Static-X's Wayne Static Surprisingly Still Listens to Journey and Is More of a Country Mouse Than a City Cat

Wayne Static is happy to be on the road again and just as glad not to still be preparing for the venture. "It's a big deal," he says, getting your house ready and your life in order to step out on the road. Once he's on tour, though, now again with his band Static-X, it's all cool. He's got his cat, his gecko, and his wife with him. "We just bring home with us on the road," Static says. "My wife and I are together all the time; she's the only person I need in the world."

Static is also glad that he doesn't still live in Los Angeles. He currently resides in a much more laid-back area of the world but one still rich with musical history, Joshua Tree. Though he describes it as "backwoods, redneck," he's quick to say of the peace and quiet, "We love it." Both he and his wife grew up in the country and, tired of city life, retreated to the desert. "In L.A., there's just so many distractions. It's just hard to get things done there for me."

The area's famed venue Pappy and Harriet's is sort of an old-timey, wooden structure that has housed performances by musicians as diverse as Peaches and Robert Plant. We asked if Static-X would ever make a sonic appearance there. "That place is way too small. I don't think they're set up for a Static-X show," he says, laughing. "I think the place would get torn apart or burnt down or something."

The band is back together after a brief hiatus. Static took the time to put out a solo album, Pighammer, released late last year, which he recorded in Joshua Tree. After that, he "decided it was time to get Static-X going again."

Going solo was something he'd been wanting to do for a while, though. "When you're working in a band situation, you always have to compromise," he says. "For me, as the main songwriter and producer for the band, sometimes it's hard for me to compromise. It was really good for me to be able to do that completely by myself. Played all the instruments by myself. It was really cool in that respect."

If you're wondering what Static listens to at home, you might be surprised. He's still hooked on the classic rock of his youth, artists like Journey. But he's not a fan of Rock of Ages. "It didn't look like my style," he laughs. "I don't like those weird musicals."

Though he's pumped to be touring, Static finds it difficult to go to concerts himself. "If we go to the show, there's a thousand people around me wanting an autograph and pictures. It's kind of a drawback to having some success in the business. Every time you leave the house, you have to be ready for pictures and autographs and stuff. You can't be a normal person anymore."

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