Interviews: Corey of Slipknot

HP: What does the release of Iowa mean to you?

#8: It means everything, man. I've just made the best album of my life, and I love it because it represents us just doing our thing. Knowing that we made an album so great is what lets me sleep at night. I feel it all the way down in the pit of my stomach that we really did something that the kids will love, and that's the only thing in the world that matters.

HP: Response to the album has been incredible. How gratifying has that reaction been for you?

#8: It's been a great feeling to know that the people we most wanted to please--the kids out there reading this--have responded that way. But I think we knew they were gonna dig what we were doing as soon as we finished up the recording process. It was such a cathartic experience for us. Getting into the studio with 13 new songs and just tearing it up was an incredible feeling. The whole band shared this electric jolt of excitement from start to finish. You've got to remember that we hadn't written a thing on the road. We had focused totally on putting on the best lives we could, and we didn't even think about new music. When we finished the last tour, we took 2 solid months to write, let our energy build, and then we just went in there and let it rip.

HP: We know you've updated your look with new coveralls and masks. What motivated the changes?

#8: Let me give you some insight into exactly how stupid we are. You might think that after experiencing everything that we went through the first time, and knowing that we were going to kick off this tour with more than 30 shows outdoors in the heat of summer, we'd have made lighter, more comfortable coveralls. Well, we went the exact other way. We made 'em thicker and of a harder material. We went on stage some days when it was like 90 degrees outside, and it must have been twice that temperature in our suits. Oh well, it's a great way to lose weight. Maybe we'll go on late night TV and offer the Slipknot Diet Plan--put on the heaviest coveralls you can find then run around in 90 degree heat for an hour.

HP: How have your masks evolved?

#8: They've changed to reflect the changes in our emotions. They're darker and more menacing than before, and that goes right along with the music on Iowa. We wanted the masks to really be extensions of both our personalities and of the new music. My goal was to have my mask be devoid of emotion. That way it's totally up to my movements and my voice to convey the way I feel.

HP: Speaking of your voice, how do you manage to maintain it with such a hectic recording and tour schedule?

#8: You know how I maintain it? By doing nothing special to protect it. I eat what I want--which is usually a lot--I drink what I want, and I do what I want. It seems like the people who really go out of their way to protect their voices are the ones who have problems. They develop nodes, and always have strains. I don't have any problems. I can tell when my voice is getting tired, and maybe I'll watch things that day. But other than that, I just go for it every show. That's what this band is all about.

HP: Do you find you're getting recognized in public now more than before?

#8: You know, it's funny. I can go to shows in L.A. and just wander around and nobody bothers me. But sometimes on the street some kids will recognize my tattoos and they'll come over. The kids are incredible. They really do their homework. When they want to meet you, they'll do just about anything.

HP: What's the strangest thing fans have done in order to meet you?

#8: Hmmm... Thats a tough one. But one thing that does come to mind were 3 kids we met in Australia who when they met us, took off their shirts to show that they had tattooed our names into their chests. That was pretty wild, I've got to admit it.

HP: With all the success you've had, is there anything special you've bought yourself to celebrate?

#8: Most of the money we make goes right back into the band, making sure that the show is the best it can be. The one indulgence I've allowed myself is buying a new Audi TT2. That thing can move! I've always been something of a lead foot, but I've really got to watch it in that thing. The other day I was pulled over for doing 102 in a 65 zone. If I'm not careful, I'll end up giving all the money I make to the highway patrol.

HP: How do you react to those who haved criticized Slipknot for being a "negative influence"?

#8: I'll tell you exactly how I feel. I have an open bet with anyone who can engage me in an intelligent conversation and prove that we're a danger to anyone. If they can do it, I swear I'll quit right there and then. If they can prove that we're doing is dangerous in any way, I'll just get up and never make music again. That's a promise. But you know what? They can't do it! There's nothing dangerous about what we're doing. What's dangerous is the degree of ignorance that's out there. People who know nothing about us and nothing about what we're doing are the ones who protest the loudest. Figure it out, dude!

HP: Did you encouter any protesters while you were out on the Ozzfest last summer?

#8: There were some protesters in Springfield, Missouri and in Denver, but in all honesty, I think they were there to protest more against Marilyn Manson than us. But we've had a few--that's okay. Bring 'em on. I've got a big mouth, I'm happy to hear their points of view... as long as they do it in an intelligent, knowledgeable manner. We want Slipknot to bring out emotions in people. That's what it's all about. But let 'em use that emotion in an intelligent manner. What sense does it make to lash out at something just because you don't necessarily understand it?