In February of 2000 Vince Carter put on the most electrifying display by a single human at an NBA Slam Dunk contest. Just a week later I went to my first ever live music concert. My college friend Bill had been introducing me to bands like Deftones, Staind, and many more hard rock and metal acts. When he learned I had never been to a concert, he said that I should go see Static-X with him and that he was sure I would like it. On Februrary 18 we went to Roseland Ballroom in NYC for my first show. When we got there the line wrapped around the building and we ended up missing the openers, Chevelle, much to my disappointment. However, once inside we made our way close to the front for the beginning of Dope's set. So they were the first ever band that I saw on stage! Bill described them as "scuzzy" and said I didn't have to like them. Their style and songs weren't the best thing in the world, but I didn't hate them either. Then we pushed towards center stage for Static-X. They played 10 songs off of Wisconsin Death Trip. Thier second single had just dropped. Wayne's hair was spiked tall and his beard was a long rope. His mannerisms and the music were infectious, and by the end of the set I thought it was just about the coolest thing I had ever seen. The headliner Powerman 5000 was also good, but I was more of a fan of Static-X. Prior to this show I knew little about industrial metal and hadn't listened to much music this heavy. If I hadn't seen it live in-person, I don't know if I would have been as open to it, but now I was hooked. I went on to see at least 164 more concerts (that I have documented) including four more shows with Wayne fronting Static-X and then two with his "replacement" Xer0.
Fast forward to Saturday February 10, 2024 and I arrived at Starland Ballroom to see the "Machine Killer" tour with Lines of Loyalty, Dope, Sevendust and Static-X. The show was sold out and by the time I got into the venue at about 6:35PM the first band was almost done. Not for nothing, but 6:15 is an early start time for a weekend show! Anyway, Lines of Loyalty come from Kinosha, WI and just released their debut album. From the two songs I heard they sounded like a heavier Pop Evil and I'd give them another listen. Dope went on at about 7PM. They opened with Blood Money which came out in 2016 and finished with their cover of You Spin Me Round, the same way they did the last time I saw them in 2019. The girl behind me said that she felt cheated because they didn't even play the full song. Then there was a long wait before Sevendust took the stage. They definitely could have played a few more songs, but most people believe that the lead singer, Edsel Dope, is also Xer0, the new frontman of Static-X in which case it makes sense that he save his energy. Edsel did thank the crowd and all the other bands. He asked who saw their first tour with Static-X in 1999/2000 and I was able to proudly raise my horns and shout in the affirmative. Little does he know that this very tour sparked my love of concert going and poured gasoline on my love for metal.
After an interlude which included songs on the PA ranging from Pantera to Neil Diamond, Sevendust took the stage at 8PM. They played a good mix of 14 songs from 8 different albums. It was a completely different setlist and vibe from the last time I saw them on the Animosity anniversary tour. Lajon seemed to have fun interacting with the crowd, and the sold-out crowd was loving them in return. Last time the crowd loved them too, but when they headlined they actually destroyed with their energy. This night they were just out there having a good time. Having seen them four times now in the last 20 years, I am confident saying Sevendust is one of the best live acts I've ever witnessed. They are one of the few bands that transform on stage and outperform their recordings in an almost inexplicable way. Their first ever single from 1997, Black, is still a fan favorite and the message is still relevant. Check out a video from the night here.
About 40 minutes went by before Static-X came out. I'm used to long breaks between sets from back in the day, but it doesn't make much sense at shows like this one where the equipment has already been set up on stage and sound check has been completed in advance. I also noticed that the video screen never came down all night. Usually Starland runs ads on a projection screen in between sets. The only time people got to cheer for IHOP is when the guitarist from Dope flashed the back of his guitar with an IHOP sign on it. When Static-X did come out on stage they were joined by a large monster guy with a large, round, light-up head. Lead singer Xer0 has updated his costume with more wiry looking hair, headphones, and red light up eyes instead of a plain mask. His face and arms look machine like. As mentioned previously, it is believed to be Edsel Dope under the mask. Last time I saw them he tried his best to sound like Wayne at all times. This time his speaking voice came out a little more during some song parts and especially when he addressed the crowd saying "New Jersey" is sounded like Edsel. Xer0 is joined by the original members bass player Tony Kampos, lead guitarist Koichi Fukada, and drummer Ken Jay. Their latest album, Project Regeneration 2.0 was just released on January 26 and features about half of the songs attributed to Wayne Static, using some of his recorded vocals and synthesizers, and about half of the songs written by Xer0. I expected to hear a lot more new material this time around since they already toured the anniversary of Wisconsin Death Trip. However, 75% of the setlist consisted of material from the first two albums! They only played Z0mbie from the latest record. This goes to show that they are continuing to play tribute to Wayne. His face appears on the big screens towards the end of the set with the years 1965-2014 displayed. Meanwhile the stage show takes them into the modern era with superb video and lighting from multiple giant light boards, three different monsters, and the addition of a smoky bubble machine. If you are skeptical or curious about what they are like now I urge you to go see a show for yourself. I do not think you will be disappointed. I know I didn't want to miss the Wisconsin Death Trip anniversary show and this time around they sounded as good, if not even better. It certainly filled my musical soul to go back to where it all began for me. After 16 songs the lights start to come up and there is no encore. We all get out of the venue and on the road before 11PM! Check out more videos here. Please "like" the videos and subscribe to my YouTube channel.
