Linkin Park’s Mike Shinoda recently made playful comments about Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus during an interview. He jokingly expressed frustration after Hoppus acquired a coveted piece of musical equipment. The remarks were shared during an interview with Triple M Rock.
Shinoda’s comments came while discussing his interest in acquiring a particular keyboard instrument that has become difficult to find due to resale market activity.
“I’ve been hearing a lot about this little keyboard that, I think it’s the dude from Tame Impala made this little keyboard called the Orchid,” Shinoda said. “I’m gonna check that out. But unfortunately, they all ended up on the resale sites.”
The Linkin Park musician then revealed his tongue-in-cheek frustration with his fellow rock star.
“I’m gonna do a really lame name drop but… Mark from Blink-182 got his hands on one of [those keyboards] and he was showing it off… So lame,” he continued. “Mark is very lame [laughs]. We hate that guy. The worst guy and we can’t stand him.”
The comments appear to be made in jest, reflecting the playful rivalry that often exists between musicians in the rock community.
Shinoda and Hoppus actually share a history of creative collaboration and mutual respect in the music industry despite the humorous jabs. Their relationship extends beyond mere acquaintanceship, demonstrating the lighthearted nature of these recent comments.
Blink-182 Italia reported that the two musicians previously collaborated on stage, writing a song together live at MIDEM in Cannes, France eight years ago. This spontaneous creative partnership showcased their musical chemistry and ability to work together despite being from different bands and genres.
The friendly competitive dynamic between rock musicians is not uncommon in the industry. Green Day Italy noted that Mark Hoppus has previously discussed how his band’s rivalry with contemporaries like Green Day actually pushed Blink-182 to perform harder and improve their craft. This competitive camaraderie has long been a driving force in rock music circles.
Both Shinoda and Hoppus have established themselves as influential figures in their respective genres. Linkin Park pioneered nu-metal and alternative rock while Blink-182 helped define pop-punk. Their playful banter reflects the close-knit nature of the rock community, where artists often maintain friendships despite public teasing.
The keyboard in question is referred to as “the Orchid” and allegedly created by Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker. It appears to be a limited-release instrument that has become highly sought after among musicians. The scarcity of these keyboards on the regular market has driven many to resale platforms, creating frustration for artists like Shinoda who are genuinely interested in using the instrument for their music.
