Static-X Compilation Albums
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Static-X is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1994. The line-up has fluctuated over the years, but was long-held constant with band founder, frontman, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Wayne Static until his death in 2014. The band was founded by Wayne Static and original drummer Ken Jay. They rose to fame with their 1999 debut album ''
Wisconsin Death Trip ''Wisconsin Death Trip'' is a 1973 historical nonfiction book by Michael Lesy, originally published by Pantheon Books. It charts numerous sordid, tragic, and bizarre incidents that took place in and around Jackson County, Wisconsin between 188 ...
'' where their heavy industrial metal sound attracted attention within the burgeoning
nu metal Nu metal (sometimes stylized as nü-metal, sometimes called aggro-metal) is a subgenre of that combines elements of heavy metal music with elements of other music genres such as hip hop, alternative rock, funk, industrial, and grunge. Nu met ...
movement of the late 1990s, with the album eventually going platinum in the United States. The band released five more albums over the course of the next decade: ''
Machine A machine is a physical system using Power (physics), power to apply Force, forces and control Motion, movement to perform an action. The term is commonly applied to artificial devices, such as those employing engines or motors, but also to na ...
'' in 2001, '' Shadow Zone'' in 2003, '' Start a War'' in 2005, '' Cannibal'' in 2007, and '' Cult of Static'' in 2009. The band entered a hiatus while Static worked on his solo album, '' Pighammer'', in 2011. Static briefly reformed Static-X in 2012, using only members of his solo album's touring band, before officially breaking up in June 2013. On November 1, 2014, Wayne Static died at the age of 48. The rest of the original Static-X lineup – bassist Tony Campos, guitarist Koichi Fukuda and drummer Ken Jay – announced on October 23, 2018 that they were reforming the band in Static's honor, and would release '' Project: Regeneration Vol. 1'', their first studio album in eleven years, in 2020.


History


Formation, ''Wisconsin Death Trip'' and ''Machine'' (1994–2001)

Static-X was founded in 1994 after the disbandment of Wayne Static's prior band, Deep Blue Dream. Static played in the band in the late 1980s with future
Smashing Pumpkins Smash may refer to: People * Smash (wrestler) (born 1959), professional wrestler * Moondog Rex, another professional wrestler who briefly wrestled as the original Smash, before being replaced by the above. * DJ Smash, DJ and music producer Art, ...
frontman
Billy Corgan William Patrick Corgan Jr. (born March 17, 1967) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the lead singer, primary songwriter, guitarist, and only permanent member of the rock band the ...
. However, when the Smashing Pumpkins began to gain popularity, Corgan made the choice to commit all of his attention to The Smashing Pumpkins, and the band eventually disbanded. Static and Ken Jay later moved to Los Angeles to start a new band with guitarist
Emerson Swinford Emerson Swinford, a native of Chicago, is a Los Angeles-based guitarist, composer/songwriter and producer. He is currently a guitarist in the Rod Stewart band, and was formerly a member of the band Drill, a precursor to industrial- nu metal gro ...
, whom they had met through their mutual friend, Chicago singer-songwriter, PJ Olsson. They formed a band called Drill, which included Tony Campos on bass and started performing in the LA music scene. After Swinford left to pursue touring and session work, they recruited guitarist Koichi Fukuda, and renamed the band Static; however, during the recording of their debut album, they realized there were multiple other bands named Static, and subsequently renamed the band to Static-X. Static-X signed with Warner Bros. Records in early 1998, and released their debut album, ''
Wisconsin Death Trip ''Wisconsin Death Trip'' is a 1973 historical nonfiction book by Michael Lesy, originally published by Pantheon Books. It charts numerous sordid, tragic, and bizarre incidents that took place in and around Jackson County, Wisconsin between 188 ...
'', on March 23, 1999. Soon after, they released their first single " Push It", followed by " I'm with Stupid" and " Bled for Days" in 2000. Static-X toured strictly in support of the album and twice performed on Ozzfest, supporting Fear Factory. In the following year, a promotional EP, ''
The Death Trip Continues ''The Death Trip Continues...'' is the first extended play, EP by American industrial metal band Static-X, released in 2000. It is a follow-up to their debut album, ''Wisconsin Death Trip (album), Wisconsin Death Trip''. This EP was a promo CD ...
'', was also released. The band toured heavily in support of the album, with Static recounting:
"It was really just a whirlwind and I barely remember it. We worked so hard and toured so hard that I don't even remember most of it. We played 300 shows in the first year and we just never went home. We would tour on one tour for six or eight weeks and that tour would end somewhere on the East Coast and we'd drive a couple days and hook up with
Slayer Slayer was an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California. The band was formed in 1981 by guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style ...
and tour with them for four or five weeks. That tour ends and then we'd drive a few days to Boston to hook up with Sevendust. We just kept going and kept going and never went home. I mean I didn't even have a home. I lived at the rehearsal space for the last year before we started touring. I had to quit my job to make the record so I didn't have anywhere to even go home to...I look back at it now and I kinda wish I had taken the time to sit back and appreciate it more. Maybe got to know some of the other bands a little more and spend time and having a good time and partying and maybe taking some pictures of the other guys."
Commercially, the effort paid off, with the album eventually going platinum in 2001. The follow-up tour was documented on the DVD ''Where the Hell Are We and What Day Is It... This Is Static-X''. However, the pressure of recording a follow-up was hard on Static and the rest of the band. Static, worried they would be unable to deliver another successful album, desired to start work on follow up material while still touring in support of ''Wisconsin Death Trip'', while the rest of the band wanted to focus on enjoying the touring. Without support, Static took matters into his own hands, writing all of the material himself over the course of the two years of touring. This caused friction from within the band, who resented Static for not waiting for them or including them in on the creation process, of which all members had been part of in the prior album. Fukuda would leave the band upon the conclusion of the tour, leading the band to record the album as a three-piece; Static would later describe the split both as "amicable" and "definitely not ..amicable". Despite this, the band still managed to find success, with the second album, ''
Machine A machine is a physical system using Power (physics), power to apply Force, forces and control Motion, movement to perform an action. The term is commonly applied to artificial devices, such as those employing engines or motors, but also to na ...
'', releasing on May 22, 2001, and eventually being certified gold with 500,000 units sold. Tripp Eisen replaced Fukuda on guitar for touring in support of the album.


