SLIPKNOT Frontman Reflects On Debut Album's 10-Year Anniversary

Roadrunner Records has posted a question-and-answer session with SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor in which he reflects on 9.9.2009 — the 10th anniversary of the release of SLIPKNOT's debut self-titled album. It follows here in its entirety.

Q: Does it feel like 10 years?

Corey: Well, it certainly feels like ten years in my knees; let's put it that way! And the fatty tissue in my back. [laughs] Honestly, it doesn't. To be honest, it doesn't feel like we've been here for ten years; it feels like it's been ten minutes. But you know, it's all good!

Q: What has been the main motivation/inspiration driving the band for so long?

Corey: I think the main inspiration that drives this band is just more, more, more, you know?! Whether it's…. more doesn't have to be a bad thing! We just keep pushing the boundaries of everything: musically, visually, artistically, emotionally. It's always been our goal to overdo it, 'cause not enough other bands do it to begin with, you know! So the main inspiration for this band is just to do it all.

Q: Some of the nine have been involved in side projects over the years. How important has this been to the longevity and creativity of the band, if at all?

Corey: I believe that the other projects are actually very important to the creativity of the band. I believe that, you know, the other bands allow us to bring things in, and they give us the courage to try different things, which is what this band is all about. And plus, just from, you know, a long longevity standpoint, it gives our careers a chance to breathe, and it makes people excited for us to come back. So, to me, I think that the other projects really enhance what we do, because it just shows you the potential that can be had when we all come back together as SLIPKNOT.

Q: Some critics (particularly back in the early years of the band) accused SLIPKNOT of using the masks, costumes, and numbers as nothing more than a marketing ploy. Do you have anything to say to those people now?

Corey: Well, to all the critics who have kind of complained or been a little too harsh with their judgment of the band in their early years — yeah, yeah, sure, the masks get attention, but you know what?! The music keeps them here, you know?! If the music sucked, we wouldn't have as many fans as we do, so in your face, critics! And those pants look like crap on you! [laughs]

Q: At Download 2009, you told the crowd that headlining at Donington Park was a dream come true and a career pinnacle for the band. Can SLIPKNOT top that?

Corey: As far as toping, you know, headlining Download — oh, man, that was... that was such a dream come true, that we'd have to play on Mars man! Honestly, I mean, we'd have to headline Mars, with DEVO or something; that would be the only think that would make sense. [laughs] Or, just start over completely — with the next album, all we do is play clubs, you know, 200-seater clubs, and work our way back up. Headline some tent at Download — like the disco tent, the silent disco tent by the way! Which is very weird to me. I will never understand that; it's like watching zombies dance around in headphones, it's creepy! [laughs] But that's the only thing that would make sense to me — is to start over. Where do you go, though? I mean, besides Hyde Park, or, you know, um, Glastonbury, I mean, it's really kind of.. Download is, is, it's the top of the mountain.

Q: You recently hosted the Kerrang! Awards. How was that?

Corey: Hosting the Kerrang! Awards was such a blast! First of all, my suit was amazing! I don't know if you've seen, but my suit was really stunning, and I mean that in the literal sense! Um, just getting to work with Scott [Ian of ANTHRAX] was just an absolute pleasure, you know! Me and Scott have know each other a long time, and we've gotten to be really close friends, and when we had the opportunity to do this together, we both jumped at it! We just loved watching the audience get more and more bombed and it was almost like we were the little ring leaders, man! Plus we had a lot of fun with filming the acceptance films when SLIPKNOT won, and it was just such a great time, man! I will remember that night for a very long time, or at least until the hangover wears off! [laughs]