Touches of hip-hop, modern rock, and spooling electronic vibes all characterize the music of Linkin Park, an alternative metal quintet from southern Californian. The band became one of the most successful rock-related acts of the new millenium, yet Linkin Park's formation took place years earlier, when drummer Rob Bourdon, guitarist Brad Delson, and MC/vocalist Mike Shinoda formed a tight friendship as high school students. Shortly after graduating in the mid-'90s, the teenagers formed the band Xero alongside bassist Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and DJ/art student Joseph Hahn. Hybrid Theory became the band's new moniker in 1998, but the musicians settled on a final name, Linkin Park, when singer Chester Bennington joined the lineup one year later. With Bennington and Shinoda sharing vocal duties, Linkin Park became a regular act at such SoCal venues as the Whisky. Warner Bros.' vice-president, Jeff Blue, ultimately signed Linkin Park in 1999. ...