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Biography
Good articlepp-move-indefUse mdy dates|date=August 2010Infobox musical artist| name = Limp Bizkit| image = Limp Bizkit in Paris during the 2009 Unicorns N' Rainbows Tour.jpg| caption = Limp Bizkit performing live in Paris during the 2009 Unicorns n' Rainbows Tour|Unicorns N' Rainbows Tour .|landscape = yes| background = group_or_band| origin = Jacksonville, Florida | years_active = 1994–2005; 2009–present| genre = Nu metal | label = Flip Records (1994)|Flip , Interscope Records|Interscope , Geffen Records|Geffen , Mojo Records|Mojo | associated_acts = Big Dumb Face , Black Light Burns , House of Pain , La Coka Nostra | website = URL| http://www.limpbizkit.com| current_members = Fred Durst Wes Borland Sam Rivers (bassist)|Sam Rivers John Otto (drummer)|John Otto Leor Dimant|DJ Lethal | past_members = Mike Smith (guitarist)|Mike Smith Limp Bizkit is an American rock music|rock band. They have sold over 33 million records worldwide. The band consists of Durst, Borland, Sam Rivers (bassist)|Sam Rivers , John Otto (drummer)|John Otto and DJ Lethal .
Formed in 1994, Limp Bizkit became popular playing in the Jacksonville, Florida underground music scene in the late 1990s, and signed with Flip Records (1994)|Flip Records , a subsidiary of Interscope Records|Interscope , which released their début album, Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ (1997). The band achieved mainstream success with their 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 their 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 (guitarist)|Mike Smith . Following the release of their 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 going on hiatus. In 2009, the band's original lineup reunited and began touring, culminating with the recording of the album Gold Cobra (2011), after which they left Interscope to record independent music|independently .
History
Formation and early years (1994–1996)
Fred Durst grew up in Gastonia, North Carolina , where he took an interest in breakdancing , hip hop music|hip hop , punk rock and heavy metal music . He began to rapping|rap , skateboard|skate , beatboxing|beatbox and disc jockey|deejay . While mowing lawns and working as a tattoo artist, he developed an idea for a band that combined elements of rock music|rock and hip hop.cite book |last1=Devenish |first1=Colin |title=Limp Bizkit |year=2000 |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=031226349X |pages=1–20 |chapter= Chapter 1 Durst played with three other bands, Split 26, Malachi Sage, which were unsuccessful, and 10 Foot Shindig, which Durst left to form a new band.cite book |last1=Devenish |first1=Colin |title=Limp Bizkit |year=2000 |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=031226349X |pages=21–51 |chapter= Chapter 2 Durst told Sam Rivers (bassist)|Sam Rivers , the bassist for Malachi Sage, "You need to quit this band and start a band with me that's like this: rappin' and rockin'." Rivers suggested that his cousin, John Otto (drummer)|John Otto , who was studying jazz drumming at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and playing in local avant garde music|avant garde bands, become their drummer. Durst, Rivers and Otto jammed and wrote three songs together, and Wes Borland later joined as a guitarist.
Durst named the band Limp Bizkit, because he wanted a name that would repel listeners. According to Durst, "The name is there to turn people's heads away. A lot of people pick up the disc and go, 'Limp Bizkit. Oh, they must suck.' Those are the people that we don't even want listening to our music." Every record label that showed an interest in the band pressured its members to change its name. Unbeknownst to the band, the phrase "limp biscuit", known alternatively as " soggy biscuit ", is a phrase used in the United Kingdom and Australia for a game in which teenage boys stand around a biscuit or a piece of bread masturbating; the player who ejaculation|ejaculates last has to eat the bread.
Limp Bizkit developed a cult following in the underground music scene, particularly at the Milk Bar, an underground punk club in Florida. The band's local popularity was such that Sugar Ray , who had a major label contract, opened for a then-unsigned Limp Bizkit at this club. The club's owner, Danny Wimmer, stated that Limp Bizkit "had the biggest draw for a local band. They went from playing for ten people to eight hundred within months. Fred ... was always marketing the band. He would go to record stores and get people involved, he was in touch with high schools." However, the band knew that to achieve national success, they would have to distinguish themselves in their live performances. Attracting crowds by word of mouth , the band gave energetic live performances, covering George Michael 's " Faith (George Michael song)|Faith " and Paula Abdul 's " Straight Up (Paula Abdul song)|Straight Up ", and featuring Borland in bizarre costumes. Borland's theatrical rock style was the primary attraction for many concert attendees.
Durst unsuccessfully tried to attract attention from A& R representatives at various labels by pretending to be the band's manager. Later, when Korn performed in town as the opening act for Sick of It All , Durst invited Korn to drink beer and tattoo them. Although Durst's tattoos were unimpressive, he was able to persuade Reginald Arvizu to listen to a demo (music)|demo , consisting of the songs "Pollution", " Counterfeit (song)|Counterfeit " and "Stuck". Korn added a then-unsigned Limp Bizkit to two tours, which exposed the band to a new audience.cite web |last=Bush |first=John |title=Limp Bizkit& nbsp;– Biography |url=Allmusic|class=artist|id=p213327/biography|pure_url=yes |publisher=Allmusic |year=2006 |accessdate=January 27, 2008 The band attempted to expand their sound by auditioning an additional guitarist, but Borland soon determined that another guitarist was not the answer, and DJ Lethal , formerly of the hip hop music|hip hop group House of Pain , joined the band as a turntablist after a successful practice performance. Joining the band gave Lethal an opportunity to experiment with his turntable technique in ways that hip hop had not allowed him to do, helping shape the band's style. However, Borland left the band over creative differences.
Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ (1997–1998)
After their performance opening for Korn at the Dragonfly in Hollywood was well received, Limp Bizkit signed with Mojo Records|Mojo , a subsidiary of MCA Records . While heading to California to record their first album, the band wrecked their van. As a result of the near death experience, Durst made amends with Borland, who rejoined the band. After a dispute with Mojo, Limp Bizkit signed with Flip Records (1994)|Flip , a subsidiary of Interscope Records . Arvizu persuaded Ross Robinson to listen to the demo. Robinson neglected to listen to it until it was appraised by his girlfriend. Impressed by the band's motivation and sound, Robinson produced Limp Bizkit's debut, which was recorded at Indigo Ranch. Durst's problems with his girlfriend inspired him to write the song "Sour". The mood and tone set by Robinson in the studio allowed the band to improvise; a recording of the band improvising appeared as the last track on the album, "Everything".
Despite the success of live performances of the band's cover of the song "Faith", Robinson was opposed to recording it, and tried to persuade the band not to play it on the album. However, the final recording, which incorporated heavier guitar playing and drumming, as well as DJ scratching, impressed him. Robinson also bonded with Borland, who he perceived as not taking the band seriously. The progressive metal band Tool (band)|Tool provided a strong influence in shaping the album's sound, particularly in the song "Nobody Loves Me", which contains a breakdown in which Durst imitated the singing style of Maynard James Keenan . Durst was also inspired by Church of Realities , an EP by the punk band Hed PE , which he listened to during the production of Limp Bizkit's debut.cite web |url= http://www.beat.com.au/music/2011/01/24/hed-pe/coming-out-commercial-label-territory-corner-hotel-countless-times-difficult-changes-drastic-change |title=(HED) P.e. |author=Dillinger, Moses |date=January 24, 2011 |work= |publisher=Beat Magazine |accessdate=14 December 2011
Continuing the band's policy of using names that would repulse potential listeners, the band named the album by using part of the phrase "queer as a three dollar bill" and adding the word "Y'all" for Florida flavor, naming the album, Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ The completed album featured an abrasive, angry sound which Limp Bizkit used to attract listeners to their music. After the band completed recording, they toured with Korn and Helmet (band)|Helmet . Critics reacted unfavorably to performances of Korn and Limp Bizkit; Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel music critic Jon M. Gilbertson criticized Durst's performance, stating "The one attention-grabbing moment of Limp Bizkit's rap metal|rap/thrash show was when the lead singer expressed a desire for Homosexuality|gay men to be 'stomped'. Which isn't remotely rebellious. It's just puerile."
Listen|filename=Nobody Loves Me.ogg|title="Nobody Loves Me" (sample)|description=This breakdown from the song "Nobody Loves Me" was inspired by the progressive metal band Tool (band)|Tool . Limp Bizkit vocalist Fred Durst imitates the singing style of Maynard James Keenan in this sample.
Interscope proposed to the band that the label pay $5,000 to guarantee that a Portland radio station play the song "Counterfeit" fifty times, preceded and concluded with an announcement that the air time was paid for by Interscope.cite book |last1=Devenish |first1=Colin |title=Limp Bizkit |year=2000 |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=031226349X |pages=51–78 |chapter= Chapter 3cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1431305/limp-bizkit-pays-counterfeit-play.jhtml |title="Limp Bizkit Pays For 'Counterfeit' Play" |author= |date=July 1, 1998 |work= |publisher= MTV News |accessdate=14 December 2011 The paid air time was criticized by the media, who saw it as " payola ". The band's manager Jeff Kwatinetz later termed the plan as a "brilliant marketing move". Durst stated, "It worked, but it's not that cool of a thing." Following the release of "Counterfeit" as a single, Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ was released on July 1, 1997, and was met with minimal response. Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote, "They might not have many original ideas ... but they do the sound well. They have a powerful rhythm section and memorable hooks, most of which make up for the uneven songwriting."cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/r278011/review |title=''Three Dollar Bill Y'All'' - Limp Bizkit |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |publisher= Allmusic |accessdate=14 December 2011 However, Robert Christgau panned the album.cite web |url= http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php? name=Limp+Bizkit |title=Limp Bizkit Reviews |author=Christgau, Robert |accessdate=14 December 2011 Despite the minimal response to his band's album, Durst was appointed Senior Vice President of A& R at Interscope.
Limp Bizkit joined the Warped Tour , performing alongside the bands Pennywise (band)|Pennywise , Mighty Mighty Bosstones , Sick of It All, Lagwagon and Blink 182 . Preceding their first tour with DJ Lethal, Otto became familiar with Lethal's contributions to collaborate with him better on stage. In addition to touring with Primus (band)|Primus and Deftones , Limp Bizkit headlined the Ladies Night in Cambodia club tour, which was intended to diversify the band's fanbase, which was largely male, by offering free tickets to female attendees. This plan successfully increased the band's female fanbase.
