The American Nu Metal band Linkin Park has had a large impact on people worldwide. Their songs are emotional, hard and relatable. But we wanted to know what songs and bands their band members would recommend. So we asked them about their Top Three!
We met up with Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington and asked them about their Top Three in multiple categories, from their own favorite songs to their favorite albums. You can watch the full interview on our YouTube channel. We’ve linked it down below. The text version of the conversation can be found right here!
An Interview With Chester Bennington And Mike Shinoda
Mike: My name is Michael Jackson and this is Prince, and we are Linkin Park.
Chester: It’s true. This is our Top Three.
Top Three Records
Chester: My favorite record lately is Alabama Shakes’ Sound & Color. It’s been out for a while, but I literally, like, I can’t stop. I can’t stop listening to it. I’ve memorized the record, so great job, guys. I can’t wait for the new one.
Mike: Uhm, Top Three… Well, you said one.
Chester: Well, I figured we would give our collective Top Three.
Mike: Oh, that means I only get to do one? [...] What are your other two?
Chester: My other two? Okay, obviously all of the Twenty One Pilots records combined, because I listen to them - I don’t discern amongst their albums. And then I would say I rediscovered the Misfits’ Walk Among Us. Been listening to that, like, non-stop, so if you hear me just go “Mommy, can I go out and kill tonight?!” randomly, it’s because that’s what I’ve been doing.
Mike: I’m still listening to the new Phantogram record, came out, like, last year. I’m listening to, there’s an artist, like a newish rap artist called Well$, he’s amazing. The production is really good on that, like, the music is really cool. What was the other thing, yeah, yeah, I’ll be honest I’m listening to the new Drake record. I’m listening to it. I like it.
Top Three Movies
I would say Princess Bride. I would also say Godfather II and I would also say that this one, the number three spot, we probably move around a lot. I’m gonna have to go with something that just came to my gut and I would say that Requiem For A Dream, because I just was asked about that and it popped in my mind and I saw it not that long ago and I was like, damn, this is a good movie! This is like, a definitively great movie, but there’s a million of those. So that’s what just popped in my head.
Mike: The Shining.
Chester: Boom.
Mike: Boom. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Chester: F*** Yeah!
Mike: Right. You know what I’m saying. Right. For sure, right? And then I’m gonna go … [...] Godfather II was really good.
Chester: Full Metal f*** jacket! I’m answering for you. [laughs]
Mike: That goes in there, for sure. Yeah, I might do that actually, that’s a good suggestion. Full Metal Jacket.
Chester: F*** good one. [...] Best!
Top Three Places
Chester: Uhm, at home, in the studio, on stage.
Mike: That was really good.
Top Three Bands
Mike: This isn’t a definitive Top Three, so I don’t want to see this on my f*** Wikipedia page, you guys, please. This is not my definitive Top Three. [Imitates] “Mike is a huge fan of Tool.”
Like, no, I like Tool, for sure. Top Three, no, not Top Three, not Top Three. I’d say probably in the Top, you know, Top Thirty, is Nine Inch Nails, uhm … I’m a big Zeppelin fan and … oh, you wanna hear - I’m going to throw a really random one at, this is a really weird one. Creedence Clearwater. [laughs]
Chester: Oh, nice. Those are very classy answers. Uh, I would say, Top Three artists Depeche Mode, Black Sabbath, early Black Sabbath and let’s go with The Cure.
Top Three Own Songs
Chester: That changes. But I would say for me right now it’s "Sharp Edges" of the new record, I love that song. I love all the songs of the new record, by the way, but that one’s my favorite. "Breaking The Habit" and, gets me everytime, I f*** love "Papercut", dude. I love that song!
Mike: I’ll go "Waiting For The End" …
Chester: Oh, that’s a good one.
Mike: We’ve been playing "Leave Out All The Rest" a lot lately. I love that song. And on the new album, the first track is called "Nobody Can Save Me" and that one’s … I’m really proud of that one.
Chester: I love that song, too.
Shop Linkin Park Merch At Impericon
Would you have expected these answers from Mike and Chester? In any case, now’s the perfect time to add some Linkin Park Merch to your collection. At Impericon, you will find plenty of band shirts, hoodies and of course music from the legendary Nu Metal band! And not only that, there’s more merchandise in our store from bands like Korn, Disturbed and System Of A Down as well. So go ahead and find your favorites!
