Shawn “Clown” Crahan Reveals Joey Jordison Wasn’t a Founding Member of Slipknot

If you though Slipknot‘s founding members were Shawn “Clown” Crahan, Paul Gray, and Joey Jordison, you’re only partially correct. At least that’s what one-third of that trio said during a recent interview with The Break Down With Nath & Johnny, as Clown cleared the air about the band’s founding members.

According to Clown, the starting lineup was himself, Gray, and original vocalist Anders Colsefni (real name Andy Rauw). Anyone else came after the fact, he said.

“There’s all these real misunderstandings about who started the band or whatever. And the bottom line is it was Andy Rouw, the original singer, myself and Paul.

“Andy ended up leaving really early in the game, and so once we were signed it was basically just Paul and I. The press and the families and all the people that have their heads up their asses, they like to adhere everything because of ego. But I’m here to tell you my friend, Paul Gray was at my wedding three years prior [to] he and I and Andy starting the band. That’s that.”

Given how long people have thought Jordison was a founding member, it’s interesting to see Clown come out with the clarification now. Slipknot’s been in a bit of a weird place lately, having become known for firing their members as much as their music. Remember, the band cut Chris Fehn in 2019, Chris “133” Jones last year, and drummer Max Weinberg also last year.

I’m sure the exclusion of Jordison from the whole “founding member” discussion is going to sit well with his estate, which recently filed a lawsuit against the band for allegedly profiting off the drummer’s death.