As 30 Seconds to Mars took the stage at the Varsity Theatre Tuesday night, an onslaught of rock began. Swathed in heavy eye shadow, black on black and hair gel, the band looked as glamorous and metal as it gets.
But by 6:15 p.m. the band was more concerned with unicorns, Chimes food, their mothers, tidal waves and Cheech and Chong.
After years of opening slots, 30 Seconds to Mars is finally getting their moment to shine. The band has just released its second record, “A Beautiful Lie,” and will have its own headlining tour in February.
To many the band is still best known for its frontman, actor Jared Leto.
Leto’s roles in films like “Requiem for a Dream” and “Fight Club” as well as his role as Jordan Catalano on TV’s “My So-Called Life,” have plagued the band since its inception.
Dining on food from the Chimes backstage, Leto said he does not understand why people think his musical interests mean he has given up on acting.
“People are so focused on having to choose or make a choice,” Leto said. “I’m sure people at your school have double majors. It’s not like I’m going to war.”
Leto and the band have been making progress on their own. The band’s show at the Varsity was sold out as have many of the dates on this outing.
“This hasn’t really been a tour; it’s just be a few dates,” Leto said. “But it’s definitely been something exciting and magical. Do you believe in unicorns?”
Bassist Matt Wachter said the recent round of dates at small venues has been rewarding.
“This tour in particular has been amazing,” Wachter said. “I personally prefer to play shows to smaller crowds.”
Leto, vocalist and guitarist, and his brother Shannon Leto, drummer, have been making music together since they were kids. Forming 30 Seconds to Mars in 1998 was a natural progression.
Shannon Leto said playing with his brother is a perfect situation.
“At the end of the day it’s genius,” Shannon Leto said. “Of course we have our little tidal waves here and there, but we have the same bigger picture, the same vision.”
Jared Leto, in typical sibling rivalry fashion, corrects his brother that little tidal waves would be impossible.
“OK, little waves,” Shannon Leto said.
Both Shannon and Jared were born in Bossier City, La. and said they felt the show was a homecoming in a way, recalling spending time in New Orleans and drive-through daiquiri shops.
Shannon Leto said even though the family moved away when he was young, he still feels connected to Louisiana and hopes to return in January before the tour to work with some form of the relief effort.
“It feels good to be here,” Shannon Leto said. “[Louisiana]’s in the blood.”
The band describes their latest album’s sound as more confessional and emotional, but Jared Leto said he’s already grown tired of the terminology others have used to describe the sound.
“I’ve grown to dislike the term ‘raw,'” Jared Leto said. “It’s become such a cliched idea of what’s being made now.”
Jared Leto said he had a couple of major influences on this album.
“God, particularly the Old Testament, and Cheech and Chong,” Jared Leto said.
Wachter said his influences range from classic rock to classical. Wachter attended Berkley College of Music.
“[I went to Berkley], and now I’m doing this,” Wachter said. “So let that be a lesson to all the other Berkley grads who just ended up working at Starbucks.”
Wachter stops as his mother has sent him an e-mail on his Blackberry. She’s concerned about his eye shadow. She said it’s too smeared, but she will get him some new colors for Christmas.
Wachter said his mother is very supportive of the band.
Jared Leto said he would be worried if their mothers were not supportive.
“She better [like it]; she’s your mom,” Jared Leto said. “If your mom doesn’t like your band, something’s wrong.”