since we're on the subject...

....I'll just say that I was a big fan of Breaking Benjamin, as members of that band were once in LIFER. And LIFER was the first band I ever interviewed. My first interview with Breaking Benjamin was a phoner with Aaron--back when their first album came out. It went great.

By the next album, I suppose Rock Star status went to their heads. It was an in- person interview when they headlined Starland Ballroom and a disaster! I arrived at the venue and the tour manager didn't know where anyone was. He said something like "Ben (the singer) is passed out drunk and Aaron jumped off the tour bus and we have no idea where he is or when he'll be here." Nice. So they tracked down Mark, who was super cool in his LIFER days. This time, Mark who was not prepared for an interview, said he had to go brush his teeth and would be right back. I waited a half-hour and then left to go eat White Castle. I skipped the show and went to a movie. No more Breaking Benjamin shows for me.

On a brighter note, the best interview ever was when Jen and I interviewed The Used. Jeph was soo nice and talked to us for an hour, which is way longer than the standard 10-15 minute alloted time for interviews. He revealed details of his personal life that out of respect, we'll never print.

We're not out to bash anyone, but if you're a jerk, we have the freedom of speech to let people know. Just like when Jared Leto kicked our photographer in the shoulder and poured water over her camera --when she had a photo pass to be up there taking pictures. But he did redeem himself by being uber nice and even hugging Planet Verge crew numerous times after that occasion.

And I must mention that Frank Iero is super nice. It's obvious My Chem has a super-strict management team. It was barely impossible for us to get an interview approved with them when MCR hit it big. But when Ordinary Clothing was nice enough to introduce Frank to me one Warped Tour, he said I could interview him right there on the spot. The result? The first article on Skeleton Crew ever published, I think.

I'll leave you with that, before I reveal even more gossip.


Love,
Joelle

Taste of Chaos Artist Spotlight: 30 SECONDS TO MARS

It's hard to imagine that such a little family gig started in just 1998 would turn into the worldwide success that it is today....the band went from a little side project (recording and writing was put on hold for a shirt while while front man Jared Leto pursued a career in film) to a band that can now headline and co-headline MAJOR tours. Kinda like Taste of Chaos.

For the duration of Spring 2007 the band was on tour with The Used, Aiden, Senses Fail, Chiodos, and Evaline. Even though early in the tour bassist Matt Wachter announced that he would be leaving the band that did not stop them from having a commanding presence on stage...and off.

While standing in the boxy convention hall that has inhabited Asbury Park since the dinosaurs have roamed, 2 things crossed my mind. 1.)Can 30 Seconds to Mars pull it off live? and 2.)When are they going to remodel this performance un-friendly venue? My second question is one that could not be answered, but I was able to successfully answer my first question....

It was my first time visiting and spectating a stop of the Taste of Chaos tour, in previous years I had always been busy...but not this year, thank God. Arriving kinda late I was able to catch the tail end of Aiden's performance and all of Senses Fail. As the "stage swap" as I call it was going down to get ready for 30 Seconds to Mars set you could see by looking around that many of the shirts adorned by the dedicated fans were for none other than...30 Seconds to Mars. Just being in the presence of hard core fans gets me excited...its hard not to feed off of there ever glowing excitement.

As soon as Leto and the guys hit the stage to begin their performance shouts and screams from overly excited fans filled the boxy room and bellowed about. It was evident in their performance that the band is certainly one that feeds off the energy of their spectators. Leto's voice is unmistakably captivating and you can easily get lost in the overall unity and resonance of their music. The band made sure to play all their hits including some that you may not have expected to hear... They played extremely well and left their fans wanting more. I am definitely glad that I was able to see them.

*By Amanda who didn't know Jared was into Samari

Leto the Let Down

Here's a little secret we've never revealed. About a year ago, my friend Eryn, went to go shoot 30 Seconds to Mars and Aiden (barf, gag, ew). Planet Verge was the only publication graced with a photo pass that night, therefore, Eryn was the only photographer in the photo pit. During 30 Seconds to Mars' performance, there were some uncalled for actions by vocalist, Jared Leto. He not only spilled a bottle of water over Eryn's head and camera, but the tough gal that she is, Eryn continued her job and then Leto kicked her shoulder. On purpose. A few minutes later, he walked off stage for a second and then a security guard came over and asked Eryn to leave.


Now, if they didn't want photographers there, they shouldn't have allowed photo passes. And if Leto was going to kick her out, why didn't he do that BEFORE he basically harrassed her? Totally unnecessary roughness. He sucks. He broke our hearts. And when we told his publicist about this, she said she would look into it and doubted it was all on purpose.

But alas, read the New York Post today (pg. 11) and the headline "Leto looney at Sundance." Seems this pretty boy really doesn't like getting his picture taken. But dude, don't take it out on the people (this time a photographer from WireImage) who are just doing their job!

I can't say Jared is a total jerk, though. When I met him at another show after that, he was very nice and asked a lot of questions about Planet Verge. He even hugged my boyfriend. And a few months ago, Eryn was introduced to him backstage at a concert and he was quite cordial. Would've been funny if she told him what he did to her, though.

I wonder if he beats up camera men when he is filming movies? lol

*Love,
Joelle, who was a fan of 30 Seconds to Mars since Day ONE, thankyouverymuch