Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda Tired of Bands Copying Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire

Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Tired of Bands Copying Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire

2014-05-16

Story by Anne Erickson

Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park says the band’s new album is bringing back the ‘yelling over guitars’ sound

Out with the wimpy alternative-pop and in with the guitar-heavy rock. According to Linkin Park multi-instrumentalist Mike Shinoda, that’s somewhat the aura of the band’s upcoming album. In a new interview, Shinoda says Linkin Park’s latest set is a reaction to bands like Mumford and Sons and Arcade Fire, which have spawned countless imitators in the wake of their success.

“I read a blog last year about music sucking right now and being really depressing, and I had to agree,” Shinoda told Kerrang !. “There are bands like Mumford & Sons and Arcade Fire, who are both fine if you like that sort of thing. But then there are just hundreds of bands trying to be like them.”

Shinoda added that he listens to a playlist of music by other groups he has coined, “Yelling over guitars,” adding, “I love all that stuff and I was getting annoyed that some younger people aren’t familiar with that aesthetic. Then I thought, ‘Why don’t we just make the stuff we want to hear, instead of sitting around and being frustrated that nobody’s making music with that vibe for us?’”

The gorup’s new album, “The Hunting Party,” will arrive on June 16. The new album will feature a bevy of guest musicians from the rock world, including Helmet and Tapeworm guitarist Page Hamilton, System of a Down’s Daron Malakina and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello.

Linkin Park’s ‘The Hunting Party’ Track Listing:

“Keys to the Kingdom”
“All for Nothing” (featuring Page Hamilton)
“Guilty All the Same” (featuring Rakim)
“The Summoning”
“War”
“Wastelands”
“Until It’s Gone”
“Rebellion” (featuring Daron Malakian)
“Mark the Graves”
“Drawbar” (featuring Tom Morello)
“Final Masquerade”
“A Line in the Sand”

Photo by Anne Erickson

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Anne Erickson

Meet the expert - Author, writer and editor Anne Erickson is a Detroit-based music reporter and radio host. She has written for the USA Today Network, Consequence.net, Blabbermouth.net, Loudwire.com and many more. Anne holds a master's degree from Michigan State University. Contact Anne at anne@audioinkradio.com.