Wayne Static

Wells was born in Muskegon, Michigan, to Richard and Darlene Wells.[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1413618/bio Wayne Static Bio], IMDb.com; retrieved January 1, 2008.[http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/wayne_static Wayne Static Bio], FoxyTunes.com, retrieved January 1, 2008[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20050617/ai_n14671480 "Static-X to perform Wednesday"], Deseret News (Salt Lake City), June 17, 2005, retrieved January 1, 2008.Note that there are other sources which quote other birth years (usually 1965 and 1975), but Mr Static himself has confirmed on his blog that he was born in 1965.from interview: "What's your favorite song from record Machine? Wayne: Probably the last song "December"... I actually wrote that in 1983. I was in college at Western Michigan University. It was a very cold day in December. I had a half an hour between classes of time to kill. I went to this little park I used to go to in order to study, but it was freezing that day. I sat down and wrote the lyrics on this freezing park bench in December. I used to perform that song with an acoustic guitar, because I used to play acoustic music before I turned into the evil disco thing I am. I reinvented that song for Wisconsin Death Trip." He grew up in Shelby, Michigan before moving to Chicago, Illinois and California. He was three years old when he received his first toy guitar. His parents decided at age seven to get him his first real guitar, an S12 beginner model. Wells was given lessons, which paid off a year later when he won a talent contest playing "Skip to My Lou".{{cite news|title=Wayne Static - obituary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/11213517/Wayne-Static.html|access-date=5 June 2016|work=The Telegraph|date=8 November 2014}}{{cite web|last1=King|first1=Valerie|title=XSTATIC TO BE WAYNE STATIC'S MOM!|url=http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/interview-with-wayne-static-mom-darlene-wells/|website=Rock Revolt Magazine|access-date=5 June 2016|date=1 May 2014}} He later played in his first band at the age of 12 and decided he wanted to be a musician. In high school, Wells played in a band for the dances with classmates.{{cite web|url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=2751|title=Kerby's Exclusive Interview with Static-X Vocalist Wayne Static|publisher=KNAC|author=Jeff Kerby|date=January 22, 2004|access-date=November 5, 2007}} He attended Shelby High School and had summer jobs which included working as an asparagus picker and in a cherry canning factory.{{cite web|url=http://music.ign.com/articles/078/078320p1.html|title=Static X: An IGN Classic Interview|publisher=Livewire|author=Spence D.|date=April 20, 2000|access-date=November 4, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525014902/http://music.ign.com/articles/078/078320p1.html|archive-date=May 25, 2007|df=mdy-all}}

After moving to Chicago, Wells created the post-punk band Deep Blue Dream in 1987 with drummer Ken Jay and bass player Eric Harris. They shared rehearsal space with Billy Corgan, who was just starting the band Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan would end up playing a few a shows with them, eventually opting to focus on his own band.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=W1eldcngXOezkAYh&v=h1oKZ09jTv0&feature=youtu.be |title=Billy Corgan Remembers Wayne Static Friendship, Turning Down Offer, Impact on Music |date=2023-06-17 |last=SiriusXM |access-date=2025-03-19 |via=YouTube}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/11/wayne-static-static-x-dead-48-possible-drug-overdose/|title=Wayne Static, Former Static-X Frontman, Has Died at 48|publisher=Spin.com|author=Colin Joyce|date=November 2, 2014}} Deep Blue Dream was short lived as Wells and Jay relocated to California. In California, Wells and Jay formed Static-X along with Tony Campos on bass and Koichi Fukuda on guitar.{{cite web|url=http://www.iconofan.com/Artists/s/static-x/bio.shtml|title=Iconofan Biography|publisher=Iconofan|access-date=November 8, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226144111/http://www.iconofan.com/Artists/s/static-x/bio.shtml|archive-date=February 26, 2012|df=mdy-all}} It was at this point Wells adopted the name Wayne Static.

Static announced in July 2007 that he would begin a side project, Pighammer,{{cite web|url=http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/print.asp?entryID=118374|title=Static-X: The Ear Candy Interview|publisher=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|author=Travis Hay|date=July 20, 2007|access-date=November 18, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070810063820/http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/print.asp?entryID=118374|archive-date=August 10, 2007|df=mdy-all}} but in a December 2007 interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com, Static stated: "The Pighammer thing will happen when I have time. At the moment though, Static-X will remain my main priority." Static appeared on the cover of the 2009 Static-X release, Cult of Static.

His solo album Pighammer was released on October 4, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161574|title=Static-X Frontman To Release Solo Debut In October|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|date=August 4, 2011|access-date=September 5, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016205220/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=161574|archive-date=October 16, 2011|df=mdy-all}} As part of his Pighammer solo-project,Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/7cjsYYKM8ZA Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140625054222/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cjsYYKM8ZA Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cjsYYKM8ZA|title=Revolver Golden Gods Wayne Static Interview|date=May 2011 |publisher=Youtube.com|access-date=November 2, 2014}}{{cbignore}} Static formed a new line-up consisting of Brent Ashley on bass, Sean Davidson on drums, and Ashes on guitar. In 2012, this line-up went under the name Static-X for the Noise Revolution tour. However, in October 2012, the remainder of the tour was cancelled due to Static requiring medical treatment.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

In an interview done on November 26, 2013, it was confirmed that Static-X disbanded in June 2013. According to Static, the disputes between himself and the band's former bassist Tony Campos over the rights to the band name had gone too far, forcing him to disband the four-piece.{{cite web|title=Interview with Wayne Static|url=http://lamusicblog.com/2013/11/interview/interview-with-wayne-static|website=LA Music Blog|access-date=November 2, 2014}}

He had been set to play a co-headlining tour in the U.S. with Powerman 5000 in November 2014 with American Head Charge supporting them.{{cite web|last1=Bowar|first1=Chad|title=Wayne Static + Powerman 5000 team up for fall 2014 co-headlining tour|url=http://loudwire.com/wayne-static-powerman-5000-fall-tour|website=Loudwire.com|date=August 25, 2014 |publisher=Loudwire|access-date=August 26, 2014}}

file:Static-X live @ Gods of Metal, Stadio Brianteo Monza, 2009 (6).jpg 2009]]

Static installed a single Seymour Duncan SH-6B 'Distortion' humbucker in all his guitar's bridge positions; until switching to EMG 81's in 2012 after signing with Dean. His signature Epiphone, ESP LTD, and Dean guitars did not come with neck pickups as he did not use them.

Static used a Gibson Flying V from early in his career; seen in the videos up until 2003.

Static also used a Gibson Explorer; as seen in the music video for "I'm with Stupid".

In 2004, Epiphone released a Wayne Static signature Flying V Guitar. "Special features on the Static model include a single volume control and one toggle switch for the two Epiphone USA pickups, no pickguard, Ebony fingerboard with no inlays, black hardware, Plain Black satin finish, and the Static-X logo on the headstock."{{cite web |url=http://www.epiphone.com/News-Features/News/2004/Epiphone-gets-aggressive-with-new-Wayne-Static-sig.aspx |title=Epiphone-gets-aggressive-with-new-Wayne-Static-signature-guitar |website=www.epiphone.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107145025/http://www.epiphone.com/News-Features/News/2004/Epiphone-gets-aggressive-with-new-Wayne-Static-sig.aspx |archive-date=7 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}

In 2007, ESP produced the ESP Ltd Static-600 Wayne Static Signature Guitar. It featured an Explorer-shaped body, single Seymour Duncan Distortion humbucker, and nickel/diamond-plated scratchplate covering the entire mahogany body, as seen in live photographs.{{Cite web|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Static_X.JPG|title=File:Static X.JPG - Wikimedia Commons|website=Commons.wikimedia.org|access-date=August 5, 2020}}

In 2009, ESP produced the ESP LTD Static-600V GMB as Static's new signature guitar. It featured a Flying-V-shaped body with diamond plate metal screwed to the front of the body, black hardware, and Static X logo at the 12th fret.

In 2012, Static joined Dean guitars and started playing custom ML Modifier.[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kf2NT7r4Ngs&feature=share] {{dead link|date=August 2020}} Until his death, Static played Dean guitars as an endorsee. While Dean did not release a Static signature model, Dean did produce a series of custom models for Static; fitted with his standard single bridge humbucker and single volume control.

{{unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}

For his live tone, Static used a simple Marshall MG100HDFX. The MG100HDFX was one of the cheapest solid state amps made by Marshall during Static's touring time with Static X. On tour, Static could easily and cheaply get a replacement if the amp broke. Amps breaking were not a common problem as solid state amps like the MG100HDFX are less prone to breaking than tube amps, another reason for its selection.

Static's cabinet of choice was the Marshall 1960A.

As of the "Cult of Static" tour in 2009, all of Static-X ditched the traditionally used touring amps and cabinets for a Line 6 Pod XT Pro direct to P.A. sound set up and maintained by longtime guitar tech Erik Fincher.

file:Elena Heiress, Tera Wray at PSK 20070925 1.jpg (center) in 2007]]

Static was an atheist and pescatarian.{{cite web|url=http://www.concertlivewire.com/interviews/staticx.htm|title=Creating some waves with Static-X|publisher=IGN|date=November 14, 2003|access-date=November 5, 2007}}{{cite web |date=November 10, 2007 |title=Wisconsin Cheese Trip |url=https://www.thedevilwearsparsley.com/2011/12/14/wisconsin-cheese-trip-a-recipe-and-an-interview-with-the-statics/ |access-date=November 18, 2007 |website=thedevilwearsparsley.com}} After a brief courtship,{{cite web|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/interviews/712/Society-1.html|title=Society 1 Interview with Matt Zane which mentions that Tera and Wayne are dating|publisher=The Gauntlet|date=October 22, 2007|access-date=October 22, 2007}}On his [http://static-x.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6676083791/m/6911078842/p/4 blog] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212145802/http://static-x.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6676083791/m/6911078842/p/4 |date=February 12, 2012 }} on Nov 9, 2007, Mr Static states: "I met Tera Wray during Ozzfest and we have been together since then." he married adult film actress Tera Wray in Las Vegas on January 10, 2008.{{cite web|url= http://avn.com/index.cfm?objectid=897E628A-EAF5-0075-26895DC5EA1AEF19|title= Tera Wray Weds Static-X Frontman|access-date=January 18, 2008|author= David Sullivan|date= January 17, 2008|publisher= AVN}}The article [http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/422/11263/Static-x.html "Wayne Static Gets Hitched to Adult Starlet"], January 14, 2008, states: "The pair tied the knot in Las Vegas before the AVN Awards which took place on Saturday, Jan 12, 2008" They lived in Joshua Tree, California. Static appeared as a mystery guest on an adult film Wray hosted called Radium Vol 2.{{cite web|url=http://www.thegauntlet.com/article/422/12276/Static-x.html|title=Platinum Selling Mystery Artist Guests On Radium 2 and Theme Song|publisher=The Gauntlet|access-date=April 8, 2008}}

On January 13, 2016, Wray died in her friend's Joshua Tree, California apartment from an apparent suicide. Her body was discovered in January 14, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/wayne-statics-widow-tera-wray-static-found-dead|title=WAYNE STATIC's Widow TERA WRAY STATIC Found Dead|publisher=Blabbermouth|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=January 15, 2016}}

Static died on November 1, 2014, in Landers, California, three days before his 49th birthday.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/static-x-frontman-wayne-static-dead-at-48|title=STATIC-X Frontman WAYNE STATIC Dead At 48|date=November 2014|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 2, 2015}} He had consumed oxycodone as well as alcohol that morning before going to bed with his wife. She woke up later that day to find that he had died in his sleep.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/wayne_static_cause_of_death_revealed|title=Wayne Static cause of death revealed|publisher=Alternative Press|date=March 13, 2015|access-date=February 27, 2016}} His publicist issued a statement which claimed that Static and Wray had stopped using "hard drugs" in 2009 and that his death was "not a drug-related incident."{{cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/wayne-static-static-x-frontman-dead-age-48|title=WAYNE STATIC, STATIC-X FRONTMAN, DEAD AT AGE 48|website=Revolver|date=November 2, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2023}} However, an autopsy later confirmed that Static had died of multiple prescription drug toxicity involving the opioid painkillers oxycodone and hydromorphone, the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam (Xanax), and alcohol. 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.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/static-x-tony-campos-koichi-fukuda-pay-tribute-wayne-static/|title=Static-X Tony Campos Koichi Fukuda pay tribute to Wayne Static|website=Loudwire|date=November 3, 2014 |access-date=November 11, 2015}} Static was cremated in California. A memorial show followed in Los Angeles,{{cite web|url= http://loudwire.com/ill-nino-cristian-machado-dave-navarro-more-wayne-static-memorial-show/?trackback=tsmclip|title=Ill Nino's Cristian Machado, Dave Navarro + More Rock Wayne Static Memorial Show|date=January 21, 2015 |publisher=loudwire.com|access-date=January 21, 2015}} and a family service followed in Illinois.{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/more_details_emerge_on_the_death_of_wayne_static|title=More details emerge on the death of Wayne Static|last=Crane|first=Matt|work=Alternative Press|date=November 3, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2014/11/02/press-release-wayne-static-died-sleep-drugs-involved/|title=Press Release: Wayne Static Died in His Sleep, Drugs Not Involved|work=Metal Sucks|date=November 2, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/muskegon/obituary.aspx?pid=173249798/|title=Obituary: Wayne Richard Wells|work=Muskegon Chronicle|date=November 22, 2014}}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

• Wayne Static – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards, programming {{small|(2011–2014; his death)}}
• Diego "Ashes" Ibarra – lead guitar {{small|(2011–2014)}}
• Sean "The Animal" Davidson – drums {{small|(2011–2014)}}
• Andy "The Kid" Cole – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2012–2014)}}

• Brent Ashley – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2011–2012)}}

{{#tag:timeline|

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;Studio albums

;Singles

• 2011 – "Assassins of Youth"

{{main|Static-X discography}}

• 2000 – Dead Prez & Wayne Static – "Hip Hop"
• 2001 – Mephisto Odyssey & Static-X – "Crash"
• 2002 – Jonathan Davis & Richard Gibbs featuring Wayne Static – "Not Meant for Me"
• 2003 – Godhead featuring Wayne Static – "The Giveaway"
• 2004 – Skinny Puppy featuring Wayne Static – "Use Less"
• 2006 – SOiL featuring Wayne Static – "Give It Up"
• 2008 – Opiate for the Masses featuring Wayne Static – "21st Century Time Bomb"
• 2009 – Dirge Within featuring Wayne Static - "Inhuman"
• 2010 – Raymond Herrera & Wayne Static – "Decimator"
• 2011 – 9 Electric featuring Wayne Static – "Destroy As You Go"
• 2013 – DMC from Run-DMC featuring Wayne Static – "Noise Revolution"

• 2002 – Static appeared in The X-Ecutioners music video "It's Goin' Down", along with Mike Shinoda and Mr. Hahn of Linkin Park
• 2006 – Static appeared in Silent Civilian's video "Rebirth of The Temple"
• 2009 – Static appeared in 98 Rockfest in Tampa, Florida
• 2010 – Static appeared as a villain in Issue 4 of the Eternal Descent Comic Book series

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.waynestatic.com/ Wayne Static's official website]
• [http://www.static-x.com/ Static-X's official website]
• [http://www.espguitars.com/ ESP Guitars]
• [http://waynestatic.wave.cat/ Wayne Static Playlist on wave.cat]
• {{IMDb name|id=1413618}}

{{Static-X}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Static, Wayne}}

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