Since their formation in 1995, Slipknot has become one of the most iconic and influential metal bands of the past few decades. Known for their aggressive sound, theatrical masks, and high-energy performances, the band has undergone several lineup changes over the years, from tragic deaths of active members to firings and parting ways due to creative differences. Let’s take a comprehensive look at the members who have been part of Slipknot’s journey.
Founding Members
Shawn “Clown” Crahan (#6)
Shawn Crahan, known as “Clown,” is the only remaining founding member of Slipknot. Born on September 24, 1969, Crahan is a percussionist and backing vocalist. He’s been instrumental in shaping the band’s visual aesthetic and is often considered the creative force behind Slipknot. Crahan is credited with the creation and concept of the Slipknot masks, which remains the singular trademark of the group. Crahan is also an accomplished visual artist and has directed several of the band’s music videos, including "All Out Life," "Before I Forget," "Snuff," "The Blister Exists," and many more. Outside of the band, Crahan has also acted as the carny, "Tamer," in the feature length film The Devil's Carnival, which was screened during the band's tour in spring 2012. In addition to acting, Crahan made his directorial debut of a feature length film in 2016 with Officer Downe, an action thriller based off of the graphic novel of the same name.
Joey Jordison (#1)
Joey Jordison was Slipknot’s original drummer and one of the founding members. Born on April 26, 1975, Jordison was known for his incredible speed and technical proficiency. Growing up in Des Moines Iowa like many of the other founding members, Jordison was given his first drum kit as young as eight years old. At the age of 20 in 1995, Jordison joined Pale Faces, which became Slipknot further down the line. He performed on the first five studio albums of the band, as well as the earliest demos including Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. the only release with the original vocalist Anders Colsefni. Jordison also performed on the band's live album 9.0 Live, which features his iconic "Drum Solo" recording. He was with the band from 1995 to 2013, after which the band and Jordison had conflicting messages on the circumstances of his departure. Jordison tragically passed away on July 26, 2021, at the age of 46 after a years long fight with transverse myelitis that caused Jordison to lose functioning in his left leg and had previously required him to stop touring.
Paul Gray (#2)
Paul Gray was Slipknot’s original bassist and another founding member. Born on April 8, 1972 in Los Angeles, California, his family later relocated to Des Moines, Iowa when Gray was a teenager. Gray was a crucial part of the band’s songwriting process. Often discussed as a positive light that drove enthusiasm into the band, Gray was viewed as a formidable force within the Slipknot entourage. In an interview during Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) era, Gray was quoted as saying, “I can only speak for myself, but to me it’s just the greatest thing that’s ever happened in my life,” he said passionately. “When we started the band I felt it, right when we started it, and it still feels the same. I’m having the time of my life.” He was with Slipknot from 1995 until his untimely death on May 24, 2010, of an overdose. On July 30th of that year, Gray was awarded the Kerrang! "Services to Metal" award, which was received by Corey Taylor in his honor.
Long-Standing Members
Corey Taylor (#8)
Corey Taylor was born in December 8, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa and was raised by his single mother in Waterloo, Iowa. While originating in Iowa, Taylor moved around frequently throughout his childhood with his mother and sister, stating he had already lived in "25 states." After chaotic moves and hectic situations, Taylor relocated back to Des Moines, Iowa to live with his grandmother, who helped him buy musical equipment. Taylor joined Slipknot in 1997. Jordison, Crahan, and Thomson approached Taylor to join Slipknot after lack of interest from labels following the release of Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat., which eventually led to Colsefni leaving the band after being relegated to backing vocals and percussion. His arrival marked a turning point for the band, solidifying their lineup and elevating their intense, chaotic sound to new heights. Slipknot’s self-titled debut album, released in 1999, was a visceral explosion that redefined the boundaries of heavy music. Taylor’s vocal range—seamlessly shifting between primal screams, guttural growls, and melodic singing—became a cornerstone of the band’s identity that brought many new eyes and ears to the group and set the stage for their success. Songs like "Wait and Bleed" showcased his ability to convey raw emotion while maintaining a fiercely aggressive edge. Taylor has continued to showcase his staple spectrum of vocal delivery and lyrical expression with each release, and is often viewed as the face of Slipknot, doing consistently more interviews in relation to the band and the metal music scene at large.
