Jared Leto rocks on

November 12, 6:12 PMMusic ExaminerLinda Laban

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30 Seconds to Mars, Jared Leto, center

Actor-rocker Jared Leto’s band 30 Seconds To Mars was big news at the recent MTV Europe Music Awards. The band won two trophies during the live broadcast from the Echo Arena on Nov. 6th in Liverpool, England.  Guests at the awards included Sir Paul McCartney, Bono, Kanye West, and Kid Rock.

Yet, the band hasn’t put out a record since album 2005's “A Beautiful Lie.” And perhaps might not be doing for some time. In August, Virgin/EMI filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against the band, seeking damages in excess of $30 million. According to a press release, 30 Seconds To Mars responded that they are being sued by the corporation quite simply because they exercised their legal right to terminate their old, out-of-date contract, which, according to the law, is null and void. Read the band's full response to the lawsuit, here.

30 Seconds has stretched out its “Beautiful Lie” world tour and recently gained renewed attention for a groundbreaking topical video for the title track. It featured the band voyaging to Greenland to raise awareness of global warming.  Nodding at Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth,” perhaps, Leto and co. built an environmentally concerned non-profit web site, abeautifullie.org.  

Leto (“Requiem for a Dream,” “Alexander”) took time off from his successful acting career to concentrate on 30 Seconds To Mars, which also includes his brother Shannon on drums. In 2002, 30 Seconds to Mars released its successful self-titled debut album. Though the platinum-selling “A Beautiful Lie” came off like a slick modern rock set du jour, the band’s live performances proved it capable of much more interesting music. 

Currently, Leto is said to be back in Hollywood, recording new songs for an album the band plans to put out themselves.  His latest movie, “Mr. Nobody,” is in post-production and due for release in 2009.