''Shadow Zone'' and ''Start a War'' (2002–2006)

In 2002, Static was contacted by Jonathan Davis of the nu metal band
Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn, or occasionally KoRn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band is notable for pioneering the nu metal genre and bringing it into the mainstream. Originally formed in 1993 ...
. Davis had recently signed on to provide the soundtrack for the '' Queen of the Damned'' film soundtrack, but due to contract limitations with Sony, was legally unable to actually perform the music he had written for the soundtrack. As a remedy of this, Davis contacted a number of metal vocalists, Static included, to sing on the songs he had written. Static provided vocals for one track, "Not Meant for Me", with the ''Queen of the Damned'' soundtrack releasing in February 2002. The contribution was a turning point for the band; the track, which was much more melodic than much of the band's music up until that point, would attract the attention of Warner Brother's executive Tom Whalley, who pressured the band as a whole to pursue a melodic sound. Personnel and line-up changes would further alter the band's sound. The label would not allow the band to work again with record producer
Ulrich Wild Ulrich Wild is an American record producer, engineer and mixer specializing in the rock and metal genres. Born and raised in Switzerland, Ulrich is now a naturalized citizen in the United States, living in Los Angeles, California. In a career tha ...
as they had for their prior two albums, instead arranging for them to work with Josh Abraham, a producer known for working with more commercially melodically mainstream bands such as
Staind Staind ( ) is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and dr ...
, Filter, and Velvet Revolver. The album was the first to feature Eisen's songwriting contributions and performances, and the only to feature sessions drummer
Josh Freese Joshua Ryan Freese (born December 25, 1972) is an American session drummer. He is the son of tuba soloist Stan Freese and the older brother of musician Jason Freese. He is a member of the Vandals (since 1989) and Devo (since 1996), having forme ...
, of
A Perfect Circle A Perfect Circle is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan. A Perfect Circle has released four studio albums, the first three during the early 2000s: ' ...
, due to Jay leaving the band two days before beginning the formal recording process. Jay has been reluctant to talk about his reasons for leaving, but implied it was Static's escalating substance abuse. The band's third album, '' Shadow Zone'', was released on October 7, 2003, and debuted at no. 20 on the ''Billboard'' 200 charts, but failed to achieve the platinum or gold selling status of their prior two albums. Two singles were released to promote the album, " The Only" and " So". The band proceeded to hire on Nick Oshiro, formerly of
Seether Seether are a South African rock band founded in 1999 in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa. The band originally performed under the name Saron Gas until 2002, when they moved to the United States and changed it to Seether to avoid confusion wit ...
, was selected as Jay's replacement and the band's permanent drummer, to tour in support of the album. July 20, 2004 saw the release of '' Beneath... Between... Beyond...'', a collection of rarities and demos. Shortly after the release of ''Beneath... Between... Beyond...'', the band toured again with Fear Factory, and commenced work on their fourth studio album, '' Start a War''. In February 2005, Tripp Eisen was arrested in a sex scandal involving minors, and was subsequently fired from the band. Former guitarist Koichi Fukuda, who had been providing samples and keyboards for the new album, rejoined Static-X to fill the gap left by Eisen. ''Start a War'' was finally released on June 14, 2005. "I'm the One" and "Dirthouse" were released as singles from the album.


