Grammy award-winning rock act 30 Seconds To Mars stops by to answer a few questions

Just weeks after walking away from the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards with a moon man for their “Kings and Queens” video, 30 Seconds to Mars will be riding into Kent State. Jared Leto, Shannon Leto and Tomo Mili?evi? will take the stage Friday at the M.A.C. Center.

Kelley Stoklosa: What was the inspiration behind your new album, “This is War?”

Tomo Mili?evi?: Well there was a lot of things that were going on in our lives and in the world at the time we were trying to make a record. I suppose that in that sense the main theme in that record was conflict. There was all this craziness going on all over the world and in our personal lives that conflict was this reoccurring theme in our lives.

KS: How was it working with Steve Lillywhite and Flood (Mark Ellis) on this album, compared to working with Josh Abraham on your last album?

TM: It’s as different as could be, honestly. Josh has his way of doing things. He does things that are completely and totally different than Flood. Flood and Steve are both very hands on as producers. They both want to be there day-to-day with the band just being creative. While Josh, great in his own right, takes a more hands off approach. He kind of lets the band do their thing and comes in once and a while, takes a listen and gives his opinion on what’s going on. Then you go with that and you do what you want. You can change your mind and you can work by yourself. So, it’s two very different things. Flood and Steve were great. It was a dream come to true to work with those guys. We are talking about two of the most legendary producers in the game. Arguably they are the best in the business. So it was very cool. Most of our favorite albums were made by one of those two guys.

KS: What is the best part about touring?

TM: It’s hard to describe. It’s what we do. It’s who I am. It’s who we are. We are a group of people who have worked their entire lives towards this ability to travel around the world playing music for people and have this shared experience. It’s tough to pick one thing we love about touring. I suppose I just love the opportunity to perform. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to do it. I’m fully aware that there are people out there that would kill to do what I do for a living so I suppose it is just being great full for the opportunity. This could all be over tomorrow. We have no preconceived notions of what we are entitled to.

KS: Congratulations on your Video Music Award for best music video. Did you get a good look at Lady Gaga’s meat dress while you there?

TM: Not only was I close, I was three rows behind Lady Gaga’s meat dress. So yes I did get to see it up close and personal, and no it was not real meat, except for the headdress as far as I’m aware. I think the one she wore on that magazine was real, but the dress was a very well made rubber suit.

You can contact Kelley Stoklosa at [email protected].