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Linking Park - Band Biography
Band Background :
Old-school hip-hop, traditional classic rock, and spooling electronic vibes were the initial factors behind the building of the alternative metal quintet, Linking Park. The band’s southern Californian musical roots were also an underlying basis, for drummer Rob Bourdon, guitarist Brad Delson, and MC/vocalist Mike Shinoda formed a tight friendship while still in high school. Shortly after graduation, art student and DJ Joseph Hahn hooked up with bassist Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and Shinoda for the band, Xero. Hybrid Theory came later, but the band opted on the name Linking Park when singer Chester Bennington was the last piece added to the band in 1999. Soon the band became a noticeable face at the Whisky as well as favorites in and around Los Angeles. Zomba Music’s Jeff Blue was one of the few who didn’t turn the band down for a contract at the turn of the millennium – Linking Park signed to Warner Bros. after being turned down three times in late 1999 and got to work on their debut album. Taking a piece from their past, they named the album Hybrid Theory.
It was released in fall 2000 and it showcased their likes for fellow alternative acts such as the Def tones, the Roots, Apex Twin, and Nine Inch Nails. The Dust Brothers also collaborated on the record, as well as producer Don Gilmore (Pearl Jam, Eve 6, Tracy Bonham). Singles such as “Crawling” and “One Step Closer” were massive radio hits and video favorites among the TRL crowd on MTV. Joint tours with Family Values and the Project: Revolution Tour with Cypress Hill led the band to play 324 shows in 2001. Linking Park was in demand. Come January 2002, Hybrid Theory received three Grammy nominations for “Best Rock Album” and “Best New Artist.” A month later, Linking Park walked away with an award for “Best Hard Rock Performance” for “Crawling.” They spent the remainder of the year hold up in the studio, again working with Gilmore, recording a follow-up to their eight times platinum debut Hybrid Theory.
Linking Park’s sophomore effort Meteors was released in March 2003; the first single “Somewhere I Belong” was an instant hit. The second annual Project Revolution tour got underway in spring 2003 with Linking Park joining Mudvayne, Xzibit and Blindside; Summer Sanitarium dates with Metallica, Limp Biz kit, Mudvayne and the Deftones followed in July and August.
Old-school hip-hop, traditional classic rock, and spooling electronic vibes were the initial factors behind the building of the alternative metal quintet, Linking Park. The band’s southern Californian musical roots were also an underlying basis, for drummer Rob Bourdon, guitarist Brad Delson, and MC/vocalist Mike Shinoda formed a tight friendship while still in high school. Shortly after graduation, art student and DJ Joseph Hahn hooked up with bassist Dave “Phoenix” Farrell and Shinoda for the band, Xero. Hybrid Theory came later, but the band opted on the name Linking Park when singer Chester Bennington was the last piece added to the band in 1999. Soon the band became a noticeable face at the Whisky as well as favorites in and around Los Angeles. Zomba Music’s Jeff Blue was one of the few who didn’t turn the band down for a contract at the turn of the millennium – Linking Park signed to Warner Bros. after being turned down three times in late 1999 and got to work on their debut album. Taking a piece from their past, they named the album Hybrid Theory.
It was released in fall 2000 and it showcased their likes for fellow alternative acts such as the Def tones, the Roots, Apex Twin, and Nine Inch Nails. The Dust Brothers also collaborated on the record, as well as producer Don Gilmore (Pearl Jam, Eve 6, Tracy Bonham). Singles such as “Crawling” and “One Step Closer” were massive radio hits and video favorites among the TRL crowd on MTV. Joint tours with Family Values and the Project: Revolution Tour with Cypress Hill led the band to play 324 shows in 2001. Linking Park was in demand. Come January 2002, Hybrid Theory received three Grammy nominations for “Best Rock Album” and “Best New Artist.” A month later, Linking Park walked away with an award for “Best Hard Rock Performance” for “Crawling.” They spent the remainder of the year hold up in the studio, again working with Gilmore, recording a follow-up to their eight times platinum debut Hybrid Theory.
Linking Park’s sophomore effort Meteors was released in March 2003; the first single “Somewhere I Belong” was an instant hit. The second annual Project Revolution tour got underway in spring 2003 with Linking Park joining Mudvayne, Xzibit and Blindside; Summer Sanitarium dates with Metallica, Limp Biz kit, Mudvayne and the Deftones followed in July and August.
