imported>JJTennant at 21:52, 2 July 2025

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{{Short description|American percussionist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist 
| name = Shawn Crahan
| image = VivaXElRock19-12 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Crahan performing with Slipknot in 2019
| birth_name = Michael Shawn Crahan<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2019 |title=SLIPKNOT's Manager Says CHRIS FEHN Was A Hired Gun |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/slipknots-manager-says-chris-fehn-was-a-hired-gun |access-date=December 1, 2022|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>
| alias = {{flatlist|
* Clown
* <nowiki>#6</nowiki>
* Kong
}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|9|24}}<ref name="birthday">{{cite news |url=https://loudwire.com/rock-stars-birthdays-september/ |title=Rock Stars Celebrating Birthdays in September |last=Childers |first=Chad |work=[[Loudwire]] |publisher=[[Townsquare Media]] |date=September 1, 2022 |access-date=December 1, 2022 }}</ref>
| birth_place =
| genre = {{flatlist|
* [[Alternative metal]]
* [[nu metal]]
}}
| instrument = {{flatlist|
* Percussion
* drums
* vocals
}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* director
}}
| years_active = 1992–present
| current_member_of = [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]]
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
* [[To My Surprise]]
* {{nowrap|[[Dirty Little Rabbits]]}}
}}
| website =
}}

'''Michael Shawn Crahan''' (born September 24, 1969),<ref name="birthday" /> more commonly known by his stage [[persona]] "'''Clown'''", is an American musician. He is the co-founder, percussionist, and only original member remaining of the [[alternative metal]] band [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], in which he is designated '''#6'''. He helped form Slipknot in 1995 alongside bassist [[Paul Gray (American musician)|Paul Gray]] and former vocalist [[Anders Colsefni]], although a lot of what Slipknot became came from Paul Gray and Joey Jordison. Crahan is the longest-serving member of the band, and also has extensive involvement with Slipknot's media production and music videos. Outside Slipknot, Crahan had two side project bands called [[To My Surprise]] and [[Dirty Little Rabbits]]. Aside from his musical activity, he also directed the 2016 [[Action film|action thriller]] film ''[[Officer Downe (film)|Officer Downe]]''.

==Personal life==
Crahan married his wife Chantel<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/music/slipknot-shawn-crahan-mourns-death-of-daughter/|title=Slipknot's Shawn Crahan Mourns the Death of 22-Year-Old Daughter: 'The Deepest Pain'|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-17}}</ref> in June 1993, in [[Des Moines, Iowa|Des Moines]], Iowa. They had four children together,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/slipknot-shawn-crahan-daughter-death-statement/|title=Slipknot's Shawn Crahan Thanks Fans After Daughter's Death|last=Kielty|first=Martin|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=May 23, 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-06-17}}</ref> the second youngest of whom died in 2019 at the age of 22.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/dining/2019/05/19/slipknot-shawn-crahan-clown-mourns-daughter-gabrielle-crahan-death-des-moines-iowa-music/3735116002/|title=Gabrielle Crahan, daughter of Slipknot's Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, has died at 22|website=Des Moines Register|language=en|access-date=2019-06-17}}</ref> Crahan is also a filmographer and photographer, having published a Slipknot photo album "The Apocalyptic Nightmare" in 2012. In 2012, he made his debut acting appearance in the film ''[[The Devil's Carnival]]''. Crahan's son, Simon, currently plays drums in [[Vended]], a band also containing fellow Slipknot member [[Corey Taylor]]'s son Griffin.

==Career==
[[File:Shawn of Slipknot (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|Crahan in 2011]]

=== With Slipknot ===
In 1995, Crahan formed a metal band known as the Pale Ones with fellow musician [[Paul Gray (American musician)|Paul Gray]], which featured himself as the band's drummer. Wanting to expand the band's percussion section, Crahan brought in [[Joey Jordison]] to fill in as drummer while Crahan's efforts were focused on percussion. The lead vocalist, [[Anders Colsefni]], played a second percussion kit, which gave the band a layered, distinctive drum sound. In 1996, they released a song known as "Slipknot", and through Joey's suggestion, the band changed their name to Slipknot and released their first official album. This album would later become known to the band as their demo. Crahan felt that the original vocalist for Slipknot was too guttural, and was the primary reason for Slipknot's inability to get a record deal. He brought in [[Corey Taylor]] from another local band called [[Stone Sour]], whose vocals were more melodic. Slipknot got a record deal a couple years later and released their [[Slipknot (album)|first official album]] in 1999. Slipknot gained major notability the same year by touring with [[Ozzfest]]. In Slipknot's early years, Crahan brought several dead cow heads on stage.<ref name=Loudwire-video>{{cite web|title=Slipknot's Shawn 'Clown' Crahan - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RGHFaEd5Mk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/6RGHFaEd5Mk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|website=YouTube/Loudwire|access-date=August 13, 2015|date=August 12, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

