Wisconsin Death Trip (album)
Encyclopedia
Wisconsin Death Trip is the debut studio album
by the American
industrial metal
band Static-X
. Originating in the Midwestern United States
when lead singer Wayne Static
(from Michigan
), and drummer Ken Jay
(from Illinois
), met at a Virgin Records
store in Chicago, it was not long after they were introduced by the lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan
, that Static and Jay decided to head out west to California
to enlist a lead guitarist and bassist. Once in California, Koichi Fukuda
became their guitarist, and not long after, they discovered Californian Tony Campos
to complete the band as their bassist. Warner Bros. Records
discovered the group in California, and signed them to the label in February of 1998. A year later Wisconsin Death Trip was released on March 23, In August of 2001 the RIAA
certified the album as platinum.
under the Warner Bros. Records
label in a matter of eight weeks. . Band members contributions include: Wayne Static
(lead vocals
, guitar
s, keyboards
, programming
), Koichi Fukuda
(guitar
, keyboards
, programming
), Tony Campos
(bass
, background vocals
), and Ken Jay
(drums
).
Wisconsin Death Trip features a song written by vocalist Wayne Static
and drummer Ken Jay
's former band Deep Blue Dream, titled "December".
The crash-landing scene from the 1968 film Planet of the Apes
is sampled for the intro of "Sweat of the Bud". The intro for "Stem" is sampled from the 1991 experimental horror movie Begotten
.
, as well as featured in the movie Torque
. A remix of the song "Love Dump" also broke into film production, and appeared on the 2001 original soundtrack for Valentine
. It was later picked up by game designers, and included in the 2009 release of Brütal Legend
, available on numerous platforms, including Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, Playstation 2, Nintendo DS, PSP, Online, and PC. Meanwhile, during the 2008 American Baseball League season, "The Trance is the Motion" was used by AL All-Star and Cleveland Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore
as his entrance music.
" is the first single off the album. This is one of the band’s most recognizable and popular songs. This song included an array of sounds all the way from industrial metal
genres to Static-X
’s “evil disco” tone. Mick Olszewski directed the video for the song, using clay figures along with shots of the band.
"I'm with Stupid
" is the second single from the album. The song kicks off with Wayne Static
bellowing out the chorus and then transitions to the lead guitar riff. David Meyers
directed the music video, that included creatures from previous music videos. The video also includes Wayne Static playing a woman, and monkeys hidden throughout. This song, along with "Push It
", are credited with Wisconsin Death Trip’s success.
"Bled for Days
" is the final single off the album Wisconsin Death Trip. This song was the auditioning song for Nick Oshiro
s enlistment into the band. The music video was composed of recordings from their live shows, and the audio was spliced together with the original album version. This song has also appeared on various soundtracks, such as the Universal Soldier: The Return
and Bride of Chucky
.
and Tony Campos
.
Bonus tracks
Singles
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band Static-X
Static-X
Static-X is an American industrial metal band from Los Angeles, California. They were formed in 1994. They are signed to Warner Bros. Records and have released six albums, their most recent being Cult of Static, which was released on March 17, 2009....
. Originating in the Midwestern United States
Midwestern United States
The Midwestern United States is one of the four U.S. geographic regions defined by the United States Census Bureau, providing an official definition of the American Midwest....
when lead singer Wayne Static
Wayne Static
Wayne Static is an American musician, and the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and programmer for the industrial metal band Static-X. He released his first solo studio album Pighammer on October 4, 2011.- Early life :Static grew up in Shelby, Michigan before moving to Chicago and eventually...
(from Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
), and drummer Ken Jay
Ken Jay
Kenneth "Ken Jay" Lacey is an American musician, best known as the original drummer for Static-X.Jay was born in Jamaica, Illinois. He started Static-X with Wayne Static in 1994...
(from Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
), met at a Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
store in Chicago, it was not long after they were introduced by the lead singer of Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
, that Static and Jay decided to head out west to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to enlist a lead guitarist and bassist. Once in California, Koichi Fukuda
Koichi Fukuda
Koichi Fukuda is a Japanese American musician, and the lead guitarist, programmer, and keyboardist for the industrial metal band Static-X and Drugstore Fanatics -Biography:...
became their guitarist, and not long after, they discovered Californian Tony Campos
Tony Campos
Tony Campos is a Mexican American musician. He is the bass guitarist for the heavy metal band Soulfly and former bass guitarist of industrial metal band Static-X and frontman/bassist for Asesino. Campos was the final bassist for Ministry, which retired in 2008, though he rejoined when the band...
to complete the band as their bassist. Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
discovered the group in California, and signed them to the label in February of 1998. A year later Wisconsin Death Trip was released on March 23, In August of 2001 the RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
certified the album as platinum.
