A new development has come about in Chris Fehn’s case against his former band Slipknot, and this time it comes from the band’s camp. Specifically, an attorney for the band’s business manager, Rob Shore, has filed an affidavit in New York court that, among other things, claims Fehn was never a full member of the group but a “hired employee.”
According to the affidavit, which was obtained by RockFeed:
“Mr. Fehn performed with Slipknot and received a fee for doing so. He is not a shareholder, owner or member of any business entity he names as a defendant in this action.”
This statement goes against Fehn’s original claims that he was a full, shareholding member of the band.
In fact, the affidavit goes on to say that Corey Taylor and Michael Shawn Crahan (Clown) are the only full members of the band, meaning that all of the other band members are also employees and not full shareholders in the band’s finances.
“Defendants, Michael Shawn Crahan and Corey Taylor, are founding members of the musical band professionally known as ‘Slipknot’ (the ‘Band’). All remaining defendants are entities through which the band’s business is or was conducted.”
Back in March, Fehn, who played drums for Slipknot for more than two decades, filed a lawsuit against Taylor, Crahan, Shore and Shore’s company, as well as a handful of the band’s business ventures, claiming that he was under the impression that all members had an equal stake in the band’s finances and there were a handful of ventures with the group’s name on them he was unaware of benefiting some members and not others. Early on, the band spoke out against Fehn’s claims, saying that he “chose to point fingers and manufacture claims rather than doing what was necessary” to remain in the band, with Taylor separately say that he was being “wrongly accused of stealing money.” However, the band has remained fairly mum about the lawsuit with most of the talk coming from Fehn and his attorneys.
If the new affidavit deals a big blow to Fehn’s claims. If it is correct, he would have to prove his role in the band went beyond just playing drums and that he deserved a stakeholder share.
Outside of the case, Slipknot is currently working on a new album set for release on August 9. The band is also getting ready to head out on the Knotfest Roadshow tour this summer starting July 26 with Volbeat, Gojira and Behemoth will be joining them.