As well as lending his percussion talents to the band, Crahan has also sung backing vocals on a number of songs Slipknot has both recorded and performed live. He also wrote the original draft of "Tattered & Torn", which originally appeared on the band's first album, ''[[Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.]]'' which featured the original singer of Slipknot before [[Corey Taylor]] was brought in as a replacement. A second version of "Tattered & Torn" was released on their self-titled album.

Outside Slipknot, Crahan has founded [[Big Orange Clown Records]], a [[vanity label]] within [[Sanctuary Records]], which has so far signed the [[metalcore]] band [[Gizmachi]]. He also acted as director for, and assembled Slipknot's 2005 DVD, ''[[Voliminal: Inside the Nine]]'', while the band was on hiatus.

He also performed with [[To My Surprise]], recording guitar and vocals for the band's [[To My Surprise (album)|self-titled debut album]]. The band received little interest due to their album being released amidst the success of Slipknot members [[Corey Taylor]], [[Jim Root]] and [[Joey Jordison]]'s side projects, [[Stone Sour]] and the [[Murderdolls]], respectively. To My Surprise was later dropped by [[Roadrunner Records]]. In 2007, Crahan began performing as drummer for [[Dirty Little Rabbits]]. The band was a supporting act for Stone Sour during their North American tour in Summer 2007,<ref>{{cite news|title=Slipknot Percussionist's Dirty Little Rabbits To Support Stone Sour|work=Blabbermouth|date=July 7, 2007|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=76314|access-date=2007-07-12|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202012318/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=76314|archive-date=December 2, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> and have released one [[Extended play|EP]], titled ''[[Breeding (EP)|Breeding]]''. They have since signed a deal with [[The End Records]] as of November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=M.Shawn Crahan Interview|author=Dirty Little Rabbits|author-link=Dirty Little Rabbits|publisher=Headbanger's Blog|date=October 14, 2008|url=http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2008/10/14/exclusive-interview-slipknot-percussionist-shawn-clown-crahan-signs-deal-with-the-end-for-his-band-dirty-little-rabbits|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081018125501/http://headbangersblog.mtv.com/2008/10/14/exclusive-interview-slipknot-percussionist-shawn-clown-crahan-signs-deal-with-the-end-for-his-band-dirty-little-rabbits/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 18, 2008|access-date=2008-12-27}}</ref>

In 2009, he contributed to [[Bring Me the Horizon]]'s remix album, ''[[Suicide Season: Cut Up!]]'', by remixing the track "Sleep With One Eye Open". Also in 2009, Shawn remixed Coheed and Cambria's "Welcome Home" and a [[Suicide Silence]] track on their ''[[Wake Up (Suicide Silence song)|Wake Up]]'' EP entitled "Wake Up (Clown of Slipknot Remix)". In 2010, he contributed to [[Escape the Fate]]'s ''[[This War Is Ours]]'' deluxe edition, by remixing the track "This War Is Ours (The Guillotine Part II)," and in 2011, he remixed "Angels of Clarity" for [[Dead by April]] on their compilation album "Stronger." Crahan has confirmed the formation of a brand-new side project called The Black Dots of Death who released their debut studio album ''Ever Since We Were Children'' on March 28, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/slipknot/54613|title=Slipknot's Clown announces new album and free download|publisher=[[NME]]|date=January 18, 2011|access-date=2011-01-18}}</ref> He is the director of many of Slipknot's music videos, DVDs and other artistic projects. He also directed the "We Are" videoclip from the band [[Hollywood Undead]]

Crahan generally wears clown-style masks while performing with Slipknot; however, on occasion, when performing the band's song "[[Vermilion (song)|Vermilion]]", all band members will wear their own [[death mask]]s instead.