Production
The album was produced by Ulrich WildUlrich Wild
Ulrich Wild is an American record producer, engineer and mixer specializing in the rock and metal genres. Born and raised in Switzerland, Ulrich is now a naturalized citizen living in Los Angeles...
under the Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
label in a matter of eight weeks. . Band members contributions include: Wayne Static
Wayne Static
Wayne Static is an American musician, and the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and programmer for the industrial metal band Static-X. He released his first solo studio album Pighammer on October 4, 2011.- Early life :Static grew up in Shelby, Michigan before moving to Chicago and eventually...
(lead vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, programming
Programming (music)
Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
), Koichi Fukuda
Koichi Fukuda
Koichi Fukuda is a Japanese American musician, and the lead guitarist, programmer, and keyboardist for the industrial metal band Static-X and Drugstore Fanatics -Biography:...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, programming
Programming (music)
Programming is a form of music production and performance using electronic devices, often sequencers or computer programs, to generate music. Programming is used in nearly all forms of electronic music and in most hip hop music since the 1990s. It is also frequently used in modern pop and rock...
), Tony Campos
Tony Campos
Tony Campos is a Mexican American musician. He is the bass guitarist for the heavy metal band Soulfly and former bass guitarist of industrial metal band Static-X and frontman/bassist for Asesino. Campos was the final bassist for Ministry, which retired in 2008, though he rejoined when the band...
(bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, background vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
), and Ken Jay
Ken Jay
Kenneth "Ken Jay" Lacey is an American musician, best known as the original drummer for Static-X.Jay was born in Jamaica, Illinois. He started Static-X with Wayne Static in 1994...
(drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
).
Wisconsin Death Trip features a song written by vocalist Wayne Static
Wayne Static
Wayne Static is an American musician, and the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and programmer for the industrial metal band Static-X. He released his first solo studio album Pighammer on October 4, 2011.- Early life :Static grew up in Shelby, Michigan before moving to Chicago and eventually...
and drummer Ken Jay
Ken Jay
Kenneth "Ken Jay" Lacey is an American musician, best known as the original drummer for Static-X.Jay was born in Jamaica, Illinois. He started Static-X with Wayne Static in 1994...
's former band Deep Blue Dream, titled "December".
The crash-landing scene from the 1968 film Planet of the Apes
Planet of the Apes (1968 film)
Planet of the Apes is a 1968 American science fiction film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, based on the 1963 French novel La Planète des singes by Pierre Boulle. The film stars Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly and Linda Harrison...
is sampled for the intro of "Sweat of the Bud". The intro for "Stem" is sampled from the 1991 experimental horror movie Begotten
Begotten
Begotten is a 1991 experimental/horror film, directed and written by E. Elias Merhige.The film deals with the story of Genesis. But as Merhige revealed during Q&A sessions, its primary inspiration was a near death experience he had when he was 19, after a car crash. The film features no dialogue,...
.
Title Significance
The album's title was originally derived from a book by the same name published in 1973 by Michael Lesy, (see Wisconsin Death Trip - Book). This published work, responsible for capturing the imaginations of the band and inspiring the aptly dubbed "Wisconsin Death Trip" album contains a collection of photographs cataloging deceased persons previously residing in the Black River Falls region in the late 19th century. When interviewed about the source of the title inspiration, Wayne Static explained, “[it's]actually a book title that we stole. It's been out of print for about 20 years. It's a historical book about life in this small town in Wisconsin from 1890 to 1900. And it's about everything that happened, but it focuses on people dying and how they died. And there are pictures of dead people as well as stuff about natural disasters and fires and stuff like that"..Initial Response
- CMJ (1/10/00, p. 20) included the album in CMJ's "Loud Rock '99 Top 5" and in its review said: "...Static-X's industrial/metal hybrid uses a guitar sound that keeps its songs refreshingly large, loud and groovable..."
