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{{short description|American musician (1965–2014)}}
{{Guitarist infobox
{{Lead too short|date=October 2023}}
| name = ]
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2012}}
| image = ]<BR>Wayne Static with his distinctive 'big hair'.
{{Infobox person
| born = ], ]{{fact}}<br>], ]
| died = | name = Wayne Static
| aliases = | image = WayneStatic07.jpg
| genre = ] | caption = Static performing in 2005
| birth_name = Wayne Richard Wells
| affiliation = ]
| alias = {{flatlist|
| notable guitars =
* Wayne Static
| label =
* The King of Evil Disco
| years = ]-Present
* Mr. Static
| website =
}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1965|11|4}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2014|11|1|1965|11|4}}
| death_place = ], U.S.
| death_cause = ]
| spouse = {{marriage|]|2008}}
| occupation = Musician, songwriter
| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = {{flatlist|
* ]
* ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/11204709/wayne-static-death-static-x.html|title=Static-X frontman Wayne Static dies at 48 |date=November 3, 2014 |publisher=Telegraph|access-date=January 15, 2016}}</ref>
* ]
* ]
}}
| instrument = {{flatlist|
* Vocals
* guitar
* keyboards
}}
| years_active = 1978–2014
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
* ]
* Deep Blue Dream
* Battery}}
}}
}} }}


<!-- Note: There is debate over Wayne's birthname, birthyear and birthplace. Read the talk page BEFORE editing this section. -->
'''Wayne Static''' (real name '''Wayne Richard Wells''', born on ], in ], ] {{fact}}) is an ] musician, and is currently the ], ], and ] for the ] ] ]. His hometown is ] and he graduated from ]. Before ], he worked as an ] picker. Wayne is also a vegetarian because he opposes animal captivity.
'''Wayne Richard Wells''' (November 4, 1965 – November 1, 2014), known professionally as '''Wayne Static''', was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, and primary lyricist for the ] band ]. He also released a solo album, '']'', in 2011. Static was recognizable for his unusual hairstyle; his hair was held up in a vertical position, a process that took about 20 minutes to complete (45 minutes, according to his mother). He was also known for his signature "chintail" beard.


==Early life==
Wayne was 3 years old when he got his hands on his first toy guitar. His parents decided at age 7 to get him his first real guitar, an S12 beginner model. He was given lessons, which paid off a year later when he won a talent contest playing “Skip to My Lou.” Wayne attended Shelby High School and was described in his high school years as being at the top of his class when he graduated at age 17. He is also considered very bright and hard working while still able to have a good time and put on a show.
Wells was born in ], to Richard and Darlene Wells.<ref name="IMDb">, IMDb.com; retrieved January 1, 2008.</ref><ref name="foxy">, FoxyTunes.com, retrieved January 1, 2008</ref><ref name="Deseret">, ''Deseret News'' (Salt Lake City), June 17, 2005, retrieved January 1, 2008.</ref><ref>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.</ref><ref>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."</ref> He grew up in ] before moving to ], ] and ]. 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 "]".<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref> He attended ] and had summer jobs which included working as an asparagus picker and in a cherry canning factory.<ref>{{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}}</ref>


==Career==
Wayne has a signature ] flying-V guitar. He also uses ] amplifiers, ] pickups and ] Strings. He also tends to keyboard for ]. His tall standing hair is his most notable feature, which is held up, as mentioned in the ] liner notes, by ] hair spray.
After moving to Chicago, Wells created the ] band Deep Blue Dream in 1987 with drummer ], bass player ], and ]; Corgan went on to form the ].<ref>{{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}}</ref> Deep Blue Dream was short lived as Wells and Jay relocated to California. In California, Wells and Jay formed Static-X along with ] on bass and ] on guitar.<ref>{{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}}</ref> It was at this point Wells adopted the name Wayne Static.


Static announced in July 2007 that he would begin a side project, Pighammer,<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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, '']''.
In ], Wayne collaborated with ] and ] to perform "]" (from the debut album by the X-Ecutioners, "'']''").


His solo album ''Pighammer'' was released on October 4, 2011.<ref>{{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}}</ref> As part of his '']'' solo-project,<ref name="Ultimate Guitar Interview Excerpt">Archived at {{cbignore}} and the {{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}}</ref> Static formed a new line-up consisting of ] 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}}
He also sang on the ] song "Giveaway" from the album Evolver, a take on the Beatles album Revolver.


