Living Systems – An Interview With Chester Bennington Of Linkin Park & Brandon Boyd Of Incubus

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Chester Bennington is most recognized as the lead singer of Linkin Park, his higher-pitched, emotional vocals balancing out those of main rapper Mike Shinoda. A victim of sexual abuse, Bennington had a childhood that was far from picture perfect, and when his parents divorced at age 11, he turned to drugs to deal with his pain. By the time he was a teenager, Bennington had gotten heavily into cocaine and methamphetamines, supporting his drug habit with a gig working at Burger King. Despite his drug problems, however, Bennington never forgot his childhood dream of becoming a rock star — he was a huge fan of Depeche Mode and Stone Temple Pilots — and in 1993, he joined up as the lead singer of the local band Grey Daze. The band built a sizable following around the Phoenix area, but Bennington ultimately grew unhappy with the group and decided to leave in the late ’90s over creative differences. He then moved to Los Angeles and became the final piece of burgeoning rap-metal act Linkin Park in 1999. (Bennington came up with the name, changing their then-moniker from Hybrid Theory.)

Brandon Boyd is an American musician, author, and visual artist. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the American rock band Incubus. Boyd graduated from Calabasas High School in 1994 and attended Moorpark College for two years before committing to Incubus. Brandon grew up in Calabasas, CA with Ricky Taylor who inspired him to write music. Brandon is also known for playing several instruments such as the didgeridoo and djembe. He also has some guitar parts during live performances. Boyd’s voice was part of what enticed Sony’s Epic/Immortal Records, and Incubus was signed in 1996.

The Chester Bennington & Brandon Boyd Interview

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Chris Grosso is a public speaker, writer, recovering addict, spiritual director, and author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality (Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster) and Everything Mind: What I've Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening and the Mind-Blowing Truth of it All (Sounds True). He writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post, and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine, and has spoken and performed at Wanderlust Festival, Yoga Journal Conference, Sedona World Wisdom Days, Kripalu, Celebrate Your Life and more. Chris is passionate about his work with people who are in the process of healing or struggling with addictions of all kinds. He speaks and leads groups in detoxes, yoga studios, rehabs, youth centers, 12-step meetings, hospitals, conferences, and festivals worldwide. He is a member of the advisory board for Drugs over Dinner.

Suicidal Tendencies- Baptism By Skateboard, An Interview

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Which came first, the skateboard or Suicidal Tendencies? While obviously the answer is the skateboard, it seems like Suicidal has been around for basically just as long. Shit, these guys even had a cameo in an episode of Miami Vice for God’s sake (seriously!).

Suicidal recently headlined at show at The Palladium in Worcester, MA along with  Underdog, DRI & Cro-Mags, which was amazing! Before the show, I sat down with guitarist Dean Pleasants & drummer Eric Moore to talk shop on skateboarding, gangs, and much more. I’m happy to report that after all these years, Suicidal Tendencies is still keeping it very real! The following interview was conducted on 11/13/10.

The Suicidal Tendencies Interview (more…)

Chris Grosso is a public speaker, writer, recovering addict, spiritual director, and author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality (Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster) and Everything Mind: What I've Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening and the Mind-Blowing Truth of it All (Sounds True). He writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post, and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine, and has spoken and performed at Wanderlust Festival, Yoga Journal Conference, Sedona World Wisdom Days, Kripalu, Celebrate Your Life and more. Chris is passionate about his work with people who are in the process of healing or struggling with addictions of all kinds. He speaks and leads groups in detoxes, yoga studios, rehabs, youth centers, 12-step meetings, hospitals, conferences, and festivals worldwide. He is a member of the advisory board for Drugs over Dinner.

The Evolutionary Leaders

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Incredibly humbled and honored to announce that I’m now officially a member of The Evolutionary Leaders (a project by The Source of Synergy Foundation). Thank you to Alex Grey, Alan Steinfeld, and Kurt Johnson for the nomination and the EL Foundation for finding my work purposeful enough to join this collective. Here’s more about EL:

EL Circle Purpose Statement:

Our purpose is to collectively inspire, support and serve conscious evolution.

