Michael Shawn Crahan (born September 24, 1969),[2] more commonly known by his stage persona "Clown", is an American musician.

Crahan helped form Slipknot in 1995 alongside bassist Paul Gray and former vocalist Anders Colsefni.

The lead vocalist, Anders Colsefni, played a second percussion kit, which gave the band a layered, distinctive drum sound.

He brought in Corey Taylor from another local band called Stone Sour, whose vocals were more melodic.

In Slipknot's early years, Crahan brought several dead cow heads on stage.

[6] 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.

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.

The band was a supporting act for Stone Sour during their North American tour in Summer 2007,[7] and have released one EP, titled Breeding.

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.

[11][12][13] Crahan also directed the music video for the song "A-M-E-R-I-C-A" by Motionless in White and "We Are" by Hollywood Undead.

), which existed briefly between 2001 and 2002 as a subsidiary of London-Sire Records, a Warner Music Group label.