Video: Chester in RED commercial
posted by Jas, 11/30/06
amrine88, over at LPU has captured Chester in RED commercial, a campaign for Aids awareness on Worlds Aids Day on December 1. Update: download windows version here

New LPU info
posted by Jas, 11/27/06
Someone who wishes to remain anonymous wrote in to say that she got a copy of Best Buy's flyer for next week that has info on the new Linkin Park Underground Package in it. Flyer reads as follows: LINKIN PARK LIMITED EDITION FAN PACK. Includes CD featuring new and unreleased Linkin Park studio and live recordings. Also contains T-shirt, Wristband, Letter from the band, 1-year fan club membership and more. Membership perks include meet-and-greet opportunities, presale tickets, exclusive ringtones, access to members-only website and more. This info is on page 14 of the December 3-9th edition of the Best Buy flyer. Update: below is the tracklisting from LPFuse, thanks to Sufi for sending me the link to the Qwerty demo but unfortunately I can't post it here so you all just have to google it on the net :-) btw, it's rockin' awesome!!

1. Announcement Service Public
2. Qwerty
2. Qwerty (live)
4. Pushing Me Away (live)
5. Breaking The Habit (live)
6. Reading My Eyes (live)

Linkin Park's rapper goes artsy
posted by Jas, 11/27/06
Mike talks about the works and the inspirations of his paintings

Mixing genres wasn't enough for Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda. He's mixing media, too Shinoda, who studied to be a graphic designer before music stardom came his way, explains his style thus: "I'm influenced by comic books, newspaper comics, cartoons I used to watch on Saturday morning. Mix that with the Japanese ancestry and the fact that I've always loved graffiti art as well. ... I want to ride that balance between something that looks kind of funny and fun, and also is not happy. There's a creepiness to it."

His works are a bit messy -- he likes to paint fast -- and are filled with gambling imagery, which he says is inspired by the unpredictability of his career. "You can't bank on it. My whole career, my whole schedule from week to week, I can never tell you what's going to be going on. I don't know when the Linkin Park album's coming out. I don't know where I'm going to be in January. I can never tell you anything." -- Full interview

Top 100 Heavy Metal's Vocalists
posted by Jas, 11/27/06
Wesley reports that November issue of Hit Parader has a list of Top 100 Heavy Metal's Vocalists and Chester and Mike are at #46 and #72 respectively.

LP and their drum machines
posted by Jas, 11/27/06
Lorenzo reports that Joe's blog has some pics of Mike, Joe and Rick Rubin in the studio showing some drum machines. Someone needs to inform Joe that something is not right with his blog, everytime I go there my computer will go hay wire, it slows everything down and I have to reboot to get things back to normal speed again and I know it's not just me.

Mike's artworks: Fan photos
posted by Jas, 11/25/06
Kay has posted more photos she took from Mike's art show including the paintings, wish I'm a millionaire, one of them would really look good on my wall.

Linkin Park's new album release date
posted by Jas, 11/25/06
So, looks like Linkin Park's new album is set to be released on May 7, 2007 according to Australia's online music store, Sanity, it's already available for pre-order. Thanks to Teknikal for the tip. Update: Come on people we've been there before, until it is officially posted on LinkinPark.com or the guys themselves announce it on tv shows or interviews, we won't know for sure when the album will be out, you know how it is when it comes to new album release, there will be lots of speculations, so please don't shoot the messenger :-)

Linkin Park's 2007 Asian concert
posted by Jas, 11/24/06
My friend Pamela in Taiwan brings good news to Asian fans, according to UDN Linkin Park will have their first concert in Taiwan in September 2007. Due to the delay of their new album, the date of the concert has been adjusted many times. After the Bamboozle Festival on May 6 in New Jersey next year, the band will start their Asian tour which will also include Shanghai and Seoul. Please note that this is unconfirmed, date may change because there's no official word yet and we don't know when the album will come out so for now cross your fingers and start saving! Thanks Pam! love ya!

Mike's artworks
posted by Jas, 11/23/06
Mike posted a message on FM blog saying that some of his artworks will soon be onsale at his myspace blog

Linkin Park's new album hint
posted by Jas, 11/23/06
Wes reports that there's a short article about Linkin Park in the December 2006 issue of Blender Magazine and Chester revealed that the next Linkin Park album will be called "T__and T__" (he only gave a hint). He also described that the house they are recording in (Rick Rubin's house) used to be home to gangster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and it is where Harry Houdini's mistress lived. They also said that the album is due in February '07. I don't have a scan unfortunately, thanks Wes.

