It’s not that often when metal creeps its way into mainstream pop culture. So when metal/hard rock acts do actually pop up in beloved sitcoms, dramatic films, cartoons or even reality series, it’s kind of awesome. So in the weekly column Remember When, Metal Insider recalls the most random instances of metal’s elite appearing in front of the camera.
Today, Slipknot is one of the biggest hard rock bands in the world, selling out amphitheaters, winning awards, topping album charts, and even headlining their own festivals. In 1999, though, the band was just getting started with their self-titled debut. Yet the 9 piece, mask wearing outfit’s appearance and antics made enough of an impression to land themselves into a rumored scuffle with the Insane Clown Posse. At least that’s the only reason why one could assume the king of shock radio Howard Stern even considered having ICP and Slipknot on his show together.
Stern was interviewing Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope when he suddenly introduced Slipknot, simply as a band that wanted to meet them. That’s when a cursing M. Shawn Crahan (aka Clown) came walking in with Joey Jordison sitting on his shoulders, followed by the rest of the crew. At first glance, even Stern and ICP seemed taken aback by what they were witnessing. Although it could’ve been a lot weirder if Clown actually got to bring in the gift he wanted to give Stern (according to Corey Taylor years later, Clown literally took a shit in a bucket with the intentions of giving it to the radio host, but they weren’t allowed to even bring it into the studio).
So obviously the interview turned into a good old fashion Juggalo vs. Maggot slugfest, right? Well actually, not at all. While the producers claimed that Slipknot wanted to come on the show to confront ICP, Jordison said they had nothing but respect for ICP. Violent J even complimented Slipknot’s look, declaring it “fresh as hell.” “That’s entertainment,” Violent J further proclaimed about Slipknot. Indeed it was a much nicer interaction than ICP’s exchange of words with Sharon Osbourne that same year on Stern’s show.
Sure, the “regular love fest,” as Stern put it, never lead to the Slipknot and ICP co-headlining tour we all no one wanted. But even today it’s amazing to think that Slipknot, ICP and Howard Stern were all in the same room together at one point, let alone on the radio heard by millions. Thankfully since this occurred during a time when video highlights of Stern’s CBS radio show aired late at night on the E! Network, we also have video proof that it happened (on the same channel that would years later be responsible for Keeping Up With The Kardashians, nonetheless). Go ahead and relive the moment that arguably only could’ve happened in 1999 below.