''Cannibal'' and ''Cult of Static'' (2007–2009)

Their fifth album, '' Cannibal'', released on April 3, 2007, marked the studio return of their original guitarist, Koichi Fukuda. One of the new tracks called "No Submission" was released on the '' Saw III soundtrack'' prior to the album's release. " Cannibal" was released as a digital download single at
iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...
. "
Destroyer In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast, manoeuvrable, long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against powerful short range attackers. They were originally developed in ...
" was released as a lead off radio single, before the album was released. On March 20, the album was preceded with an exclusive ''Destroyer'' EP, with a video being produced for the title track. The album itself debuted at No. 36 in the U.S. with sales of over 30,000. On May 10, 2007 it was announced that the band would be playing on the main stage at Ozzfest 2007. Additionally, at the time, Static first announced his intention to release solo material, referring to it as "Pighammer". In the meantime, in November 2007, Campos temporarily joined
Ministry Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian ...
as a touring bassist for Ministry's C U LaTour in the wake of Paul Raven's death. The band began working on their sixth studio album, '' Cult of Static'', in January 2008 after returning from the Operation Annihilation tour in Australia. Static stated they intended to mix the longer buildups and break downs from ''Wisconsin Death Trip'' with the heaviness that was present on ''Cannibal''. On October 14, 2008 Static-X released their live CD/DVD, '' Cannibal Killers Live''. On December 11, 2008 Static revealed the album's release date and name saying "I had hoped to announce it here first, but my publicist beat me to the punch! The new record is indeed entitled '' Cult of Static'' and will be released March 17. The "cult" part of the title is not to be taken in any religious manner, I am referring to and giving respect to the loyalty of all you good people that have supported us through the years. This record is definitely darker than ''Cannibal'' and has more synths and loops as well. And this is also the most crushing guitar tone I have ever had. There are 11 songs instead of our usual 12, and they are mostly longer and more epic than ever before." The album debut at No. 16 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart, the highest since their second studio album, ''Machine''. A new Static-X song called "Lunatic" appeared on soundtrack to the movie '' Marvel's Punisher: War Zone''. Drummer Nick Oshiro left Static-X prior to the start of the tour, being replaced by touring drummer Will Hunt. The tour in support of the album lasted for the rest of the year, playing major concerts such as the
Download Festival Download Festival is a British-created rock festival created by Terrance Gough, held annually at the Donington Park motorsport circuit in Leicestershire, England (since 2003); in Paris, France (since 2016); at Parramatta Park, Sydney (since 201 ...
and Rock on the Range.


Hiatus, breakup and Wayne Static's death (2010–2017)

After finishing their final tour dates in Australia at the end of 2009, the band began to cave to Static's friction with the rest of the band: Fukuda wanted to focus more on his new family, and Oshiro's newfound sobriety was clashing with Static's substance abuse; Campos would later call this stage of the band a "toxic environment". Static announced that he would be focusing on his side project, then tentatively titled Pighammer. He later revealed that Campos had left the band, and eventually joined the metal band Soulfly. but clarified that the band had not broken up, but rather, members were just doing different projects at the time - Campos maintains he never left the band. Static began his solo touring in 2011, most notably playing at Graspop Metal Meeting 2011. He released his debut solo album '' Pighammer'' on October 4, 2011. In 2012, Wayne Static decided to reform Static-X, but none of the original members would join him. Instead his solo band would tour under the name Static-X. In June 2013, Static announced Static-X's official break-up. Static blamed it on a disagreement with Campos over the rights of the band; citing that Campos was paid by Wayne for the use of the name while touring, but during that tour, Wayne took ill; in a 2019 post, former tour manager Eric Dinkelmann claimed, however, that the illness was just an official cover and the real reason for the tour cancellation was "a drug bust", which Campos would later also allude to. Static ended the band soon afterwards. Despite breaking up the band, Static still performed the band's music under his own name and solo band in 2014, most notably playing the ''Wisconsin Death Trip'' album in its entirety to celebrate the album's fifteenth anniversary. On November 1, 2014, Wayne Static died at the age of 48. Static's wife,
Tera Wray Tera Wray (born Tera Elizabeth Lents; April 14, 1982 – January 13, 2016) was an American pornographic actress. In his biography of Wray, performing arts researcher Harris M. Lentz III referred to her as "a star of alternative pornography". Ear ...
, released a statement stating that despite Static's prior history of drug use, he had stopped his drug use in 2009, and that his death was not drug or overdose related. Despite her claims, the coroner's report, released in March 2015, indicated that his death was the result of a combination of excessive prescription drugs and alcohol in his system, though the
manner of death In many legal jurisdictions, the manner of death is a determination, typically made by the coroner, medical examiner, police, or similar officials, and recorded as a vital statistic. Within the United States and the United Kingdom, a distinc ...
was deemed "natural." Wray herself died of suicide in 2016.


