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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