30 Seconds To Mars Music Videos, Pictures and Photos including Kings & Queens, Edge Of The Earth, The Kill (Artist Commentary), The Kill Music Videos on Roxwel

30 Seconds To Mars

Mars is a long way away - about 140,000,000 miles, actually. Even at the speed of light, it would take about 721 seconds to get to Mars. Getting to Mars in 30 seconds may be a physical impossibility (go ask Bill Nye), but it’s also the name of actor Jared Leto’s rock band, 30 Seconds to Mars. Though Jared is perhaps better known for his acting career (which includes parts in blockbusters like Fight Club, Lord of War, and Requiem for a Dream), he’s been into music for a long time; he formed the band in 1998 with his brother Shannon, and they’ve been jamming ever since. Jared (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Shannon (drums) are currently accompanied by lead guitarist Tomo Milicevic and a touring bassist; former members include Matt Wachter (now in Angels & Airwaves) and Solon Bixler, current frontman of pop outfit Great Northern.

Though nominally based out of Los Angeles, 30 Seconds to Mars practices and records around the world to accompany Jared’s hectic acting schedule. The band secured a record deal with Virgin Records (The Smashing Pumpkins, Does It Offend You, Yeah?) soon after its formation, making their debut in 2002 with the release of their self titled album 30 Seconds to Mars. Somewhat different from the vibrant post-hardcore sound the band currently produces, 30 Seconds to Mars featured a deeper, synth-thinged progressive metal sound. The album was moderately successful, moving 100,000 copies to date and producing two singles, "Capricorn" and "Edge of the Earth".

30 Seconds to Mars switched up their style a bit in preparation for their next album, ditching their heavy and atmospheric sound for a faster and more marketable sound, similar to contemporaries like Head Automatica and Thursday. Their sophomore album A Beautiful Lie took almost three years to prepare, recorded sporadically across the globe in locations as far away as Alaska, New York City, and South Africa. A Beautiful Lie was far more successful than their debut, earning a coveted Platinum certification and moving well over a million units based on the success of singles "The Kill", "From Yesterday", and "A Beautiful Lie". Though originally released in 2005, A Beautiful Lie was re-released in 2007 due to international demand. The band continues to tour in support of A Beautiful Lie, playing alongside acts like The Used and Linkin Park throughout 2006 and 2007.