SLIPKNOT Will Never Tour Without Masks, Says JIM ROOT

April 28, 2015

SLIPKNOT guitarist Jim Root told The News-Press in a new interview that he didn't think it was likely that the band would ever go on tour without the members wearing masks. Root said: "Well, for one thing, KISS has already done that. And two, that's something you do when maybe the career's in the pot."

He continued: "The masks, for us, are more of a way to present ourselves live, you know? It's always been about the live show for us… We're having Halloween onstage every night."

Speaking about his latex-mask-and-goatee look, Root said: "I'm definitely a lot more reserved without the mask on. And with the mask on, all those inhibitions kinda go out the window. I can act like Keith Richards, I guess!"

Root also revealed that the band's masks and signature jumpsuits aren't as uncomfortable to wear as one would think, even during the sweltering summer heat.

"It's probably a lot cooler than wearing jeans and a T-shirt," Root said. "Once I put on the mask, I don't even realize that it's there. They're molded off of our faces, so they fit really well."

He added: "It's really not that bad. Or maybe I'm just used to it."

SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor echoed Root's sentiments about the possibility of the band ever going on the road without the members wearing masks. He told Milan, Italy's Linea Rock: "I don't think you'll ever see a SLIPKNOT 'unmasked' tour. Everybody asks me that, and it's such a part of what we do, and it helps us really embrace the music that we make. I couldn't see that happening. And to everyone who thinks that [the masks are] just a gimmick, live in it and you tell me it's a gimmick, you shitheads."

SLIPKNOT's "Summer's Last Stand" tour kicks off on July 24 in West Palm Beach, Florida, wrapping up six weeks later on September 5 in Dallas. Joining SLIPKNOT on the road trip will be LAMB OF GOD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and MOTIONLESS IN WHITE.

The summer jaunt follows a brief spring run that SLIPKNOT launched on April 25 at the Fort Rock festival in Fort Myers, Florida, ending on May 16 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The last single released from SLIPKNOT's new album, "The Gray Chapter", which came out in October, was called "Custer".

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