Regis Behe
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
August 5, 2004

The concert industry has been battered this summer, with ticket sales for shows featuring Simon & Garfunkel, Norah Jones and even longtime heavyweight Dave Matthews falling short of expectations.

But before the outdoor sheds are abandoned for the year, another contender steps into the ring. Ladies and gentlemen, from Southern California, weighing in with more than 16 million units sold of its first two albums ... Linkin Park!

The creators of the Projekt Revolution Tour come to the fray expecting artistic and financial knockouts Monday at the Post-Gazette Pavilion.

"This is a big deal," vocalist Chester Bennington says. "Our reputation is on the line with a lot of people. We've always had successful tours. When we went on tour in January and February, other bands were out there, and they were struggling. And we sold out every show. Even shows that were a couple thousand tickets short the day we got there, we showed up and the place was full."

If they sell out Projekt Revolution, it won't exactly be an upset, especially since Linkin Park has recruited a strong line-up: Korn, Snoop Dogg, Less than Jake and the Used, along with Ghostface, M.O.P., Funeral for a Friend and Downset on the second stage. Then there's Linkin Park's unique blend of rock, metal and hip-hop that translated into multi-platinum success.

"The whole idea behind Projekt Revolution from the beginning was to throw in different types of music," Bennington says, noting the first two versions of Projekt Revolution featured acts such as Adema, Cypress Hill, Xzibit and Mudvayne. "It wasn't designed to do anything else than give a lot of different kids a chance to see bands they want to see."

He quickly admits, however, that throwing so many different styles together can present problems onstage.

"One of the biggest challenges is every band has to bring their 'A' game," he says. "We've played with hip-hop artists and we've said, 'Man, this (stuff) is hard to do every night' while we've been walking out. There are thousands of kids ready to see a rock show and here comes a DJ. We're like, 'you better step it up, because they're going to throw (stuff) at you.' But they have distinct ways to get the crowd to enjoy them."

Newer bands face another hurdle in having to prove themselves to fans unfamiliar with their music. That's not a problem for Linkin Park. A Spin magazine article earlier this year said the band was conveying "salvation to a nation of teenage anger prisoners." By sales figures alone, Linkin Park is arguably the most popular rock band in the world right now.

To his credit, Bennington isn't buying the hype.

"We don't even think about it," he says. "I never think about where we stand in the minds of other people as far as the pecking order of bands. I think of bands like U2, Metallica, Springsteen, Prince, those are the big boys. Dave Matthews, those guys, they sell out stadiums. Bruce Springsteen shows up and does Dodger Stadium for a week and sells out tickets in three minutes. That's the biggest band in the world to me.

"We're no different than Poison was in the '80s, or if I push it a little, perhaps Def Leppard. To maintain that is how you become the biggest band in the world. We're just starting out. This is a gift, and we have every opportunity to mess this up. We're just trying not to do that. We're trying to write quality music and and we want to do this for as long as we can: Make good records, put on good shows and go down in history as a great band."

Reviewing the bill

Chester Bennington, vocalist for Linkin Park, talks about his fellow musicians on the Projekt Revolution Tour.

On Korn

"I've always wanted to tour with Korn. I think they're still a big power and a standard. And as far as their live shows are concerned, there's no question they are one of the Top 3 live performing bands in the world.

On Snoop Dogg

"I think he brings something similar to what Cypress Hill brought to the first Projekt Revolution. He brings something that is hip-hop, yet the guys who are there to hear the rock bands can appreciate and enjoy him because he's so good."

On The Used

"I wanted them on the tour because I love the band, and I haven't had the chance to tour with them before."

Less Than Jake

"They've been around forever. I've been listening to them for 10 years. I look up to bands like them because they achieved a certain type of success without any help from radio or magazines or stuff like that."

On Ghostface

"Ghostface (formerly of Wu-Tang Clan) is awesome. Everytime we mention to people that Ghostface is on the bill, they say, 'Man, that dude is dope.'"

On Funeral for a Friend

"A great band. The new CD ('Casually Dressed & Deep in Conversation') is cool."

On M.O.P.

"Another new band that no one has ever heard of. I think people will be shocked at how good they are."

On Downset

"They've been around for a long time, and I think they're a great way to start the day."