Wywiad - Hit Parader 1/2002 ( Mike )

Linkin Park fans are a curious bunch. They're intriguing, compelling, and downright different! (Hell yeah!) The fact is that we get lots of questions concerning vocalist Chester Bennington and Mike Shinoda guitarist Brad Delson, drummer Rob Bourdon, DJ Joseph Hahn and bassist Pheonix Farrell. Justifiably so, but in the past year Linkin Park's special combination of talent, dedication and artist vision has resulted in the powerful music statement that's being imbraced by head bangers throughout the world. Their debut album Hybrid Theory is well passed double platinum and the group is diligently compiling music for their second effort, which hopefully will emerged by next summer. We have picked through the hundreds of question submitted to Hit Parader by dedicated Linkin Park fans around the world. We then post them to vocalist Shinoda. Here's the skinny ...

Tom, Richmond, VA: Why did you decide to do the FVT?

Mike Shinoda:: Part of the reason we wanted to do it is we love STP. Family Values is something we've always looked up to - it's always been a cool tour as far as the diversity it rings. Mixing up rock and hip-hop groups.

Cheryl, Boice, ID: How did you like doing the Ozzfest?

Mike Shinoda:: Ozzfest was cool because we hadn't done a metal festival before. We were able to introduce kids to our type of music and the different things that we bring - the hip-hop elements, the metal elements and the electronic elements. And then at the same time, there were kids coming from kind of the same background as us. Checking out some metal bands for the first time.

Chuck, Levittown, NY: When you are on tour with other bands do you think of collaborating with them?

Mike Shinoda:: It's gone through our heads before. On our next album, I don't think that a cameo appearance by another artist would really work. We're open to doing things with other people; for instance I just did a track with the Executioners, it's called It's Goin' Down; it's a hip-hop track that I sampled some guitars on. It will be on their next album.

Vinny, Los Angeles, CA: How do you keep your voice from getting hurt when you belt out those songs such as Crawling?

Mike Shinoda:: The heart of vocal work in that sense is done by Chester. Somehow he manages to play entire shows and not even get hoarse. I think part of it is he's singing his diaphram which is important for every vocalist. He's also just built that way ... his voice is really strong.

Julio, Porto, Portugal: Do you guys get nervous with the "second album" pressure?

Mike Shinoda:: We are feeling pressure but we don't feel nervous. Naturally, the label and the media ask a lot of questions about the second album but we spent a lot of our earlier years as a band learning how to write songs, which comes easily at this point.

Bink, Carroll, IA: Recording on the road ... is that a novel concept for Linkin Park?

Mike Shinoda:: All six of us are more pressure performers, so it's interesting to see us creating without a big deadline looming over our heads. But at the time we really enjoy going through the creative process.

Bill, Fresno, CA: I was a huge rap freak until my friend made me listen to your music. And now it's just Linkin Park. How does it make you feel to know you've changed people's entire perspective on rock?

Mike Shinoda:: That's very exciting! I think everybody in our band listens to all different kinds of music and we like sharing that with other people. Hopefully no matter what you listen to there's something from another genre you can like.

Dex, Whigan, UK: You guys have a DVD coming out soon, I would like to know what is on the DVD? And the expected release date please?!

Mike Shinoda:: It's coming out in the winter (already released November 20th). Probably late November it's going to have all of our videos, including live videos as well as backstage footage other live stuff, interviews with the band, interviews with other bands and all that. We're also trying to put a feature on it where you can switch camera angles while watching a show.

Gina, Miami, FL: When exactly is the Hybrid Theory remix coming out?

Mike Shinoda:: Hopefully, in the early part of this year. Tentatively, let's say March.

Cletis, Garner, NC: What bands/artists have influenced Linkin Park?

Mike Shinoda:: Lots. Everyone from Run DMC, to the Beatles to STP and Jane's Addiction to Prodigy, NIN, the list goes on and on and on.

George, Bettendorf, IA: HEY MIKE!! I was wondering, what's currently in your CD player?

Mike Shinoda:: The new Jimmy Eat World, D12, Sunny Day Real Estate, Helmet, and a bunch of other stuff. Hey man, thanks for asking!

Andrea, Appleton, WI: If, I remember correctly some of you guys were graphic artists before this gig. Do you think your work in the communications field influenced your stand on the message in your music.

Mike Shinoda:: Studying art definitely prepared us for the music writing process in a great way. I used to be in classes with 30 other painters where we would spend 40 hours on a project. Classmates would crique your work you take the criticism and make your project better. It gives you an open mind when you're writing songs with people. Regarding lyrical content, craftsmanship is always an issue. I hope that the high level craftsmanship I was taught worked its way into our music.

Biji, Sophia, Bulgaria: Where can I find the lyrics to "My December"?

Mike Shinoda:: Good question, I should tell our guy to put them on our [web site], you can ask on our www.linkinpark.com messageboard. I'm sure one of our fan sites has the lyrics posted.

Bob, Birmingham, AL: How often do you visit your official web site?

Mike Shinoda:: As often as I can. Some weeks I go every other day. And then sometimes I go twice a month. When I'm home, I'm on there a lot. Now we're renovating the site. It'll be flash based with a lot of new information, attractins and pictures, and Pheonix! We haven't been able to get much up of him on the site so far.

PJ, Mesquite, Texas: Why was it that songs such as Carousel, High Voltage and Part of Me were never released when you guys were called "Hybrid Theory"?

Mike Shinoda:: We made 2,000 copies of our EP. You can find them on eBay, but they're really expensive. I hope in the future we can find a way to use those songs in some way or another.

Benji, Tempe, AZ: What are some of the downfalls of success?

Mike Shinoda:: Impersonators! I have been hearing about all these people impersonating different members of the band. Apparently, they go to fan sites and pretend they're us. They post or chat and tell people all kinds of crazy crap. Remember: unless you're on www.linkinpark.com you're NOT talking to or hearing from one of us! Our official site is the one we communicate through, so if it's not there it's not the real deal!

Autor : Jodi Summers