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Interview with Static X
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October 22, 2009, 02:46pm
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Interview with Static X
By Rafi
Static X is a band that barely needs an introduction, having been one of the few "industrial/metal" bands in the past ten years to truly get noticed. Since their debut album 'Wisconsin Death Trip' they have drafted fans worldwide with what may seem like the greatest of ease. Touring along side legends such as Slayer, Pantera, Black Sabbath, and many more.
I caught up recently with Tony Campos while on tour with the one and only Prong, and got a chance to talk to him about the past and future for Static X, touring with Ministry, and much more. So sit back kids lets here it for one of music's busiest bassists:
Rafi: You are currently on tour with Prong, how has that been going?
Tony Campos: It is going great man, but it is also cold as fuck. (both of us laughing) It got cold quick, I didn't think it would till something like December and here we are at the beginning of October.
Rafi: What has it been like to play with Prong?
TC: It has been great I was a big Prong fan growing up and are one of the most influential bands for Static X. So just as a fan it is really an honor for me.
Rafi: You and Tommy are no strangers as you were both on the Ministry C-U-Latour, how did you guys come to meet before that?
TC: I have known Tommy for years, back when he was releasing 'Rude Awakening' we had the same management so we were introduced in L.A. We ended up getting reintroduced when we did the Ministry tour together.
Rafi: I remember you guys did a cover of "Burning Inside", how did you end up with the honor of working with Al Jourgenson down the line?
TC: We were doing an Ozzfest in 2007 and Al was working on the Ministry 'Cover Up' record. He ended up calling up Wayne (Static), asking if we could fly down to El Paso and track some vocals. We ended up coming out there and Al caught me a bit off guard and said "hey man just want you to know you are playing bass on some of these songs." All I could say was, "ok." Funny thing is one of tracks that I played bass on ended up being nominated for an Emmy (laughing), so that was definitetly pretty cool.
After wards we ended up going to the bars together, and hanging out alot. Fast forward a few months, Paul Raven sadly passed away and they gave me a call asking if I wanted to do the last Ministry tour with them. Honestly I was amazed that they asked me to do this, and of course I said I would; it ended up being an amazing experience.
Rafi: It must have been, I just got done watching the 'Adios Puta Madres' DVD and you seemed almost like a kid in a candy shop to be there.
TC: (Laughing) I definitetly was. I can't think of two more influential bands for Static X than Prong and Ministry. To get their stamp of approval is very big for me.
Rafi: One of the highlights for me with Static X was 'Cannibal' which marked the return of Koichi into the studio again. The whole album seemed darker and heavier than previous Static X material, how did Koichi's return help with that?
TC: Well the whole dynamic for the band changed after we all got back together, it seemed to be become alot tighter of a band. I mean Tripp was a decent enough guitar player, but when Koichi came back it was like night and day; I forgot just how good he was. He definitetly brought back that really tight precision that we had back in the day, plus his keen guitar playing skills brought so much back to the music.
Rafi: I caught you guys on tour for 'Cannibal' with 3 Inches of Blood and Divine Heresy, seemed like you guys felt more at home than any other time before.
TC: That is for sure, we had about eight years of history at that point and we definitetly felt more at ease with what we are doing.
Rafi: Having now worked with some of your influences has that changed anything for you when you approach writing or producing material for Static X?
TC: Honestly not really, after all this time we have kind of developed our system for how everything gets done so we tend to stick to that.
Rafi: It is so appropriate that your latest album was entitled 'Cult of Static' since it would seem your fans have stuck with you from beginning to end almost like a cult, what is the best part of waking to the success you have had?
TC: The greatest feeling for me is looking back at all that we did to get this band started and knowing that here we are ten years down the line and are still doing it. It has been truly an honor.
Rafi: One tour that sticks out the most was the one you did with Slayer, Pantera, and Morbid Angel. That was one of the last tours that people got to see Pantera as a whole, do you ever look back on that tour and remember that and Dimebag's contribution?
