I’ve been a member of the LPU since 4.0 and I’m not sure if I’m going renew next year for the LPU. I’ve also been a member of a lot of LP fansites over the years and communities. I’ve seen LP live 14 times and saw DBS and FM live as well. I have Linkin Park logos tattooed on my body and basically all my clothes, posters, all that is LP. But lately I have felt very disconnected from this band. It really sucks because LP used to be my all time favorite band. The band members inspired me to become a good person. LP really meant a lot to me. It was my heart and soul. But lately I feel very disconnected with the band. Especially here. I pay 65 dollars a year for what? We have got no exclusive videos in FOREVER. Hardly any exclusive photos. The exclusive music sucks nowadays, all boring instrumental songs, not listening to what the fans would really like to have. You are never guaranteed a meet and greet. I attended the summit and the band didn’t even look up at me when they signed by CD, they signed it in like 2 seconds flat and didn’t acknowledge I was even there, walking away before I could even say hi to them. They barely tour the US anymore and they never change up the sets or anything anymore either. The LPU chats barely last a half hour anymore and they don’t really even talk to anyone. I used to respect LP because they used to be a band that I thought cared a lot about their fans but I’m not so sure anymore. I’ve seen live shows where Chester says he loves LP fans and stuff but does he really? I see him making fun of fans in magazines and stuff all the time. Especially that one guy in China who actually tattooed his whole body like Chester’s. Obviously he looks up a lot to him and imagine tattooing your whole body for the rest of your life just like him, only to have him laugh at you and talk shit about you to magazines/radio. I bet the guy in China felt pretty bad about himself after that. I don’t really care how mad this makes anyone here because like I said, I probably won’t be renewing for the first time since 2005. Also, LT felt very un-inspired and rushed. I hope LP doesn’t continue going in that direction.
I agree with you about the meet and greet/summit. I’ve watched some m&g videos and I wasn’t very satisfied… idk, I’m afraid of one day be selected for a meet and greet and a band member ignore me. I’d be very disappointed… About the other points It’s your opinion and has to be respected. I understand you. It is very sad that you feel this way… 
i haven’t been around since you were, I came in later around LPU 8, but I will agree with you that the LPU community was WAY more active back then with a lot more to see and expect but seriously, even now I do feel the love. I actually feel it more than before and that’s because I understand the guys.
They all have families now, they’re not crazy 25yr olds running around 300 days of the year performing around the world. Their priorities changed and it’s totally acceptable and understandable.
I’ve heard a lot of peeps complain about their m&gs being rushed, short etc but have you ever thought that the guys might be having a bad day? That they might be dead tired and jet-lagged? They’re not superheroes, they’re humans like us and imagine having to go through a line of 150 people with the majority of them being crazy fangirls (because we all know that’s true) and then put up a freaking awesome show?
They don’t say “we love you or we have the best f***** fans anymore”? Of course they do, at least in the last few concerts I’ve seen, they do at least once.
And about the tour, it’s not up to them to decide where to play or how many times. I saw a lot of people complained cause they skipped the UK this year, I mean COME ON. They go there all the freaking time, they’re in no place to complain cause they skipped them ONCE.
Lastly, regarding the Chinese guy you mentioned, wouldn’t you be crept out if someone completely random went out and did exactly what you do?
Anyways, that’s just my thoughts on things (your opinion is accepted by the way, everyone believes whatever they wanna believe) and I hope with time you’ll reconsider cause seeing you’re one of the old peeps…kinda sad to see people like you go.
I understand you [neutral] I have fear same as Camila M. I´m afraid that they wont pay attention to me if I got selected for M&G,so much that I think its better for me not to register for that at all.I should probably just use my early access opportunity.I love them so much that I dont wanna be dissapointed.I know they are only humans,they have bad days,problems,jet lags and stuff like that,but if you are not gonna do something in the right way then dont do it all…Just my oppinion.
Honey, just do whatever you think is right, but remember that the guys don’t shit chocolate either. My advice: give them some space, and learn to deal with such things. I’ve been there, too: I’ve had a true creeper phase, and eventually, life got a lot better, because I got out of it. I believe they still love their fans, and it hurts me seeing that so many people don’t think so anymore. Try seeing it from their sides for a change, instead of being the umpteenth angry soldier. To me, being a true fan is all about holding on and bearing it, but that might just be different for you. All I can say is that you shouldn’t be so harsh on them, neither on yourself. It’s clear that neither of you deserve it.
they dont shit chocolate either XD that cracked me up…on the other hand,Pickles you are right [smile]
If you chose to not renew, just remember, being an LPU’er doesn’t make you anymore or less of a fan.
