Local Music Scene

My name's Ryan. I'm 24 years old and I live in Leicester. I'm the frontman for Nottingham/Leicester based band Spirytus.

I'm heavily into my music and love my Rock and Heavy Metal.

My favourite band, since I was 15, was Limp Bizkit. I have now seen them a total of six times, three of which being this year!

Ryan with Fred Durst

Chosen by Fred

The fourth time that I saw them was at this years Download Festival at Donigton Park, Leicestershire.

I went to the front two bands before Limp Bizkit's set as I wanted to make sure I could get to the front.

When they came on, it was insane, absolutely nuts! This was their first UK performance with the original line up in eight years! Wes Borland, the original guitarist looked absolutely crazy!

Halfway through the set, Fred Durst, Limp Bizkit's lead singer, pulled a guy from the crowd on the right hand side. Then he looked at me…

"That guy", he said. "No, not that guy, THAT guy, no, no, that guy. Yeah, that guy!"

He had chosen me; I couldn't believe it.

I went up onstage and got to jump, thrash and mosh with Limp Bizkit!

Then at the end of the song Fred gave me the mic. I finished the song in front of 60,000 people! What an unbelievable experience, my festival, my year had just been made!

Afterwards, I had a lot of people high fiving, shaking my hand, congratulating me on what just happened.

Then I found out that Limp Bizkit were playing at the Kerrang! Week of Rock in London on Saturday 1 August. I had to be there.

Me and my friend Danny, drove down to London and parked up near to the venue, HMV Forum in Kentish Town. We were early, I wanted to get to the front again!

We went to the queue and there were no more than 10 to 12 people in front of us.

Danny and I started joking about how unbelievably insane it would be if Fred recognised me and pulled me up again. We both agreed it wouldn't happen but, just the thought of it…

When Limp Bizkit came out, it wasn't long before Fred was looking at me. Then he started shaking his hand as if to say, "I remember you dude!".

When they played 'Eat You Alive', Fred came and stood right in front of me and Danny and it was just absolutely crazy!

Later, I'd managed to give Fred my band's Demo CD, which I was stoked about. I hoped he'd listen to it but you never know. It was worth the shot. My night was now made!

Ryan with Wes from Limp Bizkit

The night gets better

They finished with 'Rollin'' and just as they were about to go Fred said, "Wait, we're gonna do one more song".

I was stoked, I thought they were going to play 'Counterfeit' as the crowd had been shouting for it all night.

Then Fred says "We're gonna do this next song because…", he comes and stands in front of me and points right at me, "We did a show about a month ago and I brought a guy up on stage… and he crushed it. So bring your ass up on stage we're gonna do it again!"

Oh. My. God.

As I came onstage, Fred picked up my bands demo CD and said to the crowd, "Ladies and Gentlemen, he has a band, called Spirytus… Remember this name!" What a plug!

Afterwards the reaction from all the Limp Bizkit fans was mental. People were asking for their photo with me, shaking hands, shouting their congratulations at me!

As I drove home it finally hit me…

I went up onstage with Limp Bizkit in front of a sellout 2500 people at the HMV Forum and finished the set with them, singing 'Full Nelson'. I just couldn't believe it.

Since then, my Facebook, Twitter and the bands Myspace have just gone mental. The response was not something I had imagined.

Everyone has been positive saying things like, "Spirytus should support Limp Bizkit when they tour again"… I wish!

Talk about living the dream, I've now done it twice. Unbelievable.

To Limp Bizkit I say… Thank you.