Show: Limp Bizkit
Date: May 24, 2013
Venue: House of Blues
City: West Hollywood, CA
Limp Bizkit
Photos by Nicolas Bates
Written by Nicolas Bates
I’ve got to be honest: I’ve never really liked Limp Bizkit. But when I heard they were releasing a new album and playing the House of Blues on Sunset, I got really curious. I knew I had to cover the show. I just did.
I showed up somewhat early to find parking—and there was zero in supply. All lots in proximity were sold out, including the House of Blues. After finally parking blocks away and making my way back, I realized that Limp Bizkit must be entirely sold out. I was correct. I wasn’t blown away, but definitely a bit surprised.
I made my way to the photo pit and felt like I was in a time warp. Hordes of people were wearing late ‘90s attire: baggy cargo pants, jerseys, backward baseball caps, wife beaters, you name it. Even the girls were gettin’ in on it. It was humorous, and I really wondered what the show was going to be like.
After the normal wait time for a headliner, Limp Bizkit burst on stage with “Rollin”” and the crowd went wild. Wes Borland, known for his on-stage wardrobe, didn’t disappoint. Shirtless and covered head-to-toe in black body paint, he wore a raggedy-looking dress with leggings and a half-mask glowing with bright L.E.D.s.
It became apparent quite quickly that their set list would include older songs and favorites. They ripped through “Show Me What You Got,” “Re-Arranged,” “My Way,” “My Generation” and “Hot Dog” within the first half of their set.
Throughout the set Fred Durst spoke to the crowd numerous times and did more than engage them. At one point he offered up a can of Monster to the crowd, but threw in a disclaimer about touching the can with one’s mouth. After saying, “Okay, take a swig, and pass it around!” he launched the can into the audience. Towards the middle of their set, Fred stopped and asked a young man if he was filming with his cell phone. The crowd hushed. Fred told the man to give him his phone and proceeded to walk around stage recording, even going into their next song with the red light still flashing. No one can deny that guy went home with a huge souvenir and smile on his face.
The band was tight, I couldn’t deny. I knew Wes Borland was a good guitar player, but I really gained respect for his skill seeing him live. The man really is quite unique and talented when it comes to the ax. But I can definitely say the same for the entire band, as bassist Sam Rivers and drummer John Otto held their own and gave Wes a colorful backdrop on which to lay down his work.
To my very large surprise Limp Bizkit chose to cover Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name,” which is always a crowd favorite no matter what heavy show you go to. That started the second half of the set and preceded “Pollution” and the late-‘90s track “Counterfeit.” After “Counterfeit,” Fred spoke to the crowd, as he did frequently that night. After a brief moment of silence he said, “L.A.’s a dirty little town; here’s some “hand sanny,” pass it around,” as he threw a small bottle into the crowd. I can’t lie; I chuckled.
After the crowd cleaned up, Wes Started playing what sounded like “Billie Jean.” As the song picked up and Otto came in with a beat, none other than Corey Feldman hit the stage dressed like Moonwalker-era Michael Jackson and mimicking his moves. He grabbed a mic and performed a pretty damn decent version of the song. The entire crowd was stoked, and, again, I can’t lie, so was I.
After the King of Pop’s cover Limp Bizkit rounded out their set with George Michael’s “Faith,” The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes,” as well as “Take a Look Around,” and finally, crowd favorite “Break Stuff,” to which the crowd seemed as though they could have stayed in that moment forever. Not once did the crowd relent for Limp Bizkit. In fact, more people were thrown out of the House of Blues that night than for any other show I’ve been to. Take that how you want to.
Either way, that night I walked out of the House of Blues feeling fortunate for having covered Limp Bizkit (and getting to see Corey Feldman’s rendition of “Billie Jean”) and I’m pretty sure every other individual who saw the show felt the same way. Maybe you’re not a huge fan, or just aren’t anymore, but I’m thinking maybe you should check out the Bizkit, even just for old times’ sake.