Chris Grosso is a public speaker, writer, recovering addict, spiritual director, and author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality (Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster) and Everything Mind: What I've Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening and the Mind-Blowing Truth of it All (Sounds True). He writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post, and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine, and has spoken and performed at Wanderlust Festival, Yoga Journal Conference, Sedona World Wisdom Days, Kripalu, Celebrate Your Life and more. Chris is passionate about his work with people who are in the process of healing or struggling with addictions of all kinds. He speaks and leads groups in detoxes, yoga studios, rehabs, youth centers, 12-step meetings, hospitals, conferences, and festivals worldwide. He is a member of the advisory board for Drugs over Dinner.

Dead Set On Living Now Available

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Chris Grosso is a public speaker, writer, recovering addict, spiritual director, and author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality (Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster) and Everything Mind: What I've Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening and the Mind-Blowing Truth of it All (Sounds True). He writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post, and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine, and has spoken and performed at Wanderlust Festival, Yoga Journal Conference, Sedona World Wisdom Days, Kripalu, Celebrate Your Life and more. Chris is passionate about his work with people who are in the process of healing or struggling with addictions of all kinds. He speaks and leads groups in detoxes, yoga studios, rehabs, youth centers, 12-step meetings, hospitals, conferences, and festivals worldwide. He is a member of the advisory board for Drugs over Dinner.

DSOL Endorsements/Additional Praise Completed

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“Chris’s books have been a significant source of inspiration in my own healing journey, and his newest work, Dead Set On Living, is no exception. Anyone looking for something real; something raw, ragged and authentic won’t be disappointed. I believe anyone who reads Chris’s honest and unabashed words will truly benefit. This is very, very real shit.”

— Bam Margera, Professional Skateboarder, actor (Jackass/CKY), and musician (Evesdroppers)

 

“Dead Set on Living offers a deep, intimate look at why we continued disparaging ourselves. This is essential reading for anyone looking to finally break the ruthless cycle.”

— Richard Rohr, OFM, Founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation

 

“Chris Grosso’s Dead Set on Living is an awesome work, the totally honest account of a man seeking the realities of life and death, compassion and indifference, sorrow and joy—as if they really mattered. He tells his own moving story, holding nothing back, consults with many amazing people who work with depression, addiction, etc., and shares with us his process of integrating their teachings and advice in a vivid and beautiful way. If you and your loved one’s struggle with life in an existential way, you will love this noble book—it will bring you courage and many blessings.”

— Robert A.F. Thurman, author ofMan of Peace: The Illustrated Life Story of the Dalai Lama of Tibet

 

“Chris Grosso is a Warrior of the Heart. With humility, honesty and courage AS his weapons, he does battle with the shadows in the dark corners of our hearts.”

— Krishna Das, Grammy Nominated Kirtan Musician

 

“This inspiring compendium of spiritual friends can guide us as we navigate the way through our own hell toward the light of love.”

— Alex Grey & Allyson Grey, Visionary Artists (more…)

Chris Grosso is a public speaker, writer, recovering addict, spiritual director, and author of Indie Spiritualist: A No Bullshit Exploration of Spirituality (Beyond Words/Simon & Schuster) and Everything Mind: What I've Learned About Hard Knocks, Spiritual Awakening and the Mind-Blowing Truth of it All (Sounds True). He writes for ORIGIN Magazine, Huffington Post, and Mantra Yoga + Health Magazine, and has spoken and performed at Wanderlust Festival, Yoga Journal Conference, Sedona World Wisdom Days, Kripalu, Celebrate Your Life and more. Chris is passionate about his work with people who are in the process of healing or struggling with addictions of all kinds. He speaks and leads groups in detoxes, yoga studios, rehabs, youth centers, 12-step meetings, hospitals, conferences, and festivals worldwide. He is a member of the advisory board for Drugs over Dinner.