I went back and forth on whether I wanted to say anything about the upcoming Matt Zane “documentary” on Wayne Static and Tera Wray Static. But ultimately, staying silent doesn’t sit right with me. I care about Wayne, and pretending this is harmless would feel wrong. Please note that I am not speaking for or on behalf of Edsel Dope, Static-X, or Wayne and Tera’s families. All opinions are my own.
Matt Zane is producing an unauthorized documentary based on his time as a friend and collaborator to Wayne and Tera. Both families have publicly opposed this project – which, frankly, should have been the end of it. Instead, the project continues, complete with a crowdfunding campaign inviting fans to contribute.
I’ve watched the campaign video. “Disturbing” barely covers it. What I saw wasn’t remembrance. It wasn’t respect.
It was exploitation.
If you want to hear Wayne’s voice, honour his art, or experience his final recordings, you already can. Static-X released them. There is also an officially authorized Static-X documentary on the way – created with the blessing of the people who knew and loved Wayne best.
So if Matt Zane truly cared, why didn’t he go through the proper channels? Why avoid the people who could give permission? The answer feels obvious: he knew they would say no. And with Static-X’s revival thriving and an authorized documentary in progress, Zane’s crowdfunded project reads far more like a predatory cash-grab than any kind of tribute.
edseldopefan.org stands with the families and the surviving members of Static-X. We urge fans not to support unauthorized, exploitative media.
