Rage Against the Machine Bassist Apologizes for Inspiring Limp Bizkit

Rage Against the Machine bassist Tim Commerford has come to the conclusion that his band served as the first nucleic building block in Limp Bizkit's musical DNA, and he'd like to say he's sorry for that.

The subject came up during a recent interview with Rolling Stone, during which — apparently inspired by Bizkit frontman Fred Durst's recent onstage proclamation that Rage were "the rap-rock band that started this s---" — Commerford was asked for his feelings regarding that particular aspect of the group's influence.

"I do apologize for Limp Bizkit," he admitted. "I really do. I feel really bad that we inspired such bulls---."

Commerford also looked back approvingly on the moment during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards when he clambered up the stage backdrop — and ended up spending the night in jail — during Limp Bizkit's acceptance of that year's Best Rock Video award. "It's aged like wine. "What was uncomfortable and a little bit bitter in 2000, now I savor it," he said. "I get more people that come up to me now. Back in 2000, it was like, 'Dude, I saw you do that. What was that all about?' Now, it's like, 'Dude, I saw you do that. That was so f---in' awesome! I love that.' It feels more comfortable now to talk about."

What helps Commerford feel better about the whole thing is that, as far as he's concerned, Limp Bizkit are "gone now," which he deemed a "beautiful thing." Apparently unaware that the band continues to tour — and has released several albums since Rage's most recent effort, 2000's Renegades — he decreed, "There's only one left, and that's Rage, and as far as I'm concerned, we're the only one that matters."

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This Day in Rock History: September 30