The band's debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip, was released March 23, 1999. Notable songs from the album include Push It, I'm With Stupid, Bled For Days, and Fix. Static-X's touring schedule in support of the album included two Ozzfest stints. The following year saw the release of the little-known EP The Death Trip Continues, and the band contributed the song "Otsegolation" to the PlayStation video game Omega Boost. Push It also appeared on the Playstation video games Street Skater 2 & Duke Nukem: Land of the Babes.
After recording their follow-up album Machine, guitarist Koichi Fukuda left the band to spend time with his family and pursue other musical opportunities. Tripp Eisen, formerly of Dope, stepped in as Fukuda's replacement. Machine was released May 22, 2001.
Static-X quickly began work on their third album Shadow Zone, this time with Eisen performing and writing on the album. Before they started recording, however, Ken Jay left the band due to "political differences." Josh Freese of A Perfect Circle was brought in to drum on the album, and Nick Oshiro, formerly of Seether, was later selected as Jay's replacement. Shadow Zone was released October 7, 2003, and July 20, 2004 saw the release of Beneath... Between... Beyond..., a collection of rarities and demos. Later that year, Wayne did guest vocals on the Skinny Puppy song Use Less.
Shortly after the release of Beneath... Between... Beyond..., the band commenced work on their fourth studio album, Start a War. In February of 2005, Tripp Eisen was arrested in a sex scandal involving minors, and was fired from Static-X shortly after. Former guitarist Koichi Fukuda, who had been mixing the new album, rejoined Static-X to fill the vacancy left by Eisen. Start a War was released June 14, 2005.
Cannibal, released on April 3, 2007, marked the studio return of their original guitarist, Koichi Fukuda. One of the new tracks called "No Submission" is available on the Saw III soundtrack. The full track has also been released on Static-X's MySpace page. "Cannibal" was released as a digital download single at iTunes. "Destroyer" was released as a lead off radio single, before the album was released. Videos for the singles were supposed to be taken at the same time.
On March 20, the upcoming album was preceded with an exclusive Destroyer EP. The video for "Destroyer" has also been produced and is available now at headbangersball.com. The album itself debuted at #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, in a recent interview, Wayne Static announced his side-project called "Pighammer". The chorus of the song "Destroyer" was used in an advertisement promoting the latest video game in the WWE franchise, Smackdown vs. Raw 2008.
In November 2007, Tony Campos joined legendary industrial act Ministry as a temporary touring bassist for Ministry's C U LaTour in the wake of Paul Raven's death.
The band began their sixth studio album, Cult of Static, in January 2008 after returning from the Operation Annihilation tour in Australia. In a posting at the Static-X message boards Wayne Static said that this time around he is focusing on longer buildups and break downs like in the Wisconsin Death Trip days of the band, however the album still maintains the heaviness that was present on Cannibal.
On October 14, 2008 Static-X released their much anticipated live CD/DVD, Cannibal Killers Live. On December 11, 2008 Wayne Static confirmed on the Static-X Message Board the new 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 #16 on the Billboard 200 chart, the highest a Static-X album has ever been since their second studio album, Machine. A new Static-X song called "Lunatic" appeared on soundtrack to the movie Punisher: War Zone.
In 2009, the band performed at the Download Festival. It also was the first time the band made an appearance at Rock on the Range.After finishing their final tour dates in Australia at the end of 2009, Wayne Static announced on the band's official X-Boards that he will now be focusing on his side project Pighammer. In a follow up post he was quoted "It's doubtful I will do anything with Static-X for the next couple years" leading fans to interpret that the band is still together and just on hiatus.
Later, he revealed that Tony Campos had left the band, and Campos has since joined the metal band Soulfly, taking over from Bobby Burns. Koichi Fukuda went on to join industrial metal / ambient band Drugstore Fanatics.
In 2010, Wayne Static has been confirmed for Graspop Metal Meeting 2011 as part of his 'Pighammer' solo project. 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 will join him. Instead his solo band will tour under the name Static-X.
