Emerging from the sunshine state of Jacksonville, Florida in 1995, the Limp Bizkit boys have become one of the most influential bands of our generation. Their breakthrough album "Significant Other" released in 1999, sold more than 7.5 million copies in the U.S. alone. This album produced such hits as "Nookie," "Break Stuff" and "Re-Arranged." Their follow up record "Chocolate Starfish & the Hotdog Flavored Water" received Best Rock Video and two MTV Video Music Awards. Fred, John, Sam, Wes and Lethal were taking over rock music in a big and new way. Limp Bizkit was soaring up the charts and their music was being heard from across the world.

Three years have passed since 'Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water' and in that time the band has gone through some significant changes. Fred has been known to concentrate and channel his energy to help the careers of other major bands including Puddle of Mudd, Staind & Cold. His latest signing, Revolution Smile, just released their debut album "Above the Noise." Not to mention the nationwide search for a guitar replacement.

Wesley Borland, born February 7th, 1975 in Richmond, VA. joined L.B. when he was 18 years old. He met John Otto (drummer) at a coffee shop he used to work at when the two were in rival bands. After Wes met up with Sam Rivers and Fred Durst, he decided to join the group, thus creating our wonderful collection of musical talent -- Limp Bizkit. Right before the band was going to be signed to Flip/Interscope Records, Wes was kicked out of the group. The band then had two guitarists come aboard to take Wes' place, the band would soon find out that you can't mess with fate. On the way to a gig, the band encountered a very bad bus accident. Luckly everyone was okay. Fred took the accident as a sign to bring Wes back. And it was done.

When you think of Wes Borland you might picture a tall slinky man dressed in a black cloak with glowing alien-looking eyes holding a guitar. Back in 2002, Wes had a change of heart about his part in the band. "I'm enjoying all the perks of [Limp Bizkit] but I feel my heart is going black, because this is not what I'm called to do. The little voice in my head says, 'You should be somewhere else. You should take the risk. You should let it go.'" Wes went on to take singing lessons and formed his own band, "Big Dumb Face" Which to me seemed like a Big Dumb Idea. "I could have probably gone on and still played the part of the guitar player of Limp Bizkit, but musically I was kind of bored." Wes broke the news to his bandmates by calling each one individually. The news spread fast and people were having doubts on whether the band was going to survive without their guitar master. The band was now on the search for yet another replacement. They adventually hired Mike Smith (formally of Snot) in April of 2003. Needless to say, Mike had a short lived career with L.B.

On Aug. 13th, 2004 it was announced that Wes was, once again, rejoining Limp Bizkit. Its been 3 years after he left the band and now Wes is back and working on Limp's next album. It seems as if there is some type of magnetic field surrounding the Limp Bizkit crew that keeps pulling Wes back. We all have to accept that Wes is part of Limp Bizkit forever, like it or not and I personally wouldn't want it any other way. To me Wes Borland serves as a trademark for Limp Bizkit. As a result of Wes' reunion, L.B. will not be touring this year as announced 3 months ago by Fred. Instead they are going to focus on working towards the completion of Limp's Greatest Hits album, expected to release in 2005.

Now, with all that being said I'm sure ya'll have your own thoughts on this issue. So what do you think? All you Wes Borland fans out there, what is your take on Wes rejoining L.B? How about all you die hard L.B. fans out there? Personally, I used to be Limp Bizkit's #1 fan about three years ago. My feelings kind of faded out when I heard Wes was leaving the band. I thought for sure the band would sell out and go commercial on their fans. It's been somewhat of a bumpy road for the Bizkit crew the last few years with and without Wes. I mean think about it, it's like Led Zepplin without Plant, Guns 'n' Roses without Slash or Korn without Munky. Wes completes Limp Bizkit. Only time will tell how fans will accept the many changes Limp Bizkit seems to go through musically. Until then we can rely on the old tracks and hope the future holds bright for the new generation of rock. Regardless of the outcome just keep on rockin' your own way.

ROCK ON!


- Shannon Zeese, Associate Editor