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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>
In 2003, Wayne contributed to the Queen of the Damned soundtrack, by singing the song "Not Meant For Me"


He had been set to play a co-headlining tour in the U.S. with ] in November 2014 with ] supporting them.<ref name="Co-headline tour">{{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}}</ref>
Wayne contributed vocals for the song "Use Less" for the 2004 ] release "The Greater Wrong of the Right".


==Equipment==
Wayne, along with ], collaborated with ] to perform "Crash", which can be heard on Static-X album, ''Beneath... Between... Beyond''
===Guitars===
] 2009]]
Static installed a single ] 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.
Prior to forming Static-X, Wayne was lead singer and guitarist for the gothic band, ].


Static also used a Gibson Explorer; as seen in the music video for "I'm with Stupid".
Wayne contributed vocals for the song "Give It Up" for SOiL in 2006.


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."<ref>{{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}}</ref>
==External links==
*
*
*


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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/File:Static_X.JPG|title=File:Static X.JPG - Wikimedia Commons|website=Commons.wikimedia.org|access-date=August 5, 2020}}</ref>
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]
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]


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.<ref> {{dead link|date=August 2020}}</ref> 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 ] and single volume control.

===Amps===
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
For his live tone, Static used a simple ] 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 wasn't 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.

==Personal life==
] (center) in 2007]]
Static was an ] and ].<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref> After a brief courtship,<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>On his {{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."</ref> he married adult film actress ] in Las Vegas on January 10, 2008.<ref>{{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= ]}}</ref><ref>The article , January 14, 2008, states: "The pair tied the knot in Las Vegas before the AVN Awards which took place on Saturday, Jan 12, 2008"</ref> They lived in ]. Static appeared as a mystery guest on an adult film Wray hosted called ''Radium Vol 2''.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

==Death==
Static died on November 1, 2014, in ], three days before his 49th birthday.<ref>{{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}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Causeofdeath">{{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}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{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=]|date=November 2, 2014 |access-date=February 9, 2023}}</ref> However, an autopsy later confirmed that Static had died of multiple prescription drug toxicity involving the opioid painkillers ] and ], the anti-anxiety medication ] (Xanax), and alcohol. The report also noted that years of past "chronic prescription drug and alcohol abuse" was a contributing factor.<ref name="Causeofdeath"/> Former Static-X members ] and ] paid tribute to Static.<ref>{{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=]|date=November 3, 2014 |access-date=November 11, 2015}}</ref> Static was cremated in California. A memorial show followed in Los Angeles,<ref>{{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}}</ref> and a family service followed in Illinois.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

==Solo band members==

===Final line-up===

*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)}}
*] – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2012–2014)}}

===Former members===

*] – bass, backing vocals {{small|(2011–2012)}}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:80 top:0 right:5
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/2011 till:11/01/2014
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2011
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2012
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3

Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals,_rhythm_guitar,_keyboards,_programming
id:Guitar value:green legend:Lead_guitar
id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass,_backing_vocals
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:Lines value:black legend:Studio_album
id:bars value:gray(0.93)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =
at:10/04/2011 color:black layer:back

BarData =
bar:Wayne text:"Wayne Static"
bar:Ashes text:"Diego Ibarra"
bar:Brent text:"Brent Ashley
bar:Andy text:"Andy Cole"
bar:Sean text:"Sean Davidson"

PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Wayne from:01/01/2011 till:11/01/2014 color:Vocals
bar:Wayne from:01/01/2011 till:10/10/2011 color:Guitar width:7
bar:Wayne from:01/01/2011 till:10/10/2011 color:Bass width:5
bar:Wayne from:01/01/2011 till:10/10/2011 color:Drums width:3
bar:Ashes from:10/10/2011 till:11/01/2014 color:Guitar
bar:Brent from:10/10/2011 till:09/03/2012 color:Bass
bar:Andy from:10/02/2012 till:11/01/2014 color:Bass
bar:Sean from:10/10/2011 till:11/01/2014 color:Drums

