Papa Roach‘s Jacoby Shaddix has shared his perspective on the Linkin Park reunion, and said “it’s awesome that their music can be celebrated”.
READ MORE: “This is not the end, this is not the beginning”: Linkin Park look to the future with new faces
During an appearance on The Bailey Show that followed the recent announcement of the band’s comeback with Emily Armstrong as their co-vocalist, Shaddix was asked his thoughts on the band’s return by host Jason Bailey.
“I really like that new song [‘The Emptiness Machine’],” he said, via Blabbermouth. “I really like that new song they put out, man. I put that thing on repeat I was, like, I’m vibing.
“It’s trippy ’cause one of our producers, Colin Brittain, who I’ve been working with now for probably the last six [to] eight years, he’s playing drums in Linkin Park [now],” he continued. “He’s tripping. He’s just, like, ‘Dude, I got an opportunity that I can’t pass up.’ I’m, like, ‘Yeah, go do that, dude. People wanna hear this.’ And so it’s awesome that their music can be celebrated.”
Referencing the controversy that has clouded Armstrong’s reception, which began when fans learned of her alleged links to Scientology and ties to convicted rapist Danny Masterson, Shaddix said: “I know people are very polarised about this.”
Following substantial backlash, Armstrong has since issued a statement on her former support of Masterson, although fans are still divided about her position in the band, with Chester Bennington’s mother recently admitting she felt “betrayed” by the new line-up.
“But I look at it like when Stone Temple Pilots lost Scott Weiland,” he said. “Who stepped in? Chester.”
He continued to say the late singer “stepped in to carry that flag for rock and roll”, and “it makes sense why somebody would step in in his place and in his absence to carry that flag and to bring that message to the people, because it’s a hopeful message”.
The ‘Last Resort’ singer was asked if that was “the overall consensus” in the music world – that a band should continue with a revised lineup if a member is unable to continue – and Shaddix said: “It’s interesting, because as I saw them coming back with a new singer, it really kind of stirred some odd emotions in me, to be honest.
“I was just thinking about my own band and, like, ‘Fuck, man. If I die, do I want my band to continue this thing?’ And honestly, I’m torn. I don’t have a straight-up answer for it. I think it’s a bit different ’cause Linkin Park has two singers.
“And I don’t know, man. I don’t really have a straight answer for you on that. I don’t know. But I’ve got plans on sticking around. I don’t plan on going out anytime soon. Hopefully I outlive everybody. I’m a cockroach. I ain’t going nowhere.”
In other Linkin Park news, they debuted a new track named ‘Heavy Is The Crown’ in Hamburg earlier this week, and are set to perform at London’s O2 tonight (September 24).
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