- Amazon.comAmazon.comAmazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
- 4 Stars - "Static-X skillfully blend angry staccato guitar, dark metallic noise, and mutating synthesizer washes to construct an ominous wall of sound."
Royalties
Years after the initial release of the album, many tracks continue to re-surface in various forms, utilized by game designers, film audio production teams, and star athletes. The single "Push It" was used as the intro for the 2000 video game Duke Nukem: Land of the BabesDuke Nukem: Land of the Babes
Duke Nukem: Land of The Babes is a third-person shooter video game in the Duke Nukem series of video games. This game is a direct sequel to the 1998 title, Duke Nukem: Time to Kill.-Plot:...
, as well as featured in the movie Torque
Torque (film)
-Similarities to The Fast and the Furious:The film has often been called "The Fast and the Furious on Motorcycles", referring to the use of many of the same thematic elements between the two films...
. A remix of the song "Love Dump" also broke into film production, and appeared on the 2001 original soundtrack for Valentine
Valentine (film)
Valentine is a 2001 horror film directed by Jamie Blanks, and starring Denise Richards, David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton, Jessica Capshaw, Hedy Burress, and Katherine Heigl. It is a slasher film with a Valentine's Day theme...
. It was later picked up by game designers, and included in the 2009 release of Brütal Legend
Brütal Legend
Brütal Legend is an action-adventure/real-time strategy game created by Double Fine Productions and published by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The game was released during October 2009 in North America and Europe...
, available on numerous platforms, including Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, Playstation 2, Nintendo DS, PSP, Online, and PC. Meanwhile, during the 2008 American Baseball League season, "The Trance is the Motion" was used by AL All-Star and Cleveland Indians centerfielder Grady Sizemore
Grady Sizemore
Gradius "Grady" Sizemore III is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
as his entrance music.
Singles
"Push ItPush It (Static-X song)
"Push It" is the first single from the industrial metal band Static-X's first album, Wisconsin Death Trip. "Push It" is one of Static-X's best known and most popular songs and is credited, along with "I'm with Stupid", for making Wisconsin Death Trip Static-X's best selling album...
" is the first single off the album. This is one of the band’s most recognizable and popular songs. This song included an array of sounds all the way from industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
genres to Static-X
Static-X
Static-X is an American industrial metal band from Los Angeles, California. They were formed in 1994. They are signed to Warner Bros. Records and have released six albums, their most recent being Cult of Static, which was released on March 17, 2009....
’s “evil disco” tone. Mick Olszewski directed the video for the song, using clay figures along with shots of the band.
"I'm with Stupid
I'm with Stupid (Static-X song)
"I'm with Stupid" is the second single from Static-X's debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. The song starts off with singer Wayne Static screaming out the words of the chorus, "He’s a loser, she said" and quickly moving on to the main guitar riff that is repeated throughout the song.-The Shovel...
" is the second single from the album. The song kicks off with Wayne Static
Wayne Static
Wayne Static is an American musician, and the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and programmer for the industrial metal band Static-X. He released his first solo studio album Pighammer on October 4, 2011.- Early life :Static grew up in Shelby, Michigan before moving to Chicago and eventually...
bellowing out the chorus and then transitions to the lead guitar riff. David Meyers
Dave Meyers (director)
David "Dave" Meyers is an American music video director.-Career:Meyers has directed over 200 music videos including: P!nk's "There You Go", "Most Girls", "You Make Me Sick", "Get The Party Started", "Don't Let Me Get Me", "Feel Good Time", "Stupid Girls", "U + Ur Hand", "So What", "Please Don't...
directed the music video, that included creatures from previous music videos. The video also includes Wayne Static playing a woman, and monkeys hidden throughout. This song, along with "Push It
Push It (Static-X song)
"Push It" is the first single from the industrial metal band Static-X's first album, Wisconsin Death Trip. "Push It" is one of Static-X's best known and most popular songs and is credited, along with "I'm with Stupid", for making Wisconsin Death Trip Static-X's best selling album...
", are credited with Wisconsin Death Trip’s success.
"Bled for Days
Bled for Days
"Bled for Days" is the third single from the industrial metal band Static-X's debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. It has appeared on several soundtracks, including the Universal Soldier: The Return and Bride of Chucky soundtracks. The music video for "Bled for Days" was recorded at a Static-X live...
