Wayne Static Talks ‘100 Percent Pure Evil Disco’ Solo Disc ‘Pighammer’

Static-X frontman Wayne Static is making a go of it as a solo artist. Not surprisingly, his solo debut, 'Pighammer,' doesn't veer to far from the evil disco style we've come to expect from the singer-guitarist.

Static recently spoke with Loudwire about branching out on his own, the drug haze during which he penned a few of the songs and his "other" life as a gearhead. In addition, he offered the latest update on Static-X. Check out our full interview with Wayne Static below:

'Pighammer' doesn't stray too far away from Static-X's sound. Why did you decide to do a solo album?

I wanted to do my own solo thing for a decade now actually. I wrote everything for Static-X and I would have put Static-X on hold. Static-X had a great run. We did everything we wanted to do and everyone wanted to do their own thing for a while. Basically, the writing process for this record was just like all the songs I've written. The only difference is that I didn't compromise with a bunch of band members before we recorded it, so…

You're the boss!

Yeah, this was 100 percent my vision and what I wanted to do. I played everything on the record! That’s the difference.

The a big one. You make the creative decisions. Obviously, you write Static-X songs, so the solo album is going to sound like your songwriting style; it's not that much of a stylistic left turn! It is a little darker and dirtier. Not like Static-X is wholesome and clean. This just explores an even darker side of life.

It's a darker, moodier record. All of my records have their own vibe, depending on what was going on in my life. This reflects it, lyrically and sonically.

Some of it when you were on the biggest drug haze, how long ago? When did you get clean?

Just over a year ago.

Sitting on these songs for a bit - did that take away from their intensity? Or was it the right time to release?

Most of the record was written half and half. I started it. I got off drugs while making the record, so I was finishing it on the silver side of things. I still drink. I didn't go to rehab. I cut out the hard drugs and the things that were destroying my health. The record has to do with the transformation. We sold our house in L.A., moved to the desert, and I started my own label.

You stopped destroying your health ... but is it more creatively fulfilling to write when high or f---ed up? Or is it two difference experiences?

It's not much of a difference for me. I always enjoyed writing music; things pop into my head every day. I am more productive when not on drugs. I get more stuff done. The process is always the same.

What is Static-X's status? Hiatus? Backburner? Broken up?

There is no plan at this point. We do go our separate ways but didn't break up the band. It's nothing like that. We are doing our own thing for a while. I'll do this as long as it's still fun. If we decide to get back together, that's great. If not, that's great, too!

Is your Warner Bros. contract finished?

It was a long ordeal getting out of my contract with Warner Bros. That's why it took so long to get this record out. I had to get it back from Warner Bros. I feel at this point I don't need that big label machine. I have my fans. People know who I am. There is no reason not to put it out myself.

Give us some insight into the single 'Assassins of Youth.'

I started writing it in 2007 when I just met my wife. We went to a hotel room, and were doing a lot of drugs. I wanted to see if I could write cool lyrics and see what came out of it. I passed out while writing it. Jump to 2010. I found the paper with scribbling and the first verse, from when I sat there listening to Pink Floyd and doing drugs. The second verse is about coming to realization that drugs were taking a toll on my health and it was time to clean up.

What else is Wayne Static into?

My passion outside of music is that I am a total gear head. My wife and I own six vehicles, three of which are off-road. We live in the desert, middle of nowhere.

So you can race 'em!?

I can get into the dirt and drive over the rocks. I do the work on the trucks myself. We have a '69 Camaro and an old Corvette and a new Challenger.

Do you name your cars?

Some have names, some don't! [Laughs]

Do you fix them up with your own hands?

Most are older and I built them up over the years. I have had a lot of them. I have an '88 K5 Blazer, and have been diddling it over the years.

Do you ever get rid of them or do just keep adding to the collection?

It's hard to get rid of them!

They are like kids!

After you put so much work and money into them, it doesn’t make sense to get rid of them! There a few we don't drive as much as I'd like to. It's like our kids. It doesn’t make sense to sell them!

Any famous last words?

Anyone who ever liked Static-X is going to love this solo record. It's 100 percent pure evil disco. It's completely what I envisioned for Static-X in the beginning without having to compromise for other musicians or labels. I tried to get back into the whole electronic vibe, mixed with metal, which was the beginning of Static-X. I spent an entire year in the studio writing and recording this. It's 24 tracks, no editing, no computers, so it has an organic feel to it.