The band's musical styles are industrial metal, alternative metal, and occasionally nu metal. But the band rejected the nu metal label and they also call their music as "evil disco". The band are influenced by metal and industrial bands like Ministry and Fear Factory.
On 1st of November 2014, news surfaced of Wayne Static's death. At this point no formal reason has been published for his passing.
Static died on November 1, 2014 in Landers, California, three days before his 49th birthday. He had consumed half of an oxycodone pill as well as alcohol that morning before going to bed with his wife Tera Wray. She woke up later that day to find that he had died in his sleep. His family issued a statement stating that rumors of his death being drug-related were false, noting that he and Wray had stopped using illicit drugs in 2009. An autopsy later confirmed that Static had died of multiple prescription drug toxicity, consisting of the painkillers oxycodone, hydromorphone, and the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam combined with alcohol, though the report also noted that years of past "chronic prescription drug and alcohol abuse" was a contributing factor.
Former Static-X members Koichi Fukuda and Tony Campos paid tribute to Static. Static was cremated in California. A memorial rock show followed in Los Angeles, and a family service followed in Illinois. In 2019 it was announced that a new Static-X album would be coming out with a new lead singer named "Xer0", who is rumored to be Edsel Dope from the band Dope.
Static-X released an album titled “Project Regeneration Vol. 1” on July 10, 2020 that features completed tracks that use demos of Wayne’s voice. The original band lineup, minus Wayne Static, contributed to this album as a tribute to Wayne. There are a few songs with the entity, Xer0, involved and one featuring Al Jourgensen from the industrial metal band Ministry. Ulrich Wild returned to produce this album along with Edsel Dope.
After multiple pushed back dates, another album called “Project Regeneration Vol. 2” was released on January 26, 2024. It features the last of Wayne’s unfinished vocal demos as well as some Xer0 original tracks. This is the final volume of Project Regeneration.
Members
Xero – vocals, lead guitar (2019-present)
Tony Campos – bass, backing vocals (1994–present)
Koichi Fukuda – lead guitars (1994–2000, 2005–present)
Ken Jay – drums, percussion (1994–2002, 2019-present)
Former
Wayne Static – lead vocals, rhythm guitars, keyboards, programming (1994–2014)
Ashes – lead guitars (2012–2014)
Brent Ashley – bass (2012–2014)
Sean Davidson – drums, percussion (2012–2014)
Tripp Eisen – lead guitars (2001–2005)
Nick Oshiro – drums, percussion (2003–2012)
December
Static-X Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of long past days
I knew my worth
Put in my place
It's no surprise
I realize
Some time before
Sun shines through haze
I put my thoughts
Toward future days
It's no surprise
I close my eyes
And close the door
Feeling so old
Years pass like days
Fastly changing
So many ways
My eyes perceive
Yes I believe
In nothing more
The lyrics of Static-X's "December" appear to be about reflection and the passage of time. The opening lines suggest that the singer still feels the effects of events that occurred long ago, but they have come to terms with their place in the world ("I knew my worth / Put in my place"). The chorus focuses on the month of December, which is often associated with transition and new beginnings. The singer seems to be looking forward to the future, though they acknowledge the inevitability of change and the passage of time.
The second verse begins with an image of the sun shining through haze, which could represent the singer's optimism or hope for better days. The line "It's no surprise / I close my eyes" suggests that the singer is comfortable with uncertainty and is prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead. The final lines express a sense of weariness or resignation ("Feeling so old / Years pass like days"), but also a determination to persevere ("My eyes perceive / Yes I believe / In nothing more").
Overall, the lyrics of "December" evoke a sense of nostalgia, mixed with a cautious optimism for the future. The song seems to be about accepting the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it, while also holding onto a sense of purpose and self-worth.
