Just about every Slipknot fan was shocked when longtime drummer Jay Weinberg (who replaced the late Joey Jordison in 2014) was suddenly and inexplicably fired back in 2023. That said, arguably no one was more surprised by it than Weinberg himself, and in a new interview with Rolling Stone, he confirmed that he still doesn’t know why he was fired from the band.

What Did Jay Weinberg Say About His Dismissal From Slipknot?

We’ll get into more details about Slipknot‘s parting ways with Weinberg – and what’s happened since – in a bit. Suffice it to say here, though, that the group cryptically announced the decision via social media in November of 2023. Understandably, fans were left speechless, and shortly thereafter, Weinberg reflected that he was “heartbroken and blindsided” to receive the fateful “the phone call” about his dismissal.

During his recent chat with Rolling Stone – published online on April 11 – Weinberg discussed several topics (including his time with Against Me! and selling his gear on Reverb). Naturally, the situation with Slipknot came up, prompting Weinberg to consider why joining the legendary outfit was so exciting: “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 then reflected on how he “couldn’t even tell close industry friends” that he was in the band upon getting the gig:

I understood that dynamic of the band because I remember being a fan back in 2000, pre-camera phones, pre-internet largely. There was this mystique surrounding a band like this, honestly. You couldn’t discover any details about the band members. You couldn’t find out what anybody looked like. You could hardly find out anybody’s actual name.

The mystique was certainly appealing and drew a lot of people in, myself included, at a very young age. To capture that energy of this unknowingness, especially in the era of social media and camera phones, was an impressive endeavor. And we kept a lid on it for like a year.

When asked if he felt “like a full member, a hired hand, or something in between,” Weinberg bluntly explained:

If you’re the new guy coming into a band that’s existed for 15 years and developed its identity and dynamic, you’re always going to be the new guy.

I auditioned for the band before the world learned that they were moving on from playing with Joey Jordison. We played together for one day, rehearsed all the old songs, and that was one thing of like, “Okay, he can play the old songs. Now, what can you bring to the creation of things?”

Whether you’re “in the band” or a hired hand, those are just things that put someone in a box that they occupy. I’m comfortable with that. What matters is the work of what you’re doing, the creative endeavors that you’re going on. I recognize my responsibility in helping provide contributions to the creation of a song or album. Those responsibilities fall on me the same way if I’m “in the band” or “not in the band.” It’s all the same work.

My writing partner for my duration of time in the band was largely Jim Root, guitar player. He’d come up with guitar riffs, and I’d provide my contribution and enthusiasm and effort and energy to shape the song going in any direction. That’s what was meaningful to me.

All that stuff falls away when you do the actual important thing, which is creating things in the studio and playing these things on stage. And I found as our relationship deepened, those efforts and responsibilities became greater for me.

After digging a bit deeper into the creations of his debut with Slipknot (2014’s .5: The Gray Chapter) and its follow-up (2019’s We Are Not Your Kind), Weinberg commented on being let go from the band.

Specifically, he began by discussing how in 2018, he discovered – and “notified [Slipknot’s] management” about – his “femoroacetabular impingement, FAI for short, which basically means [he] tore [his] labrum in my hip due to running and kickboxing.”

Weinberg continued:

So I’m approaching the band like, “Hey, we’re not doing anything right now. This would take me six months to recover. Is this something I can do?” And I was asked to not have that corrective surgery because we’ve got a record to make. We got to be on tour, and this and that. So I can’t hold up this operation.

I had been conditioned over years with the ever-present threat of, “You’re always fireable, you’re always replaceable.” With that being reinforced in the environment, it’s difficult to then make decisions based on health because you’re like, “I’m not going to step outside of the bounds of this because I don’t want to disturb the peace and I don’t want to be replaced.”

A “couple of years” later, Weinberg found that “the pain . . . didn’t get better,” and in September of 2023, he noticed that Slipknot “had shows going up until November” but then their “subsequent show . . . was in April of the following year.” So, he “came up with a plan” to “have . . . surgery in November of 2023, pretty much right after the last show of that year.”

After telling the band about his plan – including that he could “create a virtual instrument” with “a company called MixWave” in case Slipknot “want[ed] to be creative in that time” – Weinberg said that he got the go-ahead for the surgery.

However, he “woke up the morning after traveling home from [Slipknot’s] last show together” to a “phone call from the band’s manager” telling him that “the band had made a decision to not renew [his] contract at the end of the year.”

“I was shocked and full of questions. I was like, ‘Why? What happened?’” he added.

Weinberg elaborated:

It took place, to be quite honest, at the end of a year that was a very difficult year within the band. That might relate to some of those preexisting tensions before I arrived at the band, sort of coming back. But I’m left with no explanation, just that “It’s a creative decision and you’re no longer the drummer in Slipknot.” And what he said from there was, “We would like to release a joint statement with you tomorrow. Take the rest of the day to think about it. I’ll be available to you for the rest of the day if you want to talk.”

My world just kind of bottomed out from under me. This thing that I have been dedicated to with complete focus and drive and attention and love and holding on to a dream despite all difficulties became nothing but questions. So I went on a walk with my wife to clear my head and process what had just happened. And then 20 minutes later they posted their own statement online.

When asked how he felt about that response from Slipknot’s management:

I mean, how would anybody feel about that? It perfectly encapsulates my confusion regarding this situation. It came after an extraordinarily tense year for The Band, where relationships are deeply rooted over 25 years. It came without an explanation or reason; it remains confusing.

I think being caught between those preexisting tensions as a newcomer makes it challenging; one member has one way they want things done while another has another perspective amplified by eight other people trying to satisfy everyone involved. This was my singular focus for ten years; I applied myself fully as best as possible but found myself caught in crossfire at times.

The experience has taught me valuable lessons as I move forward into new collaborations where respect is mutual; it feels refreshing compared to past experiences.

“Ultimately,” Weinberg concluded regarding his departure from Slipknot: “I’ve never wanted to be someone who throws a pity party for myself.” He emphasized: “I don’t think that’s what a creative person’s life is.”

READ MORE: A New Tentative Release Date for Slipknot Members’ ‘Look Outside Your Window’ Revealed

More About Weinberg’s History With – and Departure From – Slipknot

The transition from Joey Jordison‘s departure back in 2013-2014 left many fans upset; however many grew fond of what Weinberg brought during his tenure with Slipknot as he treated his audition with utmost respect as noted during an interview with Music Radar back in 2016.

Brought into Slipknot’s fold eventually recording three studio LPs including their latest release from 2022 titled The End So Far. Following news regarding his dismissal drummers such as Tré Cool, Mike Portnoy, and Eloy Casagrande, publicly shared support for him.

A notable development occurred when Casagrande officially replaced Weinberg within Slipknot after months speculation regarding his departure from Sepultura back in 2024 stating: “It’s an exciting moment… There is nothing to lose; there is just living.”

This transition led Weinberg into further reflections about his time spent within Slipknot stating: “For 19 years… some moments are significant enough to take pause.” He expressed gratitude towards fans who supported him throughout his journey.

Acknowledging personal growth through therapy post-departure while also joining Suicidal Tendencies early 2024 before stepping down early 2026 due partly due family commitments alongside passion projects.

The Latest News Surrounding Slipknot

Loudwire reported earlier this year regarding their long-awaited album titled Look Outside Your Window, which will be released under different circumstances than expected; specifically mentioning limited vinyl copies available during Record Store Day occurring April 18th.

This release will not carry their name but instead will feature material worked upon during previous sessions while recording The All Hope Is Gone .

Your thoughts? Do you wish Jay Weinberg remained part of Slipknot? Let us know!