Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Slipknot percussionist and creative director M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan discussed his lifelong enthusiasm for video games and his desire for creative expression in an interview with The Escapist, as per theprp. His recent initiative involves launching a custom ‘Minecraft’ server named ‘Vernearth’. Crahan explained that his involvement in gaming began with early consoles such as the Atari and Intellivision. He emphasized that his motivation for the server is driven by a “spiritual” quest for creative exploration, rather than financial gain. Throughout his gaming history, Crahan has engaged with a variety of titles to fulfill his creative needs. These include modding first-person shooters like ‘Quake’, experiencing the chaos and freedom of ‘Goat Simulator’, and participating in the community aspects of MMORPGs such as ‘World Of Warcraft’.
The biggest art piece I’ve made in my entire life. It obtains music. Scoring and music. It obtains coding, utility, vision. It’s right in my own culture… it’s like a meet and greet, but instead of you go, I get to hang out with you all night and build a tunnel. I come from nothing but respect and love for the genius of ‘Minecraft‘. I have four children who grew up on it… I was in the mall and bought ‘Minecraft‘ the first day it was released. I’ve watched all the updates.
He further conveyed that the sense of wonder and the capacity to manipulate elements within the game environment contributed to his process of coping with the grief associated with losing a child. While “Vernearth” was the primary subject of his discussion, Crahan also expressed his perspectives on the potential and concerns surrounding artificial intelligence.
Although Crahan acknowledged awareness of the apprehensions related to the advancing technology, he indicated that he has thus far chosen to adopt an accepting stance.
The way I look at it, it is a professor in my pocket who only wants to do what I ask it. Its only job is to make me happy, me, not you, not the world, no one.
He illustrated a scenario where he could input thousands of his poems into AI systems, which would then generate novel musical interpretations based on his words.
He humorously suggested that such technological benefits might threaten the livelihoods of some producers, implying that AI could replace certain roles in music production.
What’s the difference between me pulling out my pocket producer… or me trying to get a famous producer that might not even work with me and could potentially cost me $150,000… who will only give me one or two ways – I’m not mentioning any names!
This comment appeared to be a playful critique directed at legendary producer Rick Rubin, with whom Slipknot collaborated on their 2004 album “Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses).”
Members of Slipknot have previously expressed mixed feelings about their experience working with Rubin and his hands-off approach during that project. In this interview, Crahan further advocated for the advantages of AI, emphasizing its potential benefits.
Our generation is going to hem and haw about AI. Do you think some kid in fourth grade who’s grown up on it agrees with you and I about how horrible AI is? This is the implemented tool of life today. You and I will never have enough money or power to sway anybody away from what life is doing. Life is moving forward. And AI is part of it. AI is the least of our worries on this planet. We currently are the worst of our worries and have always been the worst of our worries.”