Reunion and ''Project: Regeneration Vol. 1'' and ''Vol. 2'' (2018–present)

On October 23, 2018, original members Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda and Ken Jay revealed plans for Static-X to reunite and to release a new album in 2019 called ''Project Regeneration'', which would include previously unreleased tracks with Wayne Static's vocals and guest vocals by David Draiman, Ivan Moody, Dez Fafara,
Burton C. Bell Burton Christopher Bell (born February 19, 1969) is an American musician and vocalist. He is best known as the co-founder and former frontman of the metal band Fear Factory. Until 2021 he was the only member to perform on all of the band's album ...
, Al Jourgensen,
Edsel Dope Brian Ebejer (born March 21, 1974), known professionally as Edsel Dope, is an American musician who is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for nu metal/industrial metal band Dope. Dope was founded in 1997 by Edsel and his bro ...
and others. The band also embarked on a worldwide tour in 2019 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album ''
Wisconsin Death Trip ''Wisconsin Death Trip'' is a 1973 historical nonfiction book by Michael Lesy, originally published by Pantheon Books. It charts numerous sordid, tragic, and bizarre incidents that took place in and around Jackson County, Wisconsin between 188 ...
'' as well as a memorial to Wayne Static, featuring an unidentified vocalist named "Xer0" wearing a mask some confused to be that of Wayne Static. This decision received mixed feedback, with some journalists calling it a "creepy Wayne Static
cosplay Cosplay, a portmanteau of "costume play", is an activity and performance art in which participants called cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to represent a specific character. Cosplayers often interact to create a subculture, ...
" and "zombie Wayne Static". The band insisted that Static's family gave the band their blessing, and Jay noted that it fit Static's "terrifically morbid sense of humour". While Xer0's identity has never been officially revealed, speculation has generally pointed at Dope singer
Edsel Dope Brian Ebejer (born March 21, 1974), known professionally as Edsel Dope, is an American musician who is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for nu metal/industrial metal band Dope. Dope was founded in 1997 by Edsel and his bro ...
, though Edsel himself has denied this. The mask was made by Laney Chantal, wife of Twiggy Ramirez. On February 6, 2020, the band released the first new song from their forthcoming and renamed album '' Project: Regeneration Vol. 1'' titled "Hollow (Project Regeneration)". and announced that ''Project Regeneration'' would now consist of two volumes, both with at least 10 songs, all of them with vocals by Wayne Static. The album was slated to be released May 15, 2020, but was eventually pushed to be released on July 10, 2020 due to the manufacturing delays associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The band resumed work on ''Volume 2'' shortly after the release of the first volume. On August 22, 2021, Campos stated that the band is currently working on ''Project: Regeneration Vol. 2'', which will also consist of recovered material, as well as entirely new songs.


