Xero Instrumentals

Xero is the self-titled 1997 demo tape by American band Xero (now known as Linkin Park) sent by the band to record label executives while trying to get signed. The tape contains some of the band's earliest known recordings. The existence of this tape first came to public knowledge in 2022 when a copy previously owned by former Warner Bros. Records executive Barney Kilpatrick was auctioned by his family following in death by suicide on December 03, 2021. The label had passed on the band three times before signing a developing deal with them in November 1999.

Background

Following the release of their self-titled demo tape, Xero played many showcases, but vocalist Mark Wakefield couldn't perform live because of a really bad stage fright, so he was fired in 1998. "I wanted somebody in the band who had the same drive and passion for melodic singing vocals as I had towards rapping vocals," said Mike Shinoda. Bassist Phoenix explained their situation, "We went through a period where we kinda didn't know what to do with the band, like, the singer we had been playing with was transitioning out and we didn't know if we wanted to continue; if we did, if we wanna continue with just with five guys or how that would even look or work out. And, you know, we tried a bunch of different guys that were LA-based, whatever, and nothing was really working, nothing we're excited about. When we heard Chester stuff he had done, we're just like 'ok, this guy can sing, we need to get him out here quick and see what the deal is.' We got him out and then 'ok, if the band is gonna work then this is gonna work. Otherwise, that's the end of Linkin Park as it is, kind of thing."

Mike talked about being the sole frontman during this period, “I only sang on my own for around two months. When we did shows, I’d get friends to the other vocals. It was really fun. It’s strange, though, whenever I’ve written vocals, I’ve always written them with two people in mind. I think it adds a cool depth and vibe to the songs.” During a LPU chat, Mark Fiore from The Snax recalled being asked by Brad to learn every song on the Xero cassette tape for a show.

In Los Angeles, there was a magazine called Music Connection in which the band had announced a vacancy. One of the people who auditioned for Xero was Boris Bouma of the Dutch progressive metal band Frozen Sun, and who would later be known as the frontman of the American band Epidemic. T.J. Demonte, a singer from Hartford, Connecticut, was recommended by Staind vocalist Aaron Lewis. He was the vocalist for Sugarmilk (originally known as Crumb), a band that opened for Limp Bizkit and Staind. He said, "I was one of the very first contacted by Jeff Blue and Mike Shinoda to fly out for an LP audition. Aaron Lewis from Staind told them about me so I signed an NDA and they asked for a video of me and sent these early tracks.They were an assembled band lie Back Steet Boys formula. The said they spent their advance on gear and could not afford 900 plane ticket for me togo to California, after agreeing to pay, they then said I would have to find a motel. I got nervous that this was a scam, and made the worst decision of my life. Theyewere XERO, Hybrid Theory and then Linkin Park" He later went on to front a band called No December with whom he released an EP called Mobius in 2004.

Track Listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	Rhinestone	Delson Bradford, Hahn Joseph, Shinoda Michael Kenji, Wakefield Mark
2	Pictureboard	Carter Barrence Eugene, Delson, Hahn, Shinoda, Wakefield
3	Esaul	Delson, Hahn, Shinoda, Wakefield

Personnel

• Mike Shinoda
• Mark Wakefield
• Brad Delson
• Rob Bourdon
• Dave Farrell
• Joe Hahn

Gallery

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  Side A

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  Side B

External Links

• LPLive Interview: TJ Demonte (2021.01.03): YouTube
• Hybrid Origins: A Look Back At The Early Days: LPLive