Limp Bizkit deny 'ripping off' fans

Limp Bizkit has been nominated for a Brit award

US hip hop rockers Limp Bizkit has angrily denied claims that they ripped off their fans during a talent search to find a possible replacement for their guitarist.

More than 5,000 hopefuls turned out for 60-second auditions across the US to fill the spot left by Wes Boland, who quit the band last year.

The Pit Your Money Where Your Guitar Is tryouts began last month, but here are claims that the process was flawed.

About 30 hopefuls received call-backs to jam with the band, and they may now be invited to join for a second session.

Peter Katsis, who is spokesman for Limp Bizkit's management, admitted the band may not replace Boland.

Upset

He said: "This isn't a contest and there's no winner, but hopefully, we'll find a guitar player."

However some disgruntled fans have written to internet message boards complaining that they felt ripped off.

The band were accused of using the auditions to generate publicity or even steal musicians' material.

Limp Bizkit have topped the UK charts

However lead singer Fred Durst wrote on the band's website that those accusations were untrue.

He wrote: "Anyone who is mad about their experience trying out for Limp Bizkit simply and plainly 100% sucked."

He added: "In no way whatsoever would Limp Bizkit ever steal or take anything (music, riffs) from anyone on this planet."

The band has been nominated for a Brit Award for best international band.

They scored their first British number one with Rollin' last year and their album Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavoured Water also hit the top spot.

Tragedy

Last summer the band were forced to cancel their European tour after Durst suffered a back injury.

More trouble was to follow was a fan died from a heart attack during a crowd surge at one of their concerts in Sydney.

During the concert, the band stopped their headlining performance several times while Durst pleaded with the crowd to calm down.

When news of the girl's injury became clear, they stopped playing for 20 minutes and wanted to stop playing altogether. But police officials at the scene feared a possible riot among the 20,000-strong crowd.

The band later pulled out of the travelling festival completely, saying they had no confidence in its organisers.