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Wayne Static (ex-Static-X) Dead At 48; Drugs Possibly Involved

posted Nov 1, 2014 at 10:53 PM by OverkillExposure.  (35 Comments)

Update: although no cause of death has been released, Wayne Static's publicist has now issued a statement available here stating drugs were not involved.

Sources close to Wayne Richard Wells, a.k.a. Wayne Static, former mastermind of California industrial metal crew Static-X, have confirmed that the guitarist/vocalist has died at the age of 48.

Details are still sketchy, but inside sources indicate the death may have been drug-related. Micah Electric, drummer of Hollywood-based industrial rockers 9Electric, issued the following via social media:

"My friend Wayne Static has passed away.

"So glad to have known him, recorded with him, toured with him, partied with him and had MANY real conversations with him. He was a good soul who chose the wrong path.

"He will be missed."

Static-X released six studio albums through Warner Bros. Records over the ten-year span of 1999-2009. After formally disbanding the group, Static launched a solo career in a similar musical vein and released the debut album "Pighammer" in 2011.

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35 Comments on "Wayne Static Dies"

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Anonymous Reader
1. Val Emmons writes:

Horrible news! RIP Wayne...you were one if the greats and will be missed.

# Nov 1, 2014 @ 11:04 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
2. Raven Faust writes:

Such a horrible tragedy, he was a musical genius

# Nov 1, 2014 @ 11:07 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
3. Jackie writes:

Unbelievable. .

# Nov 1, 2014 @ 11:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
4. Nick Bragg writes:

R.I.P. Wayne, Thankx for all the great music and things you done. May your spirit live forever!!!!

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:06 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
5. Nick Bragg writes:

R.I.P. Wayne, Thankx for all the great music and things you done. May your spirit live forever!!!!

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:08 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
6. jonny2baggs writes:

Awww man may the gods bless you my brother and condolences to the family the gods will look down during this time of hurt RIP

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:16 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
7. jade skilling writes:

I am a thirteen year old girl and people find me weird coz I lister to heavy metal..................R.I.P wayne static you wer the best and you will be missed ( here comes the tears ) :'(

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:17 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
8. Adora_Vivos writes:

His music was big for me back in high school. I'm sad to see this in a way, but I think we've all known it was coming.

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:18 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
9. tracy c writes:

Rip wayne static, prayers to his family and friends. Its a true tragedy, if its a o.d addiction can happen to anyone and it affects everyone !!!!!

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:18 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
10. Amber Cap writes:

Wow... so shocking. RIP. I was looking forward to seeing your November 26 show in SA. :-(

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:19 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
11. Ginger writes:

I love you Wayne. Rest in peace. I'm heartbroken 💔

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:34 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
12. Longshoremen writes:

Wow What more terrible news for the metal
Community. Rest in peace Wayne Wells

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:44 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
13. Alexis writes:

R.I.P Wayne Static I'm just happy that he was my first concert :')

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:49 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
14. I_PAIN_I writes:

he will be missed. X

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:49 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
15. Engine writes:

My first concert was Static-X, Morbid Angel, Slayer, and Pantera. Haven't listened to them in years, but I really liked the first 2 albums. Always sad to see drugs take a life.

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:56 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
16. johnny ballgame writes:

Awful news, will remember the good days of static x and not the past 5 year's which was just hard for any fan to watch.
I hope tony campos lightens up and has something inspiring to say about the passing wayne and shares something positive, while I understood why tony was at odds with wayne there were times tony was just relentless and was a total pric, I hope now he feels a bit sh!tty about how he treated wayne at times, let it go.
So long wayne

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 1:24 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
17. Arnie writes:

RIP WAYNE! You will be missed ! If cause of Death was really a overdose than hope this is a wake up Sign for all addicts out there! This cause of Death is so useless.
And to Tony Campos: wanna hear something......

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 1:58 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
18. Todd West writes:

People used to get my band System X confused with his band Static X all the time, both were in Los Angeles the mid-late-90's and both were heavy industrial outfits. RIP bro!

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 2:16 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
19. Sadist Ways writes:

C'mon, no one ever heard of System X. Maybe they confused your band with sh**stain X. RIP Wayne!

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 2:27 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
20. Todd West writes:

Yeah RIP Wayne, in LA in the mid 90's, no one ever heard of his band either. Go f*** yourself Sadist Ways.

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 2:37 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
21. kita writes:

I was so eager to hear some new music from him. I just can't believe this.

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 4:56 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
22. pixie dream writes:

crazyness with this drug overdose crap to many bad a$$ musicians are being taken by this sh** sadness and condolences to his wife and fam may you be resting with the wicked

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 5:43 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
23. MarieMilton writes:

believe it or not Static X got me through my divorce back when they came out.. I will forever ❤️ Static-X.. We are losing way too many people to drugs.. Heaven must be sounding good these days.. R.I.P

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 9:40 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
24. Mr Singh writes:

Static X one of the best nu metal bands out there this is very sad news about Wayne, Wayne you make some very good songs, i start listening to the band when i was 17 now i am 29. RIP Wayne

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 11:12 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
CorpusUpir's avatar

Member

25. CorpusUpir writes:

R.I.P dude . f*** this sucks

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 12:08 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
brandedcfh420's avatar

Member

26. brandedcfh420 writes:

Saw Static-X 2 times. Ozzfest 2000 and Ozzfest 2007, kicked a$$ both times!!

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 2:29 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
27. loretta writes:

R.I.P man u will b missed by all

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 4:20 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
EdgeoftheWorld's avatar

Senior Reviewer

28. EdgeoftheWorld writes:

A damn shame.

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 5:56 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
29. MUDGUTS 666 writes:

R.I.P Mr Static. The Metal world will not be the same without you. May you jam out with all the greats that have passed before you.
As a fan of Static X I wish to send my condolences to the family.
R.I.P. brother \m/

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 6:10 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Borntomosh's avatar

Member

30. Borntomosh writes:

Even though they weren't my usual "genre of choice", I was a big fan of Static-X. Saw them many times from their inception to the end of their run as a unit a few years back. Never a bad performance, and really didn't have too many bad things to say about their albums.

RIP Wayne.

# Nov 2, 2014 @ 9:36 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
31. Joseph writes:

Rest in peace brother...thanks for the memories :)

# Nov 3, 2014 @ 12:50 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
32. Erik Fincher (known longtime guitar tech and close personal friend to Wayne) writes:

ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE ME LAUGH?!?!?! OH, IT'S OK EVERY ONE, TERA AND THE PUBLICIST SAY THERE WERE NO DRUGS INVOLVED!!!!! NO! NO DRUGS HERE. Well let's just see what the toxicology report says pinnochio! Unf***ingreal. Yea, we are all stupid guys. We will believe that just cause you say so. Get stuffed.

# Nov 3, 2014 @ 1:54 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
RememberMetal?'s avatar

Writer/Reviewer

33. RememberMetal? writes:

His band always seemed beset by one big problem or another. I was never a big fan, though the album 'Wisconsin Death Trip' and the song "Cold" occupy a special place in the memories of my late teens and early 20's. I saw them on two occasions, once as headliners and once with Sevendust. They brought it.

R.I.P. Mr. Static.

# Nov 5, 2014 @ 1:15 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
xsrg13's avatar

Member

34. xsrg13 writes:

rip

# Nov 5, 2014 @ 8:51 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Valentine_no_more's avatar

Supporter

35. Valentine_no_more writes:

Man that really fn sucks. :/

# Nov 17, 2014 @ 2:45 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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