Early formation of Linkin Park is meeting Mike Shinoda and Brad Delson (Linkin Park guitarist) in grade 7. Then they formed a band called Xero. Brad also played for the band Relative Degree, one of the personnel that is Rob Bourdon (drummer for Linkin Park). Mike met Rob through Brad and Rob joined Xero. At college, he became acquainted with Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (Linkin Park's bassist), which is a roommate Brad. Mike, who majored in illustration at the Pasadena Art University, met with Joe Hahn (Linkin Park turntablis).
