Linkin Park Interview with The Guardian

[Soeffingnaive92]

9 hours ago, Fleur de Lys said:

I think there is an interesting shift that happened between the livestream plus the first arena LA show, and everything coming after it. Mike said the “in the role of Chester Bennington, all of you”-line at both shows and reacted to a drawing of Chester in the crowd.

 

But then Chester’s toxic family members were going insane all over the news and I think it soured all public Chester-acknowledgment for Mike and he probably figured he would just stay clear entirely.

 

The great tragedy here is one that I also feel as a fan - seeing the countless Chester fans spewing the most unjustified and hateful shit makes me sometimes lose sight of what Chester himself was: an amazing man who would have 100% loved seeing LP 2.0 flourish.

 

The result with the total radio silence on Chester is just a bit weird and cold. I don’t judge them, but one little mention or song tribute per show would be such a warm relief for fans.

 

I get that the public discourse has left a bad taste in the band’s mouths, but honestly they should not let anyone make their memory of their friend taboo. They actually deserve to keep the memory of their friend, and own it for themselves, no matter what the rest of the world is saying.

But of course, it’s all up to them and I support their right to decide for themselves.

That’s what I am trying to say, there’s a wide spectrum of stuff that stands between the two opposites of not mentioning Chester even once briefly and the other side of playing OML every night with a giant picture of him in the back.

[Fleur de Lys]

I agree wholeheartedly. It would be so distasteful to plaster his face all over the screens and capitalize on the sorrow for a big show-moment. A lot of bands who lost members do that.
 

So I actually like that LP errs on the side of not using the past in that way.

But still, just saying “the next one goes out to Chester Bennington. We miss you.” That would make a world of difference.

 

It is possible to stand firmly in the present, looking towards the future but at the same time accepting and remembering the past. Not doing so is its own kind of mistake. I know they probably do it privately ofc, and no one can demand it to be done publicly, but I can’t help but think something feels a bit off about it being so buried.

[Stranger]

14 minutes ago, Fleur de Lys said:

But still, just saying “the next one goes out to Chester Bennington. We miss you.” That would make a world of difference.

Not doing so is its own kind of mistake. I know they probably do it privately ofc, and no one can demand it to be done publicly, but I can’t help but think something feels a bit off about it being so buried.

 

it's easier said than done. LP fans always demanding from day one and always felt what they think is the best/right thing for the band to do it. for you might be "oh it's simple thought, just saying this that and done!". we've seen other bands did this because they're not in the band with Chester. they might be close but they're not bandmates. but as i said, we're not in their position. whatever you think, whatever you feel, that's on you. dont guilt trip the band for performing shows with mentioning their bestfriend.

[Soeffingnaive92]

18 minutes ago, Stranger said:

 

it's easier said than done. LP fans always demanding from day one and always felt what they think is the best/right thing for the band to do it. for you might be "oh it's simple thought, just saying this that and done!". we've seen other bands did this because they're not in the band with Chester. they might be close but they're not bandmates. but as i said, we're not in their position. whatever you think, whatever you feel, that's on you. dont guilt trip the band for performing shows with mentioning their bestfriend.

There's no blame on the band, just notice that done this way feels a bit dry, like, imagine just Mike go "This was Chester's fav song so make some noise for him" before Papercut, that would be nice without being "too much". 

[Trumtram]

11 minutes ago, Soeffingnaive92 said:

There's no blame on the band, just notice that done this way feels a bit dry, like, imagine just Mike go "This was Chester's fav song so make some noise for him" before Papercut, that would be nice without being "too much". 

Stop being so selfish and blaming, dude!

 

/s

[blackout]

I don't have much to add, but I totally understand the point of view of @Soeffingnaive92 or @Fleur de Lys. On the other hand, I get the point of view of the band too - starting from scratch with a clean slate, not brooding on the past too much. However, it feels weird that they don't mention Chester at all during the shows now. It's the first Linkin Park tour after he died, c'mon! I think long speeches about him like the ones that Mike made during PT tour would be misplaced - they have new music that is not about Chester, they have new band members who were not the bandmates of Chester, and first and foremost, it would be really emotionally demanding for Mike to make tributes like this forever. They finally want to move on. I just don't understand why they don't say one sentence about him or something like that - I liked what Mike said during the first two shows - a line like this on every concert would be ideal and would be something in between not making any tributes at all and long speeches/huge tributes. We could probably avoid discussions like this then.

