Transformers 2 score update
posted by Jas, 04/30/09 | share
Scifi Scoop has Transformers' composer Steve Jablonsky talking about Linkin Park's involvement in the score of the movie.

In a nutshell, Michael Bay sent the new Linkin Park song over to my studio. Hans and I had a listen, and we both thought it was really cool, and it might be interesting to try incorporating some of those elements into the score. So we got the guys from the band down to the studio and talked about how to do that. They're all really cool guys and really excited about adding some of their sounds to the score. But I am still the composer on this film. It has all gotten rather complicated. The film is BIG, and now that we've got Linkin Park involved, Hans has kind of been helping me keep the production on track, because I'm so focused on writing the score at the moment.

Video: Dr. Shinoda graduation speech
posted by Jas, 04/30/09 | share
Mike has posted on his blog a video clip of his speech at the commencement of Art Center last weekend where he received an honorary degree.

New Transformers 2 trailer
posted by Jas, 04/29/09 | share
A brand new Transformers 2 trailer will be online exclusively at Yahoo Movies on Thursday at 4:30 pm PT, it leaked on YouTube earlier today but have since been removed so check back at Yahoo later, I'm sure it's gonna be awesome. You can also catch the trailer on Entertainment Tonight on Thursday, watch a tiny bit of preview below.

Chester's an Ipswich Town fan
posted by Jas, 04/27/09 | share
I didn't know Chester follows the EPL, he's actually a fan of Ipswich Town and have been following the Blues on the internet, wonder what he thinks about Roy Keane being their new manager. Anyway, Chester was introduced to the football club by his dad Lee Bennington. Suffolk police officer Alan Howard tells this story of his association with the Benningtons.

New LP in the studio photos
posted by Jas, 04/27/09 | share
Mike has posted new photos of the guys in the studio, love the last one, all five in the studio, working so hard, what's with the balloons?

Linkin Park and the Revenge Of The Fallen
posted by Jas, 04/24/09 | share
Oh my freaking god! you've probably heard it by now, Linkin Park will be doing the score for Transformers 2!! they are currently working with Hans Zimmer! oh my god! he's like my favourite film composer of all time! I am so freaking excited right now [jumps up and down]. Here's what Mike said on his blog. And Raymond reports that director Michael Bay also noted that Steve Jablonsky and Linkin Park are working on the score for "Revenge of the Fallen."

BREAKING NEWS: Linkin Park will be working on the score for Transformers 2: Revenge Of The Fallen.

Although I wasn't at liberty to say it before, the song I've been referencing here on mikeshinoda.com in the past few weeks...is actually being done for Michael Bay's new Transformers film, due out June 24th. In addition--and probably ever cooler--we have been offered the unique opportunity to help score the film. The song we wrote is being used as one of the themes, and we will be writing various interpolations on that theme, and trying out some other thematic ideas as part of the (very large) team scoring the film.

My bandmates and I are working with award-winning film composer (and resident ass-kicker) Hans Zimmer. We met with Hans last week, and heard some of the incredible things he and his guys have done with our new song. In the next few days, we'll be doing some work with Hans' amazing writing and recording crew.

Michael Bay has shown us select scenes from the film, and it looks incredible. I can't wait for you to see it.

Linkin Park apps on iPhone
posted by Jas, 04/22/09 | share
Artificial Life, Inc. today announced a three-year agreement with Linkin Park and Warner Bros. Records to produce a series of official applications for the iPhone and iPod touch platform. Two interactive applications will be released per year featuring the band's likeness and music, the first launch is tentatively scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2009 pending approval.

"We want to offer our fans every opportunity to enjoy our music," says Linkin Park's Joe Hahn, who helped design the initial game. "We're excited to be working with Artificial Life to develop a new and unique way for them to experience Linkin Park."

"At Warner Bros Records, we have the privilege of working with incredibly creative and innovative artists such as Linkin Park," said Andie Simon, Warner Bros. Records' VP Interactive/Brand Partnership. "When Linkin Park introduced us to Artificial Life, we agreed that combining all of our strengths could result in something really exciting for Linkin Park fans around the world."

"It is both an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to partner with Linkin Park and Warner Bros. Records. The applications we expect to produce will have exceptional potential in the mobile market. The unique and alternative music style of Linkin Park make them the best fit to be ported into the iPhone platform. We would like to thank Warner Bros. Records for their co-operation to provide us with the necessary IP rights for this project," said Eberhard Schoneburg, CEO of Artificial Life, Inc. Full press release.

Dr. Shinoda
posted by Jas, 04/20/09 | share
Mike received an honorary degree when he was invited to speak at Art Center's commencement over the weekend, so it's Dr. Shinoda from now on, he has a photo up on his blog.

A handy guide to heavy metal
posted by Jas, 04/15/09
I was LOL when I read this and thought I should share, here's Heavy Metal 101 for non-metalheads.

LP in the studio update
posted by Jas, 04/15/09 | share
Mike has updated his blog with new studio photos and the progress on the new album.

Studio update: still making progress on the new album. Still working on that one song, too, ha. Things are going well. I thought I'd put up a few pictures of the guys for you to see. My favorite one is of me and Phoenix--it looks like I'm saying, "that bassline is kinda...eh...not so good." (I'm actually just talking to someone who's not in the frame). In other news, Chester is mixing his solo album (Dead By Sunrise). I think he said Chris Lord-Alge is mixing. Lots of music going on in LP land these days...

