Static-X: No Full Albums, But Maybe Singles, Says Tony Campos

Tony Campos isn’t pulling any punches when it comes to the future of Static-X. In a recent chat with Nikki Blakk from 107.7 The Bone, Campos laid it out: as long as they’re having fun and the fans keep showing up, the band will keep going.

And frankly, he’s leaving it in the fans’ hands. The latest album, “Project Regeneration: Vol. 2” (listen below), dropped in January, bringing back Wayne Static’s final vocal tracks along with the lineup from the “Wisconsin Death Trip” days—Campos, Koichi Fukuda, and Ken Jay. Xer0 handled production, with Ulrich Wild taking care of mixing and mastering.

When asked if the band will keep acting as a tribute to Wayne Static after this tour, Tony wasn’t coy: “That’s how it started, but it’s grown because the fans keep showing up.” Pretty clear-cut. If they’re enjoying themselves and the audience keeps demanding more, they’ll keep going. No vague promises or over-the-top declarations here.

There’s no denying the band’s comeback since 2019 has brought in a fresh crowd. Blakk pointed out the growing fanbase, and Tony wasn’t surprised: “Yeah, we’ve noticed a lot of younger folks. The old-school fans from the late ’90s and early 2000s are now adults bringing their kids along to the shows.” So, apparently, evil disco doesn’t age—it just multiplies.

As for new music? Don’t hold your breath for a full album anytime soon. Tony made it clear: “Who even buys albums these days?” Singles might be the way to go if anything happens at all. But for now, he’s just rolling with the present.

Then there’s the mystery of Xer0. Everyone with half a brain suspects Edsel Dope is under that mask, but nobody’s confirming anything. Campos has no problem with the masked frontman, saying the intention was never to replace Wayne Static outright. “It’s about channeling Wayne’s spirit,” Tony said, drawing a parallel to Iron Maiden’s mascot Eddie. According to him, Wayne was both the Bruce Dickinson and the Eddie of the band, and the Xer0 character is the right balance for keeping that vibe alive without feeling like a cheap replacement.

If seeing Xer0 on stage feels like some weird time warp to the early 2000s, well, Tony’s right there with you. “When I’m playing and catch him in my peripheral vision, it’s like the old days again. The hair, the figure—it takes me back.” But there’s always that nagging feeling: “Wayne should be here.” The band still feels his presence, especially when they’re all together on stage.

Static-X’s story is marked by highs, lows, and a tragic ending with Wayne’s passing in 2014. Xanax, alcohol, and other prescriptions were a lethal combination, ending the frontman’s life at just 48. The band’s legacy, however, lives on through their music and a peculiar masked figure helping carry the torch.

And yes, the whole Xer0 thing has sparked endless speculation, and despite some not-so-subtle hints (like the matching neck tattoos between Dope and Xer0), Edsel isn’t owning up. He even provided “proof” that he’s not the guy behind the mask, posting photos of himself watching a Static-X gig from the side of the stage. Right. Photoshop must be magic.

So where does this leave the band now? Project Regeneration Vol. 1 came out in 2020, with Vol. 2 continuing the tribute to Wayne. Whether they keep going or not, one thing’s clear: Static-X fans aren’t letting go of the band’s past, present, or whatever weird, masked future they’re heading toward.