In 1998, Limp Bizkit toured with Soulfly and Cold on Soulfly's first European tour. Touring consistently increased Limp Bizkit's success, and the second single from Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ , "Faith", became a radio hit, leading to a slot on Ozzfest , a tour organized by Ozzy Osbourne|Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne . In July, Snot (band)|Snot singer Lynn Strait was arrested after he emerged nude from Limp Bizkit's prop toilet, and was charged with indecent exposure.cite web |title=Snot Singer Charged With Indecent Exposure |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1432993/07101998/snot.jhtml |publisher= MTV News |date=July 10, 1998 |accessdate=11 January 2012 Because Limp Bizkit's fans would often break through the barricades, the band was almost kicked off the tour after two days. In August, John Otto spent the night in jail in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon, after allegedly firing a BB gun and being arrested for carrying a switchblade.
After completing Ozzfest, Limp Bizkit took a break from performing, and later performed on Korn's Family Values Tour . Durst also directed a music video for the band's single "Faith" in promotion for its appearance in the film Very Bad Things , but was unsatisfied with it, and directed a second video which paid tribute to tourmates like Primus, Deftones and Mötley Crüe , who appeared in the video. Borland stated in an interview that George Michael, the writer of the song, hated the cover and "hates us for doing it".
Significant Other (1999–2000)
Following the radio success of "Faith", the band was determined to record the follow-up to their first album in order to show that they weren't a Korn ripoff or a cover band; the band began writing an album which dealt with issues deriving from their newfound fame. Terry Date , who had produced albums for Pantera , White Zombie and Deftones , was chosen to produce the album.cite book |last1=Devenish |first1=Colin |title=Limp Bizkit |year=2000 |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=031226349X |pages=95–113 |chapter= Chapter 4 The band allowed Durst and Lethal to explore their hip hop origins by recording a song with Method Man . The song was originally titled "Shut The Fuck Up", but was retitled " N 2 Gether Now " for marketing purposes. Durst also recorded with Eminem , but the collaboration, "Turn Me Loose", was left off the album. The album also featured guest appearances by Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland, Korn's Jonathan Davis and Staind singer Aaron Lewis, and interludes by Les Claypool and Matt Pinfield .
Significant Other saw Limp Bizkit reaching a new level of commercial success; the band was featured on the covers of popular music magazines, including Spin (magazine)|Spin , and now found themselves repeatedly mobbed for autographs; the band was allowed to interact directly with their fans on a website established by Dike 99. Durst also moved from Jacksonville to Los Angeles. However, the band continued to be highly criticized by the media; an article profiling the band in Spin and discussing Significant Other claimed that "Limp Bizkit had yet to write a good song", and musicians Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor criticized the band.cite book |last1=Devenish |first1=Colin |title=Limp Bizkit |year=2000 |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=031226349X |pages=115–125 |chapter= Chapter 5
Listen|filename=Nobody Like You.ogg|title="Nobody Like You" (sample)|description=While Limp Bizkit generally opposed solo (music)|solo s, they allowed drummer John Otto to perform an extended drum solo in the song "Nobody Like You", from their second album Significant Other , which is excerpted here. This sample also highlights the guest vocals of Korn 's Jonathan Davis and Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland .
The band promoted the album by playing unannounced concerts in Detroit and Chicago, as radio stations received a strong amount of requests for the album's first single, "Nookie".cite book |last1=Devenish |first1=Colin |title=Limp Bizkit |year=2000 |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=031226349X |pages=127–153 |chapter= Chapter 6 Significant Other climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard (magazine)|Billboard Billboard 200|200 , selling 643,874 copies in its first week of release. In its second week of release, the album sold an additional 335,000 copies. On the opening night of the band's Limptropolis tour with Kid Rock , Sam Rivers smashed his bass in frustration over the venue's poor sound, cutting his hand. After his hand was stitched up at a hospital, Rivers returned to finish the set. On July 12, Durst allegedly kicked a security guard in the head during a performance in St. Paul, Minnesota, and was later arrested on assault charges. Further criticisms of the band appeared in Rolling Stone (magazine)|Rolling Stone and The New York Times . New York Times writer Ann Powers wrote, "DJ Lethal used his turntables as a metal guitar, riffing expansively and going for effects instead of rhythm. John Otto on drums and Sam Rivers on bass never even tried to get funky, instead steering hip-hop's break-beat-based structure into a backbone for power chords. This makes for a hybrid that would be more interesting if the band did not constantly mire itself in boring tempos, and if Mr. Durst had any talent as a singer".
In the summer of 1999, Limp Bizkit played at the highly anticipated Woodstock 1999|Woodstock '99 show in front of approximately 200,000 people. Violent action sprang up during and after their performance, including fans tearing plywood from the walls during a performance of the song " Break Stuff ". Several sexual assault s were reported in the aftermath of the concert.cite web|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/daily/july99/woodstock29.htm |title=Police Investigate Reports of Rapes at Woodstock |publisher=Washingtonpost.com |date=July 29, 1999 |accessdate=July 21, 2011 Durst stated during the concert, "People are getting hurt. Don't let anybody get hurt. But I don't think you should mellow out. That's what Alanis Morissette had you motherfuckers do. If someone falls, pick 'em up. We already let the negative energy out. Now we wanna let out the positive energy". Durst later stated in an interview, "I didn't see anybody getting hurt. You don't see that. When you're looking out on a sea of people and the stage is twenty feet in the air and you're performing, and you're feeling your music, how do they expect us to see something bad going on? " Les Claypool told the San Francisco Examiner , "Woodstock was just Durst being Durst. His attitude is 'no press is bad press', so he brings it on himself. He wallows in it. Still, he's a great guy."
