Static-X leaves Odessa in shock

by Caroline Basile, sports editor

Self-described as “evil disco,” Los Angeles-based Static-X made their way through Texas recently.

The band made their way through Odessa on April 6 as part of a tour in support of their newest album, “Cannibal,” which was released April 3.

Opening the show, which was at Dos Amigos Cantina, were Dallas-based Neverset, 2Cents, and Otep. The latter of the three will remain on the tour, while Neverset continues to perform in the local area.

L.A.-based 2Cents helped the show kick off, playing their metal/punk mix, including their song “The Wedding Dress.” As they finished their set, they performed a new track, “Pop Music is the Enemy,” with lyrics that blatantly rip apart bands such as Fall Out Boy and Simple Plan.

  Also in their set, 2Cents covered Slayer’s “Raining Blood” in tribute to their metal roots. Despite their high-powered set, they did slow down to play their tribute song to Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott.

Next on stage was Otep, who played a tremendous set and got the crowd very involved and riled up. The band’s singer, Otep Shamaya, made several political statements involving President Bush and the war, before playing their highly-political anthem “Warhead.”  The crowd responded with antagonizing remarks, but that did not halt the force behind Otep’s set. The band soldiered on with their performance with “Fillthee,” and “Ghostflowers.”

In a tribute to the late Kurt Cobain, who committed suicide on or about April 5, 1994, Otep covered Nirvana’s “Immodium.” Additionally, Otep, who released their newest album, “The_Ascension,” also performed “Blood Pigs,” “Jonestown Tea,” and “T.R.I.C.”

Static-X, the band of the evening, did not disappoint. Static-X played several new songs from their new album, including the title track and the first single off the album, “Destroyer.”

Frontman Wayne Static and the band entertained the crowd by taking breaks between songs for shots of what appeared to be Jagermeister, at least that’s what it tasted like when they threw the remainder of their shots into the crowd.

“This song is about _________ in a bag,” Static told the audience before the band played “____ in a Bag,” which is featured on their second album “Machine.”

Static-X also performed crowd favorites “I’m with Stupid,” “Push It,” ”Black and White,” “Cold,” and “Love Dump.”

The amazing energy of the bands and crowd made for an enjoyable show. Hopefully these bands can make it back to the West Texas area very soon.