They Fired A Felon, Then Released An Album He Wrote
Static-X, the industrial metal giants of the late 90s nu-metal explosion, rose from the grimy Chicago underground to platinum status with their iconic debut *Wisconsin Death Trip*. Fronted by the eccentric Wayne Static, the band dominated the airwaves with hits like “Push It,” but their success was quickly derailed by a relentless cycle of lineup instability and scandal. We trace the chaotic history from their early days sharing a rehearsal space with The Smashing Pumpkins to the shocking arrest of guitarist Tripp Eisen, the tragic drug-related death of Wayne Static in 2014, and the controversial reunion featuring a masked vocalist. We uncover the stories behind the machine, the members who left, and the devastating collapse of one of industrial metal’s most unique acts. Kindly like and subscribe – it really helps this channel a lot. I do appreciate it!
The 13 Minutes That DESTROYED The Smashing Pumpkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K2MUZeQgds
How To Kill A Platinum Band In 5 Years
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZEb9SWX2vM
The $20 Million Ego Trip That DESTROYED Scott Weiland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrvKLrg4Fkw
He Fired His Band. Then Stole The Name.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-roGafgkTg
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#staticx, #waynstatic, #wisconsindeathtrip, #numetal, #industrialmetal, #behindthemusic, #truestory, #metalhistory, #rockumentary, #tripeisen, #koichifukuda, #tonycampos, #banddrama, #musicdocumentary, #waynestaticdeath, #heavymetal, #90smusic, #2000smetal, #projectregeneration, #xerostaticx
@deeliciousplum
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Wow! That band biography is the epitome of chaotic! I loved it! Oops. I should whisper that as I do not wish to be disrespectful to the artists involved and to the one who left us. 🌹 Thank you GMS for sharing this one.
@Ilovemusic-i7c
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Oh God- they had to deal with that egomaniac Billy Corgan?? He's his own biggest fan. Other than their double CD they stink. I got into a verbal fight with Billy & had people laughing at him.
@Hihereitis
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Their first album was so good. I saw them on the second stage at Ozzfest and when they hopped off stage they literally went right out to talk to people and Wayne signed my ticket. I believe they just handed my friend their CD- I’d have to double check with her. But I still have my signed ticket!
I’d never even heard of them before that, I don’t think most people had. But everyone was so into it by the end of their set. They absolutely killed it.
I was sad to hear about Wayne, tho. I think what they did with the whole Xero thing was so freaking weird and seems disrespectful.
Great video as always!
@johnbush5347
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Really tasteless what they did after Wayne died, cashing in on his name's sake after all of them had been gone from the band for a long time
@Owefxr
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
When there’s money left on the table, BREAK OUT THE MASK. 😂😂
@Wellies_Yay
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Request to cover Slint and Black Flag. A short one and a multi-part request.
@Farmermark01
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Damn I had no ideas he made it to 48 years old.Wdt was one of my favorite albums. I was young in the army and racing dirtbikes on the weekends. And when I got back from deployment I guess I just forgot about them.
@foolishprodigy
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
I used to imagine static-x songs in my head while running and road marching in the Army. they had that incredibly unique intensity and rhythm that got my blood flowing. and then there is "Cold", that song hits so hard for me I still don't fully understand it. Art can be forever but artist are tragically brief :*(
@carloseunice5924
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Seems like the bands that treat the band like a business have a higher amount of success
@DödEnd-d6l
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Not gonna lie, reviving a band after its only active founding member disbanded it before his untimely death seems like absolute vulture behaviour.
@urogoth
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
I like Vol 1 of Regeneration, 2nd one wasn't that good
@Z3ROTH3RT33N
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
It would have been so cool to see Wayne hit rehab and see Static-X thrive in this era where bands from back then are now celebrated.
@Rx.665
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
I used to be a huge Static-X fan. Like… unhealthily so.
I still have a sweaty towel Tony threw into the crowd after one show, one of Ken’s broken drumsticks from a different show, and I briefly dated one of Tripp’s victims (who then went on to be a xxx star). I stopped going to their shows after Shadow Zone released, and completely lost interest after Wayne’s death. Nothing against Edsel (I knew it was him behind the mask before that was ever confirmed), but nothing compared to those first couple albums.
@virgilsreturn87
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
I met Wayne Static on a bus in Minneapolis about a year before his death. I wasn't a Static X fan, but I'd seen them (and liked them) once years before so I recognized the name. He did not seem to be doing well. He was friendly and talkative, but had that vibe of someone who's trying to keep the party going after it's clearly over. It was sad to see that he passed.
@andrew1106
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
One of my all time favorite bands. Never got to see Wayne in the flesh. I am torn on whether or not to see them with Edsel as Zero.
Do Orgy or Deadsy next if you haven't already! Thanks.
@IronWhiskey
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
By far, the best music channel on YouTube! Everyday i look forward to your videos. Even found a few bands on here that ive never heard of that i have really come to enjoy. So thank you very much GMS. Oh and one last thing. LONG LIVE ROCK N ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@robertbondurant5223
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
First time I saw them was the push it video on MTV back in 98. It was crazy and I loved it. I didn't know anything about damn but when I saw the title Wisconsin death trip I thought they were from Wisconsin. I bought machine when it came out and it was good but it wasn't quite the same then after that I kind of lost track of them. That definitely didn't sound like anyone else. Hated to see that Wayne became one of the Rockstar stats that we all hate to see. I haven't seen them or heard anything off the new album but I don't think it would be right so I'm going to leave it alone. it ended when he died. Rip
@culcune
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
My friend, Eddie, is the creator behind XerO's mask in the current lineup.
@RioZLander
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
another band with a chaotic history of line up changes and Session players and sound shifts and whole style shifts is Inflames. Static X was my 1st really aggressive metal i liked. up to that point i really only listened to Judas Priest and bands like them if it wasn't for Static X i never would of discovered Inflames who just pushed me to listen to all metal types and in to industrial metal. i really Miss Wayne
@timmitchell670
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Static x sucked then and suck even more now.
@josefrees
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
I remember seeing push it on some music show that came on after ECW Saturday night on antenna channel 48 and having my mind blown lol.
@jodyturner8099
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Wayne did it to himself!!!!!
@replica9000
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Since you've mentioned Tony Campos, have you covered Fear Factory yet?
@jsims563
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
I saw these guys. Best concert I ever went to. Sounded so good.
@UUCFights
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
such a gross weekend at bernies thing they are doing with Xero, i'm blown away how they keep getting booked on tours and nobody seems to have a problem with it.
@hedbngr18
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
I've seen them multiple times with each lineup from in 1999 through 2026. Their shows are always fantastic. I even got a chance to see Wayne's solo project 11 months before he passed. Every version of Static-X was/is great on album and on stage.
@disgruntleddude
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
to this day that guy's hair pisses me off
@exvan3571
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Have you covered Prong?
@lowtonezf104
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Static-X and Sevendust pound for pound. Put on the best live performance and killer discography
@catcans
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
1:42 Actually I was able to do that, as well as open a beer bottle with just my teeth. But I quit drinking before I turned 21, I've never had a legal drink 😂
@DrunkDuckXD
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
This is the best rock history channel on Youtube ❤
@Crivas6
July 18, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Do I grab my shovel?