Durst saw the band as being scapegoated for the event's controversy, and reflected on the criticisms surrounding the band in his music video for the single "Re-Arranged", which depicted the band members receiving death sentences for their participation in the concerts. The video ended with angry witnesses watching as the band drowning in milk while performing the song. Durst later stated that the promoters of Woodstock '99 were at fault for booking his band, due to their reputation for raucous performances. Despite this controversy, Significant Other remained at No. 1 on the Billboard charts, and the band headlined the year's Family Values Tour 1999|Family Values Tour . Durst directed a music video for "N 2 Gether Now" which featured Method Man and Pauly Shore , and was inspired by Inspector Clouseau 's fights with his butler, Cato Fong, in the The Pink Panther|Pink Panther film series.
Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000–2001)
In 2000, Durst announced that the band's third studio album would be titled Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water . The press thought he was joking about this title.cite book|last=di Perna |first=Alan |title=Guitar World Presents Nu-Metal |chapter=Wild Wild Wes |page=104 |year=2002 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=0634032879 The album title is intended to sound like a fictional band; the phrase "Chocolate Starfish" refers to the human anus, and Durst himself, who has been frequently been called an "asshole". Borland contributed the other half of the album's title when the band was standing around at a truck stop, looking at bottles of flavored water, and Borland joked that the truck stop didn't have hot dog or meat-flavored water.
In June 2000, Limp Bizkit performed at the WXRK Dysfunctional Family Picnic , but showed up an hour late for their set.cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1427590/limp-creed-trade-barbs-at-krock-show.jhtml |title=Limp, Creed Trade Barbs At KROCK Show |author=Manning, Kara |date=June 26, 2000 |work= |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=17 December 2011 An Interscope spokesman stated that there was confusion over the band's set time. During the band's performance, Durst criticized Creed (band)|Creed singer Scott Stapp , calling him "an egomaniac". Creed's representatives later presented Durst with an autographed anger management manual during a later appearance on Total Request Live . In the summer, Limp Bizkit's tour was sponsored by the controversial file sharing service Napster . Durst was an outspoken advocate of file sharing.
During the 2000 MTV Video Music Award s, Durst performed a song from the upcoming album, "Livin' It Up", as a duet with Christina Aguilera . In response to the performance, Filter (band)|Filter frontman Richard Patrick called Durst a "pop-lovin' piece of frozen dog shit" and claimed that "Fred getting onstage with Christina Aguilera embarrassed us all." In response to the negative reactions to the performance, Durst remarked, "I already told you guys before, I did it all for the nookie, man."cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1424786/20001003/aguilera_christina.jhtml |title=Limp's Durst Explains Aguilera Duet |author= |date=October 3 2000 |work= |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=17 December 2011 In response to Durst's remark, Aguilera commented, "He got no nookie."cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1424784/20001010/aguilera_christina.jhtml |title=Aguilera Responds To Durst's "Nookie" Comment |author= |date=October 10, 2000 |work= |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=17 December 2011
Released on October 17, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water set a record for highest week-one sales of a rock album with over one million copies sold in the U.S. in its first week of release, with 400,000 of those sales coming on its first day, making it the fastest-selling rock album ever, breaking the record held for 7 years by Pearl Jam 's Vs. (Pearl Jam album)|Vs. cite news|last=Reese |first=Lori |url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,85663,00.html |title=Bizkit in Gravy & #124; Music |publisher= Entertainment Weekly |date=October 24, 2000 |accessdate=July 29, 2010 Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water was certified Gold, Platinum and six times Multi-Platinum.cite web|last=Seymour |first=Craig |url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,85668,00.html |title=Limp Bizkit tops the Billboard Album chart & #124; Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water & #124; Music News & #124; Music & #124; Entertainment Weekly |publisher= Entertainment Weekly |date=October 26, 2000 |accessdate=July 21, 2011 The album received mixed reviews,cite web|url= http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/limpbizkit/chocolatestarfish? q=limp%20bizkit |title=Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |publisher=Metacritic.com |date= |accessdate=July 21, 2011 with Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine writing, "Durst's self-pitying and the monotonous music give away that the band bashed Chocolate Starfish out very quickly -- it's the sound of a band determined to deliver a sequel in a finite amount of time." Entertainment Weekly writer David Browne named it as the worst album of 2000.cite web |url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20044179,00.html |title=The Best and Worst Music |author=Browne, David |date=December 22, 2000 |publisher= Entertainment Weekly |accessdate=20 December 2011
During a 2001 tour of Australia at the Big Day Out festival in Sydney , fans rushed the stage in the moshing|mosh pit , and teenager Jessica Michalik died of asphyxiation . In court, Durst testified he had warned the concert's organizers Aaron Jackson, Will Pearce and Amar Tailor and promoter Vivian Lees of the potential dangers of such minimal security.cite news| url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/1148637.stm | publisher= BBC News | title=Limp Bizkit 'devastated' by fan death | date=February 1, 2001 | accessdate=April 4, 2010 After viewing videotapes and hearing witness testimony, however, the coroner said it was evident that the density of the crowd was dangerous at the time Limp Bizkit took the stage, and that a cage was put up around the band.cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458584/aussie-court-easy-on-bizkit.jhtml |title=Organizers Blamed In Limp Bizkit Mosh-Pit Death |author=D'Angelo, Joe |date=November 8, 2002 |work= |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=17 December 2011 Durst stated that he was "emotionally scarred" because of the teenager's death.cite news| url= http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/06/17/1023864403550.html | location=Melbourne |author=Glendinning, Lee | work=The Age | title=Limp Bizkit singer tells of emotional scars from Big Day Out tragedy | date=June 18, 2002
Departure of Borland, Mike Smith and Results May Vary (2001–2003)
In October 2001, Durst released a statement on their website stating that "Limp Bizkit and Wes Borland have amicably decided to part ways. Both Limp Bizkit and Borland will continue to pursue their respective musical careers. Both wish each other the best of luck in all future endeavors."cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |year= |title=Borland bids adieu to Bizkit |journal=CMJ New Music Report |volume=69 |issue=737 |page=6 |publisher=CMJ Network |date=October 29, 2001 |url= |accessdate= Durst also stated that the band would "comb the world for the illest guitar player known to man" to replace Borland.
