30 Seconds to Mars

Jared Leto - 30 Seconds to Mars

I have to say I’m glad it wasn’t field and stream in Montreal for the simple fact that I was dreading having to show up with my kayak and my fishing rod; neither of which I actually own.

“Oh yeah!  That would have been genius.” Shannon said, somewhat missing my attempt at disgruntled sarcasm.  “But you know, we always try to do things to have fun and to experience the experience.  From videos to our live shows and even to marketing our cd.  We had 2000 different album covers.”

These 2000 different covers featured the faces of many fans that had sent in their pics at the bands request.  The original cover however, featured the face of a tiger.  Why a tiger you may ask?  Simple!

“Oh!  Jared and I we own the tiger.” Came the answer, deadpan.

“You own the tiger?” I couldn’t help but ask, assuming I was getting myself into something… only I wasn’t sure what.

“Yeah!” he answered me; and after a long pause during which time he seemed to be gauging my reaction he added:  “It’s in Africa you know, it’s wild and free.  But we own that tiger.”

“And you named it?” I asked again; because the question begged for an answer.

“ Lily!”  Again with the deadpan.

Ok then.  As I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not I decided to move on and asked him what the band’s plans were after this tour ends in late August.  Were they heading back to the studio?

“I’m not sure.  We are so focused on This is War and touring This is War.  So we haven’t really thought much about that.  I mean who knows if we even will.  I don’t know.  We’re talking about it.”

I thought the answer had been a little open ended but then again, they had been touring for so long, who could blame them for wanting to have a little time with nothing planned.  Little did I know that only a few days later, a rumour claiming that the band was breaking up, which was started following an MTV Canada interview in which Jared answered that same question in a similar fashion, would explode on twitter and send hundreds, if not thousands of fans, crying into their pillows.

The Crowd - Montreal Metropolis May 3rd, 2011

The reaction was understandable, I guess, if a little excessive.  So many people have confessed to having had their lives changed by 30 Seconds to Mars.  Thankfully, all those tears can be dried however; as according to their label rep. the rumour has no basis of truth.  Even I sighed a little breath of relief, I must confess.

As our time together came to an end, I took a minute to take in the moment.  Five years had been a long time to wait for a follow up interview and I wanted to make sure I remembered it well, should it take another five years for them to release a new album and make their way back to our city.

A few thank yous and another hug later, I was stepping outside the dark venue and realized my heart was racing.

“That was probably the most nervous I’ve been in the past 5 years” I told their label rep as she escorted me back to the front.  I had controlled it well until then but now that it was over, the stress and anticipation came crashing out all at once.  Again that line between fan and journalist is a tough one to straddle.  Especially in the face of someone like Shannon Leto.  In 2006 I had described him as ‘being very aware; aware of his surroundings, aware of himself and aware of the impact of his words. He knows the effect he can have on people and uses it well. A smile, a wink, a hug, a sweet but mocking laugh… it’s all deliberate.’ Today, I feel the same way.  Few people have left such an impact over the years, and I look forward to repeating the experience, in however long that may be.

As expected, all three shows in Montreal (May 3^rd, the private show on May 4^th and Zombie Night on May 6^th) were spectacular, entertaining, moving and exciting.  But don’t take my word for it.  Here is a review from another of our staffers, Anne-Marie Maccio, who also attended the shows.

FULL Interview Transcript

To learn more about 30 Seconds to Mars:   http://thirtysecondstomars.thisisthehive.net/

To view our full picture gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/confrontmagazine/sets/