[Stranger]

1 hour ago, Soeffingnaive92 said:

There's no blame on the band, just notice that done this way feels a bit dry, like, imagine just Mike go "This was Chester's fav song so make some noise for him" before Papercut, that would be nice without being "too much". 

 

not sure why you guys demanding the validation of Mike SHOULD/MUST said something about Chester on their shows to proves that they still care bout Chester. if they didnt, you guys went "ohh shoot, Mike and the band doessnt care bout Chester. He was their bestfriend". 

 

19 minutes ago, blackout said:

However, it feels weird that they don't mention Chester at all during the shows now. It's the first Linkin Park tour after he died, c'mon! 

 

I just don't understand why they don't say one sentence about him or something like that - I liked what Mike said during the first two shows - a line like this on every concert would be ideal and would be something in between not making any tributes at all and long speeches/huge tributes.

 

We could probably avoid discussions like this then.

 

first tour after Chester passed away = must mentioned his name on every single shows? that's totally doesnt make sense. 

 

these kind of discussion will never been avoided even if Mike and the band did it. surely there's "voices" of so-called LP fans that saying "look, Mike NEED to mentioned/used Chester name during the shows because Chester is the only thing that relevant, and make their show sold out, by using Chester name. what a disgrace!"

 

imagine if Mike did it one day at one of their show and the rest of the tour he doesnt mentioned at all, surely gonna people come up with another issue: "Mike only mentioned Chester's name ONCE in their recent shows. that's bad!"

 

in the end, nothing can satisfy fans. especially Chester's fan, not LINKIN PARK.

[Qwerty18]

I personally favor the band's approach.

 

Mention of Chester in any show will always be bittersweet.  While some special dates would call for it - Chester birthday is the obvious example - on other dates I find it more healthy to focus on the present and cultivate the fun atmosphere they've had during this recent tour. 

 

There is another aspect  to it that I think is important to think about: every mention of Chester during a show could potentially give the vibe to Emily that "Remember, you are here because our legendary lead singer passed away. You're a substitute". Obviously it would never be meant like that, but bringing up the past in a repeated fashion could nevertheless be open to sensible interpretations.  

 

That said, I'm not sure Mike shutting down the "About Chester" interpretation of LYF was really needed. Even if it's not, I guess it doesn't hurt to let it open to interpretation. Not a criticism per se, just an observation. 

Edited July 22 by Qwerty18

[Yucker]

I saw Avenged sevenfold at their first tour after The Rev's passing and they dedicated So far away to him (even the whole video of the song is about him) but that's a song of the record that they were promoting at the time.

 

Now Matt dedicate the song to Jimmy when they play it (only a few shows, its a rotating song) but the rest of the show is not about him, even when they were playing songs of the Nightmare album where almost the whole record is a tribute to him. 

 

My point is that everything is not about Chester, is a critical part of the band even now? Of course but people move on, they have to. ACDC is still there without Bon, Alice in chains without Laney and Metallica without Cliff.

[Fleur de Lys]

Even if it feels off to me, I do realise that it's really not my place, and I really gotta emphasise again: I don't judge the band (bc I can't from my position) and I support them in making their own decisions on this.

[bloodbath]

The obsession that some part of the fanbase has with Chester is quite toxic. You had a 3 hours show, an entire album and tour dedicated to grief. Almost two years of it, I think we all had enough. I mean, the moment they mention Chester, you guys are going to demand more and more. They have been in hiatus for a long time for a very good reason, and that's is, to start all over again with no attachments to the past. I really hope that none of you have to deal with the death of a relative until you're mature enough.

[Fleur de Lys]

Please don't put words in my mouth. I am not obsessed with Chester, in fact I'm out there defending LP 2.0 and Emily on the broader Internet (a meaningless battle, I'm sure). I am very invested in the new band. I already stated that I would find it distasteful to make a big show-moment out of Chester, so no, I would not want more. But not mentioning him ever is just weird. But again, I support their right to decide for themselves.

