Sevendust and nu metal: a love-hate relationship, according to Lajon Witherspoon

Vocalist Lajon Witherspoon of Sevendust talked about his band being “the odd man out” during the explosive growth of nu metal in the late 1990s and early 2000s in a recently released online interview at Metal Hammer, as per theprp. Even though Sevendust went on to win three gold records at that time—”Sevendust,” “Home,” and “Animosity”—they were never able to reach the same degree of fame as their contemporaries. However, it could be claimed that by deviating slightly from the prevailing patterns at the time, they also sowed the seeds for their subsequent career longevity. Admittedly, Sevendust’s southern metal origins and more soulful approach set them apart from their contemporaries.

Furthermore, although Stuck Mojo, another Atlanta-based group, contributed to the development of rap metal and nu metal in the region, the city wasn’t particularly a hub for the emergence of nu metal bands. California was home to bands like Korn, Linkin Park, Deftones, Coal Chamber, Incubus, System of A Down, and more. Therefore, it is not surprising that Witherspoon was hesitant to respond when asked by the aforementioned outlet if he ever felt his band was actually a member of the nu metal scene.

I didn’t necessarily think we were nu metal. We were just these guys from Georgia that popped up on TVT Records, and all these other cats were hanging out in California.

They had a certain chemistry with each other, and we were kinda like the odd man out and had to prove we could whip ass. So that’s what we did and stayed in our lane. There wasn’t that kind of camaraderie at the beginning, but over the years, we became friends with everyone.

Upcoming shows:

• Friday, August 07, 2026 – DECC Arena, Duluth, MN, US
• Saturday, August 08, 2026 – Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN, US
• Sunday, August 09, 2026 – The Astro Theater, Omaha, NE, US
• Tuesday, August 11, 2026 – Scheels Arena, Fargo, ND, US
• Wednesday, August 12, 2026 – Bismarck Event Center, Bismarck, ND, US
• Friday, August 14, 2026 – Brown County Fair, Aberdeen, SD, US
• Saturday, August 15, 2026 – Jackpot Junction Casino, Morton, MN, US – Theory Of A Deadman only
• Sunday, August 16, 2026 – EPIC Event Center, Green Bay, WI, US
• Tuesday, August 18, 2026 – The Rave / Eagles Club, Milwaukee, WI, US
• Wednesday, August 19, 2026 – The Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater, Decatur, IL, US
• Friday, August 21, 2026 – Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana, Gary, IN, US
• Saturday, August 22, 2026 – GLC Live at 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids, MI, US
• Sunday, August 23, 2026 – The Fillmore Detroit, Detroit, MI, US
• Tuesday, August 25, 2026 – MJN Convention Center, Poughkeepsie, NY, US
• Thursday, August 27, 2026 – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH, US
• Friday, August 28, 2026 – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach, NH, US
• Saturday, August 29, 2026 – College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CT, US
• Friday, September 04, 2026 – Wendell’s Dippin Branch, Anderson, SC, US
• Saturday, September 05, 2026 – The Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA, US
• Sunday, September 06, 2026 – The Plant, Dothan, AL, US
• Tuesday, September 08, 2026 – The Fillmore New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, US
• Wednesday, September 09, 2026 – Bayou Music Center, Houston, TX, US
• Thursday, September 10, 2026 – Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, TX, US
• Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Concrete Street, Corpus Christi, TX, US
• Sunday, September 13, 2026 – Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center, Midland, TX, US
• Tuesday, September 15, 2026 – Abraham Chavez Theatre, El Paso, TX, US
• Wednesday, September 16, 2026 – Marquee Theatre, Phoenix, AZ, US
• Friday, September 18, 2026 – Bel-Aire Backyard at Durango Casino & Resort, Las Vegas, NV, US
• Saturday, September 19, 2026 – The Sound at Del Mar, Del Mar, CA, US
• Sunday, September 20, 2026 – Riverside Municipal Auditorium, Riverside, CA, US
• Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – Rockwell at the Complex, Salt Lake City, UT, US
• Wednesday, September 23, 2026 – Mountain America Center, Idaho Falls, ID, US
• Friday, September 25, 2026 – Revolution Concert House, Boise, ID, US
• Saturday, September 26, 2026 – Rock The Locks Festival, Umatilla, OR, US – no Return To Dust
• Monday, September 28, 2026 – The Newberry, Great Falls, MT, US
• Tuesday, September 29, 2026 – Gallatin County Fairgrounds, Bozeman, MT, US
• Thursday, October 01, 2026 – Aftershock Festival, Sacramento, CA, US