Former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg has announced his departure from Suicidal Tendencies after an almost two-year run with the band, as reported on Instagram.
Weinberg shared a heartfelt statement explaining his decision to step away from the band as he prepares for fatherhood and focuses on personal projects.
“As an exciting and busy 2026 takes shape, I’d like to thank Suicidal Tendencies for bringing me onboard for an incredible year and a half of shows! What an absolute blast,” Weinberg said. “With Chloe’s and my first child on the way, I’ve been dedicating time to passion projects like Portraits of an Apparition, a growing series of collaborations, finally building a proper at-home creative space, and some new in-the-works projects that I can’t quite announce just yet.”
The drummer expressed gratitude for his time with the band while acknowledging his shifting priorities as he prepares to become a first-time father.
“Although there’s a lot of work left to complete over the next five months, it’s been a joy to commit to finally getting these things across their artistic finish lines before my focus naturally shifts to becoming a first-time father,” he continued. “Though I won’t be jamming with the fellas, I can’t possibly overstate the love and respect I have for them, the Suicidal Army and extended family, and all the cyco fans I’ve met across six continents playing shows with one of my favorite bands!”
Weinberg also thanked his bandmates personally for their support during a difficult period in his life.
“Mike, Dean, Ben Weinman, and Tyetru: you guys picked up a friend when he was down, and gave him the opportunity to truly feel the message of ‘You Can’t Bring Me Down’ at a time when he needed it the most,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough for that, and I can’t wait to see what you all do next. I quite literally can’t conceive of my life as a drummer without the profound influence of Suicidal Tendencies. So many of my drumming heroes have added to the historic legacy of this band, and it’s the honor of a lifetime to contribute to it myself in some way.”
This departure marks another significant transition in Weinberg’s career. His career has been marked by both triumph and unexpected changes in recent years.
Weinberg’s journey to Suicidal Tendencies began after a difficult period following his exit from Slipknot. Suggest reported that in late 2023, Slipknot announced it had fired him due to a “creative decision” after nearly a decade with the band. The drummer had served as Slipknot’s percussionist from 2014 to 2023. He took over the role during a crucial period in the band’s history.
During his tenure with Slipknot, Weinberg demonstrated his commitment to honoring the band’s legacy and the expectations that came with filling such an iconic position. He once emphasized the importance of respecting the band’s material, stating that “to respect such material meant not approaching it 99 percent or less. And that meant approaching it with a hundred percent tenacity, focus, drive, respect.”
The PRP noted that Weinberg joined Suicidal Tendencies in 2024 as part of what became known as an infamous metal musical chairs moment that affected multiple prominent bands. His addition to the veteran Californian band provided him with a new creative outlet and the opportunity to work with musicians he had long admired.
The timing of Weinberg’s departure also coincides with personal milestones in his life. Suggest revealed that Weinberg and his wife Chloe have been married since 2020, after he proposed on Machu Picchu in 2019. The couple’s announcement of their first child represents a new chapter that will naturally shift the drummer’s priorities and focus toward family life.
