Taproot later went on to independently release three albums: …Something More Than Nothing (1998), Mentobe (1998) and Upon Us (1999). In retaliation, Durst also kicked System of a Down off the 1999 Family Values Tour. He also put some blame on System of a Down, who assisted Taproot in securing the Atlantic deal. Durst heavily cursed the band on vocalist Stephen Richards’ answering machine. However, after extended negotiations, Taproot looked elsewhere, where they finally landed a lucrative record deal with Atlantic Records.

Impressed with their material, he offered to get them a recording contract through Interscope Records. The beginnings (1998–1999)In 1997, Taproot sent their demo to Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst. They first found Phil, their current bass player, before finding J-rod, their current drummer, which worked well and is now their current line-up. The new band configuration worked out well but Dan was well into Madhops and returned to them leaving Steve and Mike to search out a few new musicians to take their place. Taproot’s future wasn’t looking too bright until Steve stepped out from behind the drumkit and attempted the vocal duties, it turned out that Steve could sing quite well which brought Dan back into the fold to lay down the bass on some demo tracks (one of which included the song from Taproot’s debut album, …Something More Than Nothing, called “Negative Rein4sment”, in which Dan can also be heard busting a freestyle on). With no singer to front the band Dan left shortly after and formed Madhops. Things went well at the start but the band’s line-up only lasted about 3–4 months when it was cut short by D-hauz leaving the band to join 20 Dead Flower Children after their original singer left the band. Taproot’s first song was “Coma 99” which later went on to become a 20 Dead Flower Children song in a different version. The line-up then featured D-hauz on vocals, Mike on guitar, Dan on bass and Steve on drums. After a few conversations, the 4 members dissolved their current bands and got together to form the first incarnation of a band we now know as Taproot. One day these bands played a gig together and they both took an interest in each others’ band. While another band called Skumbag featured Steve (now of Taproot) on drums and Mike (now of Taproot) on guitar. Pre-formation Back in the mid 90’s, a band called Cymonic Drive featured Dan (now in the band Madhops) on bass and Dennis AKA D-hauz (now ex-20 Dead Flower Children) on vocals. Taproot is most known for their hit single “Poem” (#5 most played rock track in 2002), as well as a number of other singles from 2000 to the present.

The Taproot Rock band: Melting faces & mending hearts since 1997.

Members Stephen Richards - Guitar, Vocals Taproot is an alternative rock band from hometown Ann Arbor, Michigan. Taproot Band Live at Break Away II Sports Lounge in Hagerstown

Taproot gift full album