They're NOT Teletubbies! (Slipknot in general)

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Product:	Slipknot in general
Date:	07/06/01 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Love to tour, Amazing image and sound, Very original

Disadvantages: Too many people are only interested in the image

Slipknot's loud, unrelenting sound earned them much attention after their debut album (simply titled "Slipknot") was released. The nine-piece band have opted for the image of freakish masks to hide their appearance and baggy jumpsuits to make themselves look like prisoners or lunatics. This popular nu-metal band have done extensive touring, and are set to return to the UK in November 2001 to promote their new album (titled "Iowa" after their home state), following their hugely successful stint at May's UK Ozzfest.

The band formed quite some time ago, and its members have changed considerably. The idea of masks stemmed from the time when Shawn (one of the custom percussionists) wore an old clown mask and boiler suit to rehearsals, and soon the whole band produced their own face pieces.

Singer Corey Taylor wears a grey leather mask with dreadlocks (some of which are real) that is supposed to represent a scarecrow. Corey's vocals are backed up by a synthesiser he uses to distort his voice for some of the louder, angrier shouting (if you are interested, this is especially evident in the song "Wait and Bleed.")

Drummer Joey wears a white, expressionless mask with long red hair.

The afore-mentioned Shawn wears an old clown mask (now changed for a more freakish, grotesque clown face), and plays a part in the band by practicing "custom percussion"; the art of hitting a large bin every so often with sticks. (I don't mean to deliberately diss custom percussion, but it does seem less difficult when compared to other instruments).

Shawn is joined on custom percussion by Chris, who wears a white Pinnochio-style mask with a long nose and zip for a mouth.

Paul has now exchanged his original pig mask for a black, more evil-looking version, and his job is playing the band's solitary bass guitar.

Media and samples man Craig wears a diver's helmet with rubber
spikes embedded in its top; his mask has also recently been traded in for a grey, zip design (although he has kept the spikes).

Sid's job is to spin and delay the band's turntables for the scratch sound effect, and his mask is a plain gas mask, which he has now modified so it does not cover his head.

Guitarist Mick has had many masks, including a golden hockey mask and pale face.

The band's other guitarist James wears a black leather mask.

The band have also had many styles of jumpsuit (all of which bear their band member "number" and the barcode of a cabbage on the back), and have produced two singles thus far off their debut album, entitled "Spit it Out" and "Wait and Bleed." (The band produced a mini-album prior to becoming famous entitled "Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.")

Slipknot merchandise is very prominent everywhere, and the band have recently revealed their disgust at seeing their image on childrens' lunch boxes. Many designs of T-shirt and hooded top are available of the band, and even copies of the jumpsuit are available. (I must admit, I own one for special occasions and concerts!) To tackle this, the band are planning to keep merchandise of their new album strictly under control, as they believe fans should be more interested in the music than the image.

This proves that although they have been criticised for trying to make nu-metal look "cool" and appeal to youngsters, the band's dedication is strictly to their sound. Let's hope the over-excessive touring continues, and a few more albums appear in the shops.

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