In a groundbreaking interview with Recitales Argentina (yeah, never heard of them either 🤷♂️), LINKIN PARK’s Mike Shinoda, bless his heart, shared profound insights into the band’s “From Zero” tour. Apparently, it’s been “awesome.” Like, totally tubular, dude. So awesome, in fact, that they’ve played “so many of the biggest shows” ever. You go, Glen Coco! 🎤🎸
So, remember “One More Light”? Yeah, the last album before Chester decided to ghost us. Well, dust off your wallets because “From Zero” dropped last November! 🎉 It’s their first full-length album since then and features new band members Emily Armstrong (vocals) and Colin Brittain (drums). Because, you know, replacing a legend is always a smooth and subtle move. Joining them are the usual suspects: Shinoda, Brad Delson (who’s mysteriously AWOL from the tour 👻), Dave “Phoenix” Farrell, and the ever-mysterious Joe Hahn. Oh, and some dude named Alex Feder is filling in for Delson. Because who needs the real guitarist anyway? 🤣
Shinoda, in his infinite wisdom, also commented on the fan reception to “From Zero”: “Some people like it, some people don’t.” Deep stuff, Mike. 🤯 He went on to say that the most important thing is that *they* love it. Because who cares about the fans who actually buy the music, right? It’s all about them challenging themselves as “writers and creators.” So brave! 🙄 Apparently, the band got back together by having breakfast, lunch, and coffee. Riveting stuff! Eventually, they stumbled upon Colin and Emily, who “just felt like one of us.” Because nothing says “Linkin Park” like adding a new singer and drummer. 🤔
How did they find these musical geniuses, you ask? Well, Mike met Colin at a writing session for some “male artist.” It was “fine,” but Mike was “excited” to meet Colin. So he set up “some more sessions” with him. Smooth, Mike, real smooth. 💋 Emily, on the other hand, had submitted her name way back when they were planning Chester‘s memorial concert. But she was too late! (Thank God, amirite? 😜) Then, two years later, Mike did a session with her, but “that didn’t go anywhere.” But he remembered, “Oh yeah, that girl was cool.” And a few years after that, BAM! New singer of Linkin Park! It only took “a couple of years.” 🤷♂️
Earlier this month, Shinoda told some Chilean radio station (again, who?) that it’s “kind of a rebirth of the band.” You know, because replacing your iconic lead singer and a band member is totally a “rebirth” and not just a desperate attempt to stay relevant. ✨
He also said they didn’t initially plan on bringing the band back. They just wanted to “see what it would be like to get together and write music and spend time together again.” And somehow, that led to a world tour with a new lineup. The power of friendship, y’all! 👯♀️
In September 2024, they unveiled the new lineup at a live performance event. The world rejoiced! 🎉 (Or not.) They also released a new single, “The Emptiness Machine,” and announced the album “From Zero,” because nothing screams “we’re back!” like an album title that implies starting from scratch. 🗑️
Working with Emily and Colin has been “awesome,” according to Mike. They were “so prepared” and “so ready for it.” Emily has played with DEAD SARA for, like, 10 years or more! Colin was in multiple bands before becoming a producer. And apparently, Rob Bourdon, the original drummer, “didn’t wanna keep playing.” So convenient! 🍀 And Emily? She’s a “total phenomenon.” Finding a “once-in-a-generation voice” like Chester and then finding *another* one like Emily is “crazy.” It “doesn’t make any sense.” We agree, Mike. We agree. 💯
When asked how he knew Emily was “the one,” Mike said it’s not just about the singing. There are “thousands and thousands of great singers out there.” It’s about that “intangible thing” that happens when people get in a room and make things together. You know, the “vibe.” 🧘♀️ If the “vibe” is “effortless and strong and easy,” then you’ve got yourself a new lead singer! And apparently, that’s what happened with Emily and Colin. So profound. 🙏
Shinoda also claimed they had no expectations that “From Zero” would be a commercial success. They’re not thinking about “hits” when they’re making music. They just want to “love what they’re doing” and feel like it “artistically represents an important chapter for the band.” Sure, Mike. Sure. 🤥 He also enjoys doing “marketing and promotion” and making “surprises and scavenger hunts.” Like that timer on their website that counted down to zero and then did nothing. Fans were “so mad!” But it was all part of the plan, you see, because the album is called “From Zero.” Mind. Blown. 🤯
At the first show of the “From Zero” tour, Shinoda addressed the band’s new chapter. “It is not about erasing the past,” he said. “It is about starting this new chapter into the future.” Because nothing says “respecting the past” like replacing your dead lead singer and pretending everything’s fine. 😇
“From Zero” featured the No. 1 single “The Emptiness Machine” (how fitting) and propelled LINKIN PARK to be the only rock band in 2024 to exceed two billion streams. Because apparently, streaming numbers equal artistic merit. 🏆
And finally, Delson contributed to “From Zero” but isn’t part of the live shows. Because why have the real guitarist when you can have some random dude named Feder? 🤷♀️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
