Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda Criticizes ‘Click Bait’ Journalism
Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda learned something new after he shared his thoughts and feelings about the current state of indie rock music.
While promoting the band’s latest album, Shinoda decided to weigh in on what’s wrong with modern rock. A lot of people would point the finger at Linkin Park, though Shinoda took issue with so-called “indie bands” that sound like something you might find on the Disney Channel or Nick Jr. Although he appreciates what bands likeVampire Weekend, Haim, and Chvrches are churning out, he doesn’t think they’re really “indie.”
He opined:
“But there was a point at which [indie music] was fresh and new, and they were making it because it was part of their identity and they were making something different. And now it’s a different situation. None of these bands are indie bands, they’re all major label bands. So if you think they’re not, you’re mistaken.”
According to NME, Chvrches singer Lauren Mayberry recently responded to the Linkin Park vocalist’s comments. In a surprisingly level-headed retort, Mayberry said she wasn’t really too concerned about Shinoda’s remarks.
She said during a recent Swiss TV interview:
“It’s not an opinion I would worry about hugely. It’s not my kind of music. They’ve been on the radio for how long, and I just don’t listen to that radio station. That’s a smarter move than saying something for a tagline… I think that’s silly. Live and let live. I will continue to probably not buy Linkin Park albums.”
Of course, the Linkin Park rapper doesn’t feel he’s done anything wrong. In fact, Shinoda believes that the whole thing was blown out of proportion by “click bait” journalists who essentially blew the situation out of proportion.
Radio.com points out that the rapper responded to all the controversy around his condescending assessment of modern music on his official website. If nothing else, at least Shinoda now has “click bait” in his vocabulary.
The Linkin Park vocalist explained in his “Pointless D**ks: @CHVRCHES, Laziness, and Cowards” post:
“[Chvrches] were asked to respond to a version of the comment that was not consistent with what I actually said. Now, to be clear, it’s a journalist’s tendency (if not their main objective) to sensationalize this kind of commentary, and make a fight where there is none. Let’s not let them have that. I learned a new term this year: ‘click bait.’ Click bait is when someone titles a piece in a sensationalized way in order to get more clicks. It’s what I did with the title of this post.”
Linkin Park’s The Hunting Party is available now. Remember: If you disagree with any of the album’s lyrical content, it’s probably the media’s fault.
[Image via Elektro Daily]
