Static-X
Static-X is an American industrial metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1994. The band's lineup has changed several times throughout its history, although founder, vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and frontman Wayne Static remained its central member until his death in 2014.
The band was founded by Wayne Static and drummer Ken Jay following the dissolution of Static's previous group, Deep Blue Dream, which had also included future "The Smashing Pumpkins" vocalist Billy Corgan. After relocating to Los Angeles, Static and Jay formed several projects with guitarist Emerson Swinford and bassist Tony Campos before adopting the name Static-X. Guitarist Koichi Fukuda later joined the group.
Static-X signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1998 and released its debut album, "Wisconsin Death Trip", on March 23, 1999. The album became associated with the late-1990s nu metal movement and was later certified platinum in the United States. Singles from the album included "Push It", "I'm with Stupid", and "Bled for Days". The band toured extensively in support of the release, including appearances on Ozzfest.
Following tensions within the group during the touring cycle for "Wisconsin Death Trip", Fukuda departed the band. Wayne Static wrote most of the material for the band's second album, "Machine", which was released in 2001 and later certified gold. Guitarist Tripp Eisen joined the band for touring activities.
In 2002, Wayne Static contributed vocals to the song "Not Meant for Me" for the soundtrack of the film "Queen of the Damned". The experience influenced the band's subsequent musical direction. Their third studio album, "Shadow Zone", was released in 2003 and featured a more melodic sound. It included the singles "The Only" and "So". During the album's production, Ken Jay left the band and was replaced by session drummer Josh Freese for recording and Nick Oshiro for touring.
In 2004, the compilation album "Beneath... Between... Beyond..." was released. During work on the fourth studio album, "Start a War", Tripp Eisen was dismissed from the band following his arrest in a criminal investigation involving minors. Koichi Fukuda subsequently rejoined the group. "Start a War" was released in 2005 and included the singles "I'm the One" and "Dirthouse".
The band's fifth studio album, "Cannibal", was released in 2007 and marked Fukuda's return to the recording lineup. Songs associated with the album included "Destroyer", "Cannibal", and "No Submission", the latter appearing on the soundtrack to "Saw III". During this period, Wayne Static also announced plans for a solo project titled "Pighammer".
Static-X released its sixth studio album, "Cult of Static", in 2009. The album reached number 16 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the band's highest-charting release since "Machine". Songs associated with the album included "Lunatic", which appeared on the soundtrack to "Punisher: War Zone". Drummer Nick Oshiro departed prior to touring and was replaced by Will Hunt for live performances.
Following touring activities in 2009, the band entered a period of inactivity amid internal tensions. Tony Campos joined the band Soulfly, while Wayne Static pursued solo work and released the album "Pighammer" in 2011. In 2012, Wayne Static revived the Static-X name with a touring lineup that did not include the original members. In June 2013, he announced the band's breakup.
Wayne Static continued performing material associated with Static-X until his death on November 1, 2014, at the age of 48. Initial statements from his wife Tera Wray stated that his death was not related to drug use. A coroner's report later determined that he died from a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol, although the death was ruled natural. Tera Wray died in 2016.
In October 2018, original members Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda, and Ken Jay announced the reformation of Static-X in tribute to Wayne Static. The group also announced the album "Project: Regeneration", consisting of unreleased recordings featuring Wayne Static's vocals and additional guest performances. During the subsequent reunion tour, the band performed with an unidentified masked vocalist known as "Xer0". Media and fan reaction to the presentation was mixed. Although the identity of Xer0 was initially undisclosed, Edsel Dope of the band Dope later confirmed his involvement.
"Project: Regeneration Vol. 1" was released in 2020 after delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The album featured the single "Hollow (Project Regeneration)". Work on "Project: Regeneration Vol. 2" continued afterward, and the album was eventually released on January 26, 2024. Its lead single was a cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Terrible Lie". The band toured in support of the release alongside acts including Fear Factory, Dope, Mushroomhead, Twiztid, and Sevendust.
In 2024, a documentary titled "Evil Disco: The Rise, Fall, and Regeneration of Static-X" was announced.
In early 2026, a dispute emerged between Mikael Johnston of Mephisto Odyssey and members associated with Static-X and Dope regarding the release of "Crash: Reborn", an updated version of the 2000 collaboration track "Crash" featuring Wayne Static. Johnston alleged that representatives associated with the band had attempted to delay or block the release. Despite the dispute, the project was ultimately released following legal clearance through Warner Bros.
Static-X performed at the "Welcome to Rockville" festival in May 2026. Later that month, the band announced the cancellation of its remaining 2026 tour dates because of unspecified medical issues, while stating that it intended to resume touring in 2027.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static-X
Studio albums
Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)
Machine (2001)
Shadow Zone (2003)
Start a War (2005)
Cannibal (2007)
Cult of Static (2009)
Project: Regeneration Vol. 1 (2020)
Project: Regeneration Vol. 2 (2024)
The band was founded by Wayne Static and drummer Ken Jay following the dissolution of Static's previous group, Deep Blue Dream, which had also included future "The Smashing Pumpkins" vocalist Billy Corgan. After relocating to Los Angeles, Static and Jay formed several projects with guitarist Emerson Swinford and bassist Tony Campos before adopting the name Static-X. Guitarist Koichi Fukuda later joined the group.
