Mike Shinoda Compares Chester Bennington to this ‘Friends’ Character

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

February 16th, 2023 2:45 PM

Mike Shinoda is not shy about talking about his late Linkin Park bandmate Chester Bennington and his struggles with depression and addiction. In a new interview, he compared some of Bennington’s behavior to a character from Friends.

Shinoda talked about the various highs and lows of Linkin Park during the Hybrid Theory-era of the band. Apparently, Bennington had a knack for disappearing and drinking heavily.

“He’d just go missing and come back obliterated, that you couldn’t even talk to him,” said Shinoda. “He was just so wasted. But also funny. Ever see that ‘Friends’ episode where they had the ‘Fun Bobby’? The ‘Fun Bobby’ is hilarious — everybody loves him — and then the second he gets sober, nobody likes him anymore.”

Shinoda continued, “There was an element of Chester that was very fun sometimes when he was that way, and usually the next day he’d be, like, so dark. He’s super hungover; he’s angry at everybody, yelling at everybody, and you’re kind of just, like, ‘Let’s get through the day.'”

RELATED: Mike Shinoda on Why Computers Should Be Considered Musical Instruments

In other Linkin Park news: The band is releasing a 20th anniversary reissue of their second studio album Meteora. The sophomore LP went on to sell 16 million copies worldwide. It boasts some of the band’s most popular hits. Among them is “Numb,” which is closing in on 2 billion views of its video on YouTube. Other popular tracks from Meteora include “Breaking the Habit” and “Somewhere I Belong.”

All Meteora 20 formats are available for pre-order at LinkinPark.com where fans will find special related merch also up for sale. The reissued also includes “Lost,” a previously unreleased track that can be heard below.

Linkin Park: Their 20 Best Songs, Ranked

• 20. “Points of Authority” – ‘Hybrid Theory’ (2000)

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  “Forfeit the game.” Mike Shinoda firmly plants his flag in the ground with this demand, and the rest of the band quickly follows. The fourth track on ‘Hybrid Theory’ was never a single but its glitchy stomp made it a fan favorite.

• 19. “Keys to the Kingdom” – ‘Hunting Party’ (2014)

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  Chester’s distorted scream on the ‘Hunting Party’ opener is a welcome release for the metal faction of Linkin Park fans. Fresh off a run of ultra-polished concept albums, the rawness of this LP felt exciting. “Keys to the Kingdom” kicks it off with a snotty punk snarl.

• 18. “Robot Boy” – ‘A Thousand Suns’ (2010)

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  What begins as a lone piano loop builds up to a rich, soothing soundscape. ‘A Thousand Suns’ contains a handful of tracks that serve as atmospheric padding, but this one is more substance than filler.
• 17. “Talking to Myself” – ‘One More Light’ (2017)

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  On an album that served as a hard reset for the band, this standout track on the their latest release offers shades of familiarity (you can actually hear the guitars!). It’s a glossy rock song that could have been a huge single, if not for the unfortunate timing; the video premiered hours before news of Chester’s passing broke.

• 16. “Lost in the Echo” – ‘Living Things’ (2012)

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  Hardened but hopeful, Linkin Park sing the anthem of the underdog on this synth-heavy track.

• 15. “One More Light” – ‘One More Light; (2017)

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  Chester did not write these lyrics, but his pained delivery is haunting: “Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it isn’t there”. After his suicide, “One More Light” became a hymn for grieving fans.
• 14. “Castle of Glass” – ‘Living Things’ (2012)

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  Mechanical samples under an easily singable melody make this futuristic folk song a highlight of 2012’s ‘Living Things.’

• 13. “Wretches and Kings” – ‘A Thousand Suns’ (2010)

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  This cut from ‘A Thousand Suns’ is bookended by Mario Savio’s “Bodies upon the gears” speech, to great effect: it’s the perfect setup for the industrial beat and aggressive delivery of both Mike and Chester.

