The original lineup of Limp Bizkit and guests rose to the occasion on October 6th, at The Paramount in Huntington. Fred Durst and Wes Borland recently released a statement that they were “more disgusted and bored with the state of heavy popular music than they were with each other. Regardless of where our separate paths have taken us, we recognize there is a powerful and unique energy with this particular group of people we have not found anywhere else. This is why Limp Bizkit is back.” The band is working on a new album to be called, Stampede of the Disco Elephants, release date to be determined. The lure of the original lineup was enough to sell out the Paramount, and to set the audience into party mode.
Limp Bizkit opened with “9 Teen 90 Nine,” with the mosh pit in full swing early on. The twelve song set list included “Hot Dog,” the apropos “Bring It Back,” “My Generation,” “Eat You Alive,” “My Way,” a cover of George Michael’s “Faith,” “Take A Look Around,” and “Break Stuff.” Fred Durst worked the crowd from the seats, as a roller derby without skates continued in its revelry in front of the stage. Although the crowd was rocking from start to finish, it is doubtful those up front cared much who or what was actually playing. Shirtless ‘moshers’ in backwards baseball caps seemed more interested in having an excuse for crashing into each other, rather than taking any joy in music appreciation.  When the evening was over, the throng seemed pleased in getting what they paid for.
Machine Gun Kelly, also known as Richard Colson Baker broke ground with his rapid fire lyrical flow and dancing. In March 2009, MGK earned his ‘cred’ by winning consecutive victories in the festivities at the Apollo Theater. The son of missionaries spent the first four years of his life in Egypt, and he spoke Arabic before learning English.  MGK’s fourteen song set opened with “See My Tears,” and his presence was palpable from the onset. While offering “Chip Off the Old Block,” “Invizable,” “Warning Shot,” “Wanna Ball,” “Wild Boy,” “Mind of a Boy,” “Pe$o,” and “Sail,” the band hit all gears in solid fashion. MGK climbed the rails around the seats of the mezzanine of the venue, and his nearly fell off a railing as he ran a lap around the premises. The singer’s demeanor left the impression that he was not play acting with the stage presence of a man well acquainted with the hard streets. MGK is currently working on a follow up to his last release Black Flag, which came out in 2013.
Blvck Ceiling opened the evening (aka electronic producer Dan Ocean), with what he descibed to L4LM as a category of music called “Witch House”. The eight song set included “Battle Son,” “Cobainen, “Davey Drawings,” and “Forever Close My Eyes.” Dan explained, “My music is Dark synth based with hip hop drum emphasis.” The artist informed L4LM that he has “been producing music under the name Blvck Celing for about three years”. He is 33 years old, and from Spokane, Washington. “The Paramount was epic, and the fan’s energy was so powerful”, said Ocean. “I am glad they came to catch my set.” The fans reciprocated the sentiment.Â
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Words by Bob Wilson     Photographs by Wayne Herrschaft
Blvck Ceiling photo used by permission, courtesy of Paris Visone