Former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg is opening up in greater detail about his abrupt 2023 exit from the band, shedding light on the uncertainty, internal dynamics, and personal challenges that surrounded the end of his decade-long run with the metal institution.
Speaking in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Weinberg reflected not only on how his time in Slipknot began, but also how it ultimately unraveled — often without clear answers. Stepping into the role in 2013 following the controversial departure of founding drummer Joey Jordison, Weinberg was tasked with filling one of the most recognizable positions in modern metal at just 23 years old.
“Yeah. I was 23 years old. Being in the band for 10 years, that’s nearly a third of my life, and the vast majority of my creative life.”
He recalled the secrecy surrounding his early days in the band, noting that even close industry contacts were kept in the dark as Slipknot worked to preserve their mystique — something that defined their early rise in the late ’90s and early 2000s.
“You couldn’t discover any details about the band members… The mystique was certainly appealing and drew a lot of people in, myself included.”
Despite eventually becoming a key creative contributor, Weinberg admitted that joining a band with an already deeply entrenched identity came with its own set of challenges. The question of whether he was truly “in the band” or simply a contributor was something he learned to move past, instead focusing on the work itself.
During his tenure, Weinberg formed a close creative partnership with guitarist Jim Root, particularly during the sessions for 2014’s ‘The Grey Chapter’. That collaboration proved pivotal, as the two helped shape several standout tracks — including “The Negative One” and “Custer,” both of which went on to earn Grammy nominations and become live staples.
“In the space of about two hours, Jim and myself created skeletons of ‘The Negative One’ and ‘Custer’… For a 23-year-old, that was a dream come true.”
However, beneath the creative highs, Weinberg described a more complicated internal environment — one shaped by long-standing relationships and differing visions within the band. As someone entering an already established dynamic, he often found himself navigating tensions that predated his arrival.
That environment became even more difficult as Weinberg dealt with a serious hip condition. Diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), the injury caused significant pain and limited mobility, eventually leading doctors to recommend surgery.
Despite raising the issue early and attempting to schedule the procedure during downtime, Weinberg said he felt pressure to continue performing — citing what he described as an underlying culture of replaceability within the band.
“I had been conditioned over years with the ever-present threat of, ‘You’re always fireable, you’re always replaceable.’”
By late 2023, with a window finally opening in Slipknot’s touring schedule, Weinberg put together a plan to undergo surgery while still remaining creatively active — even developing ways to contribute remotely during recovery. According to him, that plan was initially approved.
But shortly after returning home from what would be his final show with the band, everything changed.
“I received a phone call… that the band had made a decision to not renew my contract… I was shocked and full of questions.”
What made the situation more difficult, Weinberg explained, was the lack of a clear explanation. He was told it was a “creative decision,” but says no further details were provided — something that continues to leave him searching for clarity even now.
“It came without an explanation, no reason. It was confusing then… it remains confusing.”
Looking back, he believes the decision may have been influenced by broader internal struggles within the group — tensions that may have resurfaced during a particularly difficult year.
“It came after an extraordinarily tense year for the band… Maybe I became a scapegoat for certain things.”
Rather than publicly dwell on the fallout, Weinberg has taken a more measured and forward-looking approach in the years since. He’s immersed himself in a wide range of collaborations, including work with Suicidal Tendencies, while also exploring new creative avenues through his solo material and other projects.
He also pointed to bands like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard as examples of the kind of positive, collaborative environments he’s come to value more deeply following his Slipknot experience.
“I’m going into creative environments… where there is love for one another, and respect for one another, in ways that I’ve never experienced before. It’s like finding water in the desert.”
Outside of Slipknot, Weinberg also revisited earlier chapters of his career, including his time with Madball and Against Me!. While both stints were relatively brief, he framed them as important learning experiences — even when they ended under less-than-ideal circumstances.
Addressing lingering criticism from Against Me! vocalist Laura Jane Grace, Weinberg made it clear he has no interest in engaging publicly with past conflicts.
“I don’t need to dumpster dive for headlines… I like to maintain professionalism.”
Now, Weinberg appears focused on closing the Slipknot chapter on his own terms. He’s recently parted with gear and memorabilia from his time in the band — in part to raise funds for MusiCares — while continuing to build momentum around new music.
His solo project has already featured contributions from members of Deafheaven and Code Orange, with a full-length release reportedly targeted for later this year.
“It puts the period on the end of a sentence that takes up a third of my life… I’ve never wanted to be somebody who throws a pity party for themselves.”
While questions still linger around his exit from Slipknot, Weinberg’s focus now seems firmly rooted in growth, collaboration, and carving out the next phase of his career — on his own terms.
If you’re rocking with The Mosh Network, hit the link and add us as a Preferred Source on Google. That’s the easiest way to keep our latest metal, hardcore, and alternative news, tours, and releases showing up directly in your feed.
2 Comments
Read more:
https://springgreen-caribou-353428.hostingersite.com/jay-weinberg-slipknot-firing-scapegoat-interview/
Pingback: My Homepage