After holding a nationwide audition for a new guitarist, called "Put Your Guitar Where Your Mouth Is", http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1451596/20011221/story.jhtml "Limp Bizkit Scouring 99 Cities For New Guitarist". MTV News , December 21, 2001; retrieved May 31, 2006. the band recorded with Snot guitarist Mike Smith (guitarist)|Mike Smith , but later scrapped their recording sessions with Smith. Durst told a fan site that he had a falling out with Smith, saying "We are the type of people that stay true to our family and our instincts and at any moment will act on intuition as a whole. Mike wasn't the guy. We had fun playing with him but always knew, in the back of our minds, that he wasn't where we needed him to be mentally."
After recording another album without Smith, the band scrapped the new sessions and assembled a new album combining songs from different sessions.cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/results-may-vary-r657916/review |title= Results May Vary - Limp Bizkit |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=7 January 2012 During the album's production, the working title changed from Bipolar to Panty Sniffer , and was completed under the title Results May Vary . Under Durst's sole leadership, the album encompassed a variety of styles,cite web|author=Sullivan, Caroline |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2003/sep/26/popandrock.shopping |title=Limp Bizkit, Results May Vary |publisher= The Guardian |date= |accessdate=2011-10-07 and featured a cover of The Who 's " Behind Blue Eyes ", which differed from the original's arrangement in its inclusion of a Speak & Spell (toy)|Speak & Spell during the song's bridge (music)|bridge .
Results May Vary was released on September 23, 2003, and received largely unfavorable reviews.cite web|url= http://www.metacritic.com/music/results-may-vary |title=Results May Vary Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic |publisher=Metacritic.com |date= |accessdate=July 21, 2011 Allmusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine panned the album, writing, "the music has no melody, hooks, or energy, and all attention is focused on the clown jumping up and down and screaming in front, and long before the record is over, you're left wondering, how the hell did he ever get to put this mess out? " The Guardian reviewer Caroline Sullivan wrote, "At least Limp Bizkit can't be accused of festering in the rap rock|rap-rock ghetto ... But Durst's problems are ever-present - and does anybody still care? " Despite criticisms of the album, it was a commercial success, peaking at #3 on the Billboard 200.
Borland's return, The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) and hiatus (2004-2008)
Listen|filename=The Propaganda.ogg|title="The Propaganda" (sample)|description= IGN reviewer Spence D., noting the sinister sound of The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) , described the album's leading track "The Propaganda" as a "skirling swirl of darkness".
In August 2004, Borland rejoined Limp Bizkit, which began recording another album, The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) .cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1490229/wes-borland-back-with-limp-bizkit.jhtml |title=Wes Borland Back With Limp Bizkit |author=D'Angelo, Joe |date=August 16 2004 |work= |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=17 December 2011 In March 2005, Limp Bizkit participated on the Summer Sanitarium Tour , headlined by Metallica . At the tour's stop in Chicago, IL , attendees of the concert threw items and heckled Durst from the moment he walked on stage. With the crowd chanting "Fuck Fred Durst" and continuing their assault on him, Durst threw the mic down after six songs and walked off stage, but not before heckling the crowd back.cite web|last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1474912/20030728/limp_bizkit.jhtml |title=Limp Bizkit Walk Offstage After Chicago Crowd Gets Hostile – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=July 28, 2003 |accessdate=July 21, 2011 An article in the Sun-Times stated that the hostility was started by radio personality Mancow .cite web|last=Susman |first=Gary |url= http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,471517,00.html |title=Throw Stuff |publisher= Entertainment Weekly |date=July 29, 2003 |accessdate=July 21, 2011
In May, The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) was released. Sammy Siegler took over drumming duties for the band for much of the album, which featured a more experimental music|experimental sound, described by Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine as " neo-progressive rock|neo-prog alternative metal|alt-metal ". At Durst's insistence, the album was released as an underground album, without any advertising or promotion.cite web |url= http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1514094/20051118/limp_bizkit.jhtml |title=Music Ruined Wes Borland's Life, So He's Formed A New Band |last1=Harris |first1=Chris |date=November 18, 2005 |work= |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=14 December 2011cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1526158/borland-casts-doubt-on-limp-bizkits-future.jhtml |title=Bye Bye Bizkit? Wes Borland Says Limp Are Pretty Much Done |last1=Harris |first1=Chris |date=March 17, 2006 |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=14 December 2011 Borland disagreed with the decision, suggesting that it was "self-sabotage": "Maybe he was already unhappy with the music, and he didn't really want to put it out there."
