Xero (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Xero
Type = demo
Artist = Xero


Released = 1997
Recorded = 1996
Genre = Nu metal
Rap rock
Length = 12:41
Label =
Producer = Mike Shinoda
Last album =
This album = "Xero"
(1996)
Next album = "Hybrid Theory"
(1999)

"Xero" is a demo by Linkin Park's forerunner Xero. Xero was formed in 1996 in Agoura Hills, California by vocalist Mike Shinoda and guitarist Brad Delson. The band released a single self-titled demo tape featuring lead vocals by Mark Wakefield. The cassette generated little interest, however, and Wakefield soon after departed the group to become the manager for the band Taproot. After hiring Chester Bennington to replace Wakefield as lead vocalist, Xero changed its name to Hybrid Theory and released a self-titled EP.

History

Originally consisting of three high school friends, Xero's foundation was anchored by Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson along with Rob Bourdon.AskMen.com, [http://www.askmen.com/men/entertainment_150/196c_linkin_park.html Linkin Park – Biography] Retrieved on March 20, 2007] citeweb|url=http://www.linkin-park-lyrics.com/about-linkin-park.html|title=Linkin Park Biography|accessdate=23 December|accessyear=2007] After graduating from high school, the California natives began to take their musical interests more seriously, recruiting Joe Hahn, Dave "Phoenix" Farrell, and Mark Wakefield to perform in their band then titled Xero. Though limited in resources, the band began recording and producing songs within Shinoda’s makeshift bedroom studio in 1996.There were 2 different covers for the tape with 1 being the baby, and the other a shopping cart. the 1st one with the shopping cart was made because of the limited resources that they had back in 1996.citeweb|url=http://www.popstarsplus.com/music_linkinpark_history.htm|title=Linkin Park - band history and biography|accessdate=23 December|accessyear=2007] Tensions and frustration within the band grew after they failed to land a record deal, culminating in Wakefield's departure from the band in search for other projects. He would later become the manager for the band Taproot. Farrell also left the band to tour with Tasty Snax and other bands.Rockdetector.com, [http://www.rockdetector.com/officialbio,10409.sm;jsessionid=6D3BF9BA81C5EC9FFAE9F376A1455427 Linkin Park – Rockdetector Biography] Retrieved on March 20, 2007] [Livedaily.com, [http://www.livedaily.com/interviews/liveDaily_Interview_Linkin_Parks_Dave_Phoenix_Farrell-6078.html?t=6 LiveDaily Interview: Linkin Park’s Dave 'Phoenix' Farrell] Retrieved on March 20, 2007] However, he returned to the band in 2001, after Linkin Park's first studio album, "Hybrid Theory", was released.

After spending a considerable time searching for Wakefield's replacement, Xero recruited Chester Bennington, the former vocalist of the band Grey Daze, which disbanded soon after he left.

Track listing

Side A:Tracklist
writing_credits = yes
title1 = Rhinestone
writer1 = Delson/Hahn/Shinoda/Wakefield
length1 = 3:38
title2 = Reading My Eyes
writer2 = Shinoda/Wakefield
length2 = 2:56

Side B:Tracklist
writing_credits = yes
title1 = Fuse
writer1 = Shinoda/Wakefield
length1 = 3:16
title2 = Stick 'n Move
writer2 = Shinoda/Wakefield
length2 = 2:44

Notes

*"Rhinestone" is an early version of "Forgotten" which appears on "Hybrid Theory".
*"Reading My Eyes" has been performed live with Chester on vocals a little before the release of "Minutes to Midnight". This live version appeared on "Linkin Park Underground 6". They have recently begun playing it live again on some of their Projekt Revolution 2008 shows. This version of "Reading My Eyes" has a slightly different melody in the chorus.

Outtakes and bonus tracks

Mike Shinoda has confirmed in a chat that Xero made two other songs that weren't on the demo tape: "Esaul" (which is the the first of four demo versions of "A Place for My Head") and "Pictureboard", which, according to Shinoda, was played once live with Bennington, probably some time in 2000 after the name change to Linkin Park.

References

External links

* [http://www.linkinpark.com/ Linkin Park's official site]