MUSIC Leto challenges stereotypes with acting, musical talent

30 Seconds to Mars joined the hard rock tour for the summer.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Keanu Reeves wasn't the first actor to dabble in the rock world, but for all intent and purpose, he should have been the last.
"The Matrix" actor set bass players back decades in terms of respect, thus strengthening the stereotype that the person least talented musically on stage is playing the four-stringed guitar.
After lending his name to the Hollywood band Dogstar, Reeves toured the project that soon, and thankfully, fell into obscurity.
So when actor Jared Leto ("Fight Club," "Requiem for a Dream," "My So-Called Life") realized he wanted to record a rock album of original material, he was well aware of the naysayers who would disparage his project titled 30 Seconds to Mars. In fact, the singer/guitarist was one of them.
"It's obvious why people from the outset want to criticize and condemn," said Leto, calling from his home in Los Angeles.
"I would be trepidatious too, but fortunately people are turning around and saying that we have something to offer and that feels pretty good."
Albums
The band's self-titled debut album arrived in 2002 with mixed reviews for its decidedly post-grunge sound. However, unlike Dogstar, 30 Seconds to Mars didn't fade into history. Instead, Leto eventually found bandmates he trusted -- Leto's brother and drummer Shannon, guitarist Tomo Milicevic and bassist Matt Wachter -- and toured nonstop with the same dedicated work ethic that propelled him from starving artist to working actor.
The same scenario played out after the release of the band's sophomore effort "A Beautiful Lie" last year with Leto and company hitting the road for eight straight months of touring.
Simply put, the band's songs were radio friendly and the group just wouldn't go away. People started taking notice.
"The word we keep hearing time and time again is legitimized," Leto said.
"People have been able to look past the stereotypes and to say these guys are the exception to the rule."
Touring
Acceptance among its hard rock peers is evident as well with 30 Seconds to Mars garnering opening slots for Chevelle, Audioslave, The Used, Incubus and more. This led to the band's first-ever headlining tour. Billed "Forever Night Never Day," the spring outing comes into Pittsburgh March 28 at Mr. Small's Theatre and Cleveland March 29 at the House of Blues.
Leto isn't shy about his aspirations for 30 Seconds to Mars or his acting career. In fact, the 35-year-old believes he can be successful at both, having recently filmed "Chapter 27," in which he plays John Lennon's killer Mark David Chapman, during the band's three-month break.
Just as Leto has created memorable movie roles during his 10-year Hollywood career, the guitarist/singer sets the bar high for 30 Seconds to Mars.
"We want to be a part of your memories and we're going to blow your minds," Leto said. "We're going to present something that is unique and exciting and different. This tour is a reaction to shoe gazing indie rock (expletive). I'm so tired of that pretentious energy that just sucks the life out of rock'n'roll. There's something missing in rock'n'roll and we hope to in some small way be a part of that solution."