SLIPKNOT percussionst Shawn "Clown" Crahan is featured in a new interview with Martin Boulton at TheAge.com.au. An excerpt from the story is available below:

''We give you everything,'' he says. ''We're the greatest band in the world as far as I'm concerned. I always laugh when bands say, 'You know, without the masks they'd be nothing.' OK, try playing one of our songs, try playing my drummer's parts, try playing my guitar player's parts. Now put on a mask and all this other shit and run around like you're in a rugby game - then I might start listening. Otherwise, why don't you take your shirt off and tell everybody how hot you are and how you've gotta slow things down for a minute. We have never had to pretend what we are - what we are is intense.''

Crahan is 42, the oldest member of the heavy metal band that formed in 1995, released its debut album in 1998 and earned enormous popularity around the world with the release of 2001's follow-up album, Iowa.

Speaking to EG from his home in Des Moines, Iowa, Crahan may sound like an egotistical, self-promoting rock star with millions of record sales but his comments about the band he formed with bass player Paul Gray mask a well-grounded family man, who says he's doing what he always wanted.

Gray's sudden death in a hotel room in 2010 shattered his bandmates but Crahan says the strength of people within and around the band pulled them together tighter than they'd ever been.

''We're not a band, we're a culture and it's only going to get bigger,'' he says. ''When we're on tour, all I want to do is see all of them … we're a special thing, we're our own entity.''

Go to this location for the complete story.

As previously reported, Slipknot have released a video promo for their appearance at the 2012 Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival featuring Clown. CHeck it out below:

Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival is back for its fifth year, assaulting the senses of United States heavy metal music fans.

According to a press release: "The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival is proud to announce this summer’s artists. The main stage will be our strongest ever with the headlining slot occupied by multi-platinum Iowa legends Slipknot. Next up will be legendary thrash metal kings SLAYER (pictured at left) and then a major special guest will be playing in the third slot whom will be announced on March 5th. The main stage will also spotlight a ferocious mix of today’s best artists in a rotation, including THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, AS I LAY DYING and ASKING ALEXANDRIA. In 2012 the tour has upgraded the production on the festival stage and this year the Jagermeister Stage will feature a special headline set by metal masters ANTHRAX supported by a rotation of The Devil Wears Prada, As I Lay Dying and Asking Alexandria, along with WHITECHAPEL, HIGH ON FIRE and the Jagermeister opener. Please note that bands may vary per market."

The Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will make a 26-date trek across the US beginning on June 30th at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California. "Get Off Your Ass" pre-sale tickets go on sale Friday, April 6th. Tune in to www.rockstarmayhemfest.com and www.livenation.com for up-to-date ticketing information.

Slipknot’s Corey Taylor commented: “You knew we'd be back. Now, you know we're coming. This will be a tour people will scarcely want to miss. It will definitely be a show to remember. Can't wait to see the states again from behind a mask.”

Slipknot’s Clown states: “Slipknot is headlining this summer’s Mayhem festival and it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever felt, sensed, or seen. You miss this, you miss everything. Everyone seems to think that there’s a chance we’re gonna go away. This is the farthest thing from the truth. Stay sic and don’t ever judge us.”

“Mayhem 2012 might just be the last and greatest metal festival before the world ends!! So wreak havoc and go out in style!!”, adds Tom Araya of Slayer.

The 5th annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival will also feature ROCKSTAR METAL MULISHA JUMP TEAM, on select dates. See below for all current tour dates:

June

30 - San Bernardino, CA - San Manuel Amphitheater

July

1 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
3 - Seattle, WA - White River Amphitheater
4 - Boise, ID - Idaho Center Amphitheater
6 - Phoenix, AZ - Ashley Furniture Home Store Pavilion
7 - Albuquerque, NM - Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Presents The Pavilion
8 - Denver, CO - Comfort Dental Amphitheatre
10 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
11 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
13 - Tampa, FL - 1-800-Ask-Gary Amphitheatre
14 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
15 - Indianapolis, IN - Klipsch Music Center
18 - Oklahoma City, OK - Zoo Amphitheatre
20 - St. Louis, MO - Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
21 - Chicago, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
22 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
24 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
25 - Cleveland, OH - Blossom Music Center
27 - Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center
28 - Pittsburgh, PA - First Niagara Pavilion
29 - Washington, DC - Jiffy Lube Live
31 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center

August

1 - Buffalo, NY - Darien Lake PAC
3 - Boston, MA - Comcast Center
4 - Scranton, PA - Toyota Pavilion
5 - Hartford, CT - The Comcast Theatre

For more information on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, visit this location.