Static-X “Wisconsin Death Trip” Gold Record Award
Look at what just came in today! 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
Let’s talk about the award: the album artwork takes center stage, prominently displayed across the backdrop, with a stunning gold vinyl elegantly laid over it. The album title, Wisconsin Death Trip, is etched into the plexiglass, alongside the band’s iconic “cracked shock” logo at the heart of the award. This particular recognition is dedicated to Mike Green, a beloved radio host at WBCN, one of the most influential rock radio stations in Boston, MA. WBCN, known as "The American Revolution," played a pivotal role in shaping counterculture and antiwar movements, providing a powerful platform for youth culture. Founded in 1967 by Ray Riepen, the station became synonymous with the voice of the generation, offering the music that resonated with the people.
