If Linkin Park's first album had been 2010's experimental, Rick Rubin-produced suite A Thousand Suns, perhaps the world would see the nü-metal vets differently today. Then again, there's a good chance that the band wouldn't be embarking upon a huge headlining tour Thursday evening at BankAtlantic Center.
In my candid conversation with Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington for this week's top music story, we covered the format for the new tour, his feelings about the Tucson shooting, the direction Linkin Park is heading next, and a lot about his current music tastes. Can you imagine Bennington listening to the National? Well, you should.
As for the rest of the delights of this week's music issue, look no further than Christopher Lopez's revealing interview with Drive-By Truckers' frontman Patterson Hood, a dude who really digs Randy Newman.
Other concerts to sink your teeth into this week include: We Came as Romans and some other Christian metalcore at Rocketown, a note that Slick Rick's performance at Club Cinema has been canceled, Making Faces at Respectable Street, Washed Out at Eve, Galactic at Revolution, Tyvek at Churchill's, and Joan of Arc at Talent Farm.
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