More than six months after the passing of Limp Bizkit bassist Sam Rivers, guitarist Wes Borland says the reality of the loss is still settling in.
During a recent interview centred around his new signature Jackson guitar, Borland opened up about Rivers publicly for one of the first times since the bassist’s passing last October, and it’s clear the grief remains close to the surface.
Borland didn’t hold back when describing what Rivers meant to Limp Bizkit:
“He was like family. I’m gonna try not to cry. It’s just like we lost a piece of our DNA. It’s too hard to talk about right now in depth.”
For a band that has spent decades together through lineup changes, global tours and shifting eras of heavy music, Rivers wasn’t simply a member, he was part of the identity.
The next chapter
Borland also spoke about how the band is moving forward live, acknowledging the role current touring bassist Richie Buxton has stepped into.
“He can’t ever be replaced. I mean, we’re so lucky for Richie [Buxton], who’s playing with us right now. He’s such a great player, and he’s just a wonderful guy, and we’re gonna hold onto him for as long as we can, ’cause he also plays in a band with his wife, Ecca Vandal, and they’re doing really great right now, and their career’s kind of blowing up. But we’re just gonna keep Richie for as long as we can and keep moving forward.”
Even with live shows continuing, Borland made it clear Rivers’ absence isn’t something the group sees as replaceable.
“Sam is not a replaceable person. He was the heartbeat. It’s crazy talking about… very emotional talking about it. I think that last year when it happened, we were all kind of in shock, and now we’re all grieving.”
Limp Bizkit remain active on the touring circuit across Europe before returning to the US festival season later this year, but for the band, it’s evident that this chapter looks very different.
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