The album received mixed reviews. Stephen Thomas Erlewine praised the music, calling it "a step in the right direction -- it's more ambitious, dramatic, and aggressive, built on pummeling verses and stop-start choruses." However, he felt that the band was being "held back" by Durst, who he called "the most singularly unpleasant, absurd frontman in rock." IGN writer Spence D. similarly gave it a mixed review, as he felt that the album lacked direction, but that showed potential for the band's musical growth.cite web|title=Limp Bizkit - The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1)|url= http://music.ign.com/articles/609/609754p1.html|work= IGN |publisher= News Corporation |date=May 3, 2005
The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) sold over 1,000,000 copies worldwide, peaking at #24 on the Billboard 200.cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/bands/l/limp_bizkit/news_feature_052305/ |title=Limp Bizkit: What Happened? |last1=Moss |first1=Corey|date= |publisher=MTV News |accessdate=14 December 2011cite web |url= http://allmusic.com/artist/limp-bizkit-p213327/charts-awards |title=Limp Bizkit - Charts & Awards |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=14 December 2011 Following the release of the band's Greatest Hitz album, the band went on hiatus.cite web|last=Moss |first=Corey |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1512963/11032005/limp_bizkit.jhtml |title=Fred Durst Says Limp Bizkit Are About To Bring On The Gravy – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=November 3, 2005 |accessdate=July 21, 2011 Borland stated that it was unlikely that a sequel to The Unquestionable Truth would be produced and that "As of right now, none of my future plans include Limp Bizkit."
Reunion and Gold Cobra (2009 onward)
Listen|filename=Shotgun.ogg|title="Shotgun" (sample)|description=" Shotgun (Limp Bizkit song)|Shotgun " is noted for featuring a guitar solo (music)|solo by Wes Borland.
In 2009, the original lineup of Limp Bizkit reunited and launched the Unicorns N' Rainbows Tour .cite web|url= http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/limp-bizkit-launches-unicorns-n-rainbows-tour/5289556|publisher= Artist Direct |author=Artist Direct Staff|title=Limp Bizkit Launches 'Unicorns N' Rainbows' Tour|date=April 24, 2009|accessdate=May 14, 2011 Durst announced that they had begun to record a new album, which Borland titled Gold Cobra .cite web |url= http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/11/world_exclusive_limp_bizkit_na.html |title=World exclusive& #33; Limp Bizkit name new album |author=Simon |date=November 30, 2009 |work=Kerrang.com |publisher=Bauer Performance |accessdate=November 30, 2009cite web|last=Collis |first=Clark |url= http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/05/05/limp-bizkit-durst-borlan/ |title=Limp Bizkit on their reunion album-and who exactly was to blame for their break up in the first place |publisher= Entertainment Weekly Music Mix |date=2010-05-05 |accessdate=2011-09-12 Borland said that the title does not have any meaning, and that it was chosen because it fit the style of music the band was writing for the album. The band recorded a spoken intro written by Durst and performed by Kiss (band)|Kiss member Gene Simmons for the album, but it was left off the completed album.cite web |url= http://www.contactmusic.com/news/durst-treats-fans-to-sneak-peek-of-new-record_1186345 |title=Limp Bizkit - Durst Treats Fans To Sneak Peek Of New Record |author=Contactmusic Staff |date=November 25, 2010 |publisher= Contactmusic.com |accessdate=6 January 2012cite web |url= http://www.nme.com/news/limp-bizkit/53996 |title=Fred Durst previews new Limp Bizkit songs online |author= NME Staff |date=November 25, 2010 |work= |publisher= NME |accessdate=6 January 2012 The band also recorded additional "non-album" tracks, including "Combat Jazz", which featured rapper Raekwon . " Shotgun (Limp Bizkit song)|Shotgun " was released as a single on May 17, 2011. The song is noted for featuring a guitar solo by Borland, something that the band is not known for. "Shotgun" received favorable reviews, with Artistdirect writing, "'Shotgun' feels like Bizkit approached the signature style on '' Three Dollar Bill, Yall$|Three Dollar Bill Y'All and Significant Other with another decade-plus of instrumental experience and virtuosity, carving out a banger that could get asses moving in the club or fists flying in the mosh pit ."cite web |url= http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/limp-bizkit-shotgun-review-4-5-out-of-5-stars/8973960 |title=Limp Bizkit — "Shotgun" Review 4.5 out of 5 stars |author= |date=June 6, 2011 |work= |publisher= Artistdirect |accessdate=6 January 2012
Gold Cobra was released on June 28 and received mixed to positive reviews.cite web |url= http://www.metacritic.com/music/gold-cobra |title= Gold Cobra at Metacritic |publisher= Metacritic |accessdate=July 26, 2011 Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it "a return to the full-throttled attack of ''Three Dollar Bill Y'All''. IGN writer Chad Grischow wrote, "Though far from their best work, Limp Bizkit's latest at least proves that their 2005 Greatest Hitz album may have been premature."cite web |url= http://music.ign.com/articles/117/1179339p1.html |title=Original line-up yields mostly good results on latest |author=Grischow, Chad |date=June 27, 2011 |work= |publisher= IGN |accessdate=6 January 2012 Metal Hammer writer Terry Bezer appraised the album, writing "Aside from the odd duff moment, Gold Cobra throws out the hot shit that'll make you bounce in the mosh pit over and over again."cite journal|url= http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/limp-bizkit-gold-cobra-track-by-track/|title= Gold Cobra review|journal= Metal Hammer |author=Bezer, Terry|date=July 6, 2011|accessdate=Oct 13, 2011 The PopMatters website ranked Gold Cobra as the fifth worst album of 2011.cite web |url= http://www.popmatters.com/pm/feature/152311-the-20-worst-albums-of-2011/P3 |title=The 20 Worst Albums of 2011 |author=PopMatters Staff |date=December 14, 2011 |publisher= PopMatters |accessdate=6 January 2012 It sold 63,000 copies in the United States, peaking at #16 on the Billboard 200.cite web |url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=166717 |title=LIMP BIZKIT Parts Ways With INTERSCOPE |author= |date=December 1, 2011 |publisher= blabbermouth.net |accessdate=30 December 2011 In December, Durst announced that the band was leaving Interscope to record independent music|independently .
