Nü metal and its scene denizens are definitely a classic example of the zeitgeist being driven by suburban aggression. It's a bizarre phenomena that coincided with the end of one century and the beginning of another; the murky drug haze of grunge rock and heroin chic loomed over like the ugliest of clouds; that was pale in comparison to the normalization of violence, apathy, and the general urge to just break stuff that epitomized the early 2000s and continues today.
But that was then, and this is now. And let's just say, the kids are not alright with nü metal. The React film group recently showed several teenagers Limp Bizkit videos to gauge their reaction, and let's just say it was more than priceless.
Before watching anything, however, the teens were asked by the moderator "What do you think of when I say 'Limp Bizkit'"? They responded with a flurry of answers—ranging from "I don't know" to far more imaginative guesses, like "A biscuit with lint on it" and "Is that some sort of Weird Al thing?" But that was nothing compared to when the videos rolled. During "Nookie," one teen immediately gasped "Stick it up my where? Oh, I don't like this! I don't like this!" while another proclaimed "My ears are begging for break right now."
Which makes a lot of sense, since the common response from the teens was: "Why are they yelling?"
It was the 2000s, kids. Shit was bizarre. Ask your parents. I once watched Fred Durst take a leak on his own tour bus at a club in New Jersey called Tradewinds, opening for Faith No More. These days, bands would kill just to have a bus, but back in 1998, they were so plentiful, you could literally piss on them! Oh, how times have changed.
Now, I really can't give away anymore of the nuggets from this hysterical film, because words can't do it justice. You just need to see for yourself below.
I know what you're thinking right now: "Ha ha ha, Metal Injection, go ahead and act all cool by posting a video of dumb kids shitting on Limp Bizkit." And you know what…. you're absolutely correct!
Look, clearly nü metal still has legions of fans across the globe, but I can't help but think that's the nostalgia factor at play. Personally, I think Korn and Deftones should have clung to the alternative metal tag for dear life (one of those bands obviously didn't get the message). Because after that, there's really nothing to nü metal—besides repetition and white boy rage—in this humble discourse pedlar's opinion.
Ok, one more spoiler: when one girl calls Fred Durst a "white boy with seasoning," I lost my shit.
