On The Verge featuring Thirty Seconds to Mars

This Is War solidified itself as a headline-making album for Thirty Seconds to Mars prior to its release with the much-publicized $30 million lawsuit and reconciliation with Virgin Records. Then came the “Faces of Mars” campaign, which set a marketing precedent that made fans a part of musical history. Through the operation, 30STM invited both the Echelon and common folk to summits in eight countries and online, where they recorded verses for the album. As if that weren’t enough of an undertaking, photos of friends, followers and other notable figures were collected and released on 2,000 different This Is War album covers. Logistical nightmare? Perhaps. A genius way to bring fans into the pulse of this monstrous movement? Indeed.

Having embarked on their first tour in the three years, band members Jared Leto (vocals/guitar), Tomo Milicevic (lead guitar) and Shannon Leto (drums) just conquered the European leg, which included a sold-out Wembley Arena. Fueled by #1 single, “Kings and Queens” and new release “This Is War,” the multi-platinum sellers are killing it in America.

Planet Verge’s Joelle and Nicole were lucky enough to steal a few minutes with the guys pre-show at the Wellmont Theatre in New Jersey. Rather than focus on what everyone already knows, PV talked to 30STM about what didn’t make the front page but is equally important, like that other planet (it was Earth Day!) and the band’s mission to bring awareness to saving it thru ABeautifulLie.Org. Plus, we call Tomo out on being a nerd and talk puppy love with Shannon.

WATCH NOW:

WHAT YOU DIDN’T SEE ON CAMERA:

Like their chromosomes, these guys may be from Mars, but their feet are firmly planted on Earth. We learned:

-Nothing gets past Jared Leto. PV’s Joelle surprised Nicole last minute and told her about the interview. Nicole, thinking she was just going to the concert, decided to show her support and wear a 30STM t-shirt, which of course is not the coolest thing to do when you’re actually WITH the band. So Nicole attempted a cover-up by wearing Joelle’s jacket. While they were talking to Jared, he noticed one letter of the shirt peaking through and called her out.

- Tomo never passes up a hug.

- Shannon’s color coordination of his sneakers and scarves challenges most self-proclaimed fashionistas.

- While enjoying vegan cupcakes from our favorite Sweet Avenue Bakeshop, Jared revealed he prefers chocolate cupcakes to vanilla ones.

View behind-the-scenes photos at Facebook.com/PlanetVerge.

Read our review of the show here.

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