Shannon Leto, the drummer for the band 30 Seconds to Mars, says the hardest part about being in a band with his brother, actor Jared Leto, is dealing with ignorant people.

"There are people out there who don't know how to expand their minds," Shannon Leto said by phone from the band's rehearsal space in Los Angeles. "They have preconceived notions and want you to stay within those parameters. Those kinds of people are stuck in a box and need to let themselves out."

Other than that, Leto said he is loving life in the band. "My brother and I had this idea from the time we were way little. We have always been anxious to be in a band after listening to Kiss, Iron Maiden, Steely Dan and Cat Stevens. But we didn't force ourselves to do this. It came naturally. While none of our family members were musicians, we knew we wanted to play music."

The band released a self-titled debut album in 2002 to rave reviews. "We worked with producer Bob Ezrin (who has also worked with Kiss and Pink Floyd) on the first album and he brought his experience to the table.

"When we decided to make the new album, we wanted to start with a clean slate. The new album had to replace the old one in people's minds. So we called Josh Abraham. He produced Velvet Revolver's album, and he brought subtlety and goals to the sessions. It was very organic for us."

Not only was the producer new, but the band had gone through some changes. "Beautiful Life" features bassist Matt Wachter and guitarist Tomo Milicevic, both making their 30 Seconds to Mars recording debuts.

"It was nice being in a band that wanted to be a band," Leto said. "Jared had written 40 songs for the new album in the last three years. We worked together and got the song list to the 10 that found their way to the new album.

"It was daunting, but we looked at the album like a chapter in a book. And it worked out well."

Leto emphasized that 30 Seconds to Mars is not a side project to acting for his brother. "We've released two albums. And we're serious about what we're doing."

The current tour will find its way throughout the United States and Canada. "Who knows what the future will bring? The fact of the matter is, we're doing what we're doing, and we want to keep doing it as long as we can. We've met some good people and we have been able to expand our audience."

If you go

What: 30 Seconds to Mars, Aiden, Emanuel

Where: Avalon, 3605 S. State

When: Sunday, 7 p.m.

How much: $12

Phone: 467-8499 or 800-888-8499

Web: www.smithstix.com

---

E-mail: scott@desnews.com