Tripp Eisen

Infobox musical artist
Name = Tripp Eisen


Img_capt =
Born = Birth date and age|1965|6|29|mf=y
Died =
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Instrument = Guitar
Alias = Tod Salvador
Genre = Industrial metal
Nu Metal
Alternative metal
Horror punk
Glam metal
Hard rock
Industrial rock
Associated_acts = Static-X
Dope
Murderdolls Ego
Notable_instruments = Bass Guitar
Label = Warner Bros. Records Epic Records
Years_active = 1997–2005
URL =

"Tripp Eisen" (born "Tod Rex Salvador" June 29, 1965,Fact|date=September 2008, also known "Tripp Rex Eisen" or previously "Rex Eisen"), is a musician, best known as the former guitarist of the industrial metal band Static-X. He is also a former member of Dope, Murderdolls, an Ace Frehley tribute band called 'Fractured Mirror', Roughhouse (formerly Teeze), and local east coast bands such as: The Right, Ego, and Lovesick.

"Eisen" holds, and is vocal about, highly conservative libertarian views. He is also known to be an avid fan of author Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged, The Fountainhead, Anthem), and promoted Rand's philosophy of objectivism) while in the public spotlight; notably by wearing t-shirts such as "Who Is John Galt?", "Equality 7-2521", and "Brother, You Asked For It", and by talking to fans and the media about Ayn Rand. He was the only member of Static-X to regularly post on the band's internet forums.

Dope

The year: 1997. After meeting and joining with brothers Edsel Dope and Simon Dope, (and bringing "Eisen’s" friend Preston Nash in on drums) the band Dope was born. The band played the NYC club circuit, gaining a following and showcasing for various record companies and management. When a record deal was scored (Flip/Sony) in 1998, "Eisen" moved from bass guitar to lead guitar (this was when his friend Acey Slade joined the band: a fitting reference to join Dope since it was Acey who first referred "Tripp" to the band a few years earlier). "Tripp" brought his unique stage presence and creative influence to the band as they gained a following through their music, videos and live show. With the release of the album “Felons and Revolutionaries” (1999) the band toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada with various acts such as: Sevendust, Kid Rock, Static-X, Slipknot, Disturbed, Chevelle, Fear Factory, Staind and Alice Cooper. This was also when friendships were bonded with such notable musicians as Wayne Static and Joey Jordison, whom "Tripp" would later work with. "Eisen" appeared in the Dope videos for “Sick” and “Everything Sucks”. He split with the band in late 2000 due to personal and creative differences.

Sex scandal

While a member of Static-X, Eisen was arrested on February 10, 2005 on a felony charge in Orange County, California for having sexual intercourse with an underage girl. He was released on bail after only a few hours in custody. Just two weeks later, on February 24, 2005, Eisen was arrested again in California by New Jersey detectives for the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl from Sayreville, New Jersey. New Jersey State Police alleged that Eisen posed as his own impersonator on the Internet and lured the girl starting in October 2004 and culminating with sexual intercourse on January 7, 2005. [cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1497553/20050228/static_x.jhtml?headlines=true|title=Static-X Guitarist Charged In Two Separate Sexual Assaults|publisher=MTV|author=Harris, Chris|date=2005-02-28|accessdate=2007-09-22]

Upon hearing of the arrests, Static-X fired Eisen and replaced him with the original guitarist Koichi Fukuda (whom Eisen had replaced after Fukuda left the band in 2001). When Wayne Static was asked about Tripp's firing he said: "I knew immediately that we were going to kick him out of the band. We had to do that."

On June 24, 2005, Eisen pled guilty to the California charges of unlawful sexual intercourse and was sentenced to a year in state prison. After spending late February to late September 2005 in California prison, Eisen was released and due for an October 7, 2005 arraignment in New Jersey on the February 24 charges. [cite web|url=http://origin.www.mtv.com/news/articles/1510640/20050929/story.jhtml|title=Former Static-X Guitarist Out Of Prison, May Be Heading Back|publisher=MTV|author=Harris, Chris|date=2005-09-29|accessdate=2007-09-22]

References