And you know nothing about my relationship with deaths of relatives. Don't make this personal.

[blackout]

1 hour ago, Fleur de Lys said:

Please don't put words in my mouth. I am not obsessed with Chester, in fact I'm out there defending LP 2.0 and Emily on the broader Internet (a meaningless battle, I'm sure). I am very invested in the new band. I already stated that I would find it distasteful to make a big show-moment out of Chester, so no, I would not want more. But not mentioning him ever is just weird. But again, I support their right to decide for themselves.

And you know nothing about my relationship with deaths of relatives. Don't make this personal.

 

This.

[Cesar656]

Why weird tho, they made a 3hr show, a tour that was to cope with the loss, they released songs with his voice. 

Now they are starting from zero and you guys want them to stick to the past. It aint happening in public and for many reasons. 

Respectful thing to do is doing it in private, not for validation, likes, articles, or to please "fans"

Let the guys do their thing, they know better

[Soeffingnaive92]

There’s no blame in my words, i just find it weird on a persona level, I never said that I want them to mention Chester at every show or dedicate a song to him every night. As I said, I totally understand what Mike said about the song OML, and I totally agree with him. I also wouldn’t want a celebration at every show via a song or a long “part” dedicated to him. TO ME it feels just weird that in the whole tour he was  mentioned ONCE and seems that Mike wants to point out that an ambiguous song is absolutely not about him even vaguely. That’s all

[Trumtram]

Yeah, some of you are becoming quite unhinged. Wow. Quit acting like this is some Facebook comment section where people are shouting "Chester Forever!!!". No one in this thread came forward with anything super extraordinary or urgent "demands" or even HATE towards the band. We are talking about a nod, a mention, something like that here and there and it gets perceived as if people are trashing the band and their decisions. You know what? If you can't deal with different opinions or feelings from fans then that is your problem. It's always the same people who become the bands lawyers if you even dare to "criticize" (for lack of a better word, don't get worked up again, please...) or point out something that you find odd. Talk about a parasocial relationship.

Edited July 22 by Trumtram

[JZLP-Benningstrong]

The lack of Chester (not mentioned at shows or not even mention him on the FZ booklet)

 

Seems more like  a business decision, they want you to forget about him and the new wave of fans don't really care or need that moment because they never experienced that era so its easy for them.

 

If the trend continues MTM20 is at risk.

[xxHybridXeroxx]

15 minutes ago, Trumtram said:

Yeah, some of you are becoming quite unhinged. Wow. Quit acting like this is some Facebook comment section where people are shouting "Chester Forever!!!". No one in this thread came forward with anything super extraordinary or urgent "demands" or even HATE towards the band. We are talking about a nod, a mention, something like that here and there and it gets perceived as if people are trashing the band and their decisions. You know what? If you can't deal with different opinions or feelings from fans then that is your problem. It's always the same people who become the bands lawyers if you even dare to "criticize" (for lack of a better word, don't get worked up again, please...) or point out something that you find odd. Talk about a parasocial relationship.

My rant wasn’t directed towards you, it was more so towards the situation in general. It’s becoming extremely frustrating to read all the comments on socials and shit, to the point where I lashed out. Do I find it odd that they don’t mention Chester and try to distance themselves from that era? Of course I do. Do I blame them? Not really. Because the way I see it, they probably don’t want to be accused of milking him, because his toxic ass family has already said that. Do I wish they would mention him? Of course! It’s just so exhausting to me to see all the discourse about the band and the fighting between people over it all over the internet. It’s like, over the past few days I’ve thought once or twice “I wish they hadn’t come back” because of how exhausting it’s all been. It’s gotten to the point now where I can’t even listen to LP without thinking about everything. I really just wish the press would quit fanning the flames and that the people attacking the band would move on. 

Edited July 22 by xxHybridXeroxx

[Qadir69]

2 hours ago, Fleur de Lys said:

Please don't put words in my mouth. I am not obsessed with Chester, in fact I'm out there defending LP 2.0 and Emily on the broader Internet (a meaningless battle, I'm sure). I am very invested in the new band. I already stated that I would find it distasteful to make a big show-moment out of Chester, so no, I would not want more. But not mentioning him ever is just weird. But again, I support their right to decide for themselves.

