I met Fred Durst, as well as the rest of Limp Bizkit, several years ago when they were opening for Korn. This was before their first album was released and long before Fred "did it all for the nookie." The entire band was very nice, including Fred. Mr. Durst even gave me his copy of their soon to be released album. We kept in touch, and I hung out with the band whenever they were playing in or around my home state of Michigan. I went to a lot of shows and had a really good time. At one show, I met a couple guys who said they had a band called TAPROOT. Much to my surprise, their band was amazing, and they lived in beutiful Ann Arbor (just like me). I have since become good friends with the band, and have been to almost every one of their shows. Fred Durst was impressed with the band as well. After hearing their demo, he expressed a great deal of interest in producing them. For over two years, Fred insisted he was going to produce TR. All that he ever actually did was a lot of talk. He mentioned TR once or twice in the media and, according to Taproot, taught them a lot about the industry (and they are greatfull). Unfortunately, he never got around to actually getting them signed until recently. He sent them a decent record deal and wanted them to sign it. Taproot, having waited years for Mr. Durst to do anything, were beginning to look at other options. About this time, Velvet Hammer Management (System of a Down) stepped in. Once hooking up with the Hammer, Taproot began playing showcases. This made Mr. Durst a bit angry. He called to encourage them to sign the deal he sent (in not-so-friendly terms). The next call was less friendly. Mr. Durst was very ANGRY! (click here) He basically said f*ck you, f*ck your manager, you are making enemies, and don't ever come to my shows again. If that wasn't nice enough, he decided to kick System of a Down off of the Family Values in order to punish Velvet Hammer. Once he came to his senses, he offered SOAD the next LB tour. Despite his sudden generosity, rest assured that he has not become a better person. Right around the time all of this chaos was happening, a friend and I went to the Family Values show in Grand Rapids, MI. Being guests of Wes, we were inside before doors opened, looking at our seats when we were greeted by Mr. Durst. He yelled, from accross the arena, that no Taproot shirts were allowed in the venue. He assured us that he was serious. If we didn't find something else to wear, we would be thrown out. What a great guy huh? I think he really appreciates the people that support his band. A bit later, he confronted me about wearing a TR shirt. "Did you hear what those faggots did?" "Have you talked to them?" And of course, I had. "Then why would you wear that when you know whats up?" Simply put, I support the band. Well..."F*CK THEM AND F*CK YOU FOR WEARIN THAT SHIRT!" "I know your Wes's buddy, but I don't give a f*ck...I think you're a f*ckin piece of sh*t!" Then he stormed off like the child he is. Fred went from declaring me their "number one fan" and treating me like a friend, to verbally abusing me and threatening to throw me out of their show. Either he's always been an asshole, and I never realized it, or money, fame, and greed have changed him.