoming, new bands are gonna be big in the next millennium, besides Slipknot?
"I think Slayer is gonna come back hard. Joey Jordison, the drummer, just walking by: It's like we hope they come back! Actually they never left, hard for us, but Chris: You know, everybody is gonna try and follow the �knot now, it would be big whether they catch up or not."
It's said that Dutch people are rather sober. How will they experience the Slipknot-invasion tonight, according to you?
"They don�t get it right now. But now we�re here and they will see it and gonna understand what it is all about, when the show has been finished. They don�t yet, but they will after tonight."
Do you have any stories of weird encounters with fans?
"I jumped into the crowd one time and they really wanted the masks. That would be the ultimate souvenir for them. A kid grabbed my nose to pull off the mask. My nose was hanging up to the side, like that. Sometimes they just go crazy, they�re out of their heads. I don�t think he meant to do it, but they can�t help it. "
What Slipknot-song describes you best?
"I'd have to say 'Prosthetics'. It reminds me a lot of my girl back home."
What have you most regretted doing while being drunk?
"I pissed on Sid (Wilson, turntables) one night. I got hammered and pissed on him."
If you were jailed in a prison, and there was one song on the PA as a punishment, what song would it be?
" 'Living La Vida Loca' by Ricky Martin. That's just horrible and it's so popular. You can't help it, I know the words now. When I hear it, it's in my head all the day. It's commercialized bullshit."
Which is to your opinion the best live act at the moment?
"Slipknot! Definitely. It�s hard for me to watch a lot other bands now. It seems like they just stand there, but System of a Down is really good live."
That night, the Slipknot-storm raged over Amsterdam. It's true; Slipknot definitely IS the best live act at the moment in its class. And, I could have seen that coming: while Pinocchio answered the last question, his nose didn�t grow a inch for a change.