He also featured as the [[Glossary of 'carny' slang|carny]] "Tamer" in ''[[Devil's Carnival (2012 film)|The Devil's Carnival]]'', a full-length feature film directed by [[Darren Lynn Bousman]] which was screened on their tour beginning in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fearnet.com/news/b25632_two_tickets_devils_carnival_please.html|title=Chiller|date=August 22, 2023 }}</ref>

=== Influence on Slipknot ===
Crahan has been credited with several things that Slipknot is known for, such as their large percussion section and their masks. Crahan began wearing a clown mask to rehearsals when the band was still fairly unknown, spawning the mask theme that the band is known for today.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}

Crahan has had several masks throughout his career with Slipknot, all of which are clown themed except for his "[[death mask]]", which was used in the video for the song "Vermilion". Crahan's earliest known mask and perhaps his most referenced one is one that he used during Slipknot's earliest self-titled album which is a happy looking clown mask, balding with long orange hair.{{Citation needed|date=October 2017}}

=== Film career ===
In June 2016, Crahan made his directing debut with the film ''[[Officer Downe (film)|Officer Downe]]'' based on the graphic novel ''[[Officer Downe]]'' written by [[Joe Casey]] and illustrated by [[Chris Burnham]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Slipknot's Shawn Crahan To Make Directing Debut With 'Officer Downe'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/slipknot-shawn-clown-crahan-direct-officer-downe-541276/|access-date=July 16, 2013|newspaper=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=July 15, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Slipknot's Shawn 'Clown' Crahan to Direct 'Officer Downe' Movie|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1790027/slipknots-shawn-clown-crahan-to-direct-officer-downe-movie|publisher=billboard.com|access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Graphic Novel Officer Downe Coming to the Big Screen|date=July 15, 2013|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/178085-graphic-novel-officer-downe-coming-to-the-big-screen|publisher=superherohype.com|access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref> Crahan also directed the music video for the song "A-M-E-R-I-C-A" by [[Motionless in White]] and "[[We Are (Hollywood Undead song)|We Are]]" by [[Hollywood Undead]].

=== Production work ===
Crahan has also participated in several other music-related endeavours, and acted as [[executive producer]] on ''[[L.D. 50 (album)|L.D. 50]]'' by [[Mudvayne]] and the self-titled debut album by [[downthesun]]. He was also briefly the owner of a short-lived record label, Maggot Recordings (also known as Maggot Corps.), which existed briefly between 2001 and 2002 as a subsidiary of [[London-Sire Records]], a [[Warner Music Group]] label. The label's only signed act was [[downthesun]]. The label was rendered defunct following the collapse of London-Sire in January 2002.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kIclasPNB4C&dq=maggot+recordings+label+slipknot&pg=PA10-IA3 |title=CMJ New Music Report |date=2002-01-28 |publisher=CMJ Network, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> [[Downthesun (album)|Downthesun's self-titled debut album]], which was scheduled to be released in February 2002 through the label, was eventually released through Roadrunner in October 2002.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mA0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA3 |title=Billboard |date=2003-05-03 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2001-11-07 |title=Archive News Nov 07, 2001 |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-nov-07-2001/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Archive-Joe-DAngelo |title=Slipknot's Maggot Label Signs First Act; Members Moonlight With Others |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1451361/slipknots-maggot-label-signs-first-act-members-moonlight-with-others/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726163711/http://www.mtv.com/news/1451361/slipknots-maggot-label-signs-first-act-members-moonlight-with-others/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 26, 2014 |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=MTV News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2002-06-25 |title=DOWNTHESUN Officially Sign With ROADRUNNER RECORDS |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/downthesun-officially-sign-with-roadrunner-records/ |access-date=2022-07-10 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{main|Slipknot discography}}
[[File:Shawn Crahan of Slipknot at Optimus Alive Festival 2009.jpg|thumb|Crahan performing with Slipknot in 2009]]

===with Slipknot===
* ''[[Mate. Feed. Kill. Repeat.]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Slipknot (album)|Slipknot]]'' (1999)
* ''[[Iowa (album)|Iowa]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses)]]'' (2004)
* ''[[All Hope Is Gone]]'' (2008)
* ''[[.5: The Gray Chapter]]'' (2014)
* ''[[We Are Not Your Kind]]'' (2019)
* ''[[The End, So Far]]'' (2022)

===with To My Surprise===
* ''[[To My Surprise (album)|To My Surprise]]'' (2003)

===with Dirty Little Rabbits===
* ''[[Breeding (EP)|Breeding]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Simon (EP)|Simon]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Dirty Little Rabbits (album)|Dirty Little Rabbits]]'' (2010)

=== with the Black Dots of Death ===
* 2011: ''Ever Since We Were Children''