Mick Thomson (#7)
Mick Thomson was born on November 3rd, 1973 in Des Moines, Iowa. Thomson stated that he grew up with a major fascination in music from a young age, spanning from death metal bands like Morbid Angel to the Beatles. Thomson joined Slipknot in 1996 as a guitarist, replacing fellow long standing band member Craig Jones who shifted to being the band's sampler full time. Thomson’s guitar work is a cornerstone of Slipknot’s heavy and complex sound. Alongside Jim Root, Thomson blends razor sharp rhythm sections with intricate layerings with Root, often showcasing the duo's willingness to let samples and vocals take the foreground while additionally knowing when to let riffs, leads, and (at times) solos rip. Thomson is known for deliberately having a lower profile than some of the other members, stating, "I like my quiet time; I like to be left the fuck alone," while also emphatically loving his contribution to Slipknot.
Craig Jones (#5)
Craig Jones was born on February 11, 1972, in Des Moines, Iowa. Jones is best known as the former sampler and keyboardist of Slipknot, a position he held for over two decades. Raised in the same flourishing metal scene that gave rise to Slipknot, Jones was an early participant in the band’s evolution. He joined Slipknot in 1996, initially as a guitarist to replace Donnie Steele. Shortly afterward, Jones transitioned to sampling and keyboards, a move that played a critical role in shaping Slipknot’s innovative and atmospheric sound. Known as "133," Jones became one of Slipknot’s most mysterious and enigmatic members. His spiked mask, which resembled a porcupine, became iconic within the band’s theatrical and macabre image. His contributions to the band included creating ambient soundscapes, eerie interludes, and chaotic samples that added depth and texture to their music and helped cultivate the more unique wall of sound that Slipknot became known for, especially from Iowa on. Frequently referred to as the quietest and most private member of the band, a writer from The Guardian once described Jones as "patently a strange individual," and that the band's manager at the time nicknamed Jones as, "The Unabomber." In June of 2023, it was announced by Slipknot that, "We have parted ways with Craig Jones. We wish Jones all the best for the future." The original post was promptly taken down.
Jim Root (#4)
Jim Root was born on October 2, 1971, in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the other guitarist beside Mick Thomson for Slipknot. Though born in Las Vegas, he grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, where he first discovered his passion for music. Inspired by guitar icons like Jimi Hendrix and Tony Iommi, Root began playing guitar in his teens and quickly immersed himself in the local music scene, performing with bands such as Deadfront and Atomic Opera. Root joined Slipknot in 1999 during the recording of their second studio album, Iowa. He was introduced to the band through Shawn Crahan and Corey Taylor, both of whom recognized his talent and dedication. At the time, Slipknot was seeking a replacement for guitarist Josh Brainard, and Root’s technical skill and creative energy made him a natural fit. Although he didn’t appear on their debut album, Root quickly became an essential member of the band, contributing to its signature sound. His partnership with Thomson has created a unique dynamic blending heavy, churning riffs with complex harmonies and melodic flourishes. Root has played a key role in writing many of the band’s most iconic songs, and his ability to combine aggression and melody has helped Slipknot push the boundaries of heavy metal throughout their catalog.
Sid Wilson (#0)
Born on January 20, 1977, in Des Moines, Iowa, Wilson developed an early passion for hip-hop and electronic music, which heavily influenced his aggressive scratching style. Before joining Slipknot, he was deeply involved in the underground DJ scene, where he honed his skills in turntablism and mixing. Wilson became a member of Slipknot in 1998, shortly before the band recorded their self-titled debut album. As the ninth member of the group, he was known by the number “#0” and brought a unique dynamic to their sound, blending chaotic scratches and samples with the band’s heavy, aggressive signature tones and songwriting. Beyond his work with Slipknot, Wilson has pursued solo projects under the moniker DJ Starscream, releasing electronic and jungle music that showcases his turntable expertise. He has also collaborated with various artists and dabbled in acting, including in Clown's directorial debut, Officer Downe.
