Linkin Park Lead Comes to Play, Calls Political Process “Infuriating”

An incredible show: Two headlining bands singing together on one bill — Linkin Park and Incubus.  (Except not for DC, the only one on the Honda Civic Tour where Incubus is, instead, replaced by Mutemath…)   

But the playbill might not be the only bill mentioned.  If policy comes into play, this concert tour has all the ingredients to get controversial.

Yes, it’s true that Linkin Park is quick to denounce any activist label, but their brooding lyrics often seem to make direct reference to current events and controversies.  So while their appearance at Jiffy Lube Live on August 11th likely won’t come with any outward political announcements or endorsementsthat doesn’t mean there won’t be an outpouring of opinion.

Photo Credit: Dolshouse.com

“I’ve honestly never heard anyone talk about who they want to vote for,” admitted Linkin Park lead singer and co-songwriter Chester Bennington. “It’s such a secretive process – such a private and personal moment to kind of choose who you think is going to be the best leader… The last thing you want to do is influence somebody else to vote based on what they think of you as opposed to what they think of the politician they’re voting for.”

Instead, the band, which boasts more #1 albums on the Billboard 200 than any other this century, insists that they prefer to be known for their environmental work and helping communities recover from natural disasters.  (Their song/music video, “What I’ve Done” is considered one of the top songs relating to environmental awareness.)

But can the Earth prompt political enthusiasm in an election year?  Not likely.  Though Linkin Park is dedicated in their attempt.

“I don’t necessarily know that either of the future Presidential candidates are really thinking that way,” lamented Bennington, chastising about the priorities of the political process.

“Any type of meaningful movement — if you were to measure it based on who people were voting for — it’s like watching water boil.  It’s an infuriating… fascinating, but infuriating process.”