===Guest appearances and remixes===
* [[American Head Charge]] – "[[Just So You Know (American Head Charge song)|Just So You Know]]" (Clown #6 from Slipknot Remix) (2002)
* [[Mindless Self Indulgence]] – "Pay for It" (The Son of a Clown Remix) (2008)
* Darren Smith & [[Terrance Zdunich]] – "[[Repo! The Genetic Opera (soundtrack)|Repo! The Genetic Opera]]" (2008)
* [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]] – "[[Arma-goddamn-motherfuckin-geddon]]" (Clown/Slipknot Fuck the God Damn TV and Radio Remix) (2009)
* [[Coheed and Cambria]] – "Clown's [[Welcome Home (Coheed and Cambria song)|Welcome Home]]" (Shawn Crahan Remix) (2009)
* [[Dead by April]] – "Angels of Clarity" (Shawn 'Clown' Crahan Remix) (2009)
* [[Bring Me the Horizon]] – "Sleep With One Eye Open" (Clown Remix) (2009)
* [[Suicide Silence]] – "Wake Up" (Clown of Slipknot Remix) (2010)
* [[Escape the Fate]] – "This War Is Ours (The Guillotine Part II)" (This War Is Mine) (2010)
* [[Hesta Prynn]] – "[[Pepper (Hesta Prynn song)|Pepper]]" (2010)
* On a Pale Horse – "Walks With Death" (Clown / M Shawn Crahan Remix), "Steps" (Clown / M Shawn Crahan Remix) (2011)
* [[Austra (band)|Austra]] – "Beat and the Pulse" (Clown Remix) (2011)
* [[Free Dominguez]] – "Darkest Rivers" (Psychosis Industries: M. Shawn Crahan and Kyle Sherrod "Below the Surface" Remix) (2013)
* [[Hooverphonic]] – "Shake The Disease" (Shawn "Clown" From Slipknot Edit The Shake Remix) (2013)

==Produced albums==
* 2000: ''[[L.D. 50 (album)|L.D. 50]]'' – [[Mudvayne]]
* 2001: ''[[Invitation to the Dance (album)|Invitation to the Dance]]'' – [[40 Below Summer]]
* 2002: ''[[Downthesun]]'' – [[Downthesun]]
* 2003: ''[[To My Surprise (album)|To My Surprise]]'' – [[To My Surprise]]
* 2005: ''[[The Imbuing]]'' – [[Gizmachi]]
* 2008: ''Dirtfedd'' – Dirtfedd

==Filmography==
* 1999: ''[[Welcome to Our Neighborhood]]''
* 2002: ''[[Disasterpieces]]''
* 2002: ''[[Rollerball (2002 film)|Rollerball]]''
* 2006: ''[[Voliminal: Inside the Nine]]''
* 2008: ''[[Repo: The Genetic Opera]]'' – percussion
* 2008: ''[[All Hope Is Gone (album)#Bonus DVD|Nine: The Making of "All Hope Is Gone"]]''
* 2010: ''[[(sic)nesses]]''
* 2011: Goat
* 2012: ''[[Devil's Carnival (2012 film)|The Devil's Carnival]]'' – The Tamer
* 2012: A Beary Scary Movie
* 2012: ''[[We Are (Hollywood Undead song)|We Are]]'' ([[Hollywood Undead]] music video)
* 2013: ''A M E R I C A'' ([[Motionless in White]] music video)
* 2015: “The Vatican Tapes” - cameo
* 2016: ''[[Officer Downe (film)|Officer Downe]]'' – director
* 2017: ''Day of the Gusano'' – director
* 2020: ''Pollution'' – director (short film)

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110303114857/http://www.apocalypticnightmare.com/ Official website] (archived)

{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=none}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] drummer|years=1995}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joey Jordison]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Anders Colsefni]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] percussionist|years=1995–present}}
{{s-aft|after=none}}
{{s-end}}

{{Slipknot}}
{{Dirty Little Rabbits}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crahan, Shawn}}
[[Category:American heavy metal drummers]]
[[Category:American heavy metal singers]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:Dirty Little Rabbits members]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Nu metal drummers]]
[[Category:Musicians from Des Moines, Iowa]]
[[Category:Roadrunner Records artists]]
[[Category:Slipknot (band) members]]
[[Category:20th-century American drummers]]
[[Category:American male drummers]]
[[Category:Film directors from Iowa]]
[[Category:American music video directors]]
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Drummers from Iowa]]

Shawn Crahan - Revision history

imported>JJTennant at 21:52, 2 July 2025