"Static-X has parted ways with guitarist Tripp Eisen, effective immediately. Tripp is currently dealing with personal issues that prohibit him from being able to fulfill his commitment to the band. No replacement has yet been chosen. Static-X is in the studio putting the finishing touches on its fourth Warner Bros. album, scheduled to be released in May. The band will tour this summer in support of the record."

Marc Pollack, manager for Static-X, has confirmed that the band have parted ways with troubled guitarist Tripp Eisen (real name Tod Rex Salvador), but would not use the term ''fired'' in connection with the break with Salvador, 39, of Burbank, Calif.

Speaking to Tom Coombe of Allentown, Pennsylvania's The The Morning Call on Tuesday (March 1), Pollack said, "It's fair to quote the [statement] that's on [the band's official] site. He said Salvador's departure would have no effect on Static-X’s upcoming album and tour. "We will be finding a replacement," Pollack said. "Everything will follow suit."

The "personal issues" mentioned in the band's statement are the charges pending against Salvador in Old Bridge Township, N.J., and in California, both relating to his alleged sexual involvement with underage girls. He is being held without bail in California, awaiting extradition to New Jersey. But police say it's unclear when the extradition would happen.

"He'll have to face the charges out there, and we'll see about extradition," said Old Bridge Township police Detective Scott Crocco. "They're trying to work it out."

Crocco, one of the detectives who arrested Salvador in California, said the guitarist would need to go through the legal process there before coming back to the East Coast. It's also possible, Crocco said, that prosecutors in both states could work out some sort of joint plea, meaning both cases would be handled in California.

Mark Werksman, the Los Angeles attorney representing Salvador in the California case, said it was premature to talk about a plea. Werksman declined to comment much further.

"There's really not much I can say," he said. "We'll deal with the charges in court. These are serious charges, and we take them seriously."

Reaction to the charges against Salvador was mixed among Static-X fans. Messages on the band's Internet bulletin board ranged from condemnation to shock and sadness to reminders of the ''innocent until proven guilty'' rule.

''Hopefully there's an explanation for all this, but until we know for sure, lighten up, and try giving the benefit of the doubt to a man who is a great person and brilliant performer,'' wrote a poster identifying himself as Preston Nash, who had played with Salvador in Dope before the guitarist joined Static-X.