The nightmarish masks Slipknot wear onstage are transported show-to-show in road cases, along with the band’s amps, cords and other gear. In the metal group’s early days, percussionist Chris Fehn would keep his guise stashed in a backpack. He was determined to observe a steadfast Slipknot rule.
“You lose your mask, you die,” Fehn says.
Fan Web sites ponder Fehn’s mask, which sports a prominent, phallic nose. A common hypothesis is the design was inspired by the droogs from “Clockwork Orange”; however, reality pales against the myth.
“When I got in the band it was right before the first record, and they’d already had that mask made,” Fehn says. “I didn’t have any say in it -- ‘You’re wearing this.’ ”
Although Slipknot had previously netted three platinum LPs, the group scored its first number one record in 2008 with “All Hope is Gone.” The disc finds the band expanding on their detuned-guitars-and-double-kick-drum thrash. “Dead Memories” even boasts golden-throated verses from singer Corey Taylor, temporarily abandoning his Cookie Monster vocals.
“I’m grateful we have a talented singer who can do both the heavy and melodic things,” Fehn says.
Since the release of their 1999 self-titled debut LP, Slipknot has chosen a weird route to success. Besides the mask thing, band members are referred to onstage by numbers zero through eight. And Slipknot is a nonet, expanding from the two guitars, bass, drums and singer prototype to include two percussionists, a DJ and a sampler.
It’s unheard sprawl for a hard rock act, and Slipknot uses in-ear monitors to combat the din. Fehn’s mix includes vocals, guitars and, of course, kit. No bass though – odd for a rhythm player.
“I’m pretty much a guitar-driven drummer,” Fehn says.
Fehn’s percussion rig includes a kick drum, various toms and two beer kegs. The gear is mounted on a hydraulic platform Fehn describes as a combination “riding bull and aircraft simulator.”
Fehn credits Slipknot’s hometown, Des Moines, Iowa, with giving the group ballast.
“It’s really hard to live in Iowa. The winters are brutal and summers are hot as hell. It instills a sense of survival you might not get if you lived in San Diego.”
Fehn got into music late in life, around 24 or 25. During college, Fehn was actually a placekicker on Wayne State University’s football squad.
“I was accurate from 40 yards and in,” he says.
Slipknot (w/ Coheed and Cambria, and Trivium) will play 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Bi-Lo Center, Greenville. Tickets are $38.50-$48.50. 864.250.4870, www.slipknot1.com
