Limp Bizkit Cancel SEA Tour On Terror Warnings

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Limp Bizkit, an American rap-metal band notorious for tough, defiant songs cancelled their upcoming performances in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia because they feared "warnings of increased security risks" issued by the U.S. State Department, their Bangkok sponsor said on Tuesday (Dec. 2).

The band's lead singer, Fred Durst, is popular for confrontational songs such as "Head For the Barricade" which includes the lyrics:

"I gotta fight, fight...Better watch out when my adrenaline kicks...I gotta fight, fight...It's too late you already been hit...If you got the guts, head for the barricade..."

Five days before their Bangkok appearance, however, Limp Bizkit headed for a shelter.

"Due to recent State Department warnings of increased security risks, Limp Bizkit reluctantly decided to cancel upcoming concert appearances scheduled for Bali, Indonesia, Manila, Philippines, and Bangkok, Thailand," a statement by BEC Tero Entertainment said on Tuesday (Dec. 2).

"The band wishes to extend their deepest apologies to their fans in Southeast Asia and promise to return to perform once security for their fans can be assured."

BEC Tero Entertainment successfully staged a Santana concert on Nov. 3 in Bangkok and has brought other international performers to the Thai capital, including Michael Jackson several years ago.

Limp Bizkit was scheduled to perform in Bangkok on Dec. 7, with other dates lined up in the Philippines and Indonesia.

All three countries have suffered problems with alleged Muslim terrorists who are reportedly trying to carve out an independent Islamic "caliphate" uniting much of Southeast Asia.

"U.S. citizens may be a target of terrorist actions," the State Department said in its latest "worldwide caution" dated Nov. 21.

"We are seeing increasing indications that al Qaeda is preparing to strike U.S. interests abroad," it said.

"These may include facilities where U.S. citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches.

"U.S. citizens should remain in a heightened state of personal security awareness when attendance at such locations is unavoidable," the State Department said.

Richard S. Ehrlich, a freelance journalist who has reported news from Asia for the past 25 years, is co-author of the non-fiction book, "HELLO MY BIG BIG HONEY!" -- Love Letters to Bangkok Bar Girls and Their Revealing Interviews. His web page is www.geocities.com/glossograph/

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