Here’s our exclusive interview with Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park and ask him a few questions about the upcoming album and their role in the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack. Transformers opens everywhere on June 24, 2009.

1. Whats been going on since your last studio album Minutes to Midnight?

M: Too many things to get into details, I think. The “New Divide” single and video just came out. My new DC sneaker also just got released, with proceeds going to charity, and I’ve been asked to do a painting for Ron English and Michael Lau’s “Godfather” -themed art show. It’s in L.A. on July 19th, and in New York on September 18th. Mark Dean Veca and Travis Louie are in the show as well. In August, I have a big art show called “Glorious Excess Dies” in L.A. at the Japanese American National Museum. It’s going to be my biggest art show to date. I think there will be 17 pieces, plus a short film. Chester’s solo project, called Dead By Sunrise, is coming out in September. Then, our new Linkin Park album will be out next year.

2. Did you write this song specifically for the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen soundtrack or is this a song you were already working on?

M: Michael Bay showed us some of the movie, and we tried to write something that worked with the themes and feel of the movie. We just tried to make it true to the spirit of the film, while staying true to the spirit of the band.

3. What bands/artist have greatly influenced your style with your upcoming album?

M: It’s hard to say; just like many artists, we try to define our own style. I’ve been listening to a lot of older stuff, like The Who, Public Enemy, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin.

4. What kind of growth can fans expect to hear and what style will this album be?,(i.e. more melodic, heavier.)

M: All I want to do is make an album full of stuff that doesn’t suck. Twelve to fourteen tracks of anti-suck.

5. Are you planning on collaborating with anyone on this album?

We never really collaborate on any of our proper studio albums; I don’t see this as being an exception at this point.

6. Explain to the fans what your role has been with scoring Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

M: We delivered “New Divide” to Michael Bay, and it eventually ended up in the hands of Hans Zimmer, whose team is scoring the film. They liked the song a lot, and ended up interpolating musical themes from our song into the film score. After that, we got even more involved, writing a few bits to scenes in the film.

7. What does Linkin Park have planned in the next couple years?

M: There’s always a lot going on with us, so the best way to keep all the releases and info straight is to keep an eye on mikeshinoda.com and linkinpark.com.

Thanks Mike! Keep us posted!!

By Dave Minyard