TC: Absolutely, there is not a day that goes by that I do not miss that band and being around them. Even looking back at it now, it was amazing to see those three bands every night, it was like a dream come true.
Rafi: So what is the current state of Static X, are you guys going to be putting some new material together soon?
TC: At this point I am not sure, I know that Wayne and his wife are getting ready to put out a solo record. Wayne said Static X is right now on hold so he can see how the solo project works. In the mean time though I will always find ways to keep busy. Right now I have Prong and I am also working with Dino Cazares (Fear Factory, Divine Heresy, Nailbomb, and Brujeria) on a project called Asesino, we haven't done a record in about three years. We have been talking about it for about a year now and will probably be doing some shows for it. I always find something to delve into sooner or later.
Rafi: I know that Prong is getting ready to head into the studio to do the follow up to 'Power of the Damager' are you planning to maybe join Tommy in the studio for it?
TC: Yeah I would love to do that! I will keep doing the Prong thing honestly till Monte (Pittman) wants his position back. (both of us laughing) But yeah I would love to keep working with Prong.
Rafi: Ever thought about doing some role reversal with Monte? When he is in Madonna you can be in Prong and when he is doing Prong you work with Madonna?
TC: Sure (laughing) I have no problem with that. I will wear some silly outfit and stand in the back while Madonna prances around the stage with her dancers, oh yeah!
Rafi: (laughing) And hey you are being paid for it.
TC: $10,000 a week from what I understand, I'll take that.
Rafi: Ok back to the music, I have always loved Asesino. How is this one different from others you have done for those who are not familiar with it?
TC: Well it started out as a side project of Brujeria, so it is a side project of a side project. (laughing) We did the first record together and I turned around to Dino and said that we should really run with this. He was sold on it so we have been doing it now for about 6-7 years. We have mainly toured in South America and the west coast with it, we just figured it was time to get back to doing things with it. So hopefully then end of this year or the beginning of next year we will get in the studio and start tracking some new material.
Rafi: Since we are on the topic of side projects, you are on tour with Max Cavalera who is no strangers to side projects. Is there any possibility of getting a super group together with Max, Tommy, and yourself?
TC: No, but now that you mentioned it this will be a conversation that we all need to sit down and have. (both of us laughing) That would be one hell of a project. I was a big Sepultura fan growing up, so anything that I get to do with Max is an honor for me.
Rafi: Do you have any advice for the aspiring musicians who look up to you?
TC: The main thing I would say is, know why you are doing what you are doing. Make sure you are doing it for the right reasons. Once you hit the road it is not as easy as you think it is. You are stuck in a van that is hauling a trailer and you are freezing your ass off all the time. Sometimes it is not all that it is cracked out to be, so if you do not think that is something that you can handle, best to find something else to do. It's a rough life and not too much of the glamor. Always the hardest to start from the ground up.
Check out Static-X's Official Page
Check out Prong On VampireFreaks
posted by
Deathwish
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Christbane
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I have been a rabid Static-X fan for years, can't say I dig the new album tho. Ever since Wayne got that walking cartoon character for a wife and made her a de facto member of the band, they took a nosedive. I don't go to a fucking Static show to see his wife bring out shots. Eh, anyway, it was a bitch that I couldn't accept the offer to open for Prong when they came through, it woulda been awesome to hang with Tony and Tommy!
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Sleepwalking9
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Static X kicks ass, I like the bass of it.
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XxDaisxX
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static-x will always be the shit!
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Synchrisity
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m/!IM with Stupid~
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BlackStar69
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Static-X are awsome, I love waynes screaming and his hair. Now vf should do a video interview with wayne.
I come to take your soul with me, to hell I go with it MWUAHAHAHA!!!
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nudgers
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static x will always be the greatest band in the world! they are my favorite artists! i saw them for thew first time in London Islington this year but i couldnt fully enjoy the experience as my phone was stollen :-( but up until that point it was perhaps th egreatests moment of my life! I felt better after hearing that Tony Campos had the same thing happen to him on one of his tours. Fell free to come back any time Static x! i'll be seeing you again!
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