Chester's hacked
posted by Jas, 11/22/06
The Albuquerque Tribune reports that an employee of Sandia National Laboratories has been accused of using a computer owned by the labs to hack into phone and computer accounts owned by Chester.

Devon Lynn Townsend, who worked in Sandia's Technology and Manufacturing Group, has been charged with fraud and related activity, according to filings in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque. The labs have conducted an internal investigation over the past several days and terminated her employment today, said Michael Padilla, a labs spokesman. Ray Twohig, Townsend's attorney, said his client is far more concerned with her upcoming trial than losing her job. "She's charged with serious federal crimes," Twohig said.

In October, an agent from the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General uncovered evidence that Townsend had hacked into cell phone and computer accounts owned by Bennington and his wife, Talinda Bennington, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday. The U.S. Secret Service had received a complaint from the Benningtons that "an unknown person, without authorization, had somehow accessed their Verizon Wireless telephone account," according to the complaint. The Secret Service traced the unauthorized access back to a computer address owned by Sandia, the complaint said.

The labs inspected the computer and traced the activity to an account owned by Townsend. The computer had been used to access the couple's Verizon Wireless accounts and change passwords, according to the complaint. Sandia investigators also found a desktop folder on the computer that contained a 34-page Verizon Wireless bill that belonged to the Benningtons, the complaint said.

Investigators also found photos identified by Talinda Bennington as cell phone pictures the couple took on a trip to Japan, the complaint said. Twohig said the charges against Townsend remind him of "fans hiding out in Mick Jagger's dressing room. It's the modern Internet version of that."

Photos: 32nd Annual American Music Awards
posted by Jas, 11/21/06
Chester and Joe presented the Favourite Alternative Artist award and the AMA, here are some photos, more will be added later if any. Download clip here (right click and save). Update: more photos added

Video: Remember The Name "Highlight Reel"
posted by Jas, 11/21/06
Fort Minor/Fuse have announced the winners of the Remember The Name 'Highlight Reel' video, you can see them in the video clip up at both YouTube and Fuse. Thanks Lorenzo and congratulations!

Photos: Mike Shinoda Gallery Art show
posted by Jas, 11/21/06
Photos from Mike Shinoda Gallery Art show here. Update: Read Mike's thank you message here

First confirmed Linkin Park show of 2007
posted by Jas, 11/20/06
From LP Newsletter: Linkin Park is confirmed for the Bamboozle Festival at the Giants Stadium Parking Lot in E. Rutherford, NJ on May 6th, 2007! This 2 day event features headliner My Chemical Romance on May 5th with all other acts on both dates TBA. This is LP's FIRST CONFIRMED US Show in over 2 years, and you can expect to hear them perform songs LIVE off their highly anticipated 2007 release, as well as other LP favorites from their past recordings. All tickets go on sale to the general public 12/15. Ticket purchasing information coming soon! Also check out www.thebamboozle.com

Chester and Joe Presenting at The American Music Awards
Don't miss Chester and Joe presenting at the American Music Awards tomorrow! The show airs on ABC on Tuesday, November 21st at 8pm/7pm central.

Photos from Mike's art show
posted by Jas, 11/20/06
Kay has posted some fan's photos from Mike's art show.

Linkin Park's Shinoda channels his inner artist
posted by Jas, 11/16/06
Mike talks about his art show in an interview with AOL Music

Linkin Park inspired by prog rock on new album
posted by Jas, 11/15/06
Mike talks about the new Linkin Park album and his first gallery art show in an interview with Billboard

Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda says fans should expect something a bit different when the group releases its third album next year. "There is an element to the album that will be familiar to people simply because it's the same guys making the music," he tells Billboard.com. "But at the same time, these guys have grown up quite a bit, and we definitely have a different mind state about making songs.

"Most importantly, we want to make stuff that's hopefully cutting edge and different," he continues. "I feel like we did what we wanted to do with 'Hybrid Theory' and 'Meteora,' and now it's time to step outside the box and try something new."

Shinoda says the band and producer Rick Rubin have narrowed about 100 song ideas down to 18 and will probably trim further before the album is finished. The MC says recording is "going really well" and that working with Rubin is "amazing ... really awesome."

