Former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg has joined Californian crossover thrash legends Suicidal Tendencies.
Weinberg's addition to the band was announced via the band's official social media channels with a heartfelt message describing why he decided to join the ST ranks.
“When I think of the culture and community of heavy music that I’ve loved and considered my creative home for 20 years, I think of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES: a foundational pillar and source of inspiration ever since I fell in love with punk, metal, and hardcore. Having toured and played shows together all over the world, I’ve been so fortunate to become friends with my musical heroes who have been a part of this band’s incredible history. It’s an absolute honor and privilege to play with Suicidal Tendencies, and I can’t wait to start this incredibly exciting new chapter in just one week! See you all in the pit!” - @jayweinberg"
Weinberg will join his Suicidal Tendencies bandmates Mike Muir and Dean Pleasants for Infectious Grooves' upcoming Australian tour. The band will also perform at the iconic Byron Bay Bluesfest. Infectious Grooves will unleash an insane performance that sees them play their first shows globally in five years and their first in Australia since playing at Soundwave Festival in 2008.
Mike Muir says of the tour “Infectious Grooves is gonna bring a super special extra Funk and Punk and everything in between raging gig to Australia. These shows are short notice, but we guarantee they are gonna be full of ass-kicking, toe-tapping bass-slapping, drum attacking, high octane roller coaster grooves!"
"ST [Suicidal Tendencies] had such a blast with the last tour we jumped at the opportunity to lock some dates in and get back down again to our Aussie friends and family and make a whole bunch of new ones. So come on back and bring your cousins, nephews, nieces and next-door neighbours, and everyone else you can think of. Just warn them...tell them Cyco said, ‘These Freaks are here to party!”
Robert Trujillo will make a long-awaited comeback to Australia, with his last visit over a decade ago with Metallica.
On coming to back to Australia, Rob says “I’m super stoked to venture back to Australia and reconnect with my Aussie surf contingent, as well as celebrate 30 years of Infectious Grooves with a few gigs down under!”
This of course means that Weinberg is now bandmates with both Rob and Tye Trujillo with Rob's son, Tye the current bass player for Suicidal Tendencies.
Jay Weinberg will be making his first live appearance after 10 years with the iconic metal band, Slipknot. Jay comments '“It’s an absolute honour to play with the legendary Infectious Grooves on this incredibly exciting Australian tour! Playing with some of my favourite musicians, in one of the most beautiful countries, for some of the greatest fans of heavy music in the world…I couldn’t be more thrilled to get started. See you all soon!”
Tickets and Tour Info at theinfectiousgrooves.com
Last year Jay Weinberg posted some reflections on his nearly decade-long stint behind the kit for Slipknot.
On the day that he would've celebrated his tenth anniversary as a member of the Iowa metal legends, the recently fired Weinberg shared some positive reflections on his tenure, alongside photographs of the four masks he wore during his time in the band.
"For 19 years, my goals in music and art have always centred around maintaining some sort of forward motion," he wrote. "It feels a bit paradoxical at times to look in the rearview mirror, but some moments and milestones are significant enough to take pause and reflect."
"In some respects, the person who wore the mask on the right and the person who wore the mask on the left feel like two completely different individuals — separated only by experience gained, miles travelled, friendships created, and a connection to the instrument strengthened and deepened so far beyond what I thought was possible."
"The memories and experiences that these four masks represent, I wouldn’t trade for the world. And I’m honoured that you all have been there, every step of the way." "So — here’s to you, the last 10 years, and wherever the next 10 years bring us."
Weinberg had previously commented that he was 'heartbroken' by the band's decision to dismiss him, sharing to his Instagram stories last November he stated
"I sometimes wonder what it would be like to pay a visit to my wide-eyed, 10-year-old self- falling head over heels in love with a new and exciting sound and culture – and tell him all about the last 10 years. "Even on the hardest days, I'd like to think he'd be stoked about the adventure that was in store for him.
"I was heartbroken and blindsided to receive the phone call that I did on the morning of November 5th; the news of which, most of you learned shortly after. However, I've been overwhelmed by — and truly grateful for the outpouring of love and support I've received from this incredible community I consider to be my creative and artistic home.
"This is not the ending to the journey I'd dreamt of, and committed myself to seeing through not by a long shot. But, despite the confusion and sadness, there is something that's provided an equal amount of comfort. For many of you reading this: 10 years ago, we weren't yet acquainted. And now, we are. For that, I'm thankful in ways I'll never be able to fully express.
"I love playing the drums. I'll always love playing the drums. I'll always have a passion for music, art, and creative expression. Nothing will ever change that.
"I don't know how, and I don't know when, but I look forward to creating loud, passionate, and heartfelt music that we enjoy together again. Until then, please know it's been the joy of a lifetime to spend the last 10 years with you, sharing in our love for this special corner of the music and art world.
"This isn't the end, and I'm thrilled to discover what the future has in store for us. Thank you."
Weinberg replaced former drummer, the late Joey Jordison in 2014, Weinberg was a member of the band for just under a decade, keeping Jordison's spirit alive while contributing his percussive flair on three Slipknot full-lengths, 5: The Gray Chapter, All Out Life and The End, So Far.
A replacement for Weinberg in Slipknot is yet to be revealed, however, Corey Taylor appeared to dismiss one widely speculated candidate Jeramie Kling recently, stating rather matter-of-factly that "To everyone wondering about our new drummer…It’s not him. Stop letting him troll you. He’s not even on the list. #hesnot666".
Weinberg's departure seems eerily similar to the recent exit of Craig Jones. Jones had been a member of the Iowa metal collective for 27 years before the band took to social media and announced his departure in a since-deleted message that read To our fans, Slipknot is announcing that we have parted ways with Craig Jones. We wish Jones all the best for the future."
Whatever the future holds for the rest of Slipknot, it appears 2022's The End, So Far. is the final recording that either Jones or Weinberg will contribute to.
Produced collaboratively by Joe Baressi (Queens Of The Stone Age, Soundgarden, Avenged Sevenfold, Parkway Drive) and Slipknot, The End, So Far is the follow-up to Slipknot’s 2019 We Are Not Your Kind which marked the band’s third consecutive #1 on the ARIA album chart.
To celebrate the widely anticipated release we caught up with Slipknot bass player, Alessandro 'V-Man' Venturella for a discussion about all things The End, So Far, if you haven't already, head on over and give it a read.
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