Slipknot’s Shawn ‘Clown’ Crahan recently joined the debate over whether metal fans in the UK are more passionate than the ones in the U.S. During an interview with Metal Hammer, Clown expressed his excitement about Slipknot shows particularly in Europe while remembering their show at The Astoria, London, in 1999. He explained:
“I’d waited my whole life to come to Europe and rock’n’roll brought me over. I remember that gig going off. You go over to Europe and everybody is in it to win it! They really pay attention to the art. What do you want from me? It’s a little bit ahead of America! Ha ha!”
To further prove his point, Clown also mentioned Slipknot’s gig at the Download Festival in 2009. The musician insisted that the Slipknot owes its origins and success to the UK. He added:
“There could’ve been 10,000 people or 85,000 people. I just know there was a boatload! I just remember by the fourth song, Clown was having fun, and I remember he was having fun the whole show, and that’s important, man. It was definitely a milestone. The UK is what made Slipknot. The UK understands, dude.”
What Does Corey Taylor Think About Slipknot’s UK Fans?
Shawn Crahan is not the only one who realizes the importance of European fans’ impact on Slipknot’s career. In a 2020 interview with Kerrang! Radio, Corey Taylor also admitted their fans in the UK had a significant role in the band’s success. He stated that the metalheads in the UK helped Slipknot take off, which is why Taylor felt like the UK was their second home.
“I say this every night on stage actually, this country was really one of the first places to understand us and believe in us. Really, it helped us take off and we’ve never forgotten that. So, coming back over here after this many years, and it is still rammed! … The UK is really a second home. Absolutely!”
There is no doubt that the European metal fans had a huge impact on several American bands like Slipknot. However, the ongoing debate over which country has the best fans is destined to persist into the future.
You can watch Corey Taylor’s interview with Kerrang! Radio via YouTube below.
