John Otto Drum Kit & Gear Setup — Limp Bizkit Drummer | MetalForge
John Otto (born John Everett Otto; March 22, 1977, in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American musician best known as the drummer and a founding member of nu metal band Limp Bizkit. Modern Drummer magazine described his playing as "grounded in metal, jazz, and hip-hop" with "fireball rhythms [that] are the grease that makes the Bizkit cook." Otto studied jazz drumming at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and played in local avant-garde bands before co-founding Limp Bizkit with Fred Durst and Sam Rivers. What started as a small Jacksonville band became one of the most successful acts of the late 1990s and early 2000s, selling over 40 million records worldwide.
Complete biography of John Otto, founding drummer of Limp Bizkit. Explore his career, jazz-influenced style, nu metal legacy, and contributions to one of the biggest bands of the late 90s.
John Otto Biography
John Otto (born John Everett Otto; March 22, 1977, in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American musician best known as the drummer and a founding member of nu metal band Limp Bizkit. Modern Drummer magazine described his playing as "grounded in metal, jazz, and hip-hop" with "fireball rhythms [that] are the grease that makes the Bizkit cook."
Otto studied jazz drumming at the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and played in local avant-garde bands before co-founding Limp Bizkit with Fred Durst and Sam Rivers. What started as a small Jacksonville band became one of the most successful acts of the late 1990s and early 2000s, selling over 40 million records worldwide.
Career Highlights
- 1994: Co-founded Limp Bizkit in Jacksonville, Florida with Fred Durst and Sam Rivers
- 1997: Released "Three Dollar Bill, Y'all$," Limp Bizkit's debut album
- 1999: Released "Significant Other," selling over 7 million copies in the US
- 1999: Performed at Woodstock '99, controversial but career-defining
- 2000: Released "Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water," instant #1
- 2003: Released "Results May Vary" with new guitarist
- 2005: Co-wrote "The Channel" on "The Unquestionable Truth (Part 1)"
- 2009: Reunited with original lineup for comeback world tour
- 2011: Released "Gold Cobra" with reunited original lineup
- 2021: Released "Still Sucks," first album in 10 years
- 2022: Appeared on "Come Dance with Me" TV show with daughter Ava
Style & Influences
John Otto's drumming style is a unique fusion of metal power, jazz sophistication, and hip-hop groove. His ability to seamlessly blend these disparate genres created the rhythmic foundation for Limp Bizkit's distinctive sound.
Key Influences:
- Jazz drumming: Studied at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts
- Brazilian and Afro-Cuban percussion: World music rhythms
- Bebop drummers: Complex jazz vocabulary
- Funk and hip-hop: Groove-heavy playing
Signature Techniques:
- Fusion of metal aggression with jazz complexity
- Hip-hop influenced grooves and syncopation
- Funk-derived pocket playing
- Creative use of dynamics within heavy music
- Avant-garde influences from early Jacksonville scene
Gear Highlights
John Otto endorses Orange County Drum and Percussion (OCDP), Zildjian cymbals and sticks, Remo drumheads, and Gibraltar hardware. His setup reflects his diverse musical influences.
Current Setup:
- Drums: Orange County Drum and Percussion custom kit
- Snare: OCDP custom snares
- Cymbals: Zildjian (various crashes, hi-hats, and rides)
- Hardware: Gibraltar
- Sticks: Zildjian
- Heads: Remo
Setup Evolution:
- Previously endorsed Pearl hardware for many years
- Known for customizing setups based on song requirements
- Uses a relatively straightforward kit despite technical playing ability