Announced minutes ago via his official Facebook page, Wayne Static has been found dead at the (far too young) age of 48. Static, formally Wayne Richard Wells, was the founding member of nu-metal heavyweight act Static-X. No information on the cause of death has been released at this time.

The announcment on Wayne’s Facebook page states that, “Wayne was scheduled to co-headline tours with Powerman 5000 and Drowning Pool over the next several months. No additional information is available at this time.” Under The Gun Review Music Editor Matthew Leimkuehler interviewed Wayne over the phone this summer. Here’s what he had to say about the future of his music and his legacy:

Do you think you’ve created a legacy for yourself? I think so. I think I’ve really been a part of music history. I think Static X is one of the biggest underground bands in the world. Everyone’s heard of Static X. But yet, we’re playing clubs. It’s bizarre to me. In my mind, Static X is as popular as Ministry. I feel like I’ve made my mark on things and I’m happy with that. What else do you have planned for the year? We’re gonna wrap up the U.S. in June and we might do something else in the fall but we’re going to try to do some international stuff. My main goal is to get a new record out as early as possible so I can get out hopefully next summer and do some fesitval shows and get into that scene and support a new record. That’s really my goal.

Under The Gun Review will work to update readers with this tragic news as more information becomes available.