Name: Limp Bizkit
Formed: 1994
In: Jacksonville, FL
Musical Styles: Rap-Rock, Rap-Metal, Funk Metal
Similar Artists: Primus, Drowning Pool, Fuel, Rage Against the
Machine, Rancid, Clutch, Korn, Rob Zombie
Detailed: The rap-metal outfit Limp Bizkit was
formed in Florida in 1994 by vocalist Fred Durst and his friend, bassist
Sam Rivers. Rivers' cousin John Otto soon joined on drums, and guitarist
Wes Borland completed the original foursome (later supplemented by DJ
Lethal). After Korn played the Jacksonville area in 1995, bassist Fieldy
got several tattoos from Durst (a tattoo artist) and the two became
friends. The next time Korn were in the area, they picked up Limp Bizkit's
demo tape and were so impressed that they passed it on to their producer,
Ross Robinson. Thanks mostly to word-of-mouth publicity, the band was
chosen to tour with House of Pain and the Deftones. The label contracts
came pouring in, and after signing with Flip/Interscope, Limp Bizkit
released their debut album, Three Dollar Bill Y'All. By mid-1998, Limp
Bizkit had become one of the more hyped bands in the burgeoning rap-metal
scene, helped as well by more touring action -- this time with Faith
No More and later, Primus -- as well as an appearance on MTV's Spring
Break '98 fashion show. The biggest break, however, was a spot on that
summer's Family Values Tour, which greatly raised the group's profile.
Limp Bizkit's much-anticipated second album, Significant Other, was
released in June 1999, and it and the accompanying video for "Nookie"
made the group superstars. Significant Other debuted at number one and
had sold over four million copies by year's end, also helping push Three
Dollar Bill Y'All past the platinum mark. Durst, meanwhile, was tapped
for a position as a senior vice president at Interscope Records in early
July. However, in the midst of this massive success, controversy dogged
the band following that summer's performance at Woodstock '99. In the
wake of the riots and sexual assaults that proved to be the festival's
unfortunate legacy, Durst was heavily criticized for egging on the already
rowdy crowd and inciting them to "break stuff." Not only was at least
one mosh-pit rape reported during the group's set (in addition to numerous
other injuries), but the ensuing chaos forced festival organizers to
pull the plug in the middle of their show. Even though Limp Bizkit's
performance took place the day before the infamous festival-closing
riots, the band was raked over the coals in the media, who blamed them
for touching off the spark that inflamed a potentially volatile atmosphere.
Undaunted, Limp Bizkit headlined that year's Family Values Tour, with
the newly controversial Durst grabbing headlines for periodic clashes
with Bizkit's tourmates. During the Napster flap of 2000, Durst became
one of the most outspoken advocates of online music trading; that summer,
Limp Bizkit embarked on a free, Napster-sponsored tour. All of this
set the stage for the October release of the band's third album, Chocolate
Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water. Wes Borland left the band soon
after, necessitating a long search for a replacement guitarist of comparable
value; finally, after going almost three years without a new album,
the band released a disappointing record, Results May Vary. Borland
returned after its release, and the band issued The Unquestionable Truth,
Pt. 1 in 2005, and album that was roundly ignored even if it was marginally
better than its predecessor. The Bizkit then released Greatest Hitz,
a 17-track career survey that included all the hits from their heyday.
~ John Bush, All Music Guide
