Friday, Apr 1, 2011
by Evan Sawdey
Having long destroyed the notion that they are
a mere "actor band", 30 Seconds to Mars top off its year by headlining
the Bamboozle festival, all while guitarist Tomo Milicevic reveals his
powers of astral projection and a love for Ayn Rand . . .
30 Seconds to Mars has
literally pulled off the impossible: its has transcended the dreaded
status of being known as “an actor band”.
While the band was initially seen as nothing more than an alt-rock outlet for
Requiem for a Dream actor Jared Leto, the group slowly began to amass fans, initially on the strength of its 2006 single “The Kill” (from its sophomore album
A Beautiful lie),
and very much solidifying its mainstream acceptance with 2009’s “Kings
and Queens” (a song which bares a very heavy U2 influence), the
accompanying music video for which was nominated for Video of the Year
at the following year’s MTV VMAs. Now, the band is capping off a
successful year of touring behind
This Is War by being one of the
headliners at this year’s Bamboozle Festival, going on from April
29th—May 1st in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Before that takes place, however, 30 Seconds to Mars’ guitarist Tomo Milicevic sat down to answer
PopMatters’ famed 20 Questions via e-mail (Milicevic, born in Serajevo, has been playing with the band since
A Beautiful Lie).
Here, he reveals Leto’s advice about push-ups, forgets to answer a few
questions, and lets us know that one his hidden talents is astral
projection . . .
+++
1. The latest book or movie that made you cry?Well, it didn’t make me cry but it did make me think.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand was the last book I read and it was amazing. Jared
recommended it to me and it was a great read. I recommend it to everyone
. . .
2. The fictional character most like you?[
No response given.]
3. The greatest album, ever?There is
no way to answer this question definitively. I can say that one of the best albums of all time is Pink Floyd’s
The Wall. Never lets me down when in need of a good journey.
4. Star Trek or Star Wars?Conan The Destroyer . . .
5. Your ideal brain food?Silence is good. Can’t be clouded with other music and interference
when in a creative mode. I prefer to listen to and read nothing at all
when we are making new music . . .
6. You’re proud of this accomplishment, but why?[
No response given.]
7. You want to be remembered for . . . ?[
No response given.]
8. Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are?U2, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd. They seem to cover it all.
9. The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature?None, I’ve never wanted to call someone else’s work my own.
10. Your hidden talents . . . ?Levitation, astral projection, mind control. Just the basics . . .
11. The best piece of advice you actually followed?Do your push-ups. Jared’s advice; gotta keep strong out there!
12. The best thing you ever bought, stole, or borrowed?Best thing I ever bought, the most recent pair of clean underwear I’m wearing. Can’t put a value on clean undies . . .
13. You feel best in Armani or Levis or . . . ?Whatever is next in line in the suitcase.
14. Your dinner guest at the Ritz would be?[
No response given.]
15. Time travel: where, when and why?Fifteen minutes ago, right before I agreed to do this interview ;)
16. Stress management: hit man, spa vacation, or Prozac?Go for a hike . . .
17. Essential to life: coffee, vodka, cigarettes, chocolate, or . . . ?Coffee is pretty damn important.
18. Environ of choice: city or country, and where on the map?NYC, baby.
19. What do you want to say to the leader of your country?Grow a pair.
20. Last but certainly not least, what are you working on, now? Working on the years worth of touring and gearing up to start work on new music . . . very exciting stuff!
Sujet: 20 Questions: 30 Seconds to Mars (Bamboozle Festival) 