I understand if they might be tired at the M&G. I would be so happy just to meet them and shake their hands and of course getting a autograph, i would totally understand if they were tired.
And by the way the last two chats there have been havde lasted about 1 hour…
And about the guy from China, i’m sorry but i just think it’s weird. Getting tatooes is a speciel thing and i’m sure Chester has put a lot of thought into making them his own, so that someone would get the excact same tattoes as his, is just NOT cool.
It’s just my opinoin about it…
(Sorry for my bad english by the way…)
THIS!!! Thank you!
[quote=EvoOba]i haven’t been around since you were, I came in later around LPU 8, but I will agree with you that the LPU community was WAY more active back then with a lot more to see and expect but seriously, even now I do feel the love. I actually feel it more than before and that’s because I understand the guys.
They all have families now, they’re not crazy 25yr olds running around 300 days of the year performing around the world. Their priorities changed and it’s totally acceptable and understandable.
I’ve heard a lot of peeps complain about their m&gs being rushed, short etc but have you ever thought that the guys might be having a bad day? That they might be dead tired and jet-lagged? They’re not superheroes, they’re humans like us and imagine having to go through a line of 150 people with the majority of them being crazy fangirls (because we all know that’s true) and then put up a freaking awesome show?
They don’t say “we love you or we have the best f***** fans anymore”? Of course they do, at least in the last few concerts I’ve seen, they do at least once.
And about the tour, it’s not up to them to decide where to play or how many times. I saw a lot of people complained cause they skipped the UK this year, I mean COME ON. They go there all the freaking time, they’re in no place to complain cause they skipped them ONCE.
Lastly, regarding the Chinese guy you mentioned, wouldn’t you be crept out if someone completely random went out and did exactly what you do?
Anyways, that’s just my thoughts on things (your opinion is accepted by the way, everyone believes whatever they wanna believe) and I hope with time you’ll reconsider cause seeing you’re one of the old peeps…kinda sad to see people like you go.
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Yeah… You’re right! 
Hey Geki I hope you feel better and do renew for LPU13. I am replying here as I really dont know how they do it. When son and me went to m+g in UK, before all LP came out it was announced no handshakes as they were on world tour and need to protect from viruses, understandably so !. Well they were doing handshakes…all were just so kind to my son, only kid in room so that says a lot that they noticed and cared about him being a kid. My lad said " I think Chester is tired mum"…he did not look up at everybody including me and a really excited dude next to us, felt sorry for him as he was bit deflated. I really don’t know how they do so many long haul flights, body going through constant time zone changes, different seasons, climates, body sleep clock rearrangements, even just different beds. When I fly from UK to USA it takes about 3 days to feel right and for my body to realize day vs evening vs night… to not feel shattered and adjust. Even with my healthy kids who handle jet lag better than adults it can still take a lil while for their bladders to switch to the daytime and stop interrupting sleep.So they have to constantly readjust time zones and lagging bodies…but then they go on stage with the most incredible energy anyone could ever wish for or expect…never ever let down their fans. They also have to save energy for their families, wives, children…so I really don’t know how they do it. I do not expect personal attention at a m+g, a Hi from a couple of them is fantastic enough… although I really do understand if some upset if Chester does not look up…but that’s not personal, he’s no doubt jet lagged and has to keep energy for mind blowing energetic performance to give to the fans. And travelling round the world exposure to all different season viruses is real, last thing anyone wants is for them to get poorly and cancel a concert…so after this announcement I was surprised they still giving hand contact to fans…its all about them giving and giving. I do believe they care about all their fans but as m+g’s are before the show, they have to save their energy most importantly. Your obviously such a dedicated fan and they really will appreciate you ! Know that they do ! feel good about this as you sound like a caring person and you really will be appreciated…I don’t know about the dude in China but I do feel sorry for him as he obviously lost his own identity along the way…hope he can get work over these tats to make them personal to him. Hope you feel better X
Being in the states you should count yourself lucky they tour as much as they do over there.