}}

==Discography==
===Solo===
;Studio albums
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Album
! colspan="5"| Chart peaks
|-
! style="width:50px;"| {{small|]}}
<ref name="US">{{cite magazine
|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Wayne Static|chart=all}}
|title=Wayne Static Album & Song Chart History
|magazine=]
|access-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref>
! style="width:50px;"| {{small|]}}
! style="width:50px;"| {{small|]}}
! style="width:50px;"| {{small|]}}
|-
| 2011
| '']''
*Released: October 4, 2011
*Label: Dirthouse
*Formats: ], ]
| style="text-align:center;"| 97
| style="text-align:center;"| 22
| style="text-align:center;"| 16
| style="text-align:center;"| 7
|}

;Singles
* 2011 – "Assassins of Youth"

===Static-X===

{{main|Static-X discography}}

===Collaborations===
* 2000 – ] & Wayne Static – "Hip Hop"
* 2001 – ] & Static-X – "Crash"
* 2002 – ] & ] featuring Wayne Static – "]"
* 2003 – ] featuring Wayne Static – "The Giveaway"
* 2004 – ] featuring Wayne Static – "Use Less"
* 2006 – ] featuring Wayne Static – "Give It Up"
* 2008 – ] featuring Wayne Static – "21st Century Time Bomb"
* 2009 – ] featuring Wayne Static - "Inhuman"
* 2010 – ] & Wayne Static – "]"
* 2011 – 9 Electric featuring Wayne Static – "Destroy As You Go"
* 2013 – ] from ] featuring Wayne Static – "Noise Revolution"

===Appearances===
* 2002 – Static appeared in ] music video "]", along with ] and ] of ]
* 2006 – Static appeared in ]'s video "]"
* 2009 – Static appeared in 98 Rockfest in Tampa, Florida
* 2010 – Static appeared as a villain in Issue 4 of the ] Comic Book series

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*
*
*
*
*{{IMDb name|id=1413618}}


{{Static-X}} {{Static-X}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Static, Wayne}}
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Latest revision as of 09:02, 19 November 2024

American musician (1965–2014)
This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (October 2023)

Wayne Static
Static performing in 2005
BornWayne Richard Wells
(1965-11-04)November 4, 1965
Muskegon, Michigan, U.S.
DiedNovember 1, 2014(2014-11-01) (aged 48)
Landers, California, U.S.
Cause of deathCombined drug intoxication
Other names
  • Wayne Static
  • The King of Evil Disco
  • Mr. Static
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Spouse Tera Wray ​(m. 2008)​
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • keyboards
Years active1978–2014
Formerly of
Musical artist

Wayne Richard Wells (November 4, 1965 – November 1, 2014), known professionally as Wayne Static, was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, and primary lyricist for the industrial metal band Static-X. He also released a solo album, Pighammer, in 2011. Static was recognizable for his unusual hairstyle; his hair was held up in a vertical position, a process that took about 20 minutes to complete (45 minutes, according to his mother). He was also known for his signature "chintail" beard.

Early life

Wells was born in Muskegon, Michigan, to Richard and Darlene Wells. 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". 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. He attended Shelby High School and had summer jobs which included working as an asparagus picker and in a cherry canning factory.

Career

After moving to Chicago, Wells created the post-punk band Deep Blue Dream in 1987 with drummer Ken Jay, bass player Eric Harris, and Billy Corgan; Corgan went on to form the Smashing Pumpkins. 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. It was at this point Wells adopted the name Wayne Static.

Static announced in July 2007 that he would begin a side project, Pighammer, 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. As part of his Pighammer solo-project, 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.

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.

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.

Equipment

Guitars

Static performing at Gods of Metal 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."

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.

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. 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.

Amps

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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 wasn't 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.

Personal life

Static with his wife Tera Wray (center) in 2007

Static was an atheist and pescatarian. After a brief courtship, he married adult film actress Tera Wray in Las Vegas on January 10, 2008. They lived in Joshua Tree, California. Static appeared as a mystery guest on an adult film Wray hosted called Radium Vol 2.

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.

Death

Static died on November 1, 2014, in Landers, California, three days before his 49th birthday. 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. 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." 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. Static was cremated in California. A memorial show followed in Los Angeles, and a family service followed in Illinois.