• 12. “Bleed It Out” – ‘Minutes To Midnight’ (2007)

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  Linkin Park has always been meticulous in their execution, but this bare-bones singalong is such a fun diversion. From Mike’s irreverence to the sloppy claps that carry the tune, it’s a reminder that we don’t always need to take ourselves so seriously.
• 11. “The Little Things Give You Away” – ‘Minutes To Midnight’ (2007)

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  One of the longest songs in the band’s catalog was inspired by a visit to New Orleans where the band witnessed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina firsthand. The anger we’re used to hearing is replaced by profound sadness, punctuated by a soaring solo from Brad Delson.

• 10. “Numb” – ‘Meteora’ (2003)

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  The final track on ‘Meteora’ came together easily for the band. Moody and not overly complicated, it’s the perfect pop-rock single.

• 9. “When They Come For Me” – ‘A Thousand Suns’ (2010)

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  This song highlights the band’s dexterity in production. It’s an ambitious piece, so heavily layered that it took over a year to complete, but their diligence paid off. It’s even more impressive live: there’s so many elements that some of the band members jump between two or three different instruments to pull it off.
• 8. “Lying From You” – ‘Meteora’ (2003)

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  The seamless collaboration between Chester and Mike in “Lying From You” shows what a perfect team they were. As harmonious as those two are, though, the music itself is dissonant and creepy, making for a strangely addictive brew.

• 7. “New Divide” – ‘Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – The Album’ (2009)

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  The ‘Transformers’ soundtracks introduced LP to a younger generation in the late 2000s. “New Divide” sounds appropriately robotic while maintaining an organic rock rhythm. It doesn’t appear on any of their studio albums, but the song achieved success as a single.

• 6. “Iridescent” – ‘A Thousand Suns’ (2010)

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  Another song used in the ‘Transformers’ series, the shimmering “Iridescent” originally appeared on ‘A Thousand Suns’. Its uplifting message shined on both the album and soundtrack version, which was mixed differently for the movie.
• 5. “Papercut” – ‘Hybrid Theory’ (2000)

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  The opening track on ‘Hybrid Theory’ sets the tone for the journey. An ominous guitar riff follows Mike’s agitated delivery while Joe Hahn’s scratches draw your attention. By the time you reach the melodic payoff in the second half, you’ve been briefed on each of Linkin Park’s signature sounds, and for this reason Mike has called “Papercut” the band’s “calling card.”

• 4. “Crawling” – ‘Hybrid Theory’ (2000)

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  “Against my will I stand beside my own reflection.” This Grammy-winning single shows us the delicate introspection that set LP apart from other heavy music in the early aughts and endeared so many to the band in the first place.

• 3. “Faint” – ‘Meteora’ (2003)

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  All six members of the band are well-represented here. A symphonic intro is overtaken by chunky, distorted riffs. Mike’s rapid staccato is carried by the drum beat. The tension releases at the bridge with a roar that solidifies Chester as one of the greatest voices of the 21st century.
• 2. “What I’ve Done” – ‘Minutes To Midnight’ (2007)

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  After two albums overflowing with angst, Linkin Park allows room for forgiveness on ’Minutes to Midnight’ and this song in particular. Where “Faint” was the paragon of Chester’s screams, “What I’ve Done” is one of his strongest performances as a singer. Mike doesn’t take a lead vocal on this song, but his handprints are all over the composition and production.

• 1. “In The End” – ‘Hybrid Theory’ (2000)

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  The song is certified four times platinum… One billion views on YouTube… A staple across multiple radio formats to this day. In the end, was there any question that Linkin Park’s signature song wouldn’t top this list? The universal lyrics, while rooted in negativity, offer a place for us to air our grievances. Mike’s frustrated verses find balance with Chester’s defeated repose. For most of us, this was the first time we heard their chemistry, and it was gripping. Sonically it transcends genre; every type of music fan knows this song. In three and a half minutes, this one track encapsulates everything that makes Linkin Park remarkable.

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

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Chester Bennington,Linkin Park,Mike Shinoda