Linkin Park co-frontman Mike Shinoda has explained why the band decided to continue using their name instead of changing it following the introduction of new members, co-vocalist Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain
In an interview with Chicago radio station Q101, Shinoda told hosts Brian Haddad and Kenzie Roman that he and his bandmates felt they would be misrepresenting the band's legacy if they made a name change.
"In the middle of the process, we were open to, like, maybe the lineup is like a moving lineup, maybe there's multiple vocalists, maybe it's a different name, stuff like that," Shinoda explained (via Blabbermouth). "And then as the music came into focus, we were, like, 'This is as Linkin Park an album as we could make. It's so Linkin Park that if we call it something else, then we are idiots.' Because it would be like misrepresentation. It'd be silly. And when people hear more of the album, they will understand that."
The band made a long-awaited and highly-speculated return on Thursday night (September 5) with an exclusive performance for ticketed fans in Los Angeles, which was livestreamed to the band's official channels.
They also announced a brand new album titled From Zero, which will be released on November 15, while also dropping its first single, "The Emptiness Machine."
During the interview, Shinoda also addressed the obvious vocal differences between Armstrong and late co-vocalist Chester Bennington.
"Everybody, they kind of have to say things like Emily 'stepping into Chester's shoes' and blah, blah, blah," he said. "I don't love that phrasing because I get that she is filling a space in the visual lineup of the band, but I also feel like Chester was one of a kind; he's only Chester. And Emily's also one of a kind; she's only Emily. When I hear her sing, she doesn't sound like him to me; she sounds like her. And that's what I like. What I like about her voice is that it's very unique and it sounds — I don't know how else to explain it. When she sings on the songs, they sound like Linkin Park songs. And that's just my gut. That's just how I feel."
Shinoda added that the initial plan was not to bring back Linkin Park following Bennington's untimely death in 2017. But it was born from him, turntablist Joe Hahn and bassist Dave Farrell holding jam sessions, which in turn led to writing new material and bringing in different people to work with.
"The idea of auditioning people, or getting the band back together was not the start," Shinoda admitted. "That felt really stupid to us to be honest. It's so clumsy and [an] unattractive way of approaching things."
Watch the full interview below.