WAYNE STATIC - FUKUDA RETURNS TO STATIC-X

LATEST: Original STATIC-X guitarist KOICHI FUKUDA has rejoined his old band, replacing fired member TRIPP EISEN.

Last week (ends04MAR05), Eisen was booted from the band after he was charged with aggravated sexual assault, child endangerment and kidnapping.

The rocker, real name TOD SALVADOR, was arrested by police in New Jersey in late February (05) following tips he was sexually assaulting teenagers after meeting them on internet chat sites.

And now Static-X leader WAYNE STATIC has announced on the band's website that Fukuda - who played on the band's debut, WISCONSIN DEATH TRIP, and toured with the group for two years before leaving to spend more time with his family - has been welcomed back into the fold.

Static says of Fukuda, "He's been in the studio with us since October working on the new record and this feels like a very natural transition."

The reshuffled band will perform live in Santa Ana, California, on 25 March (05).