Based on a 14-page court document, Chris Fehn is suing Slipknot, Incorporated; Knot Merch LLC; SK Productions, LLC; SK Touring, Inc; Knot Touring LLC; Rob Shore & Associates, Inc; the group’s leaders Michael Shawn “Clown” Crahan and Corey Taylor; and band’s manager, Robert Shore for “damages and equitable relief.” According to one of Fehn’s attorney’s, Joseph Dunne, informed the now former percussionist learned of the other businesses during the negotiation process of the group’s follow-up to 2014’s .5 The Gray Chapter as well as their summer tour w/ Volbeat, Gojira, and Behemoth.
The lawsuit was filed on March 13th in New York Supreme Court as we discovered the news the following day, which was just a few days after the band announced their new album, tour, as well as joining Metallica’s New Zealand/Australian fall trek. The complaint addressed Fehn has been with the group since 1998 and worked on all five studio albums as he trusted Crahan and Taylor on operating the business of Slipknot. However, the document states that three federally registered trademarks “are issued and outstanding,” as he never agreed to the assignment of “the Slipknot Marks to Slipknot CA or their ownership by Slipknot CA.”
The complaint also addressed:
“Fehn, to the best of his information, knowledge and belief, is not now and has never been an owner, shareholder, member, manager, officer, director, held any interest in or had any knowledge of the business of, assets of, operations of Slipknot Merchandising LLC of Iowa, Slipknot Touring, LLC of Iowa, SK Productions, Slipknot NY, SK Touring, KNot Touring, Knot Merch, Slipknot NY or Slipknot CA.”
In short: while Fehn trusted his band members and earned a share of the profits, he had no knowledge of at least six other Slipknot-related businesses.
Des Moines Register has reported Dunne had mentioned that Fehn and his representatives had to go to the law firm because it was the only way to receive information on the businesses he was unaware of.
Dunne explained to the Des Moines Register:
“He thought everyone was being treated equally. My client really is just hoping to figure out a way to work this out with the people he’s worked side by side with for the last 20 years.”
Dunne has also told the Des Moines Register that there has been:
“no official change in Fehn’s employment with the band. If it was up to Fehn, he would remain a member.”
A Slipknot representative said the band has declined to comment further on this matter. However, a screenshot of a deleted Facebook post by former guitarist Donnie Steele has shown Steele defending Fehn’s case and you can read his comments here. This past Monday (18th), Slipknot issued a statement explaining that Fehn is no longer with the band:
“Slipknot’s focus is on making album #6, and our upcoming shows around the world, our best ever. Chris knows why he is no longer a part of Slipknot. We are disappointed that he chose to point fingers and manufacture claims, rather than doing what was necessary to continue to be a part of Slipknot. We would have preferred he not take the path that he has, but evolution in all things is a necessary part of this life.
Long Live The Knot.”
Corey Taylor has shared a few posts on social media explaining how he’s been wrongfully accused.
Meanwhile, the band seems to be moving forward finishing their upcoming sixth studio album:
