November 1st marked two years since of the untimely death of Static X vocalist Wayne Static. Another unfortunate overdose to scar the metal community, Wayne died in his sleep from a mix of prescription drugs and alcohol. The story sadly added another chapter this year when it was announced that Wayne’s widow, Tera Static, committed suicide.
Wayne Static first formed the band Deep Blue Dream, which featured Billy Corgan, back in 1987 before going on to form Static X in 1994. The band’s first album Wisconsin Death Trip was certified platinum and was followed up by the gold-earning Machine. Wayne released a total of five albums with Static X, collaborated on various tracks with other rock and metal bands, and released his solo album Pighammer in 2011.
Though he may be gone, Wayne lives on through his music and the many fans he’s inspired over the years. In remembrance, we take a look back at five awesome music videos featuring Wayne Static.
“Assassins of Youth” – Wayne Static
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzQFuuwZprs&list=PLJw9b5J-ox-DGIXxVasXsk0lYaLqEA9Bi&index=1[/youtube]
The backstory to the only single off of Pighammer is simultaneously inspiring and upsetting. Prefaced with “The following is based on true events”, Static says that he began writing this song in the same scene as the video: locked in a hotel room, drinking, and doing drugs. However, he hadn’t finished it until years later when he got clean. Today, it’s saddening to know how his story ended, but it shouldn’t take away from the importance of this track. At some point, Wayne was able to regain control and get sober. Regardless of how long that may have lasted, it’s still a personal victory that is embodied with the completion of this song.
“Destroyer” – Static X
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWdA1DKfbwo[/youtube]
Shot with a '70's theme, “Destroyer” is staged in amidst a roller derby match. The action is both violent and hilarious as the women get increasingly physical to the point of absurdity. Focused on team The Destroyers, member Cherry Rollins races around the rink beating the shit out of her competitors The Homewreckers. Chairs are thrown, bodies are beaten, and Cherry eventually takes the other team down, snapping the last girl’s neck for the victory. With the band taking on roles like Dick Hurtz and Mike Rotch, this is a damn enjoyable video and a nice change from the band’s typically serious efforts.
“Noise Revolution” – DMC feat. Wayne Static
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOkh2eOmf9s[/youtube]
Wayne Static is no stranger to collaborating across the genre line, having performed “Hip Hop” with Dead Prez and appearing in the video “It’s Going Down” with X-Ecutioners. Of course, anything with DMC is going to be solid and “Noise Revolution” is no different. This isn’t the best example of a rap-rock collaboration, but it’s better than most Limp Bizkit tracks and it’s cool to see Wayne doing something different, musically and lyrically, than in Static X.
“Crash” – Mephisto Odyssey feat. Wayne Static
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E-3kQxTtgM[/youtube]
Wayne Static is Batman. Yes, for years we all believed we knew which Wayne was beneath the cowl but we were wrong…at least in this video. Sure, it’s not rock and it’s a promotional video for the Batman Beyond cartoon, but it’s still bad ass. Wayne got to take on the role as the Caped Crusader for a rave in the Bat Cave. Does it reek of cheesiness? Of course. With CGI bats flying around, fire twirlers, and a bunch of leather clad extras, this video is ridiculous as hell and that’s what makes it awesome. Wayne’s hair is even spiked to resemble the bat-ears. Especially in today’s comic book driven pop culture, I’m sure a handful of metal singers would jump at the chance to don a cape and do a superhero video. Kudos to Wayne Static for doing it before it was cool.
“I’m With Stupid” – Static X
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqiVvOXotyw[/youtube]
Boyfriend my shovel? Let’s round it off with the classic single off of Wisconsin Death Trip. “I’m With Stupid” perfectly sets the tone for the band. Directed by Dave Meyers (whose similar aesthetics can be found in his video for Powerman 5000’s “When Worlds Collide”), this video mixes humor and rock against a surreal background as an angry woman with a shovel chases down the metal-headed creature from Static X’s “Push It” video. The creature takes off through the woods, discovering skeletons of others the woman has run down and “shoveled”. This video is simple, fun, and entertaining, the same three aspects that made Static X’s music so well received by fans and critics alike.
Rest in peace, Wayne, and thank you for the music.
