Static-X Regeneration 2.0

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.

Wisconsin Death Trip 20th Anniversary; Wayne Static tribute tour

The first concert I attended was Static-X with Dope and Powerman 5000.  That show, and Static-X in particular, would spark my interest in heavier music and attending live concerts.  My first and only appearance on television was with Static-X as they walked through the parking lot alongside patrons on line to the Family Values 2001 concert at Continental Airlines Arena.  143 shows later I attended Wayne Static's tribute tour, also celebrating 20 years since the release of their platinum album, Wisconsin Death Trip.  Some have criticized this tour as a cash grab, but I think the evidence shows that the band members are honoring Wayne with this tour.  First of all, they asked for the blessing of Wayne's family to do this.  Next, all three original members (Tony Campos, bassist; Koichi Fukuda, lead guitar; Ken Jay, drums) have all been in successful bands since, most notably Tony being in Soulfly, Fear Factory, and Ministry.  The lead singer for the current tour hasn't been named a permanent replacement, and in fact, hasn't been named at all.  He goes by the name Xer0, and wears a mask and big hair in the style of Wayne.  At first I thought it might be Dez (Devildriver, Coal Chamber) because he could pull off the vocals and it would be easy, though a demanding job, if he was already on tour with them.  The prevailing public theory is that it is Edsel Dope behind the mask, however, he doesn't have the same vocal range and Xer0 looks taller than Edsel.  Finally, I don't think it is just a reunion for money because an album, Project Regeneration, was planning to be released at the beginning of 2019 featuring several guest singers, but when more studio recordings of Wayne Static were uncovered, the band pushed back the release to late summer and rewrote songs to incorporate Wayne's vocals.  It seems as if they are doing everything they can to honor Wayne.  The future of the band is unclear.  Here's my recap of a special evening.

First up was a local, unsigned, New Jersey band called Gathering After Ashes.  They have three guitarists along with the bassist, drummer, and singer.  The multiple guitars gives them a full sound.  However, I didn't hear a shredding soloist, nor a dual or triple guitar attack like that in some heavy metal bands.  This band was straightforward hard rock.  They have some elements of blues, grunge, and modern rock.  The singer is solid, although I think at times he puts on a style which at times reminded me of Scott Stapp or Scott Weiland.  Their set got the crowd banging their heads and pumping their fists.  I would definitely see these guys again.

Next up was Raven Black, a dark metal theatrical band out of California that has been around since 2012.  Lead singer Raven is said to be half-human and half doll; she can croon and growl with equal command.  A Voodoo "Doctor," demon "Muppet," and guitarist "Stitches" round out the group.  They all have painted faces and certainly have the ability to command a stage.  They are seasoned and well produced, working with Grammy nominated producer Ulrich Wild since 2014.  I don't think their songs are as strong as female-fronted bands like Stitched Up Heart, nor are they as theatrical as In This Moment.  However, I was still entertained and they could remain a fun opening act or even get bigger if they work on song construction.

Third was Wednesday 13, featuring the eponymous lead singer, formerly of Murderdolls.  I have wanted to see Wednesday's solo band since the Murderdolls broke up.  I have also read reviews that spoke very highly of his shows.  The band looked and sounded great.  Wednesday was covered in black body paint with flourescent glow-in-the-dark face paint.  The set only lasted 20 minutes, though.  Before they finished up Wednesday apologized for the delay getting started saying "We had some issues getting the sound right; shit happens."

After another set change came Dope.  They were officially the first band that I ever saw live, at Roseland Ballroom on February 28, 2000.  That honor should have gone to Chevelle, but due to extremely long lines outside the venue, and security that moved us to the other side of the building after people started filling the streets, we missed the opener that night.  My friend warned me that Dope was "dirty, like, scuzzy dirty."  He wasn't wrong, but tongue-in-cheek songs like "Everything Sux" and their industrialized cover versions of "F**k tha Police and You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) were pretty fun.  I think their 2005 and 2009 albums were their heaviest and strongest.  Fast forward to 2019, and after several lineup changes, Edsel's twin, Simon, has not returned since 2002, but guitarists Acey Slade and Virus have returned.  This night they played several of their better known songs including Blood Money, 6-6-Sick, Addiction, and You Spin Me Round.

I had previously seen the co-headliners, Devildriver, on Ozzfest 2004 and 2007, however, that was a long time ago and in a much different setting.  Being in a small concert hall instead of an open air festival was awesome.  The band's power punches you in the face.  I remember them being good, but on this night I felt that they were truly something special.  Dez had his long locks dyed blond and looked like a rock God on stage as they ripped through their set.  In addition to some heavy hitters of their own, during their hour long set they also played "Loco" and "Fiend" to delight of the crowd and me.

Headliners Static-X played for over an hour, and while Wisconsin Death Trip was heavily featured in the set, they also included hits "Get to the Gone, Black and White, This Is Not, and Start A War."  As previously stated, the singer's identity has not been confirmed.  He definitely looked taller than either Dez or Edsel and in an interview he said he knew Wayne for about 15 years while Edsel would have known him for 20.  He certainly did a good job and sounded like a good fit.  I have to say that his voice didn't quite match the rasp and grit of Wayne's, and I definitely missed Wayne's mannerisms like the way he would strum his guitar or the way he would subtly tilt his head with the song melody.  The rest of the band is not very charismatic, although Tony and Koichi were smiling and gesturing to the crowd, and looked to be having a lot of fun.  Ken does not draw much attention to himself behind the kit, but the playing was solid.  The LED screens on stage flashed the band's insignia, lyrics, and several pictures of Wayne and the other band members.  Before the last song, Tony expressed his thanks for the crowd showing up and supporting them over the years.  He said that he missed Wayne and believes that he was with us in spirit and having fun watching us celebrate his life and music.

Personally, I was grateful to be able to see this tour, especially having just come back into the country after a trip to the Azores.  It brought back a lot of fond memories of my past concert experiences as well as adding to them.  I don't think Static-X should continue under that name.  It could be done tastefully if they keep all three remaining original members and unmask the lead singer.