Sonic Shocks had the opportunity to catch a few words with the incredible Wayne Static, ahead of his forthcoming release 'Pighammer'. Find out more details about his new solo album HERE.

Sonic Shocks: How did the solo album come about and what inspired you to call the album 'Pighammer'?

 

Wayne: I’ve wanted to do a solo album since 2000 when I was writing songs for the “Machine” record.  Even in those early years of Static-X there was a pattern emerging where I would spend all my free time writing songs for Static-X and the other guys in the band spent their free time working on their other projects.  I was a bit jealous that they had time to do more than one thing, but being the band’s main song writer I knew that if I were to do a solo album I would have to put Static-X on hold, and it wasn’t until recently that I’ve been willing to do that.  After the 2009 “Cult of Static” touring cycle ended I felt that as a band Static-X had accomplished everything we set out to accomplish, and now I could finally take the time to do my own thing and make a record that is completely my vision without compromising for anyone or anything.  

 

I’ve had the “Pighammer” name in my head for several years and have been waiting for the right opportunity to use it.  Pighammer is obviously not a real word, so my wife Tera and I had a fun time coming up with various definitions for it!  In the end we decided that a Pighammer would be a tool that a mad plastic surgeon uses to transform his female patients.  And transformation is the theme of the album.

 

 

Wayne: This album was challenging to write and record.  I did not use Pro Tools.  I recorded on 24 tracks with no editing.  I feel when you start editing on the computer the recording starts to lose it’s organic feel.  This was also the first time I wrote and recorded an

album at the same time in the studio.  I recorded vocal parts as I wrote them.  In the past I would write and record demo's, then try to

recapture the original excitement months later in another studio, which is nearly impossible.  I love the energy that was captured

during the “Pighammer” sessions and will definitely write and record this way again.

 

 

Wayne: Choosing the single is almost always easy.  Every time I finish making a record there are always songs that stand out.  The first single needs to be straight to the point and must represent the general vibe of the record.

 

 

Wayne: Everyone loves what they’ve heard so far.  This album is 100% pure Evil Disco!

 

 

Wayne: “Pighammer” is much more focused than some of the Static-X albums. Obviously the overall sound is similar since I was the main songwriter for Static-X.  When I was working with the band everything was a compromise.  “Pighammer” is completely my vision.

 

 

Wayne: I had my wife, Tera Wray, do a few vocal bits, but other than that I kept myself isolated and focused during the writing/recording.  We sold our house in Los Angeles and moved to Joshua Tree before I started working on this album.  This area of the desert is very remote.  There are no distractions.  Sometimes we didn’t leave the studio for weeks at a time.

 

 

Wayne: The song titles and lyrics represent what was going on in my life during the last couple years.  The theme is transformation, getting off drugs and getting a fresh start as a solo artist.

 

 

Wayne: It generally takes me a year to write an entire album.  In that time frame I probably work on 20-30 songs, although only the songs that I am most excited about actually get finished and recorded.

 

 

Wayne: It has never been my intention to officially break up Static-X.  We’re all just doing other things for a while.  I’m sure when everyone is ready we’ll do something together again.

 

 

Wayne: I’ll stay on tour as much as possible for the rest of this year and most of 2012 as well.  I’m having a great time jamming with my new players.  We’ll be playing some new songs at the shows and a bunch of classic Static-X songs as well.