Limp Bizkit inspired a generation of chin-bearded meatheads to revel in artless anthems, flip strangers the bird, throw security-deposit-forfeiting keg parties, and generally dedicate their lives (and Blockbuster paychecks) in pursuit of the all-seeing, all-knowing “nookie.” In an upcoming interview with Rolling Stone, Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Commerford takes credit for inspiring that “fresh Limp Bizkit sound,” and he’s not proud.
Like an ambitious Dr. Victor Frankenstein, RATM was so driven by vision and blinded by hubris, that the band failed to see it was giving birth to a mob-hounded monster. But Commerford gets it now. “I do apologize for Limp Bizkit,” the RATM bassist says. “I really do. I feel really bad that we inspired such bullshit.” By “bullshit,” he’s presumably not just apologizing for Limp Bizkit, but also their frontman’s insufferable, success-fueled personality, other shitty bands inspired by RATM (or worse, inspired directly by Limp Bizkit), and property damage caused by drunken fans of either band roving college towns like a pack of nookie-seeking dingos who won’t do what you tell them.
“They’re gone, though,” Commerford said, perhaps trying to find some closure. “That’s the beautiful thing. There’s only one left, and that’s Rage, and as far as I’m concerned, we’re the only one that matters.” While that Highlander fantasy of a single remaining rap-metal band is appealing, it’s not actually true. Much to the chagrin of some Limp Bizkit members, Limp Bizkit is still performing. To be fair to Commerford, Limp Bizkit’s continued existence is probably a surprise to most people.