Linkin Park 2010 Wrap Up

December 31, 2010

2010 has been a great year for me and my band. Here are some 2010 year-end stats for the LP record books:

We released “A Thousand Suns”, which debuted at #1 in 15 countries.

The album debuted with an amazing contest called “Linkin Park Featuring You” on MySpace where fans were given pieces of our first single before it was released. They remixed the tracks, and we picked a winner named NoBrain–and included his work on our album.

We got a chance to play in a number of places we’ve never visited before, including the U.A.E. and Israel.

At home in the U.S., our first single, “The Catalyst” was the first #1 debut in the history of the Billboard Rock Songs chart. “The Catalyst” and “Waiting For The End” both went to #1 on the Alternative radio chart, bringing our career tally to ten #1 songs thus far.

LP won an EMA for “Best Live Act,” and we’re in the running for the upcoming People’s Choice Awards, Japan Gold Disc Awards and German Echo Awards.

We released 8-Bit Rebellion for iPod, iPod Touch, and iPad, which debuted at #1 on the iTunes music app chart.

“A Thousand Suns” became Nielsen Soundscan’s #1 Best Selling Rock album of 2010

Chester made an appearance in Saw 3D, which also saw a #1 debut at the box office

We held our first LP Underground Summits, in London and Sydney, which quickly became one of the most memorable experiences for LPU members who attended.

As the year comes to a close, we’ll be crossing 20 million Facebook fans (more than Starbucks, Disney, or McDonalds–but still catching up to Michael Jackson at 26MM!)

Following the earthquake in Haiti, the band organized Download To Donate (downloadtodonate.org) where supporters and fans of over a dozen bands could come to download tracks for free, and donate funds to support relief efforts in Haiti. This effort is ongoing.

“A Thousand Suns” was a risky album–one that veered off a more predictable path into territory that definitely got fans and non-fans talking. It’s been fun to see how perceptions and opinions have changed. As we move into the next year, we’ll be looking forward to the next leg of the world tour, another single, another video, and whatever else comes next. A huge “thank you” is due to everyone who has helped make 2010 a successful year for the band. We appreciate you.

Happy New Year!





MEETING OF A THOUSAND SUNS
DOCUMENTARY

mike

Best Songs Of 2010

December 29, 2010

My favorite songs of 2010! (probably NSFW)


10. Royal Bangs – War Bells


9. Tyler The Creator – French!


8. Vampire Weekend – Contra


7. King Fantastic – Lost Art Of Killing


6. Arcade Fire – We Used To Wait


5. Earl Sweatshirt – EARL


4. Get Busy Committee – Opening Ceremony


3. Mumford & Sons – Little Lion Man


2. LCD Soundsystem – One Touch


1. The Books – A Cold Freezin’ Night

mike

Come geek out in the studio.

December 23, 2010

A great article about A Thousand Suns came out recently in EQ Magazine.  It’s more of a tech-focused piece, so those of you who are into music gear can feel free to get into full-on nerd mode with me.

But for those who aren’t as music-gear-savvy, here’s an excerpt that you might enjoy:

“With the exception of Bennington’s trademark guttural screams, any resemblance to the rap rock genre they helped define has been rinsed out. Intensity and ferocious introspection are still the endgame, but the path has changed. And when that path is lined with more than 50 million album sales, two Grammys, and nine Number One singles on the Billboard Alternative Chart, throwing the rule book out the window takes more than a simple leap of faith.”

Check out the whole article here:
http://www.eqmag.com/article/linkin-park-/December-2010/123281

mike

Free Download: Linkin Park, The Prodigy, Pendulum, Does It Offend You, Yeah?

December 22, 2010

From Chester: “We are excited to have three great bands come out with us on the upcoming North American TourThe Prodigy, Pendulum and Does it Offend You, Yeah?. To help you get to know them, we put together a free digital EP containing a high quality MP3 from each band, as well as two live LP tracks from our recent show in Tel Aviv.”

Here ya go:

mike

Another Cool Video

December 20, 2010

You guys know how I love old school video games…so after posting the last cool video, I thought you guys needed to see this one, too.  Watch all the way to the end to see how it was made.

And speaking of, there’s a free version of “Linkin Park’s 8 Bit Rebellion” in the iTunes store right now, for those of you who didn’t try it out the first time around.

mike

Cool video: Metronomy “On The Motorway”

December 19, 2010
mike

Great LinkinParkTV episode

December 16, 2010

There are always new episodes of LPTV being added to our YouTube channel; I thought this one was particularly good.  Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/user/linkinparktv?blend=1&ob=4#p/u/1/ogmScJ_DyWg

mike

How To Use The New LPU

December 10, 2010

As many of you know, the LP Underground has been undergoing a lot of changes in the past few months.  Recently, we moved some of the features over to a new online home, and many people (including myself!) have been wondering about the differences between using the old site vs. the new one at www.LPU.LinkinPark.com.

I did a little research, and I have some answers about how to best use the new LPU.

Firstly, this is the new LPU profile page.  This is LP Underground’s official “identity,” where you can see all of LPU’s headlines.  LPU HQ updates this page regularly, to let you know how to make the most of your membership–taking advantage of concert ticket presales, opportunities to meet me and the other guys, and new features we’re rolling out as part of the LPU.

If you’re a member of LinkinPark.com, then (besides being smart, good-looking, and talented) you can join the LPU group at this link below, to stay in touch with what’s going on with the LPU, and talk to other LPU members: http://www.linkinpark.com/group/lpundergroundmembers.

And lastly, this week, we’ll be putting the chat page back up–but with an improvement.  Like the old one, the new page will have a text chat; but the new chat will also have a video window so the band can video chat with you.  Band chats will be scheduled regularly, but expect us to drop by unannounced.  (Side note: I’ve stopped video chatting on UStream, and I’ll be doing more private chats with LPU in the future, on the new chat page.  I want to try it that way, because it’ll be a smaller group and less spamming going on).

I hope that helps; You’ll definitely get more out of your LPU membership by visiting the links above.  And for anyone who hasn’t joined the Underground: if you want to take advantage of the pre-sale tickets, chatting with the band, and more, visit http://lpu.linkinpark.com/ to become a member.

Incidentally, LPU is not just for Linkin Park superfans; it’s an organization our band created to give Linkin Park listeners the best experience we can.  We offer the best LP concert seats at great prices, never-before-heard music, incredible events where you can meet the band, and an online community where you can stay in touch with what’s going on in our world, among other things.

See you guys at the upcoming LP Underground Summit in Sydney…

mike

New: M. Shinoda Mixtape #6

December 8, 2010

I had a lot of time on flights recently, and cooked up this new mixtape for you guys.  Enjoy.

mike

My New Favorite Chinese Restaurant

December 6, 2010

Dave: “I see they’ve heard of
me.”

mike