Static-X signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1998 and released its debut album, "Wisconsin Death Trip", on March 23, 1999. The album became associated with the late-1990s nu metal movement and was later certified platinum in the United States. Singles from the album included "Push It", "I'm with Stupid", and "Bled for Days". The band toured extensively in support of the release, including appearances on Ozzfest.
Following tensions within the group during the touring cycle for "Wisconsin Death Trip", Fukuda departed the band. Wayne Static wrote most of the material for the band's second album, "Machine", which was released in 2001 and later certified gold. Guitarist Tripp Eisen joined the band for touring activities.
In 2002, Wayne Static contributed vocals to the song "Not Meant for Me" for the soundtrack of the film "Queen of the Damned". The experience influenced the band's subsequent musical direction. Their third studio album, "Shadow Zone", was released in 2003 and featured a more melodic sound. It included the singles "The Only" and "So". During the album's production, Ken Jay left the band and was replaced by session drummer Josh Freese for recording and Nick Oshiro for touring.
In 2004, the compilation album "Beneath... Between... Beyond..." was released. During work on the fourth studio album, "Start a War", Tripp Eisen was dismissed from the band following his arrest in a criminal investigation involving minors. Koichi Fukuda subsequently rejoined the group. "Start a War" was released in 2005 and included the singles "I'm the One" and "Dirthouse".
The band's fifth studio album, "Cannibal", was released in 2007 and marked Fukuda's return to the recording lineup. Songs associated with the album included "Destroyer", "Cannibal", and "No Submission", the latter appearing on the soundtrack to "Saw III". During this period, Wayne Static also announced plans for a solo project titled "Pighammer".
Static-X released its sixth studio album, "Cult of Static", in 2009. The album reached number 16 on the Billboard 200 chart, making it the band's highest-charting release since "Machine". Songs associated with the album included "Lunatic", which appeared on the soundtrack to "Punisher: War Zone". Drummer Nick Oshiro departed prior to touring and was replaced by Will Hunt for live performances.
Following touring activities in 2009, the band entered a period of inactivity amid internal tensions. Tony Campos joined the band Soulfly, while Wayne Static pursued solo work and released the album "Pighammer" in 2011. In 2012, Wayne Static revived the Static-X name with a touring lineup that did not include the original members. In June 2013, he announced the band's breakup.
Wayne Static continued performing material associated with Static-X until his death on November 1, 2014, at the age of 48. Initial statements from his wife Tera Wray stated that his death was not related to drug use. A coroner's report later determined that he died from a combination of prescription drugs and alcohol, although the death was ruled natural. Tera Wray died in 2016.
In October 2018, original members Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda, and Ken Jay announced the reformation of Static-X in tribute to Wayne Static. The group also announced the album "Project: Regeneration", consisting of unreleased recordings featuring Wayne Static's vocals and additional guest performances. During the subsequent reunion tour, the band performed with an unidentified masked vocalist known as "Xer0". Media and fan reaction to the presentation was mixed. Although the identity of Xer0 was initially undisclosed, Edsel Dope of the band Dope later confirmed his involvement.
"Project: Regeneration Vol. 1" was released in 2020 after delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The album featured the single "Hollow (Project Regeneration)". Work on "Project: Regeneration Vol. 2" continued afterward, and the album was eventually released on January 26, 2024. Its lead single was a cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Terrible Lie". The band toured in support of the release alongside acts including Fear Factory, Dope, Mushroomhead, Twiztid, and Sevendust.
In 2024, a documentary titled "Evil Disco: The Rise, Fall, and Regeneration of Static-X" was announced.
In early 2026, a dispute emerged between Mikael Johnston of Mephisto Odyssey and members associated with Static-X and Dope regarding the release of "Crash: Reborn", an updated version of the 2000 collaboration track "Crash" featuring Wayne Static. Johnston alleged that representatives associated with the band had attempted to delay or block the release. Despite the dispute, the project was ultimately released following legal clearance through Warner Bros.
Static-X performed at the "Welcome to Rockville" festival in May 2026. Later that month, the band announced the cancellation of its remaining 2026 tour dates because of unspecified medical issues, while stating that it intended to resume touring in 2027.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Static-X
Studio albums
Wisconsin Death Trip (1999)
Machine (2001)
Shadow Zone (2003)
Start a War (2005)
Cannibal (2007)
Cult of Static (2009)
Project: Regeneration Vol. 1 (2020)
Project: Regeneration Vol. 2 (2024)
