Static-X “Wisconsin Death Trip” Gold record award
One of my all-time favorite bands always was and still is Static-X, so I’m happy to finally own this beautiful piece of Nu-Metal history! This time its the Gold record award for Static-X debut album “Wisconsin Death Trip”.
Released on March 23, 1999 by Warner Bros. Records, the album captured attention quickly, earning Gold certification from the RIAA by January 12, 2000 right in the heart of the Nu‑Metal era. It climbed to number 107 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and even claimed the top spot on the Heatseekers chart. The album’s impact didn’t stop there. In June 2001, it surpassed one million in sales and received Platinum certification from the RIAA, so somewhere out there, a Platinum version of this award surely exists.
The album title “Wisconsin Death Trip” was inspired by Michael Lesy’s 1973 book Wisconsin Death Trip, which the band discovered while staying at a friend’s apartment during a tour. Originally wanting to use it as their band name, they settled on it for the album title instead. The book features haunting photographs and accounts of death and disasters in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, between 1890 and 1900, deeply influencing the band's artistic direction.
Static-X “Wisconsin Death Trip” Gold record award
The award itself features a beautiful bloody red backdrop color with a black frame around. It features like always the official RIAA hologram, the CD and the album artwork above. The award is dedicated to Jonathan Lev. From his days as a garage-rock drummer propelled his success in delivering brand value and revenue growth for artists, labels, and platforms. Named by Rolling Stone as a top alternative independent music promoter, he has served as a vital connector for iconic acts like Nirvana, U2, Coldplay, and Billie Eilish. With expertise across A&R, marketing, and content development, Lev grew and led two alternative consulting firms, most recently launching the profitable J Lev, Inc. Over 17 years, he’s amassed numerous RIAA awards and played a key role in building a multiplatform audio program.