And you know nothing about my relationship with deaths of relatives. Don't make this personal.

this one i agree

[Trumtram]

6 minutes ago, xxHybridXeroxx said:

My rant wasn’t directed towards you, it was more so towards the situation in general. It’s becoming extremely frustrating to read all the comments on socials and shit, to the point where I lashed out. Do I find it odd that they don’t mention Chester and try to distance themselves from that era? Of course I do. Do I blame them? Not really. Because the way I see it, they probably don’t want to be accused of milking him, because his toxic ass family has already said that. Do I wish they would mention him? Of course! It’s just so exhausting to me to see all the discourse about the band and the fighting between people over it all over the internet. It’s like, over the past few days I’ve thought once or twice “I wish they hadn’t come back” because of how exhausting it’s all been. It’s gotten to the point now where I can’t even listen to LP without thinking about everything. I really just wish the press would quit fanning the flames and that the people attacking the band would move on. 

No worries, I didn't take it personal. And I agree with Fleur, that Chester's ex-wife and his son are probably a big reason on why they handle it the way they do. I understand that and hate the fact aswell. But no one in this thread is blaming the band or anything. We are a good community generally, fortunately, and far away from social media outbursts of these lunatics out there.

To me, having LYF as the last bonus track on the album being a final nod to Chester (without naming him or anything) would have been the perfect send-off to this whole topic. A final goodbye and off to a totally Chester-unrelated future. That's it. No blame or anything. And it sucks that you have to "feel bad" about that according to some.

[bloodbath]

2 hours ago, Fleur de Lys said:

Please don't put words in my mouth. I am not obsessed with Chester, in fact I'm out there defending LP 2.0 and Emily on the broader Internet (a meaningless battle, I'm sure). I am very invested in the new band. I already stated that I would find it distasteful to make a big show-moment out of Chester, so no, I would not want more. But not mentioning him ever is just weird. But again, I support their right to decide for themselves.

And you know nothing about my relationship with deaths of relatives. Don't make this personal.

Do you yell at each post "Chester forever" "this is a lack of respect"...? No? This wasn't meant for you

[xxHybridXeroxx]

1 minute ago, Trumtram said:

No worries, I didn't take it personal. And I agree with Fleur, that Chester's ex-wife and his son are probably a big reason on why they handle it the way they do. I understand that and hate the fact aswell. But no one in this thread is blaming the band or anything. We are a good community generally, fortunately, and far away from social media outbursts of these lunatics out there.

To me, having LYF as the last bonus track on the album being a final nod to Chester (without naming him or anything) would have been the perfect send-off to this whole topic. A final goodbye and off to a totally Chester-unrelated future. That's it. No blame or anything. And it sucks that you have to "feel bad" about that according to some.

Yeah man, I love this community. I’ve been here since THP era. Love it here, and love all of you guys. I agree with Fleur as well, it all just sucks. Especially because it should be a fun new thing. I agree with you as well that LYF would’ve been a great tribute. 

[KeysToTheLinkinPark]

Lol

[RentEznor]

20 hours ago, Fleur de Lys said:

The great tragedy here is one that I also feel as a fan - seeing the countless Chester fans spewing the most unjustified and hateful shit makes me sometimes lose sight of what Chester himself was: an amazing man who would have 100% loved seeing LP 2.0 flourish.

 

We all have our own 'what ifs' moments for anything that we appreciate and love, I've definitely had my thoughts on how Chester would've handled the pandemic and (probably) and realistically quit making public appereances and potentially generally quitting music just to focus on his own well mental being. I 2000% see him support Emily and the rest of the band to keep going without him, my heart says there's no question about it.

 

Besides that I can't add much to the topic. Social media/online has ruined a lot of things thinking it's how real life works and it's how people deal with loss. Not surprised. The more we ignore the obvious "small" noise the better, they did it Mike on Twitch 5 years ago, they're not gonna change their pathethic shitty childish mindset now. Loved Mike's PT era, loved his 2015 FM stuff too before that (can't wait for the 20th anniversary this year perhaps), I support anything positive that comes out of this.

Edited July 22 by RentEznor

[Chris]

1 hour ago, KeysToTheLinkinPark said:

Lol

I support this message