Taproot is an American alternative metal band from Ann Arbor, Michigan, formed in 1997. They are best known for their hit single "Poem", which peaked at #5 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 2002, as well as a number of other singles from 2000 on.
Taproot was formed in 1997 in Ann Arbor, Michigan by vocalist Stephen Richards, guitarist Mike DeWolf, bassist Phil Lipscomb, and drummer Jarrod Montague. The band earned a following with their live performances. Shortly after forming, they recorded their first demos at Woodshed Studios in Oak Park, Michigan, with Tim Pak. In 1998, Taproot sent their demo to Limp Bizkit frontman, Fred Durst, after seeing a request for demos on their first album. Impressed with the material, Durst offered to get Taproot a recording contract through Interscope Records. However, after extended negotiations, Taproot decided to look elsewhere and finally landed a record deal with Atlantic Records. Durst heavily cursed the band on vocalist Stephen Richards' answering machine.
Durst also allegedly put some blame on System of a Down, who assisted Taproot in securing the Atlantic deal. It is also alleged that Durst kicked System of a Down off the 1999 Family Values Tour. Taproot independently released the album ...Something More Than Nothing (1998), the EP Mentobe (1998), and the album Upon Us (1999) around this time.[citation needed]

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