For me in NZ, this Thursday’s concert will only be the third time they have been to New Zealand since forming, first in 2001 (I was too young to go to the concert according to my mother) then 2007 and now 2013. That is a long time between drinks for a fan. I would be ecstatic to be able to say i’ve seen them 14 times.
I certainly understand where you are coming from in your opinions but there are reasons for everything as have been explained above.
They are not the small up and coming band that they were years ago. They now have massive tours, all set to strict time frames.
I am the fanclub / social media manager for a rock band called I Am Giant and they try their hardest to spend as much time with fans but a lot of the time it is just not logistical not too mention most of the time they are playing shows back to back so need some rest which they don’t actually get, because they have to board a plane the minute they wake up and then get to the venue as soon as they land.
As for the touring the USA side of things. It does not make financial sense to tour the same places within 12 months of each tour. You end up burning out the fans and the almost fans and it changes it from being ‘HOLY SH*& Linkin Park are coming to my city’ to ‘Oh Linkin Park are back again, not sure if I can afford to go, they’ll have no new material etc etc’
This is highly noticeable with crowd numbers which will be a lot less for the second show then the first.
As for the guy who copied all Chester’s tattoos I actually find that rather creepy myself. Personally I always wanted to get the same flame sleeves Chester has but I would never go as far as getting every single tattoo Chester has. As said above, those tattoos have deep meaning for Chester and to see them on someone else could actually be seen as degrading the meaning of the tattoos to him.
This is my opinion and I certainly respect yours. I was in that same mind after LPU 8 and the release of living things.
But I missed the community that much I had to come back.
Just remember that being from the states you have had FAR FAR FAR more chances to see the band live then 90% of the other LPU members.
I’ve been pretty satisfied with my membership thus far.
The only complaint I have is that most of “our” benefits are for the LPUers in Los Angeles, since everything always happens in SoCal.
As far as the lack of LPUTV updates, I think that might me ground(ctrl)'s fault for not updating anything, but who knows.
As far as my meet and greet experiences go, my first one was in Boston in 2011, and with that being my first, Dave and Mike weren’t hesitant to greet everyone that came through, or even spark a conversation, everyone else either, Brad was recovering from a cold, Rob merely smiled back and Joe and Chester were busy talking with each other. Granted, I was happy to finally meet them for the first time, but I wish I came away from the experience with just a little bit more from the guys.
I met them twice this past summer on the HCT. The first being in Mansfield, and I came away that time with a better feeling than I did a year and a half prior. I made sure to make the effort on my end, so With Joe then Rob, once they signed my Living Things CD, I made the effort to reach my hand out, hoping they wouldn’t leave me hanging, which they didn’t. Knowing Brad’s choice not to shake hands at meet and greets and contracting germs, I didn’t bother with him. Actually, I was held up in line since the fans ahead of me got caught up talking to Mike, so I had some time to talk to Brad about playing the PMA melody over In The End. He actually seemed excited to know that somebody actually recognized that. Then came Mike, Dave and Chester, and they all shook my hand (Dave and I kind of joked with each other that he almost accidentally wrote on me with one of his makers in the process). They just all seemed to be in a happy mood that night for whatever reason.
Three days later was, of course, the Summit in Jersey. My back was to the band the entire time (so they could sign around my tattoo) so I didn’t really have the time to turn around and talk to them. (Dave and I talked about how good some of Joe’s art is, when he’s not drawing on my back - long story; I asked Rob for a drum solo on the intro of Bleed, to which he replied “Maybe, we’ll see.” and that he had already received other requests for one. Chester and I talked a little about the lyrics I wanted him to write to be inked, and Mike and I talked a little bit too.)
As far as the LPU CDs go, I personally would love to see more than “just demos” year after year. Unfortunately, I don’t see that ever being the case anymore, because everybody and their mothers will complain otherwise. Plus, YouTube kind of ruins in the "exclusiveness of the audio/video content we get.
You have to understand and take into consideration, too (and some people have touched on this here too), that the fans aren’t really as big of a priority in their lives as we once were. With their families expanding, and whatever personal endeavors they have, sometimes the band, and the fans, kind of take a back seat sometimes.
But hey, at least they still find the time to do what they can with us, at least you can’t argue that point. Some artists or celebrities are only in the business to earn their checks at the end of the day to make a living and couldn’t give two shits for their fans, at least Linkin Park still makes that effort after fourteen years.
