Phoenix - India Interview

[LPLStaff]

New interview with Phoenix where he talks about Linkin Park's first trip to India, the process with From Zero, some in-depth talk of losing Chester, and more.

 

 

[JZLP-Benningstrong]

Love that Dave once in a while talks about Chester, its really weird that the rest of the band members barely mention ROB.

Talking about Rob wont give clicks to any news outlet i wonder when someone is going to ask some deep questions about Rob.

[bloodbath]

38 minutes ago, JZLP-Benningstrong said:

Love that Dave once in a while talks about Chester, its really weird that the rest of the band members barely mention ROB.

Talking about Rob wont give clicks to any news outlet i wonder when someone is going to ask some deep questions about Rob.

Only the hardcore fans care about Rob. Not that the casual fan despise him at all, it's just as someone gets the job done behind the kit, they don't care who is it. 

[JZLP-Benningstrong]

9 minutes ago, bloodbath said:

Only the hardcore fans care about Rob. Not that the casual fan despise him at all, it's just as someone gets the job done behind the kit, they don't care who is it. 

Zane Lowe directly asked to Mike about Rob and he talked about him for like 30 seconds and quickly changed the topic to talk about Colin it felt weird.

[Trumtram]

Just leave Rob be. He doesn't want to have anything to do with the LP universe and live his life as he pleases. So let him.

[ScottiePippo]

8 hours ago, JZLP-Benningstrong said:

Zane Lowe directly asked to Mike about Rob and he talked about him for like 30 seconds and quickly changed the topic to talk about Colin it felt weird.

Because Mike would not speak for Rob. Only Rob can really give the answers and if he doesn't feel like giving any explanation then it should be the end of the discussion. 

[Soeffingnaive92]

The Rob situation is pretty clear IMO: he has always been very private and shy, after Chester’s death he didn’t want to be part of the band anymore and he will not stand in front of a camera explaining why. To each their own way to react to things 

[LPLStaff]

It wasn't specifically Chester's death - he was in Linkin Park for 3 years after that. He's in the Hybrid Theory 20 press, he went to Mike's solo tour, he downloaded Looking for an Answer to record drums on, he was involved in band meetings, awards shows, etc.

 

He just wanted to move on. It sucks, but it is what it is. There is always space in the band for both Rob and Colin if needed, if Rob ever wants to return.

[JZLP-Benningstrong]

33 minutes ago, LPLStaff said:

It wasn't specifically Chester's death - he was in Linkin Park for 3 years after that. He's in the Hybrid Theory 20 press, he went to Mike's solo tour, he downloaded Looking for an Answer to record drums on, he was involved in band meetings, awards shows, etc.

 

He just wanted to move on. It sucks, but it is what it is. There is always space in the band for both Rob and Colin if needed, if Rob ever wants to return.

Damn dude i felt something when i read your comment. Colin could easily become lead guitar player that would be fucking insane, who knows its unlikely but LP2 its an open book. 

[Justin]

On 1/24/2026 at 12:53 PM, JZLP-Benningstrong said:

Zane Lowe directly asked to Mike about Rob and he talked about him for like 30 seconds and quickly changed the topic to talk about Colin it felt weird.

 

Zane and Mike are friends are both very media savvy. I wouldn't be surprised if they had spoken off camera and Mike made it clear that he didn't want to delve too deeply into Rob's situation out of respect for his and the band's privacy.

 

It may have felt weird, but think about what he said in those few seconds. He said that Rob and the band were on good terms, Rob chose to step away, and the band respected his decision and they all still love each other. That's really all we, as fans, need to know.

[Trumtram]

4 hours ago, Justin said:

 

It may have felt weird, but think about what he said in those few seconds. He said that Rob and the band were on good terms, Rob chose to step away, and the band respected his decision and they all still love each other. That's really all we, as fans, need to know.

Ehm, you made it sound so... easy. Wasn't it the interview where Mike said that Rob "just didn't show up anymore"?

[Justin]

On 1/26/2026 at 2:37 AM, Trumtram said:

Ehm, you made it sound so... easy. Wasn't it the interview where Mike said that Rob "just didn't show up anymore"?

 

He said Rob stopped appearing as frequently for band duties and also wasn't showing up as often to jam or work on music. Once things began to move more seriously towards LP becoming an active band again, a conversation between Rob and the band took place in which Rob elected to fully step away.

So, without Mike saying it directly, I'd imagine that conversation was letting Rob know he'd have to decide whether he was in or out. Obviously he chose to be out, and the band and he amicably parted ways.

Edited January 28 by Justin

[LeonardoMF93]

I know this isn’t the main topic, but since people mentioned Rob here, I think it’s interesting to talk about it. Has anyone noticed that Colin is constantly wearing a Music for Relief bandana from 2012, which they gave to some fans at shows back then? Since that project basically ended and it’s something so old, I see it as a quiet tribute from Colin to Rob, since Rob was perhaps the band member most responsible for Music for Relief.

 

IMAGE:  

 

About Rob himself, I still think this clash of opinions is mostly the result of his silence. I don’t see a problem with him retiring and disappearing. I just think that when the band came back, he should have released a short note explaining that he decided not to continue for personal reasons. That alone would have avoided all this debate. Now we’re going to be stuck with these theories forever.

Edited Thursday at 06:09 PM by LeonardoMF93