Died On This Date (November 1, 2014) Wayne Static / Frontman Of Static-X
themusicsover Wayne Static (Born Wayne Wells)
November 4, 1965 – November 1, 2014
Wayne Static was the lead singer and multi-instrumentalist for the Los Angeles based industrial metal band, Static-X. Formed in 1994, the band built a legion of followers thanks to a sound that co-mingled industrial metal, groove metal and nu-metal. Over the course of the band’s 16 year run, they released six albums including their Platinum-selling debut, Wisconsin Death Trip. Static was the only original member of the band throughout its entire lifespan. Seemingly musically gifted at an early age, Static’s parents bought him his first guitar at the age of seven, and by the time he was 12, he was in his first band. He eventually moved from Chicago to Los Angeles where Static-X was born. After a very successful run, the band went on hiatus in 2009 during which time Static released his solo debut, 2011’s Pighammer, which peaked at #97 on the US Album Charts. He formed a new version of Static-X in 2012, but disbanded it for good the following year. Outside of Static-X, Static collaborated with the likes of Skinny Puppy, Godhead, Soil, and Run DMC. He was scheduled to tour with Powerman 5000 and American Head Charge in November of 2014. Wayne Static was 48 when he passed away on November 1, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released.
What You Should Own
Jeff “Critter” Newell was a self-taught recording studio engineer who first built a name for himself when he was working at the influential Chicago Trax Studio which played a pivotal role in the growth of the city’s underground industrial scene. He eventually relocated to Studio City, California. Over the course of his career, Newell worked on releases by the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Angels & Airwaves, Guns N’ Roses, and Blink-182. Jeff Newell was 45 when he passed away on December 31, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Known by the stage name, Sleazy, Peter Christopherson is best remembered as a founding member of British avant-garde industrial band, Throbbing Gristle. He was also part of such projects Psychic TV, Coil, Soisong, and The Threshold HouseBoy’s Choir. Throbbing Gristle formed in 1975, with Christopherson mostly handling synthesizers and vibraphone. The group developed a very loyal following thanks in part to their sometimes controversial shows that often included disturbing visuals of Nazi concentration camps and pornography. Throbbing Gristle were pioneers of incorporating prerecorded tapes, or “samples” into their shows, and paved the way for such bands as Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Front 242. The group broke up in 1981 but then reformed in 2004. Remarkably prolific, they recorded numerous albums for the highly influential Mute Records, also the one-time home for Depeche Mode, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and Erasure, to name a few. While he wasn’t making music, Christopherson was a video director, graphic artist, and photographer. Peter Christopherson passed away in his sleep on November 24, 2010. Cause of death was not immediately released. He was 55.
