Slipknot percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan has worn a mask his whole musical career, and like a responsible adult, has also worn a mask in public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Crahan said in a new interview with Forbes that he has zero intention of ditching the mask post-COVID, because "people are filthy all over the world." It's a pretty sound logic.
"The general atmosphere has been very complex as of recently, and the main reason for that is an obvious one, we have been in a very different world with COVID and abiding by government laws. For instance, I think we had it very bumpy because when we were in the studio if we were in the control room and around the engineers that worked for the studio, we had to wear masks.
"If we were in the live room where we were recording around each other, and we had all been tested, we didn’t have to wear masks. But, if an employee was in there we’d have to put them on. Now I think about nine months ago and it was even more restrictive, so it’s been very challenging to say the least.
"But I’m not ever going to stop wearing a mask, COVID or not, I’ve been in this business 25 years, and people are filthy all over the world. So when I had to be in the studio and I was asked to put on a mask, it didn’t bother me, it was business as usual.
"I mean I’m glad at least the majority of the world has been profoundly open to the idea of, ‘hey when you’re going to be out in public there’s a chance you could be around someone with pneumonia, the flu, or just a nasty cough, why not wear a mask to just protect yourself?’ We live in a filthy world, and we live in a world where people don’t wash their hands, they wipe their nose and they open the door and then you touch it.
"I have four children and I know what it’s like to drop your kid off at school and they come home sick and then you’re sick. It’s been a highly intense album making process because of COVID. There’s been lots of testing, there’s been different time frames and different restrictions, and it was business as usual. I don’t believe anyone in the band missed a beat."
Crahan also briefly touched on the new Slipknot record, confirming that it is indeed their last with Roadrunner.
"What I can tell you right now is that we are getting off of our record label. This is a very fascinating time in my life because I’ve lost both of my parents and if they were alive my dad would be so excited that I have fulfilled a contract. It’s not about what I’m going to do afterwards, it’s that I gave my word, I extended my hand and my penmanship and I’m literally getting off of something that I had agreed I can get off of."
Slipknot's will hit the road this September with Killswitch Engage, Fever 333, and Code Orange. Gets the dates below.
9/25 Des Moines, IA @ National Balloon Classic Field [Tickets]
9/28 Tinley Park, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre [Tickets]
9/29 Milwaukee, WI @ American Family Insurance Amphitheater [Tickets]
10/1 Noblesville, IN @ Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center [Tickets]
10/2 Clarkston, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre [Tickets]
10/3 Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Amphitheater [Tickets]
10/5 Syracuse, NY @ Lakeview Amphitheater – Syracuse [Tickets]
10/8 Mansfield, MA @ Xfinity Center [Tickets]
10/9 Hartford, CT @ XFINITY Theatre [Tickets]
10/10 Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center [Tickets]
10/12 Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion [Tickets]
10/13 Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live [Tickets]
10/17 Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion [Tickets]
10/19 Tampa, FL @ MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre [Tickets]
10/20 West Palm Beach, FL @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre [Tickets]
10/22 Raleigh, NC @ Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek [Tickets]
10/23 Alpharetta, GA @ Ameris Bank Amphitheatre [Tickets]
10/24 Pelham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre [Tickets]
10/26 Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP [Tickets]
10/28 Del Valle, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater [Tickets]
10/29 The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion [Tickets]
10/30 Dallas, TX @ Dos Equis Pavilion [Tickets]
11/1 Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater [Tickets]
11/2 Phoenix, AZ @ Ak-Chin Pavilion [Tickets]