" is the final single off the album Wisconsin Death Trip. This song was the auditioning song for Nick Oshiro
Nick Oshiro
Nick Oshiro is an American musician, best known as the current drummer of the industrial metal band Static-X. He has previously played with the South African post grunge band/alternative metal Seether. He started out with a drumkit made by his father as he stated in an interview with Tama. It was...
s enlistment into the band. The music video was composed of recordings from their live shows, and the audio was spliced together with the original album version. This song has also appeared on various soundtracks, such as the Universal Soldier: The Return
Universal Soldier: The Return
Universal Soldier: The Return is a 1999 American science fiction action film directed by Mic Rodgers and starred Jean-Claude Van Damme, Michael Jai White, professional wrestler Bill Goldberg, Heidi Schanz, Kiana Tom and Xander Berkeley as Doctor Dylan Cotner...
and Bride of Chucky
Bride of Chucky
Bride of Chucky is a 1998 American comedy horror film directed by Chinese director Ronny Yu. It is the fourth entry in the Child's Play series. The film stars Jennifer Tilly and Brad Dourif...
.
Track listing
All songs by Wayne StaticWayne Static
Wayne Static is an American musician, and the lead vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and programmer for the industrial metal band Static-X. He released his first solo studio album Pighammer on October 4, 2011.- Early life :Static grew up in Shelby, Michigan before moving to Chicago and eventually...
and Tony Campos
Tony Campos
Tony Campos is a Mexican American musician. He is the bass guitarist for the heavy metal band Soulfly and former bass guitarist of industrial metal band Static-X and frontman/bassist for Asesino. Campos was the final bassist for Ministry, which retired in 2008, though he rejoined when the band...
.
- "Push ItPush It (Static-X song)"Push It" is the first single from the industrial metal band Static-X's first album, Wisconsin Death Trip. "Push It" is one of Static-X's best known and most popular songs and is credited, along with "I'm with Stupid", for making Wisconsin Death Trip Static-X's best selling album...
" – 2:34 - "I'm with StupidI'm with Stupid (Static-X song)"I'm with Stupid" is the second single from Static-X's debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. The song starts off with singer Wayne Static screaming out the words of the chorus, "He’s a loser, she said" and quickly moving on to the main guitar riff that is repeated throughout the song.-The Shovel...
" – 3:24 - "Bled for DaysBled for Days"Bled for Days" is the third single from the industrial metal band Static-X's debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. It has appeared on several soundtracks, including the Universal Soldier: The Return and Bride of Chucky soundtracks. The music video for "Bled for Days" was recorded at a Static-X live...
" – 3:45 - "Love Dump" – 4:19
- "I Am" – 2:47
- "Otsegolation" – 3:32
- "Stem" – 2:54
- "Sweat of the Bud" – 3:30
- "Fix" – 2:49
- "Wisconsin Death Trip" – 3:09
- "The Trance Is the Motion" – 4:50
- "December" – 6:17
Bonus tracks
- "Down" (Japanese bonus track) – 3:15
Chart positions
Album| Chart (1999) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
1 |
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
107 |
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "Push It Push It (Static-X song) "Push It" is the first single from the industrial metal band Static-X's first album, Wisconsin Death Trip. "Push It" is one of Static-X's best known and most popular songs and is credited, along with "I'm with Stupid", for making Wisconsin Death Trip Static-X's best selling album... " |
Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
20 |
| Alternative Songs | 36 | ||
| "Bled for Days Bled for Days "Bled for Days" is the third single from the industrial metal band Static-X's debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. It has appeared on several soundtracks, including the Universal Soldier: The Return and Bride of Chucky soundtracks. The music video for "Bled for Days" was recorded at a Static-X live... " |
Mainstream Rock Tracks | 36 | |
| 2000 | "I'm with Stupid I'm with Stupid (Static-X song) "I'm with Stupid" is the second single from Static-X's debut album, Wisconsin Death Trip. The song starts off with singer Wayne Static screaming out the words of the chorus, "He’s a loser, she said" and quickly moving on to the main guitar riff that is repeated throughout the song.-The Shovel... " |
38 | |
| "Push It" | Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance Singles Sales is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States, established in 1985. It measures the sale of commercially released singles that deal with dance music and remixes... |
5 |