You're reading: Limp Bizkit to play Kyiv

When I heard about Limp Bizkit playing in Kyiv, my first reaction was: “Are these guys still playing?” I’m sure some of you asked yourself the same question. Well, actually not “still,” but “again.” The band is coming as part of its reunion tour “Unicorns N’Rainbows,” which brought together its original lineup for the first time in eight years.

Limp Bizkit, a nu-rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, first started playing together in 1995 when tattoo artist Fred Durst (vocalist) met with bassist Sam Rivers, drummer John Otto and guitarist Rob Waters, who was soon replaced by Wes Borland. DJ Lethal joined the group later on. The band recorded its first demo and was introduced to KoRn’s producer Ross Robinson. Thus, Limp Bizkit’s first record “Three Dollar Bill, Yall$” was released in 1997. The record didn’t do very well in the charts but intensive touring helped the guys to get noticed. Soon the band was easily recognized for Durst’s perpetual red baseball cap and Borland’s eccentric makeup as well as their wild behavior onstage. In 2000, Limp Bizkit’s released their third album “Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water” (2000) which set a record for a highest number of copies – over one million – sold by a rock album in one week. The album went six times Multi-Platinum and contained the band’s main hits – “My Generation,” “Rolling,” “My Way” and “Take a Look Around” that was later included as the theme song in “Mission: Impossible 2.” However after the peak of success, came a period of decline. In great part it was due to Borland leaving the group which seriously disappointed many fans.

The Bizkits, however, made a great PR move by announcing a nation-wide contest for a new band member called “Put Your Guitar Where Your Mouth Is.” The contest had three finalists, but none of them were hired. Instead, the former Snot guitarist Mike Smith started playing with Limp Bizkit and in 2003 “Results May Vary” album came out. The hard rocking nature of the previous album here was replaced with slow ballads written by Durst.The record was a complete failure. In 2004, Borland returned and stayed with the band to record an EP. “Greatest Hitz” compilation released in 2005 was hardly promoted by the musicians at all and soon Borland left the band for the second time, while the rest of the members went their separate ways.

However, in late 2008 bassist Rivers sparked rumors that the band was back together and working on new material.

True enough, its reunion tour started on May 20 in Riga, Latvia. Only 10 days later Limp Bizkit is coming to Kyiv.

Palats Sportu (Sportyvna Ploshcha, 256-7406). May 31, 7 p.m. Tickets Hr 300 to Hr 1,500