In a 2005 conversation with Bass Player, Slipknot’s Paul Gray said he thought some people underestimated their playing because of their theatrical style.
The late bassist was happy about heavy metal’s return and hoped bass solos might become popular. His band wrote songs without forcing solos if they were not needed. He noted:
“We have a few solos, but we’re not put in that shredder category for some reason.”
When asked if it was because some people dismissed Slipknot’s theatrical image, Gray replied:
“That’s probably it, too. They look at it and they go, ‘The band has sold millions of records and wears masks, so obviously they can’t actually play their instruments.’ But we can actually all play our instruments well. We’re out here playing shows to a lot of kids and having a good time doing it, and that’s all that really matters to me.”
What Does Shawn Crahan Think About The Negative Feedback Towards Slipknot?
Slipknot has received similar criticisms since the day they started their music career. In May, Shawn Crahan also responded to critics of Slipknot’s music. He talked about their 25th anniversary and those who think the band should break up:
“Every magazine, every video interview everybody who was on the fence, for whatever reason wanted to believe that we weren’t going to last. They wanted to believe that the masks and coveralls and all this stuff that I made was supposed to end us right? But secretly, we’re just sitting there like, ‘Are you guys crazy? Have you not heard our music?’ Our music is serious.”
The musician added:
“It’s Slipknot, it’s serious music. There’s no other music like it in the world. It’s not a game. It’s not a gag. You don’t need all the stuff to just have the music. And you don’t need the music to have all the other stuff. That’s the trick. [That’s] what I’m trying to reiterate here, and I have been trying to reiterate this for over 25 years.”
Slipknot’s next show is on August 6 at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. They will continue performing in the US for the rest of August.