Static-X has spent a long time apart. In the 20-year lifespan of the metal band, they’ve taken many incarnations. For their latest tour, the surviving members of the band’s original lineup get together to celebrate the old times and honor their fallen friend.
Tony Campos, Ken Jay and Koichi Fukada are performing as Static-X at the House of Blues on Wednesday, November 13. Their new frontman, known only to the public as “Xer0” is filling in for their original lead singer Wayne Static.
The California band originated in the midwest, where guitarist and vocalist Static met drummer Ken Jay in a record shop. The duo relocated to California where they recruited Koichi Fukada as their guitarist / programmer, and Tony Campos solidified the group as the bass player.
Their aggressive niche of thrash metal was unique in its subtle techno and house influences. Among musical influencers like Korn and Pantera the group also lists artists like The Chemical Brothers and Joy Division.
Static-X debuted with the album Wisconsin Death Trip in 1999. Their lineup was shaky and interchangeable through the years, but they were able to crank out seven more successful albums before officially calling it quits in 2009.
During the band’s hiatus, Wayne Static put more of an emphasis on his solo project before reforming Static-X in 2012 without any of the original members. That band disbanded a year later, and Wayne died from an overdose the next year at 48.
Static-X Reunites
In 2018, original bassist Tony Campos revealed plans for the surviving members of Static-X’s original lineup to reunite and release a new album in 2019 called Project Regeneration, which will include previously unreleased tracks with Static’s vocals and guest vocals.
“It’s a bittersweet moment, because we’re missing a pretty important guy. It feels good just to get together and remember all the good times we had together, and that’s why we’re doing this”
– Tony Campos
The band is currently touring worldwide in support of the new album. The tour also coincides with the 20th anniversary of their debut album. Not to be without a frontman, the group will have an anonymous, masked frontman to replace Static. The man is simply known as “Xer0.”
Dope, Wednesday 13 and Raven Black support the show at the House of Blues. Doors open at 6 pm and the show starts at 6:25.