Slipknot was founded in 1995 by Shawn Crahan and his friend Paul Gray in Iowa. The band had some issues solidifying membership for the first few years but eventually stablized to nine members. The band emerged into the public eye in 1999 with their self-titled album as well as their first appearance at Ozzfest. The band had many internal disputes which lead to many members leaving and a few breaks in the bands productivity in 2003, 2006, and 2009. In 2010 founding member Gray was found dead in his hotel room before the band was supposed to begin their tour. One of the most unique traits of this band are their masks and uniformity while performing. When asked about the masks the band members state that they started as a method to protect their privacy in their everyday lives then they gradually became the band’s signature. When performing each member wears the same outfit, typically a jumpsuit of some variety in addition to their masks. Upon the death of Grey each member appeared unmasked on a press release with Gray’s wife and brother.