An Interview with Static-X at Edge Fest
August 17, 2009 by Editor
Filed under Interviews
We recently had a chance to catch up with Static-X during Edge Fest in Altamont, New York. Earlier in the day, the band played to a very receptive crowd gathered at the fairgrounds. Even in the heat, everyone seemed to have a great time enjoying their kick-ass performance. It was truly impressive to see how well this band works the crowd.
After their set, we sat down for a chat with Wayne Static and his wife Tera Wray in their tour bus.
Type 3 Media: What was the thinking behind the direction you’re taking with the new album Cult of Static?
Wayne Static: I wrote it all at home. Mostly in the middle of the night when I was fucked-up, so that’s why it’s a very dark sounding record. We had just gotten married, right when I started writing. Obviously, whatever your writing reflects what’s going on in your life at the time. Most of the songs are about Tera and having good times, because she was there the whole time.
Photo by Kristen Pierson
T3M: Congratulations on the marriage. You two look happy.
Tera Wray: Yeah.
T3M: The album had a very strong release and some good reviews. What do you have to say to the critics who wanted to write you off?
WS: We’ve had critics since day one. We’re one of those bands that you love us or you hate us. Every one’s always predicted that our next album will fail, and our next album will fail. Well, it’s ten years later and we’re still here and we’re still selling records. We debuted at number sixteen, which is awesome, better than I expected. So they can keep complaining if they want, I don’t really give a fuck. Our fans love us, they show up, buy our records, we’re still here, we’re still going strong.
T3M: What kind of challenges did you face putting this album together?
WS: It’s a long process, man. Six to eight months of your life writing. Three to four months of your life in the studio. As the band gets older and older, we all kind-of grow in our separate directions. Tony was gone with Ministry the whole time we were writing and recording. Nick ended up having his problems and going to rehab. Koichi does his own thing. It’s my job to keep everything together and actually get the record made. It’s always a challenging process and people don’t realize how long it takes.
T3M: Sounds like you do most of the writing on your own?
WS: I do all the writing myself, always have. I demo everything, then each band member adds their own parts to it.
T3M: Is that easier than writing with a band?
WS: I don’t know how else to do it. Put me in a room with a bunch of guys and I don’t what to do. I can’t think straight. It’s just everyone jamming and doing their own thing. All of the great bands throughout history have one guy who keeps everything in focus. Led Zeppelin, it’s Jimmy Page. Kiss, it’s Paul Stanley. It’s one guy who keeps everything together. There might be some examples of bands that all jam together and write great songs, but I don’t know.
T3M: How is the Pedal to the Metal tour going with Mudvayne and Black Label Society?
WS: It’s great. Having a good time. Friends with all the bands, toured together before, so it’s all cool.
T3M: How do you sing like you do every day and keep from losing your voice?
WS: I just pace myself, get lots of rest and try to stay healthy.
TW: He’s really lucky because he almost lost his voice forever in 2007.
WS: I’ve had problems twice.
T3M: Did you need surgery?
WS: No, it was close to that. You know, it’s just a matter of really pacing yourself. I know my voice very well. Today was a good day, my voice was very strong so I just went for it. It’s a short set for us too. The headlining tours are much harder when you’re playing for an hour and ten minutes every night. Short sets like this I can do very easily.
T3M: We covered one of your shows a couple years ago in Providence, Rhode Island. During that show you did the three shots like you did today. What are you drinking?
TW: He drinks Patrón Silver.
WS: Generally I don’t drink now till I get on stage. I’m forty-four, so I’m old-school alcoholic. It doesn’t bother me.
TW: Functional alcoholic.
WS: I don’t need it, I just like it. It’s more about the party atmosphere. I grew up listening to Kiss. To me, Kiss was the model of a rock concert. It’s like a party. It’s a show. My version of it is inviting everyone to have a party, drink, and have a good time.
T3M: Everyone seemed to be having a good time out there today.
TW: It’s really early
WS: We’ve been playing at seven-thirty on the Pedal to the Metal tour, and that’s early. I’m used to playing at like ten. At Four-thirty we played today, and I’m like ‘oh my god, I just woke up a couple hours ago.’ It’s really weird to play during the day.
T3M: Was the heat bad today?
WS: Not too bad. We’re used to it. It’s part of the job. I’d rather play outside any day. Some of the clubs get really hot. At least there’s fresh air out here.
T3M: It’s been fifteen years since Static-X formed and ten years since your first album. You came out right when sites like Napster came along and the industry began to change. If you were just starting out today, do you think you’d do it again?
WS: If it’s your passion, you can’t help it. You have to have realistic expectations. I feel sorry for bands who, at this point, are trying to make it. There is no industry anymore, it’s done. Do what you can, have fun, don’t quit your day job, and don’t expect to make any money on it. Once in a while there’s going to be some bands that are going to break out, but it’s getting harder and harder as the record labels have less and money to put into marketing new bands. There’s really not much to look forward to unfortunately. On the bright-side of things, it’s a great time for music. Music is big right now. Rock Band, and Guitar Hero, there’s all these little kids getting into rock and roll. There’s just no more money to be made.