Former Members
Anders Colsefni
Anders Colsefni is best known as the original vocalist as well as an additional percussionist of Slipknot. Born Andrew Rouw in Des Moines, Iowa, he was a founding member of the band in 1995 alongside Shawn Crahan, Paul Gray, and other early members. As the band's frontman, Colsefni provided aggressive, guttural vocals on their 1996 demo album, Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. His vocal style was harsher and more primal compared to the refined approach the band later adopted. He also wore the early Slipknot uniform—a jumpsuit and crude face paint—before the group developed their iconic mask aesthetic. In 1997, Slipknot decided to shift toward a more melodic and structured vocal approach, leading to the recruitment of Corey Taylor. Taylor’s arrival effectively pushed Colsefni out of the lead vocalist role. Initially, he attempted to remain in the band as a backup singer and percussionist but ultimately left later that year. His departure was amicable, though he later expressed mixed feelings about how the transition was handled. After Slipknot, Colsefni continued to make music with projects such as Painface and On a Pale Horse, and recently re-released Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat. as an homage to deceased members Gray and Jordison.
Josh “Gnar” Brainard
Brainard is one of the original guitarists of Slipknot. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Brainard was a key member of the band’s early lineup, helping to shape their sound on their first demo and the initial recordings of their self titled release. While Brainard initially wrote and recorded a good amount of the material, before the album’s release in 1999 he unexpectedly left the band in late 1998. His departure remains somewhat mysterious, though he later cited personal reasons and discomfort with the band’s direction as contributing factors. Brainard was replaced by Jim Root, who re-recorded some of his parts on Slipknot (1999).
Greg “Cuddles” Welts (#3)
Greg "Cuddles" Welts was an American musician known for his brief tenure as a percussionist in Slipknot. Originally from Florida, Welts joined the band in 1997, as one of their two custom percussionists. He was given the number #3 and was known for wearing a babyface mask. Welts' time with the band was short-lived, as he left in 1998. By June or July, he chose to leave, reportedly due to his relationship with Joey Jordison's sister, Katie, and the challenges of life on tour. He was later replaced by Brandon Darner. Before becoming a member of Slipknot, Welts worked as a tattoo artist for David "DaVo" Wilkins. Both of them appear in the booklet of Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.
Chris Fehn (#3)
Fehn is the former percussionist and backing vocalist for Slipknot. Born on February 24, 1973, in Des Moines, Iowa, Fehn joined the band in 1998, just before the release of their self-titled debut album. He was brought in to replace Greg "Cuddles" Welts as one of the band's two custom percussionists. Fehn quickly became known for his long-nosed Pinocchio-style mask and humorous personality, often serving as the band's comic relief during interviews. For over two decades, Fehn was a key part of Slipknot’s percussion section, contributing to the band’s layered drumming style and providing backing vocals on multiple albums. He played on every Slipknot record from Slipknot through 5: The Gray Chapter.
However, in March 2019, Fehn’s tenure with Slipknot came to an abrupt end when he filed a lawsuit against the band, alleging that he had not been properly compensated for touring and merchandise revenue. He claimed that financial discrepancies existed and that certain business entities within the band had been set up without his knowledge. In response, Slipknot dismissed Fehn from the group, stating that his accusations were unfounded. The lawsuit created a rift between Fehn and his former bandmates, and while the legal dispute was eventually settled, his time with the band came to a permanent end. Since leaving, Fehn has remained largely out of the public eye but has hinted at working on new music.
