Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American nu metal band from Jacksonville, Florida. Its lineup consists of lead vocalist Fred Durst, drummer John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland, turntablist DJ Lethal and bassist Sam Rivers. The band's music is marked by Durst's angry vocal delivery and Borland's sonic experimentation. Borland's elaborate visual appearance, which includes face and body paint, masks, and uniforms, also plays a large role in Limp Bizkit's live shows. The band has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, sold 40 million records worldwide, and won several other awards.[1]
Limp Bizkit
Formed in 1994,[2] Limp Bizkit became popular playing in the Jacksonville underground music scene in the late 1990s, and signed with Flip Records (with distribution from Interscope), who released the band's debut album, Three Dollar Bill, Y'all (1997). The band achieved mainstream success with its second and third studio albums, Significant Other (1999) and Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000), although this success was marred by a series of controversies surrounding its performances at Woodstock '99 and the 2001 Big Day Out festival.
Borland left the group in 2001, but Durst, Rivers, Otto, and Lethal continued to record and tour with guitarist Mike Smith. Following the release of its album Results May Vary (2003), Borland rejoined the band and recorded The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) (2005) with Durst, Rivers, Lethal, and drummer Sammy Siegler before entering a hiatus. In 2009, the band reunited with Borland playing guitar and began touring, culminating with the recording of the album Gold Cobra (2011), after which it left Interscope and later signed with Cash Money Records; DJ Lethal quit the band soon afterward, returning in 2018. After years of teasing an album tentatively titled Stampede of the Disco Elephants,[3] the band released its sixth studio album Still Sucks on October 31, 2021.[4]
The band has released 26 singles, the most notable of which include "Nookie", "Re-Arranged", "Break Stuff", "Take a Look Around", "Rollin' (Air Raid Vehicle)", "My Generation", "My Way", "Eat You Alive", and their cover of The Who's 1971 single "Behind Blue Eyes", all of which have charted within the top 20 of the US Alternative Airplay Chart.[5]
Artistry[edit]
Music[edit]
Durst wanted Limp Bizkit to be a "megaband" which could cross over into as many different styles of music as possible.[7] Limp Bizkit's music has predominately been described as nu metal,[110][111][112][113][114][115][116] rap metal[117][118][119][120] and rap rock.[121][122][123][124][125][126] Limp Bizkit have also been described as alternative metal,[127][128] alternative rock,[129] post-grunge[130] and hard rock.[131] In 2000, the New York Daily News labelled the band as "frat-metal".[132]
Limp Bizkit's music is noted for its "kinetic, frenzied energy".[19] Otto is adept in drumming in a variety of styles ranging from Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music to bebop and funk.[7] DJ Lethal functions as a sound designer for the band, shaping their sound. According to Lethal, "I try and bring new sounds, not just the regular chirping scratching sounds. ... It's all different stuff that you haven't heard before. I'm trying to be like another guitar player."[7] Borland's guitar playing is experimental and nontraditional, and he is noted for his creative use of six and seven-string guitars.[133] Three Dollar Bill, Yall features him playing without a guitar pick, performing with two hands, one playing melodic notes, and the other playing chord progressions.[7] His guitar playing has made use of octave shapes, and choppy, eighth-note rhythms, sometimes accompanied by muting his strings with his left hand, creating a percussive sound.[134] Borland has also made use of unevenly accented syncopated sixteenth notes to create a disorienting effect, and hypnotic, droning licks.[134] The song "Stuck" uses a sustain pedal in the first bar, and muted riffs in the second bar.[134]
AllMusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that the band's album Significant Other contains "flourishes of neo-psychedelia on pummeling metal numbers" and "swirls of strings, even crooning, at the most unexpected background".[135] The band did not employ solos until Gold Cobra (except for the song "Underneath the Gun" from Results May Vary), however, during the recording of Significant Other, drummer John Otto performed an extended solo in the middle of the song "Nobody Like You".[24] A drum solo can also be heard on "9 Teen 90 Nine" from the same album.
