Static X's Wisconsin Death Trip 20 Year Anniversary Tour Feat Dope @HOB Nola

Words & Photography by: Canonblue Lalley

New Orleans, LA

Static X helped pioneer an entire generation of metal heads with their chunky rifts and powerful vocals. After the tragic death of front man Wayne Static in 2014. the band took a five year hiatus and fans assumed Static X would be no more. In 2019 they announce a memorial tour for the 20th anniversary of their iconic album, Wisconsin Death Trip . The announcement was met with critical reception, much like we saw when bands such as Alice in Chains or Stone Temple Pilots announced their intentions to return without their staple front men. Fans of Static X, however, praised the return, many citing “It’s what Wayne would have wanted.”

In 2019, the fellas in Static X hit the road with fellow metal vets Dope on a much anticipated tour. I was able to catch the almost sold out New Orleans show which featured performances by not only DOPE and Static, but local and regional openers Wednesday 13 and more. As the lights dimmed for DOPE to take the stage an excited buzz hing in the air. Edsel and Acey walked out to an epic roar from the crowd and proceeded to throw down some of their older tracks as well as the covers. “You Spin Me Round’ was met with a barrage of crowd surfing. “Die Motherfucker Die” saw a wall of death open up on the floor of the House of Blues.

Static X took the stage to a roaring applause with an “undead” Wayne Static heading up the vocals. The band received quite a bit of backlash at having a mystery performing standing in wearing a mask remarkably similar to that of Wayne. All who grew up and knew the wildly silly and comical Wayne agreed that this is exactly the type of creepy shit he would have loved. Laying out their entire freshman album, Wisconsin Death Trip ripped from the speakers, the crowd at points overpowering the voice of “Wayne” during “Push It” as the floor shook and buckled beneath the jumping.

Static X will be dropping a new album in 2020 with previously unreleased Wayne Static tracks. I for one am incredible excited to get a little bit more from a band that was a staple of my early metal education. The memorial tour continues on, catch them on the final run before the shows sell out!