Style and legacy
Music and lyrics
Listen|filename=Counterfeit.ogg|title="Counterfeit" (sample)|description=" Counterfeit (song)|Counterfeit ", which appears on the band's 1997 debut, Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ , is noted for "kinetic, frenzied energy" and a mix of music styles.|format= Ogg
Durst wanted Limp Bizkit to be a "megaband" which could cross over into as many different styles of music as possible. Limp Bizkit's music has predominately been described as nu metal .cite book |last1=Apter |first1=Jeff |title=Never Enough: The Story of The Cure |year=2009 |publisher=Music Sales Group |isbn=0857120247 |page=468 |chapter= cite web|url= http://consequenceofsound.net/2011/06/album-review-limp-bizkit-gold-cobra|title=Album Review: Limp Bizkit – Gold Cobra|work= Consequence of Sound |author=Buchanan, David|date=June 24, 2011|accessdate=June 29, 2011cite web|last=Langhoff |first=Josh |url= http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/144574-limp-bizkit-gold-cobra/ |title=Limp Bizkit: Gold Cobra < PopMatters |publisher= PopMatters |date= |accessdate=2011-09-12cite web|author=Lewis, Faye |url= http://www.rocksound.tv/reviews/article/limp-bizkit-gold-cobra |title=Limp Bizkit - Gold Cobra & #124; Reviews & #124; Rock Sound |publisher= Rock Sound |date= |accessdate=2011-09-12 Their music is noted for "kinetic, frenzied energy". Otto is adept in drumming in a variety of styles ranging from Music of Brazil|Brazilian and Music of Cuba#African heritage|Afro-Cuban music to bebop and funk . DJ Lethal functions as a sound design|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."
Borland's guitar playing is experimental and nontraditional, and he is noted for his creative use of six and seven-string guitar s. 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. 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.cite book |last1=Hurwitz |first1=Tobias |authorlink1= |last2=Riley |first2=Glenn |title=7-String Guitar |date=June 1, 2002 |publisher=Alfred Music Publishing |isbn=0739028073 |pages=30–32 |chapter=Rhythm guitar riffs in the style of Wes Borland Borland has also made use of unevenly accented syncopated sixteenth notes to create a disorienting effect, and hypnotic, droning Lick (music)|licks . The song "Stuck" uses a sustain pedal in the first bar, and muted riffs in the second bar.
Allmusic writer Stephen Thomas Erlewine said that their album, Significant Other , contains "flourishes of neo-psychedelia on pummeling metal numbers" and "swirls of Strings (music)|strings , even Crooner|crooning , at the most unexpected background".cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/significant-other-r421388/review |title= Significant Other - Limp Bizkit |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |date= |work= |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=17 December 2011 The band is generally opposed to the use of solo (music)|solos . However, during the recording of Significant Other , they allowed drummer John Otto to perform an extended solo in the middle of the song "Nobody Like You".
Durst's lyrics are often profane, scatological or angry.cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/chocolate-starfish-and-the-hot-dog-flavored-water-r500737/review |title= Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water - Limp Bizkit |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |date= |work= |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=17 December 2011cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/gold-cobra-r2210421/review |title= Gold Cobra - Limp Bizkit |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |date= |work= |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=17 December 2011 Much of Durst's lyrical inspiration came from growing up and his personal life. The song "Sour", from the album Three Dollar Bill, Yall$ , was inspired by Durst's problems with his girlfriend. His breakup with her inspired the Significant Other songs " Nookie (song)|Nookie " and " Re-Arranged ".cite book |last1=Devenish |first1=Colin |title=Limp Bizkit |year=2000 |publisher=St. Martin's |isbn=031226349X |pages=79–95 The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) focuses on darker lyrical subject matter, including Catholic sex abuse cases , terrorism and fame.cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-unquestionable-truth-pt-1-r740966/review |title= The Unquestionable Truth, Pt. 1 - Limp Bizkit |author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |date= |work= |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=17 December 2011
Awards and recognition
Limp Bizkit have been nominated for and won several awards. In 1999, the band won the Maximum Vision Award at the Billboard Music Video Awards for their music video "Nookie".cite web|url= http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4386696-1.html |title=Ticketmaster Online Site To Sell CDs, Videos, DVDs & #124; North America > United States from |publisher=AllBusiness.com |date= |accessdate=July 29, 2010 At the 2000 and 2001 Blockbuster Awards, the band won the Favorite Group (Rock) award.cite web|url= http://www.chicagopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/116896 |title=Winners of the Sixth Annual `Blockbuster Entertainment Awards' Announced (ChicagoPride.com : Los Angeles, CA News) |publisher=ChicagoPride.com |date= |accessdate=July 29, 2010cite web|url= http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl? ACCT=104& STORY=/www/story/04-10-2001/0001466747& EDATE= |title=Winners of 2001 Blockbuster Awards(R) Announced – re> LOS ANGELES and DALLAS, April 10 /PRNewswire/ |location=California, Texas |publisher=Prnewswire.com |date= |accessdate=July 29, 2010 That year also saw the band winning a MuchMusic