Really agree with the guys writings above…you could switch it around and say…Faarrrrk man I am so fortunate to have seen them 14 times ! and keep all the positive things they have given you as a dedicated fan inside. The amount of work I think Chester in particular does with MFR is bloody mind blowing, really an amazing charity and the pics I have seen of portable units giving light to mothers having babies in impoverished countries, who would otherwise be in darkness, brings tears to my eyes…all because of LP ! literally saving lives so man this is huge energy they give too!..I won a back stage pass for 2 and took my then 12 yr old, through MFR…we had a tour round all back stage, my lad who very gifted with music and really into Thousand suns and Hybrid Theory got to hold Mikes, Chesters guitars…he was so overwhelmed he was teary and could not play them ! The kindest bunch of people you could ever wish to meet really ! I felt so excited wining bid, then so bad as could not afford to bid more than 100 quid and so did not expect to win at all…only looked when it closed and saw we were only bidders and had won ! wow as Manchester was almost 1000 quid and London over 1000 quid…all monies to MFR…omg could not believe it, wtf !..so decided to make up for it by donating small amounts to MFR when can and sponsoring gorgeous little 12 yr old girl in Uganda, whom must say I love dearly and am committed to, could talk forever here as she is so special…anyway been a fan since the beginning, a dream to meet them and finally did, Crawling to mention just one very very comforting during really hard times, used to sing this in particular LOUD 11 years ago…and yep Chester did not look up as I passed by, hey you know what I appreciate the massive energy needed for the show, man have to be really fit to do what they do. Was pretty ill that night with something that can not be passed on, really ill in fact with lupus…still do not expect them to go all personal and be pleased to meet me…they human too, so much hard work in so many directions and with family’s to care for too…so be pleased you have had the privilege to go to 14 shows and dont worry if they did not have masses of energy to give to you…as really they do appreciate their fans…they just give it out in so many directions…people in NZ would love to be able to go to 14 shows, really !.. If I was Chester and someone got the exact same tats which were personal I would be a bit umm fucked off actually…this dude needs to realize he is worth the world and get his own stuff ! Sorry to rave on, so just love the music, the connection and know how far they are stretched and they do appreciate their fans X
From everything I see the members post on their Twitters, and their personal blogs, I can take pride in knowing LP is still one of the most dedicated bands of today. I admit I’m scared that I’ll be ignored, should I get a M&G, but nobody’s 100% every single day. Whatever you decide, know that all us fans are some of the best followings out there for a band. We’re a force that can’t be stopped!
I too have been a member of LPU off and on since 4.0, but have not been a member every year since, although I did try to see what the guys are up to whenever I could and it was always amazing to see how phenomenally busy they are! I have to give them big thumbs up for the way they always try to connect with their fans which to me shows they really do care a lot about us.
I too am in NZ and I am very much looking forward to the Summit on Thursday and like Chris Morgan said, I too would be ecstatic to have seen them 14 times like you have. But being in New Zealand, it is impossible. A lot of big name acts never even come here at all as we really are a small country at the bottom of the world, but Linkin Park still make the effort and as a fan I appreciate that.
I saw them in 2007 when they were here and went to a M&G where I managed to get a poster signed (Proudly framed and displayed!) and I even though they might not all have shaken my hand or whatever, I was very honoured to be chosen to attend and to even meet them. I cant say that I know of many other massive world famous bands who do M&G’s for their fans, especially at almost every concert. Then there are the Summits, MFR events etc. So yeah, I appreciate each and every moment that allows me to experience what Linkin Park does.
So remember… They do not have to do any of this for their fans, but they do it because they care.
Just my two cents worth…
You guys need another hobby. [smile]
I wish I could delete this topic. I feel embarrassed to have written the stuff that I did. I love LP. LP will always be my favorite band and in my heart. I have had some GREAT experiences because of the LPU and also because of the band. The band is the reason I am even still alive today (long story).
Whatever may happen but my membership won’t stop ! It is LP man !!!
[quote=Geki]I wish I could delete this topic. I feel embarrassed to have written the stuff that I did. I love LP. LP will always be my favorite band and in my heart. I have had some GREAT experiences because of the LPU and also because of the band. The band is the reason I am even still alive today (long story).
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No reason to feel this way. Some people deserve this kind of leeway and you are among them.