Clown Opens Up: Artistic Struggles, Future Goals, and the Mystery of Slipknot’s “Look Outside Your Window”

Slipknot percussionist M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan has been a commanding presence since co-founding the legendary Iowan band. Known for his chaotic onstage persona—often wielding a baseball bat to pound on a beer keg—his unconventional percussion and drumming contributions have, at times, left him grappling with imposter syndrome.

Beyond the stage, Clown has been a cornerstone of the band’s identity, serving as a spokesperson and overseeing the artistic direction of their imagery, artwork, and music videos. According to lawsuits from former members, he is also one of Slipknot’s key decision-makers alongside Corey Taylor. However, despite his pivotal role, Clown acknowledges that his contributions often go unnoticed compared to the more traditional roles of his eight bandmates.

In a recent Knotfest interview, the outspoken 55-year-old shared:

“I’ve had a hard time with the art things. It’s been harder for me to generate interest and honest desire.”

Reflecting on the difference in attention his artistic efforts receive compared to the musical output of his bandmates, he explained:

“Then Clown comes out. If you know what the Clown is, you’re like: Where we at? Where are we at tonight, Clown? We happy? We in-between? Feel like breaking everything? But it’s not easy to understand what you’re dealing with. So I’ve had a rough twenty-five years trying to reassure myself that anything I do is really important. Because I don’t have people asking me about my album covers. I never have people ask me about my videos. Eloy [Casagrande, Slipknot drummer] is up for drummer of the year. No one in twenty-five years, including Modern Drummer, has asked me about the keg.”

He continued:

“I don’t know what benefit talking to people is anymore. I’m not really concentrating on all that noise anymore. You know, I like going on stage, and that’s about it.”

Despite this frustration, Clown appears to be on a path toward personal growth, noting:

“2025 I’m going to work on ‘No Complaining.’ Just not going to do it anymore. I realized my expectations are never going to be met. So I need to give myself a break. It’s probably the last part of ego I need to work on. That way I can just float. Nothing will bother me. I can just work on positive potential. We got a new album. We’re gonna start at some point. I just want to roll into that with an energy like it’s all starting again. That’s how I want to approach it.”

Later in the discussion, Clown revisited the long-rumored Slipknot album, Look Outside Your Window. Created during the recording sessions for 2008’s All Hope Is Gone, this enigmatic project saw Clown, Corey Taylor, Jim Root, and Sid Wilson working separately from the rest of the band. The result was an experimental effort that almost felt like a rival faction within Slipknot itself.

Previously described by the band as having a Radiohead-inspired vibe, the project appears to be back on track for a release. However, Clown cautioned fans not to view it as a formal addition to the Slipknot catalog. He clarified:

“It was never a Slipknot album. Not while it was happening, not while I’ve held onto it for ten years, and certainly not f*ckin’ when it comes out.”

He continued:

“…We just did what you should do. We made music. Now, if any of that music could have been Slipknot, it would have been brought down [to the studio]. But that’s not where Joey wanted to go. It’s not where Paul wanted to go. It’s not where Corey wanted to go. It’s not where anyone wanted to go. We had All Hope Is Gone. So I just need people to know it’s not Slipknot at all, not even close.”

With Look Outside Your Window now seemingly back on track, fans can expect a unique glimpse into a side of the band that breaks away from their signature chaos. Meanwhile, Clown’s reflections on his journey and his hopes for a fresh start in 2025 hint at an exciting new chapter for both himself and Slipknot.

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