Lyrics[edit]
Durst's lyrics are often profane, scatological or angry.[37][62] Much of Durst's lyrical inspiration came from growing up and his personal life.[7] The song "Sour", from the album Three Dollar Bill, Yall, was inspired by Durst's problems with his girlfriend.[7] His breakup with her inspired the Significant Other songs "Nookie" and "Re-Arranged".[23] When describing Limp Bizkit's lyrics, The Michigan Daily said "In a less-serious vein, Limp Bizkit used the nu-metal sound as a way to spin testosterone fueled fantasies into snarky white-boy rap. Oddly, audiences took frontman Fred Durst more seriously than he wanted, failing to see the intentional silliness in many of his songs."[136] Durst said that people failed to understand the band's proposal, "There was always a lot of pain in my life. Mental and physical abuse happens regularly in my life. I've been bullied my whole life, but I also love having fun and getting crazy and being silly and outrageous. We always had that in our band and a lot of people didn't understand that."[137] Durst also said that the band's purpose was to serve as a satire but "We just didn't make it that obvious."[138] The band's guitarist, Wes Borland, said that "Limp Bizkit is definitely a dumb rock band."[139] Limp Bizkit's lyrics have also been described as "misogynistic".[140] In response to these accusations, Durst said: "That's because I said the words whore and bitch. My whole record is about my girlfriend who put me through the ringer for three years and my insecurity about it. It became this big thing."[141] The Baltimore Sun talked about the band's song "Nookie", which is accused of being sexist and misogynistic, "Despite its seemingly salacious title, 'Nookie' is not about the joy of sex; instead, it finds singer Fred Durst talking about how he let his girlfriend take advantage of him because he was a fool for love. So when he gets to the chorus catch-phrase - 'I did it all for the nookie' - what we hear is more self-recrimination than boast."[142] The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) focuses on more serious and darker lyrical subject matter, including Catholic sex abuse cases, terrorism and fame.[55]
Feuds[edit]
Slipknot[edit]
Korn and Limp Bizkit shared a long-standing friendship after bassist Reginald Arvizu assisted the band in acquiring a record deal in 1996. The bands continued to strengthen their relationship as they often toured together frequently throughout the late 1990s. Slipknot at the time were an up and coming band and would have their self-titled debut produced by Ross Robinson (a producer who worked with all three bands). Whilst on tour promoting their upcoming album during the 1999 Ozzfest tour, lead singer Corey Taylor took notice of Korn drummer David Silveria's modeling campaign for Calvin Klein in several magazines whilst the band were at a truck stop in Texas. Disgusted with Silveria's business decisions to expand into modeling, Taylor purchased numerous copies of the magazine issue and publicly burnt copies onstage during the band's live performances. According to Taylor, Durst and DJ Lethal were enraged by the gestures and attacked Slipknot in various interviews in the spring of 1999. Taylor admits that he and multiple Slipknot members were impressed with Limp Bizkit's 1997 debut record, even citing it as an influence on their debut album, but he later claimed they lost respect for the band following the release of "Significant Other" in 1999, accusing the band of selling out.[157] Durst would make further retaliatory comments towards Slipknot's fans in December 1999, referring to them as "fat, ugly kids".[158] Slipknot singer Corey Taylor responded during a February 2000 fan interview in Sydney, Australia by claiming that the fans of Slipknot "for the most part, enjoy all kinds of music, like Limp Bizkit… maybe." Taylor went on to claim that insulting fans of Slipknot could also be insulting fans of Limp Bizkit.[159] During an interview with VH1 in October 2000, Durst praised Slipknot's music, expressing his desire to quell the tension between both sides, when asked about Slipknot's music Durst told reporters: "Man this band is super phat, man; we don't even know them. That's their whole thing, that's their chant, that's their thing, that's cool. Maybe all this hate that's going around the world, that's why I said 'It's all the world has even seen lately'". Despite this, Taylor retorted with praise for Durst's financial ventures but attacked his artistic motives, claiming "Fred Durst is a great businessman, but he is not an artist".[160] Despite the attacks between the two bands, they shared numerous UK festival dates together through 2000, including the 2000 Reading and Leeds Festivals.[161][162][163]