Line by Line Meaning
I still feel the cold
I still feel the emotional pain of my past experiences
Of long past days
The past that has left me feeling cold happened long ago
I knew my worth
I had confidence and self-worth
Put in my place
Despite my confidence, I was humbled or knocked down by someone or something
It's no surprise
This realization I have now was somewhat expected
I realize
I come to understand something
Some time before
This realization happened a while ago
December
This cold, humbling experience happened in December specifically or symbolically represents a dark time of year
Sun shines through haze
Now I see a glimmer of hope for the future
I put my thoughts
I focus my attention
Toward future days
I am optimistic and looking ahead
I close my eyes
I block out distractions and focus inward
And close the door
I let go of the past and move on
Feeling so old
I feel worn down by life's experiences
Years pass like days
Time is moving too quickly
Fastly changing
Everything is constantly evolving and it's hard to keep up
So many ways
There are so many paths and options in life
My eyes perceive
I see and understand
Yes I believe
I have faith and trust
In nothing more
But I don't have any certainty in what the future holds
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANTONIO CAMPOS, KENNETH LACEY, KENNETH JAY LACEY, KOICHI FUKUDA, WAYNE WELLS, WAYNE R. (NOT STATIC-X) WELLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MłSTΛH TФΛÐ
During one fall, I started reading Neil Gaiman's American God's. It was the afternoon. It was cool, quiet and the light beamed in warm amber rays. I had also recently purchased the Wisconsin Death Trip album and was familiar with at that point. I like a bit of droning over silence. So I played this track, set it to repeat and started to read. (Played it real low, otherwise the lyrics would become a bit too distracting and it made the pitch at the end less insufferable.)
I get a sense of a despaired yet almost righteous march into winter, which felt complementary to what I was reading. A feeling of so much weight upon you while helplessly watching the incoming tide rushing to engulf and sweep you away. But the rhythm keeps you steadfast. You are a rock. The story keeps going.
The tone was set and then after became ritual.
Think I read a portion of the book while having a seat in the bathroom, otherwise, ritual.
Wisconsin Death Trip is really a solid album, I think their best and this track is so unique out of anything they've ever done and is a proper closing track.
Fantastic book too, should anyone be interested. It's recently become a television series on STARZ if you're not into literature, although, it needn't be said...
Andrés Vega
Still feel the cold
Of long past days
I know my worth
Put in my place
It's no surprise
I realize sometime before
December
Sun shines through haze
I put my throughs
Toward future days
It's no surprise
I close my eyes
And close the dolor
Feeling so old
Years pass like days
Fast-ly changing so many ways
My eyes perceive
Yes i believe
In nothing more.
Nova Mortumъ
Азъ чувствую
Ознобъ прошедшихъ дней.
И вѣдаю,
Что честь всѣгда при Мнѣ.
Се не дивитъ.
Азъ понялъ все
Съ недавнихъ поръ.
О, стоудень.
Лучъ свѣта мглу разсѣкъ -
Азъ говорю
О дняхъ грядущихъ лѣтъ.
Се не дивитъ.
Закрывъ глаза,
Азъ заперъ дверь.
Азъ чаю старь –
Года летятъ, что дни,
Летятъ стремглавъ.
Такъ много есть путей,
Чтобы Меня познать.
Да, болѣ Язъ не вѣрю ни во что!
DepriverOfSouls
I agree with those that love this song. It never gets old...only I do.
Irene Kilburn
Never does my friend when you live it daily every day all day 💯💯💯💯💯💯
Joe Nunez
@Salem Shepard ask me about how much i miss 1999/2000😭😭😭😭😭
Joe Nunez
Same..here. I first heard this 20 years ago and i dont know what it is about this song i love so much. 😣😣😪r.i.p Wayne😥😥
Andrew Wilson
Beautiful
Salem Shepard
I used to get high at night when everyone was asleep and go lay on my bed, close my eyes and listen to this song. Ah...I miss you 1999/2000.
Sawdoff85
Best track on the album. What a way to end one of the best metal albums in existence.
Joe Nunez
This album was one of a kind........it hit hard when it came out and still does
Torso the Clown
One of the few albums I can listen to start to finish. Every song is great.
Arrec Chartruese
December 2020 and this still hits as hard as it did the first time I heard it in 1999 🖤