Former Slipknot Drummer Jay Weinberg Breaks Silence After Being Fired – Billboard

Slipknot‘s ex-drummer Jay Weinberg is speaking out after being fired from the masked metal band.

Weinberg, the son of longtime Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg, took to social media on Saturday (Nov. 11) to express that he had not anticipated the group’s decision to part ways with him after 10 years.

“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,” Weinberg, 33, wrote on his Instagram Story. “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.”

A week earlier on Nov. 5, Slipknot announced that the band had “parted ways” with Weinberg, who joined the rock act in 2013 following the departure of Joey Jordison.

“No one can ever replace Joey Jordison’s original sound, style or energy, but Jay honored Joey’s parts and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it,” Slipknot wrote in a statement. “But as ever, Slipknot is intent on evolving. The band has decided to make a creative decision, and to part ways with Jay. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds.”

During his time with Slipknot, Weinberg drummed on the Grammy-winning group’s albums .5: The Gray Chapter (2014), We Are Not Your Kind (2019) and The End, So Far (2022). .5: The Gray Chapter and We Are Not Your Kind both debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

Weinberg added in his lengthy statement on Saturday, “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.”

The drummer continued, “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.”

Weinberg joined Slipknot in 2013 following the departure of founding drummer Jordison, who formed the group in 1995 along with percussionist Shawn Crahan and the band’s late bass player Paul Gray, who died in 2010.

Slipknot hasn’t yet announced who will replace Weinberg on drums. The band is currently scheduled to play the Sick New World Festival in Las Vegas on April 27, 2024, and Welcome to Rockville on May 12, 2024.

Read Weinberg’s post on his Instagram Story here.