YOU put your questions to Mick Thomson of Slipknot, and he has replied!
Check out his responses below.
QUESTIONS
Hey, I am like, the UK's number 1 Slipknot fan, and have always wanted to know, what inspired your mask design?
Matthew Fulton- 14
MICK: Nothing. I had my original latex hockey mask way back and then my leather one and I was using those designs and it morphed into what it is now. There isn’t something crazy creative about it.
Hey Mick! I just want to let you know that you are a huge inspiration to me. You were one of the reasons I picked up a guitar, B.C Rich 7 string Warlock as my own first purchase, and got serious about it. My question is, how do you get new ideas for riffs and solos. I've made a couple of my own songs, but I always get stuck trying to make cool catchy riffs or solos. Got any advice?
Jim- 16
MICK: Yes. Don’t over-think it. Just let it happen. Things come out. If you try and plan or force it will sound forced or dishonest. I never try and over-think a direction whatever comes out 1st time I play it comes out. I never spend a ton of time thinking because it sounds forced. If you spend too much time thinking about it, it won’t sound like you. Don’t try and sound like someone else.
How does it feel to be getting back to work with the rest of Slipknot after a 3 year hiatus? Did it feel great knowing you were going to be back behind the mask and in a recording studio once again or was it just the same as it was 3 years ago?
Matt Haynes- 16
MICK: Things are always different when doing a new record. You are a different person than you were years ago. I don’t think in those terms. I just do what I do! But yes it felt good getting back to work.
What has been your scariest nightmare?
Paul Hawkins- 16
MICK: I wouldn’t say I have had a scariest nightmare but it would probably be something that deals with me not having genitals anymore…
If you could play any other role except Rythym/Lead guitarist in the band which would it be?
Bryan Lares
MICK: I wouldn’t.
What was the biggest culture shock you experienced in a foreign country during SK a tour?
Marcelle Andrade- 21
MICK: Being forced to shit into an ornate porcelain hole in the ground in Japan. OR having a warm stream of water tickle my asshole from the bidet in my hotel, also in Japan.
Mick, what advice would u give to young metal musicians trying to get our band noticed without reverting to the typical main stream sound?
Alex Munro- 16
MICK: Music should be honest, it should be an extension if you. You shouldn’t try and achieve a sound. It should just be you and not what you are trying to manufacture. We didn’t pay attention to the trends at the time when we wrote. We did what we felt and that is what you should do. You should play music for you and not to be noticed.
I'm Marina. OK I know that you probably get this question asked a lot by fan-girls but are you single, and can i ask u out on a date if you are :) ?
Marina Spevak- 25
MICK: Send pictures and I will get back to you.
Hi Mick! What Pedals do you use for Before I Forget and Heretic Anthem, and what Guitar would you recommend for a O.K Metal player at good price (like below $400)?
Alex Hayden
MICK: I don’t use pedals on either one of those songs or any pedals of any kind. But if its distortion you are referring to I just have a tube head turned up loud. There isn’t one really so buy used. You can’t get anything new that price worth anything. Look at pawn shops and buy a decent used early to late 90’s Ibanez especially an RG 570.
Hey micl! I'm from Iran. First you should know you've got MANY fans in Iran! Seriously. :D My question is what's the meaning of the tattoo on your arm? The Asian one…
Sohrab Alimardani- 18
MICK: It means hate in Japanese.
What do you think is the meaning of life?
Krista
MICK: Life is without meaning. And we are all totally insignificant in the whole scheme of things.
Just touring with slipknot but be crazy but what is the single most brutal moment you can recall while on tour?
Shawn Jarvis- 15
MICK: Watching a guy die in a police chase about 100 feet in front of me.
Heeeyy man :') Couldn't help peeking across t