Solo band members

Final line-up

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

Former members

Timeline

Discography

Solo

Studio albums
Year Album Chart peaks
US

US Rock US Ind. US Hard Rock
2011 Pighammer
  • Released: October 4, 2011
  • Label: Dirthouse
  • Formats: CD, DI
 97 22 16 7
Singles
  • 2011 – "Assassins of Youth"

Static-X

Main article: Static-X discography

Collaborations

Appearances

References

  1. "Static-X frontman Wayne Static dies at 48". Telegraph. November 3, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  2. Wayne Static Bio, IMDb.com; retrieved January 1, 2008.
  3. Wayne Static Bio, FoxyTunes.com, retrieved January 1, 2008
  4. "Static-X to perform Wednesday", Deseret News (Salt Lake City), June 17, 2005, retrieved January 1, 2008.
  5. 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.
  6. 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."
  7. "Wayne Static - obituary". The Telegraph. November 8, 2014. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  8. King, Valerie (May 1, 2014). "XSTATIC TO BE WAYNE STATIC'S MOM!". Rock Revolt Magazine. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  9. Jeff Kerby (January 22, 2004). "Kerby's Exclusive Interview with Static-X Vocalist Wayne Static". KNAC. Retrieved November 5, 2007.
  10. Spence D. (April 20, 2000). "Static X: An IGN Classic Interview". Livewire. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
  11. Colin Joyce (November 2, 2014). "Wayne Static, Former Static-X Frontman, Has Died at 48". Spin.com.
  12. "Iconofan Biography". Iconofan. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2007.
  13. Travis Hay (July 20, 2007). "Static-X: The Ear Candy Interview". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Archived from the original on August 10, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
  14. "Static-X Frontman To Release Solo Debut In October". Blabbermouth.net. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 16, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  15. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Revolver Golden Gods Wayne Static Interview". Youtube.com. May 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  16. "Interview with Wayne Static". LA Music Blog. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  17. Bowar, Chad (August 25, 2014). "Wayne Static + Powerman 5000 team up for fall 2014 co-headlining tour". Loudwire.com. Loudwire. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  18. "Epiphone-gets-aggressive-with-new-Wayne-Static-signature-guitar". www.epiphone.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  19. "File:Static X.JPG - Wikimedia Commons". Commons.wikimedia.org. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  21. "Creating some waves with Static-X". IGN. November 14, 2003. Retrieved November 5, 2007.
  22. "Wisconsin Cheese Trip". thedevilwearsparsley.com. November 10, 2007. Retrieved November 18, 2007.
  23. "Society 1 Interview with Matt Zane which mentions that Tera and Wayne are dating". The Gauntlet. October 22, 2007. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
  24. On his blog Archived February 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Nov 9, 2007, Mr Static states: "I met Tera Wray during Ozzfest and we have been together since then."
  25. David Sullivan (January 17, 2008). "Tera Wray Weds Static-X Frontman". AVN. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  26. The article "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"
  27. "Platinum Selling Mystery Artist Guests On Radium 2 and Theme Song". The Gauntlet. Retrieved April 8, 2008.
  28. "WAYNE STATIC's Widow TERA WRAY STATIC Found Dead". Blabbermouth. January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2016.
  29. "STATIC-X Frontman WAYNE STATIC Dead At 48". Blabbermouth.net. November 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  30. ^ "Wayne Static cause of death revealed". Alternative Press. March 13, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  31. "WAYNE STATIC, STATIC-X FRONTMAN, DEAD AT AGE 48". Revolver. November 2, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  32. "Static-X Tony Campos Koichi Fukuda pay tribute to Wayne Static". Loudwire. November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  33. "Ill Nino's Cristian Machado, Dave Navarro + More Rock Wayne Static Memorial Show". loudwire.com. January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
  34. Crane, Matt (November 3, 2014). "More details emerge on the death of Wayne Static". Alternative Press.
  35. "Press Release: Wayne Static Died in His Sleep, Drugs Not Involved". Metal Sucks. November 2, 2014.
  36. "Obituary: Wayne Richard Wells". Muskegon Chronicle. November 22, 2014.
  37. "Wayne Static Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved March 24, 2012.

External links

Static-X
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Video albums
Extended plays
Singles
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