Recent Members
Alessandro “V-Man” Venturella
Venturella is a British musician from the United Kingdom who joined the band in 2014, replacing the late Paul Gray. Before joining Slipknot, Venturella was a guitar technician for bands like Mastodon and Coheed and Cambria. He was also a member of the band Krokodil, where he played guitar. His identity as Slipknot’s bassist was initially kept secret, but fans quickly speculated about his involvement after noticing his distinctive hand tattoos in the music video for "The Devil in I." Venturella made his live debut with Slipknot during their 2014 tour cycle supporting the album .5: The Gray Chapter. Over the years, he has contributed to albums like We Are Not Your Kind (2019) and The End, So Far (2022).
Jay Weinberg
Weinberg is an American drummer from Middletown, New Jersey. The son of Max Weinberg, the longtime drummer for Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, Jay grew up immersed in music. Despite initially playing guitar and bass, he eventually gravitated toward drums, heavily influenced by punk and metal. Before joining Slipknot, Weinberg played with Against Me! and filled in for his father in the E Street Band. In 2014, he was announced as Slipknot’s new drummer, replacing founding member Joey Jordison, who had departed in 2013. Weinberg made his debut on .5: The Gray Chapter and was largely lauded for both his live performances with Slipknot and his contributions to the recordings. He continued to contribute to albums We Are Not Your Kind (2019) and The End, So Far (2022). However, in November 2023, Slipknot unexpectedly announced Weinberg’s departure, which Weinberg stated was a termination rather than a mutual understanding, and according to him was done through a phone call. The firing shocked fans, as he had been a passionate member of the group for nearly a decade.
Michael “Tortilla Man” Pfaff
Pfaff is an American musician from Iowa who joined the band in 2019, replacing longtime percussionist Chris Fehn, who was dismissed following a legal dispute with the group. Before Slipknot, Pfaff played in bands like Dirty Little Rabbits alongside Slipknot's own Shawn "Clown" Crahan. His identity remained a mystery for months after joining, with fans speculating based on his body language and playing style. Slipknot fans dubbed him "Tortilla Man" due to the unique texture of his mask before his identity was officially confirmed in 2022. Pfaff made his debut on the band's 2019 album We Are Not Your Kind and contributed to The End, So Far (2022).
Eloy Casagrande
Casagrande, born on January 29, 1991, in Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, is a renowned drummer known for his powerful and dynamic playing style. He began drumming at the age of seven, influenced by prominent figures in rock and metal. His early dedication led him to win the Batuka International Drummer Fest at 13 and the Modern Drummer's Undiscovered Drummer Contest in 2005. In November 2011, Casagrande joined the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, replacing Jean Dolabella. He recorded three albums with them before departing in February 2024 to Sepultura's own surprise in order join Slipknot as the replacement of Jay Weinberg. His first performance with the band was on April 25, 2024, at Pappy & Harriet's Palace in California. Casagrande's integration into Slipknot was marked by an intensive audition process, where he rehearsed a list of 32 songs over ten days before being officially welcomed in by the band.
Zac Baird (Unconfirmed)
Recent evidence suggests that Zac Baird may be Slipknot’s new keyboardist and sampler, replacing Craig Jones who departed in June 2023. Baird, known for his work with Korn (2006-2016) and Ghost (2017-2018), was seemingly revealed when percussionist Michael Pfaff accidentally shared a backstage photo showing a name tag reading “Zac”. While not officially confirmed, Corey Taylor has praised the new member’s musical abilities in interviews, stating, “He’s good — really good. He’s a total musician”.
Current Lineup
As of February 2025, Slipknot’s lineup consists of:
1. Corey Taylor - Lead vocals
2. Mick Thomson - Guitar
3. Jim Root - Guitar
4. Sid Wilson - Turntables
5. Shawn “Clown” Crahan - Percussion, backing vocals
6. Alessandro “V-Man” Venturella - Bass, keyboards
7. Michael “Tortilla Man” Pfaff - Percussion, backing vocals, keyboards
8. Zac Baird (Unconfirmed) - Samples, keyboards, percussion
9. Eloy Casagrande - Drums