Award for Best International Video, honoring their video for the song "Break Stuff".cite web|url= http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4610680-1.html |title=Matthew Good Band Leads Muchmusic Video Nominees & #124; Trends & Events > Awards & Prizes from |publisher=AllBusiness.com |date= |accessdate=July 29, 2010 At the 2001 Echo (music award)|ECHO Awards , the band won the Best International Metal Band award.cite web|url= http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4718088-1.html |title=THIS DAY IN MUSIC Advance for the week of March 15–21 & #124; Business solutions from |publisher=AllBusiness.com |date= |accessdate=July 29, 2010 At the 2009 Kerrang& #33; Awards , the band won the Hall of Fame award.cite web|url= http://www2.kerrang.com/2009/08/the_2009_kerrang_awards_winner.html |title=Kerrang& #33; The 2009 Kerrang& #33; Awards winners |publisher=.kerrang.com |date= |accessdate=July 29, 2010 Further expanding upon the group's achievements and popularity, they were also the first group inducted into MTV 's Total Request Live "Hall of Fame" on May 26, 2001.cite web|url= http://www.atrl.net/trlarchive/? s=halloffame|title=Hall of Fame|accessdate=April 9, 2011|publisher=The TRL Archivecite web|url= http://atrl.net/trlarchive/? s=recordbook|title=Record Book|accessdate=April 9, 2011|publisher=The TRL Archive
Richard Cheese performed a lounge music|lounge rendition of the songs "Nookie" and "Break Stuff" on his debut album, Lounge Against the Machine .cite web |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/lounge-against-the-machine-r501485/review |title= Lounge Against the Machine - Richard Cheese |author=Henderson, Alex |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=20 December 2011 "Weird Al" Yankovic 's " List_of_"Weird_Al"_Yankovic_polka_medleys#.22Angry_White_Boy_Polka.22|Angry White Boy Polka " medley included Limp Bizkit's song "My Way". 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 violin ist backed by cello s, synthesizers, and keyboard percussion.cite web |url= http://allmusic.com/album/the-string-quartet-tribute-to-limp-bizkit-break-stuff-w115684/review |title=The String Quartet Tribute to Limp Bizkit: Break Stuff |author=Loftus, Johnny |publisher=Allmusic |accessdate=20 December 2011 Girl Talk (musician)|Girl Talk sample (music)|sampled "Nookie" and "Break Stuff" in the song "Friends-4-Ever", which appears on his album Secret Diary .cite web |url= http://www.whosampled.com/sampled/Limp%20Bizkit/ |title=Limp Bizkit Music Sampled by Others |author= |date= |work= |publisher= WhoSampled |accessdate=20 December 2011
Live performances
Borland is known for performing in costumes and body paint during concerts, appearing in bunny and kung fu suits, and painted as a skeleton and what he describes as a "burnt match". Describing the character, he stated, "I go onstage wearing almost nothing. I have underwear and my boots on, and I paint my whole head black—from the neck up—and I have the black contacts. All you can see is these glowing teeth."cite book |last1=Kitts |first1=Jeff |last2=Tolinski |first2=Brad |title=The 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time |year=2002 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=0634046195 |pages=3–4 |chapter=Lords Of Hard Rock: Wes Borland Borland's black contacts were customized for him by a company noted for making contacts for the science fiction TV series Babylon 5 .
In addition to Borland's visual appearance, the band has also used elaborate stage setups in their performances. Their Ladies Night in Cambodia club tour visually paid tribute to the film Apocalypse Now , with an elaborate stage setup which featured an empty Jeep, camouflage mesh and palm trees. During the band's tour with Primus, Limp Bizkit took inspiration from Primus' trademark self-deprecatory slogan "Primus sucks": Durst, Borland, Rivers, Otto and Lethal took the stage with the finger|middle fingers raised. According to Borland, "they finger us back — and you know what that means to us — that they love us. It's kind of like saying something is bad when you really mean good. Les Claypool came out the first night of the tour and got a big kick out of it. We figured it was the right idea. It makes hecklers go 'huh.'"
During the band's sets at Ozzfest, audience members at the tour heckled Limp Bizkit, leading the band to use a 30 foot toilet as a stage prop, which they would emerge from during each performance; the band punctuated their sets by "flushing" cardboard cutouts of pop music|pop stars like Hanson (band)|Hanson and the Spice Girls . During their appearance at the first Family Values Tour , Limp Bizkit performed on a set which the Los Angeles Times described as "a mix of The War of the Worlds and Mars Attacks!|Mars Attacks ". The band emerged from a spaceship during the tour, and Borland continued to experiment with visual appearances. During the band's Halloween performance on the tour, each of the band's members dressed as Elvis Presley at various stages in his career.
Band members
col-begincol-2;Current members
Fred Durst & nbsp;– lead vocalist|lead vocals (since 1994)
Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water (2000)
Results May Vary (2003)
The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1) (2005)
Gold Cobra (2011)
References
Reflist|2
External links
Commons
Official website| http://www.limpbizkit.com
Limp Bizkit Category:Flip Records (1994) artists Category:Interscope Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1994 Category:Musical groups from Jacksonville, Florida Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Florida Category:American nu metal musical groups Category:Musical quintets Category:Kerrang& #33; Awards winners Category:Obscenity controversies