The iconic figures of industrial music, STATIC-X, have unveiled a music video featuring their very first original track from the forthcoming album, “Project Regeneration: Vol. 2”
This song, titled “Stay Alive,” holds a poignant significance as one of the last original compositions Wayne Static was crafting before his untimely passing in 2014. Its lyrics resonate with Wayne‘s state of mind during that tragic period, where he openly acknowledges his struggles as a “professional addict” and passionately cries out, “I just need you to survive – Cut you up to stay alive.”
The track boasts Wayne Static‘s distinctive lead vocals, and it reunites the original “Wisconsin Death Trip” lineup, including Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda, and Ken Jay. The music video, directed by STATIC-X producer and longtime friend Edsel Dope (widely speculated to be Xer0, the masked current frontman of STATIC-X), along with co-director Matt Zane, incorporates outtakes from Wayne Static‘s “Assassins of Youth” video, originally directed by Zane, to vividly convey Wayne’s unsettling vision for the song.
Offering some insight, the band’s former sound engineer, Eddie Ortel, revealed, “Wayne was working on this track the night that he passed away.” This adds a deeply emotional layer to the song’s significance and underscores its place in STATIC-X‘s storied legacy.
“We knew that if we were going to release this song, we wouldn’t be able to tip toe around this tragic subject,” says Campos. “The first draft of the video was really hard for all of us to watch, so we ended up removing many of the more graphic scenes. As dark as this piece of art may be, it is also a very honest representation of where Wayne was at during this controversial time. My hope is that when people see this, that they understand the cautionary tale that Wayne’s life ultimately became and can avoid some of those pitfalls.”
“We always want to remember Wayne as the intelligent, funny, ‘Star Trek’-loving rock star,” adds Aimee Pittman, Wayne‘s younger sister. “It makes his family sad and angry to see Wayne depicting himself in a way that we understand to be a realistic portrayal of his life and the choices that ultimately ended it. If one person watching this video can benefit or make better choices related to drugs and alcohol, then we are grateful for the reminder.”
Following the triumph of their recent release, “Project Regeneration: Vol. 1,” and the resounding success of their sold-out “Rise Of The Machine” tour, STATIC-X has rekindled their fan base and reignited the fervor for Evil Disco among the masses. With the original lineup of Campos, Fukuda, and Jay, fronted by the enigmatic Xer0, STATIC-X has unequivocally demonstrated that they are back and stronger than ever.
The “Rise Of The Machine” tour, a multi-city spectacle, saw an impressive 37 out of 42 dates completely sold out. Notably, it showcased STATIC-X‘s most expansive stage production to date. Fans can anticipate an even more grandiose and awe-inspiring stage production on the upcoming “The Machine Killer” tour.
Continuing their creative journey, STATIC-X has announced the release of “Project Regeneration: Vol. 2” on November 3, along with the unveiling of the album’s inaugural single, a cover of the NINE INCH NAILS classic “Terrible Lie.” This highly anticipated album is masterminded by Xer0, with mixing and mastering entrusted to their long-time collaborator, Ulrich Wild.
All the music featured on “Project Regeneration: Vol. 2” has been a collaborative effort among the four founding members of the band, working alongside their new vocalist, guitarist, and producer, Xer0. The album is notably devoid of any additional guest appearances, and it stands as a testament to the band’s collective dedication, as there were no external contributions to the songwriting, musical compositions, or performances on “Project Regeneration: Vol. 2.”
Between these two releases, STATIC-X enthusiasts from all corners of the globe have been treated to an impressive array of over two dozen fresh tracks. Most notably, the majority of these songs feature Wayne Static on lead vocals. These offerings have emerged after his untimely passing.
Tragically, Static‘s life was cut short due to a fatal combination of Xanax and other potent prescription medications mixed with alcohol, as detailed in the coroner’s report. Wayne Richard Wells, known by his stage name Wayne Static, was just 48 years old at the time of his passing. He was the visionary founder of STATIC-X in 1994, achieving significant commercial success with their groundbreaking album “Wisconsin Death Trip,” which notably included the rock radio hit “Push It.“
