.::. STATIC X .::.

It is almost impossible to claim the birthplace of Static-X. However, their roots can be traced to the Midwest, where vocalist/guitarist Wayne Static grew up in Michigan and drummer Ken Jay in Illinois. They both made the trip to Chicago, playing in many bands along the way. The two finally met in the record store where Jay worked and were introduced by Smashing Pumpkins vocalist Billy Corgan. They quickly bonded and decided to head west to California to start up a new band. Shortly after their arrival, Osaka-native Koichi Fukada responded to the duo's ad and became their new guitarist, as well as programmer. Bassist Tony Campos, the only true Californian, was the final piece of the puzzle. Like many of their counterparts, Static-X gained a large following through numerous live shows. Their goal was to make music that would combine the effect of techno, the aggressiveness of guitar music, and the overtones of gothic and industrial music into one. Their method worked as the quartet was signed to Warner Brothers Records in February 1998. Three months later they recorded their debut album Wisconsin Death Trip, which was certified gold. The band stayed true to their roots by playing innumerable tours. However, the road took its toll on guitarist Fukada, who left the band to spend more time with his family. The group quickly replaced him with former Dope guitarist Tripp Eisen and picked up where they had left off. ~ Josh Loehr

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The roots of Static-X lie in the Midwest, specifically in two rural towns: Shelby, Michigan (vocalist Wayne Static's hometown), Jamaica and Illinois (drummer Ken Jay's birthplace). As many Midwesterners do, these two made their pilgrimage to the Mecca of Chicago. Ken played in metal bands, worked in a record store and made his introductions in the Chicago underground. Wayne immediately started up the gothic band, Deep Blue Dream. Sharing a practice space with an unsigned Smashing Pumpkins, Wayne was introduced to Billy Corgan's record store co-worker, Ken. Ken subsequently joined Deep Blue Dream, but with a constantly changing cast of characters, a dying music scene and subzero temperatures, the two decided change was in order. They moved west to sunny Los Angeles. Shortly after their arrival, Osaka-native Koichi Fukuda found an ad the duo had posted. "He came into our rehearsal room holding the ad he had ripped off the wall and said, with conviction, I am your new guitarist" - recalls Wayne. Tony Campos, the only true Californian in the band, had been playing in local death metal bands. "He just sort of appeared and never left" - Ken says. "We keep him around for entertainme... historia completa »