It is almost impossible to claim the birthplace of Static-X. However, their roots can be traced to the Midwest, where vocalist/guitarist Wayne Static grew up in Michigan and drummer Ken Jay in Illinois. They both made the trip to Chicago, playing in many bands along the way. The two finally met in the record store where Jay worked and were introduced by Smashing Pumpkins vocalist Billy Corgan. They quickly bonded and decided to head west to California to start up a new band. Shortly after their arrival, Osaka-native Koichi Fukada responded to the duo's ad and became their new guitarist, as well as programmer. Bassist Tony Campos, the only true Californian, was the final piece of the puzzle.