Who is Colin Brittain, the other new member of Linkin Park?
While many fans were focused on who would step into the position held by the late Chester Bennington in Linkin Park, Thursday’s livestream announcement revealed that Colin Brittain was stepping behind the drums in place of longtime Linkin Park stickman Rоb Bourdon. So who is the new man keeping the beаt for Linkin Park’s next era?
Who Is Colin Brittain?
Born Colin Cunningham, the 37-year-old Nashville-born musician has primarily been making a nаme for himself behind the scenes as an in-demand producer and songwriter in recent years.
However, he does have a history playing drums. He initially made his inroads in the music industry playing drums for the band Oh No Fiasco, who signed to Five Seven Music and released the EP No One’s Gotta Know.
According to Mike Shinoda in an interview with Billboard, the drums are Brittain’s primary instrument, but he’s also adept at playing keyboards, guitar and bass which has helped him in his roles as a songwriter and producer with a variety of acts.
Shinoda revealed in the chat that he had first met Brittain around 2021 when both musicians participated in a session with a few other songwriters and their friendship and mutual admiration sparked from there.
About Colin Brittain’s Production + Songwriting
Brittain’s resume behind the scenes started building around 2014 when he took on production, writing, engineering and mixing for such acts as 5 Seconds of Summer, Dark Waves and Beautiful Bodies.
Over time, he’s lent his assistance in multiple areas for bands such as A Day To Remember, From аshes to New, One OK Rock, All Time Low, Hands Like Houses, Dreamers and Story of the Year.
Perhaps his most well-known association behind the scenes has been with Papa Roach. He was a composer, producer and mixer on several songs from the band’s 2017 album Crooked Teeth. That working relationship went so well he was asked back to work on material from their 2019 album, Who Do You Trust?
What Happened With Rоb Bourdon?
Brittain has taken over behind the kit after Linkin Park’s longtime drummer Rоb Bourdon stepped aside. In the interview with Billboard, Shinoda addressed Bourdon’s absence from the current lineup.
“Rоb had said to us at a point, I guess it was a few years ago now, that he wаnted to put some distance between himself and the band. And we understood that — it was already apparent,” explained the singer. “He was starting to just show up less, be in less contact, and I know the fans noticed it too. The Hybrid Theory rerelease and Papercuts release, he didn’t show up for anything. So for me, as a friend, that was sad, but at the same time, I want him to do whatever makes him happy, and obviously everybody wishes him the best.”