"The thing about Rick that I love is he's unpredictable," Shinoda says. "He'll listen to a song and throw out an idea that seems completely out of nowhere, but it makes a lot of sense and it makes the song better." Shinoda adds that Rubin has steered band members towards recordings by Pink Floyd, Elton John, King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer as reference points for different emotions and feels for the new songs. "The Moog (synthesizer) has been sitting in the studio since day one," Shinoda says with a laugh.

While Linkin Park continues to work on the album, Shinoda is stepping out for the first-ever gallery showing of his visual art. "Diamonds Spades Hearts Clubs" opens Sunday (Nov. 19) at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles. The exhibit features 10 paintings he did for "The Rising Tied," the 2005 debut by his side project, Fort Minor, plus other original works and five collaborative paintings with other artists, including Linkin Park DJ Joe Hahn.

"I always wanted to do a gallery show," says Shinoda, who will sign autographs at Sunday's opening reception. "Every single person coming to this thing has no idea what they're walking into. Nobody has seen all this work up at the same time in this way. You may have the Fort Minor album, but seeing a six-inch representation of the artwork is far different than seeing a 24-inch painting on the wall. When you come and see the layers of paint and the real thing in front of you, it'll make more sense."

Mike Shinoda Gallery Art show
posted by Jas, 11/15/06
From FMST Newsletter: Come to Mike Shinoda's first gallery art show this Sunday, November 19th! Mike will be there for a Signing Session that day. Bring your friends and represent the Fort Minor Street Team. Wear your Fort Minor shirts, and be sure to tell Mike that you're in the FMST! More details.

Public Opening Reception (with Mike Shinoda Signing Session): SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19th at 7-10pm
Gallery 1988
7020 Melrose Ave (at La Brea)
Los Angeles, CA 90038

'What Do They Know' remix
posted by Jas, 11/13/06
According to Julien-K's blog, the remix of 'What Do They Know' by Mindless Self Indulgence vs. Julien-K & Chester Bennington will be released the first week of Dec. on an exclusive MSI E.P. Update: Wesley reports that you can download a sample here. Update II: Chester did not sing on the track he contributed to the production of the track.

Video: The Doors 40th anniversary
posted by Jas, 11/11/06
A bootleg video clip from The Doors 40th anniversary celebration is up at YouTube

Video Download: Mike and Phoenix at Fangoria Awards
posted by Jas, 11/09/06
Ultimate Guitar has another clip of Mike and Phoenix on the red carpet at the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards talking about the delay of the new album, download here

The Doors 40th anniversary
posted by Jas, 11/09/06
Reports on The Doors 40th anniversary celebration at the the Sunset Strip's Whisky a Go Go last night which has guest performance by Chester. Photos are here

It was Doors-mania on the Sunset Strip last night as a line of hundreds wrapped around the famed Whiskey-A-Go Go for a special 40th anniversary show. Time warp? Sure. This was the very same spot where Jim Morrison first performed the epic and controversial "The End" back in 1966. Miraculously, the fans haven't aged.

But that's the thing about the Doors — no matter what year it is, there's always a new generation there to rediscover that unmistakable sound. And there to help the assembled crowd honor the Doors' legacy were Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, Perry Farrell and Slash. The three rockers joined original Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger for an abridged "best of" set, appropriately timed to the release of Perception, a new six-CD/DVD box set and book celebrating the band's anniversary. Before taking the stage, the guys — along with a dozen friends and family (including Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, Audioslave's Tom Morello and Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin) — staged a last-minute rehearsal/jam session in an upstairs dressing room. With Bennington taking the lead on "Light My Fire," Farrell guiding the sing-along through "L.A. Woman" and Slash ripping straight into the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" (on acoustic guitar no less), passersby — and even the city fire marshals who came to break up the hallway cluster-fuck — stood with mouths agape in awe.

"I can't describe how I feel," Bennington, who penned Perceptions' foreword, told us just before hitting the stage. "By no means am I trying to step into Jim's shoes. It's just a great honor to be here," he told Rolling Stone. "The Doors were the first music I learned to play and fell in love with."