Taylor later claimed that feud began to subside during the late 2000s after the two bands shared a friendly encounter during the 2009 Download Festival in which Durst approached him, informing Taylor that his children were fans of Slipknot's music. Durst asked Taylor if he would sign several autographs for his son, to which Taylor kindly obliged.[164] The two would continue find themselves on friendlier terms in 2010. Whilst Limp Bizkit were recording "Gold Cobra", Durst included a line on the song 90.2.10 giving a shoutout to Taylor.[165] Limp Bizkit was later booked on the 2014 Japanese leg of Slipknot's Knotfest tour along with Korn.[166]
In August 2021, Limp Bizkit gave a public tribute to Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison who had recently died on July 26. Durst and the band paid tribute to him during their concert in Des Moines, Iowa (Slipknot's hometown). Durst asked the audience: "Slipknot's from somewhere around here, aren't they?" before expressing support for Jordison and the rest of the band, later telling the crowd "Rest in peace, let's hear it! That's beautiful. Life is short and it's always fleeting so, man, let's just remember all we are is right now" while riling the crowd to chant Jordison's name.[167]
Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor[edit]
Marilyn Manson was known to be overly vocal against Limp Bizkit's music; in 1999, he attacked the band's artistry and their fans, referring to them as "illiterate apes that beat your ass in high school for being a 'fag' and now sell you tuneless testosterone anthems of misogyny and pretend to be outsiders...".[67] Manson was later reported to have withdrawn from the Woodstock '99 festival due to his dislike of Limp Bizkit, though he later claimed this was due to an inconvenient set time for his performance.[168][169][170] Manson and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor once again took aim at Durst and the band during a 2000 interview when Manson was asked about his opinion of Nine Inch Nails' recent video for the single Starfuckers, Inc. in which the two took aim at multiple artists ranging from Billy Corgan, Michael Stipe, and (most vocally) Limp Bizkit. Manson later exclaimed: "With this video, we didn't wanna seem bitching like about somehow that Limp Bizkit's doing better than we are, in their mind." Reznor later added to the comment, exclaiming; "I don't have to say Limp Bizkit sucks, you know it, I know it, I shouldn't have to say it".[171] Durst responded to Manson and Reznor's insults: "I understand that Marilyn Manson is very unhappy that his career has gone in a shambles and he's alienated his fans so if he has to say things like that because he's very mad at himself, I would forgive him. And Trent Reznor's in the fucking same boat. Trent Reznor is obviously unhappy with how he's alienated the world, how long he took to make a record, and how he thought he was immortal. We're just here doing what we do and we have nothing to say about anybody. I wish them both luck and I feel sorry that they're so jealous and mad at themselves that they have to talk shit."[67] Durst's relationship with Manson had seemingly grown cordial as the two later appeared on the cover of a Rolling Stone magazine issue in June 2003, alongside James Hetfield and Ozzy Osbourne.[172] However; Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland later joined Manson's touring band in 2008. During a show in Seoul, South Korea on August 15, 2008; Manson introduced Borland onstage and began attacking Limp Bizkit, exclaiming to the crowd "Here's our new guitarist, he used to play for a really bad band...".[173] Borland later departed Manson's touring band after less than nine months, citing an inability to songwrite and criticizing Manson's overbearing leadership. In 2021; Manson would become the subject of further controversy surrounding numerous sexual abuse allegations against him. Borland attacked Manson in numerous interviews, denouncing him as a "Bad fucking dude". Trent Reznor in response supported Borland's claims against Manson's misconduct while he also attacked Manson for the abuse allegations during an interview with Ultimate Guitar.[174]
Placebo[edit]
Limp Bizkit and Placebo began a long-standing feud, stemming from a show Durst was hosting at Irving Plaza in December 1998.[175] Durst claimed he was prepared to introduce Placebo to the audience before singer Brian Molko insulted him, unaware of who he was.[176] Durst later explained:
Molko's behavior prompted Durst to rile up the crowd to chant "Placebo sucks!" prior to their performance.[175] Molko later expressed that he was completely unaware that Durst was hosting the show, later expressing further disgust at the fact that Placebo were set to perform after Kid Rock.[177] On June 11, 1999; Durst was introducing Staind prior to their performance as part of K-Rock's Dysfunctional Family Picnic in Holmdel, New Jersey. Durst once again instigated the audience to chant "Fuck Placebo" once again.[178] The feud was reignited during Big Day Out 2001, in which Placebo were billed below Limp Bizkit, with bassist Stefan Olsdal claiming the band were fearful of the audience as they hostily waited for Limp Bizkit's performance during their set.[175] By 2004, the feud had reportedly ended.[179]
Legacy and influence[edit]
Limp Bizkit is considered one of the defining bands of the nu metal genre.[180][181] Alternative Press said: "As the years have gone by, some nü-metal outfits have progressively downplayed their bracket's hip-hop sensibilities. Even so, you can guarantee one of their primary influences were Limp Bizkit... the happily mismatched band from Jacksonville, Florida, established the ground rules of nü metal.. blur(ring) the lines between the two most polarizing genres in music... Limp Bizkit created timeless odes to teenage angst that, in time, we've discovered still apply right into adulthood."[181]
Kerrang! magazine talked about the impact of the band's song "Break Stuff": "If Deftones represented something deeper about nu-metal, Limp Bizkit represented something entirely at the other end of the scale. Despite having a genuinely innovative guitarist in Wes Borland, whose vision for his genre-straddling band was probably more in line with bands like Primus, Faith No More and Mr. Bungle... Break Stuff, ahem, broke Limp Bizkit through its fiendishly simple two-chord motif, kick-up-the-arse drop, and its glued-to-MTV video featuring Jonathan Davis, Flea, as well as rap megastars Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Dr. Dre, taking them to an audience far beyond metal. The celebrity that followed was huge. The influence it left was huger."[182]
Although Limp Bizkit inspired nu metal bands like Linkin Park in the 2000s,[183] new bands in the genre continue to use Bizkit's sound as an influence, such as acclaimed nu metal revival band Wargasm, the members grew up listening to Limp Bizkit and have said that, "wouldn't be the band we are today without them".[184]
Bands that cited Limp Bizkit as influence are Emmure, Attila, Hacktivist, Lionheart, Rise of the Northstar, Islander, Of Mice & Men and Zeal & Ardor.[185][186][187][188][189][190]
Richard Cheese performed a lounge rendition of the songs "Nookie" and "Break Stuff" on his debut album, Lounge Against the Machine.[191] The Vitamin String Quartet recorded a tribute album called The String Quartet Tribute to Limp Bizkit: Break Stuff, which contains reinterpretations of the band's songs performed by a violinist backed by cellos, synthesizers, and keyboard percussion.[192] The Blackout covered "My Generation" for the compilation Higher Voltage!: Another Brief History of Rock.[193]
Following the band's set at Lollapalooza 2021 (which was broadcast on Hulu) and the release of the song "Dad Vibes" in 2021, the band began having a shift in public opinion, garnering positive responses from critics and audiences.[194][195][196] The band's 2021 comeback album Still Sucks helped with the shifting opinion, with the album receiving widespread positive reviews and acclaim for the first time since the early 2000s.[197][198]
Limp Bizkit was mentioned in a scene between Jim Carrey's Dr. Robotnik and Idris Elba's Knuckles in the 2022 film, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, where Robotnik compares Knuckles to being as useless as a "Limp Bizkit backstage pass".[199][200]
Limp Bizkit appears in Generation Kill (2004), originally conceived by journalist Evan Wright as a three-part Rolling Stone magazine series before being released as a full-length book and becoming a 2008 HBO mini-series by the same name. Generation Kill chronicles Wright's experience as a reporter embedded with a platoon of U.S. Recon Marines during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. While driving along a winding canal on the way to Bagdad, a Ripped Fuel-ed Corporal from Missouri, Josh Ray Person (played by actor James Ransone), memorably "recounts the band he formed after high school, Me or Society. A heavy-metal rap group, his band once opened for Limp Bizkit at a show in Kansas City. 'We sucked, but so did they,' Person says. 'The only difference is, they became famous right after we played together. I became a Marine.[201]