Mike

Facts about Mike

Name: Michael Kenji Shinoda

Date of Birth: 11th February 1977

Height: 6ft

Location: lives in LA now. but he is originally from Agoura, California

Martial Status: Engaged to long-term girlfriend, Anna

Ethnic Origin: Mike is half-Japanese. He's the forth generation of Japanese born in America, which means his Japanese great grandparents migrated from Japan to America.

Siblings: Mike has a brother called Jason

Instrument: vocals, Beats + Samples, Keyboards, Guitar

Gear: (on stage)
          Audio Techinca Wireless Mic
          Banez Guitars
          PRS guitars
          Mesa Boogie Duel Rectifier Heads
          Mesa Boogie Cabinets

         (studio)
         Digidesign Protools software & hardware
         Anteres software
         Waves Software
         Emagic Hardware
         Korg Triton Keyboards
         Roland Keyboard Modules
         AKAI S-900 & MPC 2000 Sampler
         Baldwin pianos

Pets: Mike has a collie named Bessie (that lives with his mother) and a fish.

School: Agoura High School. He met Brad at Junior High.

College: Graduated from Pasadena Art College, where he met Joe. His main aspect was illustration, but studied graphic design seriously. In the week LP were doing showcases for 6 record labels, Mike had to do his final exams.

Jobs: As soon as Mike left high school he got straight into graphic design. He did artwork for 'Styles and Beyond - 2000' fold CD. Mike designs most of the LP merchandise and the covers of Hybrid Theory and Reanimation. He also helped with the Art of Meteora, in the lyrics of their Meteora album.Art directs the bands official website - www.linkinpark.com

First album bought: Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet.

Inspiration: After Mike went to his first concert, he wanted to be a musician. It was a Killer B's show.

Previous Instruments Played: Mike had classical piano lessons for 10 years. After getting sick of classical music, Mike moved into jazz, then Hip-Hop. He started rapping to LL Cool J and other rappers and soon made up his own rhymes. He performed these for his friends in the playground or after school. He also plays the guitar and decks.

On Mike: Mike wears contact lens and he says that dark blue is his natural hair colour and that light blue was just a phase. Mike doesn't have any tattoos or a pierced tongue.

Solo Stuff: Mike has started his own Imprint Label and has signed the up and coming band 'Simplistic.'

Quote: "Writing songs and sharing them with people is a very rewarding experience...I can't think of anything more gratifying as seeing people from different backgrounds come together to enjoy music. Thanks." - Mike