In what certainly must have been a surreal experience for all, the six-song tribute kicked off with a steady, boozy riff of "Roadhouse Blues," during which Bennington and Farrell traded off verses with surprisingly natural ease. The combo worked even better on "Light My Fire" and "L.A. Woman" with the band warmed up. And once you added Slash to the mix on "Break On Through," you had the makings of a memorable rock show which, for Manzarek, may well have induced a flashback. "It was the most bitchin' time I've had on the Sunset Strip since Jim did the Oedipal section of 'The End' back in 1966," he said back in that packed hallway after the show. "Perry and Chester sang the shit out of those songs and Slash played amazing. It was a great night at the Whiskey a Go Go, very much like back in 1966-67, the Summer of Love." -- Full report from Rolling Stone

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Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington and Former Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell joined in with parts of Morrison's "An American Prayer" and other poetry, backed by members of Farrell's new band, Satellite Party. Later, the two singers turned up the volume at the Whisky with Krieger and Manzarek, aided by Satellite Party members and former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. As a bespectacled Manzarek pounded his keyboard, Krieger jammed on his guitar.

Though neither Bennington or Farrell could rival Morrison's stage furor, and Densmore's absence was felt, the joyful attempt brought the Whisky to roars of approval _ mirroring earlier words of wisdom from Manzarek. "You play music as long as you can breathe. When you stop breathing is when you stop playing rock `n' roll. Rock `n' roll will never die. It will always be, it will always go down in history." -- Full report from Washington Post

Mike at 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards
posted by Jas, 11/09/06
Mike was not at the event but he was shown commenting on the Future Sounds award presented by Lars Ulrich of Metallica. It's just a few seconds of Mike so I'm not making it available for download but I've uploaded it at YouTube, hey it's Lars :-) Thanks to Syl for sending in the clip.

New LPU video and photos
posted by Jas, 11/09/06
Members, head over to LPUnderground.com for a new video of Mike and Fort Minor performing their version of "It's Goin Down" live in Japan and check out the new studio photos, there are some seriously funny and disturbing photos there lol!

2006 American Music Awards presenters announced
posted by Jas, 11/08/06
Linkin Park will be one of the presenters at the 2006 American Music Awards to be aired live on ABC on November 21 at 8 pm ET.

Interview with Greg Waterman
posted by Jas, 11/08/06
Photographer Greg Waterman mention Linkin Park in his interview with SOADFans

Linkin Park is now in the studio and I've been working with them, documenting the recording process. The new songs I've already heard are awesome! I'm also working with Chester on a side project of his.

Review of The Rising Tied
posted by Jas, 11/07/06
It's universal, everybody loves 'Kenji' in Fort Minor's "The Rising Tied" album, for me it's the soul of the album. Here's another review from MOTE magazine

Shinoda has some pretty good mic skills, but his strengths are really evident in his songcraft. If a hip-hop beat doesn't thump when it needs to, or give me chills when it should, I don't like it. It's pretty plain and simple. I don't need hip-hop to be super groundbreaking to be enjoyable. Shinoda's effort is just that; not groundbreaking, but enjoyable. It's definitely more of a hip-hop sound than a rap sound, although a few tracks show Shinoda slipping into the mainstream rap kinda sound - I can do without that. But 85% or so of the record has that underground hip-hop feel to it - the 'boom-bap' bass-snare sound - and it's good.

There are your typical 'I'm the dopest MC since Tupac' songs (like 'Remember the Name'), your opponent-defying tracks (like the bouncy 'High Road' feat. John Legend), and your made-for-radio hit with the hook ('Where'd You Go') on Rising Tied. Again, not groundbreaking, but well-done and fun to pump out when you feel the need. However, one song blew me away, and I mean blew me away.

It is called 'Kenji', and it's the first hip-hop song in a long time that gave me shivers. Shinoda, who is half-Japanese, speaks about his grandparents' ordeal in America during WWII. A compelling tale is spun over a moody beat, climaxing with the line 'My family was there when it was dark and damp/And they called it an internment camp'. His delivery is crisp and haunting, and I'd recommend picking up Rising Tied just for that song alone. Full review

Linkin Park studio update from Joe
posted by Jas, 11/06/06
Joe sent an update via the LP Newsletter:

"What's up LP fans, I wanted to give you a quick update on what my band has been up to... We've been in the studio now for what has seemed like an eternity. We've been working real hard and plan to put out an album that showcases the next level of our evolution as a band. We are really excited about the progress we have made and can't wait to share it with all of the fans. Our hope is to wrap up recording this year and put out the album early next year. As for me, I just got back from the Pusan International Film Festival where I premiered my short film 'The Seed'. It was a lot of fun. For pics of the trip, check out my blog." - Joe

