Interview by Kris Peters
When the enigmatic and universally loved frontman of LA industrial/heavy outfit Static X passed away in 2014 many thought that was the end for the band as well.
Wayne Static WAS Static X - just by virtue of the name alone - and to try and find anyone to replicate his on stage intensity was thought to be futile.
The band who had given the world the groundbreaking album Wisconsin Death Trip and the industrial alt-rock hybrid Evil Disco, shaking metal from its stagnant state and redefining what can be done with heavy music, was rudderless and without the emotional capability to continue.
Wayne's passing - after long periods of unrest within the band - seemed to be the final debilitating factor in the future longevity of Static X but behind the scenes the three founding members of Static X, Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda and Ken Jay were scouring the musical landscape for someone who could not only fill Waynes shoes musically, but would also be accepted by their fanatically loyal fanbase.
In 2019 the trio recruited a still unidentified mask wearing enigma as vocalist who went by the name Xer0 and despite initial skepticism and often downright hostility from some members of the public, Static X have been reborn as both a live and recording unit and will arrive in Australia for three shows starting in Melbourne on May 19 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wisconsin Death Trip.
Sensational live footage of their US tour has leaked on social media which justifies the current hype surrounding Static X, with the show as much a visual spectacle as it is aural, complete with a stunning new outfit for Xer0.
Bass player Tony Campos joined HEAVY recently to discuss the tour and a host of other things relating to Static X, starting with how much of Wisconsin Death Trip they will be playing as part of the anniversary celebrations.
"We will be playing... I won't say most of it," he offered, "but we'll be playing a lot of cuts off that album."
Campos has been quoted as saying that as well as playing songs from that album and Machine, Static X are also going to throw in "a couple of nice surprises" so, not being ones to like surprises, we asked him if he would share the knowledge.
"It depends on who the surprise is coming from," he laughed. "If you want a clue check out any of the interviews from the last couple of shows that we've been doing here in the States to get an idea."
Static X will also be celebrating the life and legacy - as they do with every show - of Wayne Static, which although gives the fans an inside glimpse into the mechanisms of the band with Wayne out front, would also be emotionally draining on the surviving members night after night.
"Being together with my friends that were there with me in the beginning and having that comaraderie with those guys keeps the vibe positive," he measured. "It keeps it focussed on all the good things we achieved together."
In the full interview Tony talks more about what to expect from the shows, how different it is having Xer0 out the front to when Wayne was there, losing Wayne and the decision to move on without him, initial negative feedback from fans and how it affected the band, the new stage show and what it entails, the early days of Static X and where they fit in, creating their sound and introducing it to a new audience, at what stage of the bands life did he personally feel they were onto something good, how they made their last two albums Project: Regeneration Volumes 1 and 2 after Wayne's passing, future new music with Xer0 at the helm and more.
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