Tripp Eisen of Static-X is no stranger to Iowa. In fact, the dreadlocked guitar player is actually involved with a band from Des Moines. The group, formerly known as The Rejects, also features Joey Jordison of Slipknot. The group recently parted ways with its singer and is now known as the Murder Dolls.

But Eisen’s main gig, of course, is Static-X, and that alone keeps him busy enough. The four-piece industrial metal band has been touring almost nonstop since the release of last year’s “Machine.” This included a spot on the “Family Values Tour” along with Staind, Linkin Park and Stone Temple Pilots.

Also in the works for the band is a Static-X comic book by Chaos! Comics. Tripp says comic books have always been a part of his life and is excited to be involved in the project. He says the comic book’s story takes place in a sci-fi future where the state rules and the members of Static-X are part of a rebellion.

“I grew up on comics but I don’t really have time to read comics anymore; I still collect a few, though,” Eisen says. “Ken and Tony are moderately into comics, more than I am right now, but Wayne has never really been into comics so it’s kind of totally new for him. It’s really cool that a band can be in a comic.”

Along with the comic book and tour, the band has recorded a cover of Elvis Presley’s “Speedway” for the NASCAR album “Crank It Up,” and will also be featured on the Rob Zombie-executive-produced Ramones tribute record. Static-X will cover “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment.”

The band has already completed a three-song demo for a new record it hopes to start work on soon. Eisen, who formerly handled guitar duties for Dope, did not join Static-X until the final stages of “Machine” and was not able to play on the record. Tripp is pleased to be involved in the new album.

“It’s a dream come true – I’m thrilled to be in Static-X now and to be going in as a band to work on this new album,” Eisen says.

Working “as a band” wasn’t something Eisen was able to experience in his days with Dope. This has left him bitter about his time with the New York band – bitter enough to compare the transition from Dope to Static-X to the exodus of the Jews from Germany and the Emancipation Proclamation.

“It’s like coming out and getting treated fairly as opposed to having someone try and rip the creative energy out of you and make all the money and give you a little teaspoon,” Eisen explains.

Eisen says the problems stemmed from front man Edsel Dope, who went as far as to not let Eisen play the guitar parts on Dope’s first record, “Felons and Revolutionaries,” so Edsel would not have to pay him. This, more than anything, bothered Eisen, who had spent three years playing with Dope.

“Me and the other guys are jamming and fuckin’ kickin’ ass rehearsing, getting the band ready. And what sold records for Dope was the live band that we sat and rehearsed and got tight.

“And then, fuck. we didn’t get the glory of recording on the album. We recorded some stuff but it was always about control,” Eisel says.

Now Eisen gets to go into the studio and play on a record, an album that he says should be out by June of next year at the latest. And another good thing about joining Static-X? He gets to talk to the press now.

“This is also cool because Wayne doesn’t say `I’m doing all the interviews so shut up,’ ” Eisen says with a laugh. “It’s like `all right, who wants to do this? Tripp, Tony?’ Whoever they want to interview, so I actually get to talk now.”