Show added in Okinawa, Japan
posted by Jas, 04/15/09 | share
From LP.com: Linkin Park will be playing at Mihama Athletic Field in Okinawa, Japan on August 11. LPU members will receive 500 Yen off their ticket price from now until May 15. Tickets go on sale to the public on May 16 HERE or by calling 045-505-0010. Join LP Underground today to take advantage of this pre-sale and other LPU exclusives! "Songs From The Underground" is now available in Singapore, go grab a copy!

Photos & Videos: Julien-K and Chester at the Roxy
posted by Jas, 04/11/09 | share
Julien-K played at The Roxy on Wednesday and Chester joined them for a couple of songs, couple of bootleg videos here or another version here. I have some photos here and here. I'll be out of the country the next couple of days, visiting relatives in Malaysia, next update will be on Wednesday.

LPU Chat with Phoenix / New LPU video
posted by Jas, 04/11/09 | share
From LPU Newsletter: In honor of Earth Day, Phoenix will be chatting with LPU members on April 20th to discuss Music For Relief, the new Linkin Park album, the summer tour, and answer any other questions you have! More details to follow. Speaking of Phoenix, we've posted a brand new LPUTV episode featuring him! In this episode, Phoenix shows us a wall in Moscow dedicated to Linkin Park. Check it out HERE.

Songs From The Underground is heading overseas and is now available in Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong. In Singapore April 15, in Indonesia and Korea on April 16, in Malaysia and the Philippines on April 21 and in Japan on May 27. This CD also comes with a FREE one month trial membership for LPU and access to a FREE download of "Crawling" (Live featuring Chris Cornell) that is available to ALL active LPU members. Feel free to pick up the CD for yourself and share the trial membership with someone you believe could benefit from being a part of the LPU community!

Track Listing:
1. Announcement Service Public - LPU 6.0
2. Qwerty (Studio Version) - LPU 6.0
3. And One - LPU 1.0
4. Sold My Soul To Yo Mama - LPU 4.0
5. Dedicated (Demo 1999) - LPU 2.0
6. Hunger Strike (Live from Projekt Revolution 2008) – Chris Cornell featuring Chester Bennington
7. My December (Live 2008) - NEW
8. Part of Me - LPU 1.0
You can still pick up your copy in the states at Best Buy stores or online for only $6.99.

LPU 9 brainstorming
If you can believe it, it's already time to start thinking about LPU 9, and we want to hear from YOU! What kind of new, cool LPU items would you like to see in the LPU 9 package? This is your opportunity to let us know, so we hope that you take advantage of it and dish your desires! Go to the LPU Messageboard, click on forum titled "The Underground," then click on the thread titled "OFFICIAL LPU9 Brainstorming Thread."

Chester cameo in Crank 2
posted by Jas, 04/08/09 | share
LP.com has a reminder of Chester's cameo in Crank 2: High Voltage which will be out in theaters on April 17, according to Metal Hammer Chester will reprise his role, popping up in a "Bizarre, High friction encounter" with Jason Statham's character, at a Horse racing track.

Club Tattoo brings its lifestyle boutique to the Miracle Miles Shops
posted by Jas, 04/08/09 | share
The Examiner has an article and an interview with Chester about Club Tattoo in Las Vegas.

"There's a lifestyle here," says Bennington, famous for the tattoo flames that shoot up his arms. "It's not just about tattoos and piercings. We have all sorts of things that don't involve pain." Bennington admits that getting tattoos was painful, but still he continues to decorate his body with new works. His first tattoo was a Pisces, meant to originally be about the size of a silver dollar that turned into a half-sleeve. He has koi because he likes the story of them swimming upstream and turning into a dragon. He even has a Linkin Park tramp stamp to commemorate 1 million records sold by the band. Over his heart he has the initials of his wife and four boys.

In case you decide to try ink, Club Tattoo has touchscreen computers to help you choose a style. The store sports three chairs on the floor and two rooms for tattooing privacy along with seven artists. "Every artist says they're almost done and an hour later, they're still working," Bennington jokingly warns. Full article.

Mike Shinoda x DC Shoes MSDC Xander 2009
posted by Jas, 04/08/09 | share
Can't say I keep track of Mike's DC shoes so I'm not sure if this is a new release or not, the Sneaker News has some photos of the Mike Shinoda x DC Shoes MSDC Xander 2009 which will be in stores later this summer.

2009 Summer Sonic concert details
posted by Jas, 04/01/09 | share
From LPU newsletter: Linkin Park will headline Summer Sonic 09 in Japan this coming August. The events will take place at Chiba Marine Stadium in Chiba on August 8th and Maishima in Osaka on August 9th. LPU members can purchase pre-sale tickets NOW. Tickets go on sale to the public at all ticket locations including Lawson, E-plus, and Pia, on Saturday, May 30 at 10am (local).

Live Video Chat with Julien-K on Thursday
posted by Jas, 04/01/09 | share
From Julien-K MySpace blog: The band will be doing a live chat tomorrow at 2:45 pm Pacific Time. You can tune in via the Ustream embed here. This will be a 15 minute Q & A from the studio and you may submit questions to the band via Twitter by posting "@julienk" followed by your questions. You may begin submitting them now and we will gather them up in time for the chat. We will also be taking live questions via Twitter.

Reminder: Nike iD Shoe Battle round 3
posted by Jas, 04/01/09 | share
Joe has advanced to the next round of the Nike iD Royale! Help keep him in the running by voting for him. His shoe is the second one down on the left side!