The leap out of the garage and into the mainstream is one that few bands can lay claim to. Typically, the journey is slow, difficult and full of pitfalls. And for most, it’s one that stays unfinished.
It has been a long trek for major-label newcomers 30 Seconds To Mars, however, the voyage is almost complete.
“We started just playing for ourselves in a garage pulling off 20-minute prog songs,” says the band’s drummer, Shannon Leto. “But then we decided we wanted to share the music with the people, so we started playing clubs and put a demo together. The rest is history.”
This band has had more to overcome than your typical group playing out of the garage down the street. The lead singer of the band is actor Jared Leto, which places an obstacle in front of the band that might be harder to hurdle than signing a major record deal. 30 Seconds To Mars must prove that just because the band features an actor it can still release exciting and innovative music.
“We’re trying to let the music speak for itself,” says Shannon. “Jared does a lot of things, acting just happens to be one of those things. And the only people who really make it a big deal are the press, because when actors have done it before, they’ve done a fucking poor job of it.”
The band’s self-titled debut is a true testament to the group’s extremely talented musicians. 30 Seconds To Mars are able to create something that takes music to another level by utilizing all the member’s different talents.
“I took all the photography in the booklet, and Jared did all the layout,” says Shannon. “Everything starts with us and ends with us. And I couldn’t imagine it any other way.”
The new album displays the band’s intricate workings of harder edged rock, using everything from the quietest whispers to the most earth-rattling distortions.
“The songs are all based on human experience, using metaphors to convey a message. That way people can interpret the songs in the own way–people can draw their own conclusions.”
It seems as though things are looking up for the band. Just finishing a tour across America opening for Incubus to 20.000 seat venues, the band has had a chance to show people that they are not in the same realm as Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Love Hewitt or any other artist that tries to spring their acting career into the music biz. 30 Seconds To Mars are much better than that.
“I think people know if it’s real or not,” says Shannon. “We’re trying to do something that hasn’t been done before, and everything that we’re doing are things that we believe in, and things that we feel strongly about.”
Now, it’s time for the band to get the word out: 30 Seconds To Mars is here and they will live through the ups and downs that the world throws at them. They are here, and here to stay.
“There will be time for Jared or any other member of the band to do what they need to do and pursue other things. But right now, it’s all about the music.”