Linkin Park featured in Rolling Stone magazine
Check out the November 16th issue of Rolling Stone Magazine to read a feature article on Linkin Park. The band discusses what the recording process has been like this time around, as well as what it's like working with producer Rick Rubin. Read what they guys have to say about how this album differs from others, how the songs have evolved, and how much fun they've had recording the new material. Be sure not to miss this story in the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone! (Update: LPA has the scan here)

LPU 6 coming soon
We're preparing to head into the sixth year of Linkin Park Underground, launching in early December! In the new LPU 6.0, you can expect a brand new re-designed website with awesome NEW online features and content. There will be more information in the coming weeks, so check lpundergound.com for more details. Also be sure to look out for a special opportunity coming up, in which members will be able to receive select items from the LPU 5 package along with their LPU 6 membership!

Mike at Europe Music Awards
posted by Jas, 11/06/06
Charley reports that Mike was featured in the nomination credits for the future sounds award at the MTV European Music Awards, he wasn't nominated but he was in the video before the nominations talking about what it takes to win the award, he was shown three times.

Hoobastank 'Same Direction' - Try outs version
posted by Jas, 11/06/06
We've all seen Hoobastank's 'Same Direction' music video which has Chester and Kanye West in it, I was revamping the media page and looking for the video at YouTube and found a different and longer version of the video. I swear to god this is the first time I'm seeing it, why didn't someone tell me?, I think they call it the Try Outs version, it shows Chester in many takes, showing Hoobastank band members how to play their instruments lol! watch here or download here (flash player required, change file extension to .flv after downloading)

Shinoda shows spirit of giving
posted by Jas, 11/04/06
Short mention about Mike's art exhibition at Gallery 1988 in Los Angeles on November 19.

Linkin Park/Fort Minor vocalist-producer Mike Shinoda's debut art exhibition and sale, "Diamonds Spades Hearts Clubs," goes up Nov. 19 at Gallery 1988 in Hollywood and will include paintings inspired by graffiti, traditional Japanese iconography and toy culture. The show, a benefit for Pasadena's Art Center College of Design, where Shinoda earned his bachelor's degree, includes Fort Minor album art and original pieces he's done solo as well as in collaboration with other artists. "I love these pieces so much I'm almost having a hard time letting go of them," Shinoda says. Proceeds will fund the college's Michael K. Shinoda Endowed Scholarship.

Video Download: Mike and Phoenix at Chainsaw Awards - Presenting & red carpet interview
posted by Jas, 11/04/06
EL has captured the clip of Mike and Phoenix presenting a Fangoria Chainsaw award, download from megaupload or rapidshare and Roo TV has posted a red carpet interview with the two, download here or here

Video Download: Mike and Phoenix at Chainsaw Awards - Presenting
posted by Jas, 11/02/06
Fuse TV has posted video clip of Mike and Phoenix presenting a Fangoria Chainsaw award, watch here (thanks Resszer). Will grab it and post it later.

Photo: Joe at Songs of Hope IV
posted by Jas, 11/02/06
Joe attended the Songs of Hope IV at Esquire House 360° yesterday in Beverly Hills.

Video Download: Thank you message from Mike
posted by Jas, 11/02/06
Mike posted a short clip at YouTube thanking everyone for their comments and messages he's received. Download here (right click and save, change file extension to .flv after downloading)

Remember the Name "Highlight Reel" video contest
posted by Jas, 11/02/06
Reminder from FM Street Team: THERE ARE ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER THIS CONTEST! If you've got a huge dunk, grand slam, skate trick, martial arts knockout or other spectacular sports / action moment caught on tape, submit it. The deadline to submit your video is Sunday, November 5th at 11:59pm PST - do it now and represent the FMST! This will be YOUR chance to be featured in the NEW Fort Minor video for "Remember The Name". Check out the Remember The Name YouTube group for some examples of what we're looking for. Promote this video contest any way you can during these last 3 days, on MySpace, sports websites & messageboards, Fort Minor sites, YouTube, and anything else you can think of! Hear what Mike has to say about the "Highlight Reel" Video Contest.