Musical style and influences

Static-X has been described as
industrial metal Industrial metal is the fusion of heavy metal and industrial music, typically employing repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Prominent industrial metal acts include Ministry, Nine In ...
,
nu metal Nu metal (sometimes stylized as nü-metal, sometimes called aggro-metal) is a subgenre of that combines elements of heavy metal music with elements of other music genres such as hip hop, alternative rock, funk, industrial, and grunge. Nu met ...
, alternative metal, rap metal,
hard rock Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest hard ...
, and
industrial pop Industrial music is a genre of music that draws on harsh, mechanical, transgressive or provocative sounds and themes. AllMusic defines industrial music as the "most abrasive and aggressive fusion of rock and electronic music" that was "initiall ...
. Self-described as "evil
disco Disco is a genre of dance music and a subculture that emerged in the 1970s from the United States' urban nightlife scene. Its sound is typified by four-on-the-floor beats, syncopated basslines, string sections, brass and horns, electric pia ...
", Static-X's style, according to '' The Washington Post'', "combines electronic elements influenced by
industrial Industrial may refer to: Industry * Industrial archaeology, the study of the history of the industry * Industrial engineering, engineering dealing with the optimization of complex industrial processes or systems * Industrial city, a city dominate ...
artists such as
Ministry Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian ...
and
Skinny Puppy Skinny Puppy is a Canadian industrial music group formed in Vancouver in 1982. The group is among the founders of the industrial rock and electro-industrial genres. Initially envisioned as an experimental side-project by cEvin Key (Kevin Crompton ...
with the harshness of bands like
Pantera Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...
". Static-X's style also has used elements of genres such as techno, speed metal, and thrash metal. Wayne Static has cited
house music House is a music genre characterized by a repetitive Four on the floor (music), four-on-the-floor beat and a typical tempo of 120 beats per minute. It was created by Disc jockey, DJs and music producers from Chicago metropolitan area, Chicago' ...
as an influence on Static-X's music. Static also has said that throughout 1994 to 1996, he listened to
the Prodigy The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music band formed in Braintree, Essex, in 1990 by producer, keyboard player and songwriter Liam Howlett. The original line-up also featured dancer and singer Keith Flint and dancer and occasional l ...
and the Crystal Method. Static has said that he "imagined Static-X was gonna be like a Prodigy or a Crystal Method and more of an electronic-based thing". Static-X's influences include the Crystal Method, the Prodigy, Prong,
Pantera Pantera () is an American heavy metal music, heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas formed in 1981, and currently comprised of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-kn ...
,
Ministry Ministry may refer to: Government * Ministry (collective executive), the complete body of government ministers under the leadership of a prime minister * Ministry (government department), a department of a government Religion * Christian ...
,
Korn Korn (stylized as KoЯn, or occasionally KoRn) is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The band is notable for pioneering the nu metal genre and bringing it into the mainstream. Originally formed in 1993 ...
, the Sisters of Mercy, the Chemical Brothers, Joy Division, Kiss, Mortician, Fear Factory and
Crowbar A crowbar, also called a wrecking bar, pry bar or prybar, pinch-bar, or occasionally a prise bar or prisebar, colloquially, in Britain and Australia sometimes called a jemmy or jimmy (also called jemmy bar), gooseneck, or pig foot, is a tool ...
. A recurring mention in the band's material was the mention of "Otsego", a reference to Otsego, Michigan, with songs named after the town including "Otsegolation", "Otsego Undead", "Otsegolectric", "Otsego Amigo", "Disco Otsego" and "Otsego Placebo"; Wayne Static attended Western Michigan University and at the time used a fake ID that claimed he was "Dean from Otsego".


Band members

Current members * Tony Campos – bass, backing vocals (1994–2010, 2018–present) * Koichi Fukuda – lead guitar, keyboards, programming (1994–2000, 2005–2010, 2018–present) * Ken Jay – drums (1994–2003, 2018–present) *
Xer0 Brian Ebejer (born March 21, 1974), known professionally as Edsel Dope, is an American musician who is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for nu metal/industrial metal band Dope. Dope was founded in 1997 by Edsel and his bro ...
– lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2019–present) Former members * Wayne Static – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1994–2010, 2012–2013; died 2014); keyboards, programming (2001–2005, 2012–2013) * Tripp Eisen – lead guitar (2000–2005) *Nick Oshiro – drums (2003–2009) * Brent Ashley – bass, backing vocals (2012) * Andy the Kid – bass, backing vocals (2012–2013) *Diego Ibarra – lead guitar (2012–2013) *Sean Davidson – drums (2012–2013) Touring members * Will Hunt – drums (2009) *Bevan Davies – drums (2009–2010) Timeline


Discography

Studio albums *''
Wisconsin Death Trip ''Wisconsin Death Trip'' is a 1973 historical nonfiction book by Michael Lesy, originally published by Pantheon Books. It charts numerous sordid, tragic, and bizarre incidents that took place in and around Jackson County, Wisconsin between 188 ...
'' (1999) *''
Machine A machine is a physical system using Power (physics), power to apply Force, forces and control Motion, movement to perform an action. The term is commonly applied to artificial devices, such as those employing engines or motors, but also to na ...
'' (2001) *'' Shadow Zone'' (2003) *'' Start a War'' (2005) *'' Cannibal'' (2007) *'' Cult of Static'' (2009) *'' Project: Regeneration Vol. 1'' (2020)


References


Further reading

*


External links

* * {{Authority control 1994 establishments in California American alternative metal musical groups American industrial metal musical groups Nu metal musical groups from California Musical groups established in 1994 Musical groups disestablished in 2010 Musical groups reestablished in 2012 Musical groups disestablished in 2013 Musical groups reestablished in 2018 Musical groups from Los Angeles Musical quartets Reprise Records artists Warner Records artists