Static-X play a sold out show at Irving Plaza in NYC

Beer cans spraying across the crowd, circle mosh pits, head banging, the smell of Irish Spring soap and tobacco: Irving Plaza felt like a 1999 time capsule for Static-X’s headline show on Sunday, March 19. Now, 24 years later, the audience and the band still maintain their feelings for the music and the energetic live concert atmosphere. 

Static-X made the stop to play a sold out show at Irving Plaza in New York City midway through their Rise of the Machine tour. Originally set to take place two years ago, the tour commemorates the 20 year anniversary of their second studio album, Machine.

Static-X was founded by late frontman and rhythm guitarist Wayne Static and original drummer Ken Jay in 1994 in Los Angeles, California. Their rise to success and popularity came in 1999 with their debut record Wisconsin Death Trip, going platinum in the US. The band played into the growingly popular wave of Nu Metal music that was developing as a subgenre for the metal scene, bringing in hip hop, funk, electronic and industrial sounds and techniques. 

The band’s line-up shifted and changed several times throughout the band’s stint with Static being the only constant. In 2011, the band went on a hiatus while Wayne released a solo album, after Static-X announced a break up in 2013. A year later Wayne tragically passed away in 2014. His loss was deeply felt by his loved ones, past band members and dedicated Static-X fans.  

Four years later, the original lineup of the band reformed in honor of Wayne. Drummer Ken Jay, bassist Tony Campos, and lead guitarist Koichi Fukuda put out Project: Regeneration Vol. 1 in 2020. The record opens with “Regeneration” and a whispering voice stating: “the unexpected thing tragedy gives us is the opportunity to rebuild.” The album deals with death, loss, grief and transformation. It keeps its metal roots but has electronic elements peppered throughout, never straying away from the sound they had 20 years ago. It does seem that they are trying to rebuild exactly what they had 20 years ago.

Going by Xer0, the identity of the new frontman is unknown, but fans have various speculations. Something about keeping Xer0’s identity hidden feels like they are trying to fill Wayne’s void. The music doesn’t seem to be the thing regenerating (it feels like much of the same), but the hole Wayne left. The definition of regenerate is literally to regrow, to replace, or to bring into a renewed existence.  Whether that is insensitive, a smart marketing technique, or a loving way of honoring a friend, the crowd at Irving Plaza didn’t seem to care either way. 

Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda and Ken Jay took the stage first, in their everyday clothes, hyping up the crowd by playing just as they had three decades ago. Before Xer0’s entrance, an audio from Frankenstein blares out “He’s alive! He’s alive!” and elicits one of the loudest roars from the audience. Xer0 steps out suited in a cyborg/machine-like mask and outfit. The mask had bright glowing red eyes and was topped with wires sticking up resembling Wayne’s iconic hairstyle. 

They began by playing “Permanence” but it’s not till the next three off of Machine that they really start to get the crowd going, “This Is Not” then “Structural Defect” followed by “Black and White.” They sounded great, just like they do on the recorded tracks and Xer0 sounds eerily close to Wayne’s vocals. 

While there were standout audience members who may have been born after the band formed, most concert goers seemed like they grew up with the band, getting especially riled up when the band performed songs from their older albums. It’s not until they played the titular song off of Wisconsin Death Trip, the original throwback, that they had the crowd completely engaged. 

With strobing lights, and simulating visuals on the screens behind the band, the rest of the show kept the same energy. “Bleed for Days” and “Destroy All” were two standout crowd favorites. The band closed out the show with “Push It” from their 1999 debut release, bringing them back to their roots. 

The group’s Rise of the Machine tour is scheduled to continue around the U.S. until mid April. 

Project: Regeneration Vol. 2 is set to be released on November 3, 2023.

Photo Credit: Vivianne Navarrete