1.) How did you get involved with Slipknot, how hard was it starting off the band and trying to get some exposure in the local scene?

Slipknot started with me and Shawn (Crahan). We hung-out all the time. We’d play Werewolf: The Apocalypse (RPG) all the time. I was helping him with some welding in his garage one winter, and we got to talking about it. We were both drummers (I had been singing for awhile), and wanted to put together a band with extra stand-up percussion. Shawn started out on a drum-set. I called Paul (who was in L.A. at the time), and persuaded him to give it a try. We’d attempted to do it before, but Shawn got too busy, and it fell apart. The rest is history, depending upon who you ask.

2.) In the bands that you have been involved with (MANY), the names of the bands are very catchy, how much empahasis was put on naming bands or album titles and how influential are they to the feel or the mood of the album?

A band name is VERY important. If it sounds stupid, it will effect people’s opinions about you. However, I don’t think album titles are, but we spent a lot of time thinking of band names back in the early days. Now, I’ve had so many good names in my head, that I’d never have to worry about it. Abnormal names, too. Nothing that’s likely to be taken already.

3.) Describe the recording of Mate Feed Kill Repeat. Any moments that stand out from the rest?

It was a HELL of an experience. The song that went down quickest was Killers Are Quiet, and it’s 11 + minutes long. One take. A moment that stands out……Me and Joey getting in an argument which led to him running out the door, crying, and screaming “I quit!”. Travelling through a snowstorm in 3 feet of snow to get to the studio, and having to pick up the producer along the way. Driving our producer SO crazy, he would lie down on the control room floor and just stare at the ceiling for a half-an-hour. Realizing that our total bill would go WAY beyond the $3 to $4,000 limit we had set. Recording the samples for Killers Are Quiet. One of the samples is me ripping duct-tape off Shawn’s face. That was when I decided I was going to wear electrical tape on my face. It was very strange looking.

4.) How Important to you are your ROOTS in Metal, because many of todays bands are moving away from traditional metal. Does the word “sellout” taste bitter in your mouth? I know it does in mine.

It depends upon how you “sellout”. Metallica sold out. They sound NOTHING like they used to. It’s important to enjoy what you are doing. If you don’t like it, but are doing it for more money, then it’s selling out. If you alter yourself within the constrains of your ability and personal satisfaction, and you end up making more money, then you are NOT selling out. People have a tendency to think that just because you’ve sold a lot of records, that you’ve sold out. It actually just means that the masses’ tastes in music have swung your way. There’s nothing wrong with that at all.

5.) Why did Corey replace you in Slipknot, and did you feel betrayed by the band after putting so much into Slipknot?

He replaced me because Slipknot asked him to. He has the vocal capability of singing more “radio friendly”, which is necessary for a band like Slipknot to succeed. I was very bitter for the first 8 months. I could give a shit less now. I’m more than happy with Painface.

6.) How did Painface come into the mold after leaving Slipknot?

I was called by a drummer who knew me, and asked me to come check them out. I didn’t want to, because I knew the drummer. He wasn’t good. He was a crack head. But, he begged me to at least listen. So I did. And I liked it. So, I wrote words to the first 2 songs, and sung them for the guys at the next practice, and it was on. Now, Jas (who is the only “original” member) and I are the only ones left from that practice.

7.) With Fleshcraft, the bands debut, was there a major emphasis put on moving away from the Slipknot style and creating your own genre?

Nope. We just play what we like. Whatever comes out is what we play. We’re still completely in the same genre as Slipknot, just as they are with Fear Factory, Slayer, and all the other great, heavy bands.

8.) Would it be a victory of sorts to play at a major scene like OZZFEST along side Slipknot, and would it prove to yourself that you had what it takes?

Not really. I don’t have to prove anything to myself. I already know. It’s just a waiting game.

9.) Have you began recording or writing the follow-up to Fleshcraft? And will you be seeking a major label to pick you up?

We’ve been writing, but not recording. It’s a very expensive ordeal, and we just bought a van. Our main concern is getting out on the road. So many people haven’t even heard of us yet. We didn’t want to dismiss the Fleshcraft CD until we know everyone that may want it will have it. Plus, we just made another 1,000, and they’re going well. Yahoo!

10.) In the scheme of where Slipknot is at the moment: quite popular, and mainstream Metal are you happy that you have Painface and an ever-growing underground fan base rather than Slipknot?

l wouldn’t call them mainstream metal. Korn is mainstream metal. We only hear them on the radio at nights, about once a week. I am very happy with Painface. I can’t speculate on how I would feel right now if I were still in Slipknot. I’ve never thought about it. Wait, I know: I’d be bored. That’s why I quit. I hated the “background vocalist” thing. Not enough to do.

11.) What are the touring plans of Painface and can we expect any international tours like heading down to Australia any time soon?

We’re working out a series of small tours to different sections of the States. There’s nothing I would like more than to get to Australia and drink with our buddy Doink in Brisbane, but that’s quite a bit of $$$$. The over-seas thing will have to wait for now.

12.) What is your personal opinion of the album “Slipknot” and was this the album that the band had aimed to make or did the path change directions after MFKR?

Oh, the path changed: it tightened up. MFKR was experimental. We did a little of everything that we collectively liked. Their new album is a “narrowing of the path” from MFKR, which is a good thing. I think it’s a great CD. I wish the guitars were up in the mix more, but that’s just my opinion.

13.) With Painface how much recording takes place as a way of improving your sound? As with Slipknot in the old days was recording a priority?

Recording is something you do when: 1. You have enough songs together. 2. You have enough $$. 3. You have those songs TIGHT. Recording is important if you want people to know your music. It doesn’t really do much for improving your sound (at least in OUR case.). You can evaluate your music better, but that’s a fairly expensive way to evaluate your song. We can tell whether the song is worth a shit almost as soon as my vocals are complete.

14.) What are the plans of Painface for the next 12 months, and can we expect for the new album? And if you were to liken Painface to any band you have ever heard who would it be?

Our plans include playing as many places as possible. Bottom line. We’re in it for the live shows, nothing more. We have no plans at this moment for recording our new stuff. We’re breaking in a new guitar player. I would say the closest I think we sound like would be Sepultura maybe. That’s for the vocals, only. The music is much different. I don’t know for sure.

15.) What do you say to fans out there that say Mate Feed Kill Repeat isn’t Slipknot? And just a side question which members were involved in recording MFKR?

MFKR WAS Slipknot, but isn’t anymore.
Original members for the recording:
Anders Colsefni: Vocals
Donnie Steele: Guitars
Josh Brainard: Guitars/b. vocals
Paul Gray: Bass/b. vocals
Shawn Crahan: Percussion/b. vocals
Joe Jordisson: Drums

Me, Shawn, and our producer (Sean McMahon) put the samples together. We didn’t have a sampler for the live shows yet.

16.) Can you send me MFKR signed? LOL

Yep. $350 up front. LOL

17.) Will both MFKR fans and new school Slipknot be able to handle with Painface?

If they can’t then I don’t know what their problem is.

18.) Any other comments that you would like to get out there that PISS you off?

No, but I’d like to ask everyone to check out our website, if you haven’t already. It’s going to go through some MASSIVE changes very soon.

Check out PAINFACE @ I’ll whisper the bitterness of Death in your ears. Show me your painface, bleed sorrow’s tears. I’ll show you my darkness is all it appears. AndersOUT

Thanks to Anders Colsefni for taking time out to do this interview