Dave Farrell on Linkin Park being called a boy band: ‘I take it as a compliment’

Описание: Remember when people thought Linkin Park was a boy band? Yeah, seriously—boy band. Back in the day, when Hybrid Theory was just catching fire, some critics couldn’t wrap their heads around the band’s mix of angsty lyrics, high-energy performances, and yes, frosted tips. Fast forward to 2025, and not only has that narrative been left in the dust, but the band has fully reinvented itself with a new lead singer, Emily, proving that evolution doesn’t mean losing your edge.
Emily joined the Linkin Park family in a momentous time—the band had been on hiatus for years, reeling from the loss of Chester Bennington. Fans and critics alike were skeptical about their comeback. Could they return to the stage? Could they even be Linkin Park without Chester? Enter Emily, who brought a fresh fire and commanding presence that took everyone by storm. Her debut during the 2024 live performance of “Emptiness Machine” was nothing short of iconic. Rolling out solo through a crowd focused on the stage, cameras pointed away, Emily didn’t go for hugs or waves—she just marched straight into the spotlight as if to say, “Let’s do this.”
In interviews, the crew laughs about those wild, early days. Mike Shinoda recalls how Hybrid Theory got two stars in Rolling Stone and a lot of “manufactured boy band” shade. “It was crazy,” he said. “We were just trying to do something real, but people didn’t get it. ‘New metal’ wasn’t even a thing yet, so they just lumped us in with pop stars.” Phoenix even joked about his frosted tips and quipped, “I might’ve been mistaken for the least handsome boy band guy ever.” The band took the hits back then, but the music spoke louder—fans loved it, the album exploded, and Linkin Park cemented itself as the sound of a generation.
Emily’s addition has made them stronger, not just different. Coming from the high-energy rock group Dead Sara, she’s no stranger to commanding attention, but joining a legendary band isn’t a walk in the park. “The pressure was real,” she admitted, “but the fans? They’ve been incredible.” Her voice hits hard but finds a way to blend seamlessly with Linkin Park’s signature sound, creating something that’s both nostalgic and fresh.
And let’s just address it—people were shocked when Emily became the new lead singer. A woman leading Linkin Park? Some fans had doubts, but by the time she tore through anthems like “In the End” and belted out new tracks like “Emptiness Machine,” all that hesitation vanished. The fans didn’t just approve—they roared.
Looking back, the whole “boy band” thing is hilarious now. "People forget," Mike said recently, shaking his head. "When you’re trying to break those walls down, the loudest voices are always the critics. It stings, but it forces you to prove them wrong—and we did.”
Now, Linkin Park 2.0 with Emily is here to stay, smashing stages, dropping tracks, and showing the world they’ve still got it. From misunderstood misfits to global legends, it’s been one heck of a ride—and they’re just getting started.