"Music
is a language," says 30 Seconds To Mars drummer Shannon Leto, "and I
grew up with that
language. I haven't had any schooling whatsoever, but
because I grew up with music all around me, I just got it. Our
music
may sound technical, but it's all done through feeling and emotion."
The emotional playing that pours through
on the band's self-titled
debut started during pre-production. "We had to feel each song live,"
Leto says, "so we
massaged the songs quite a bit, and it was definitely
an important factor. As soon as we went into the recording process,
I
had the songs down. Then I could add things that would come off the top
of my head."
To get Leto's drum tracks
to cut through the multiple layers of guitars
and sound-design effects, his kit was tuned very high. "All the guitars
were
EQ'd really low," Leto says, "so my tracks cut through a lot
better with a higher tuning." As for equipment, Leto plays
Sonor drums
with Remo Pinstripe heads and Sabian cymbals. He used a trio of snares
in the studio, including a Ludwig Black
Beauty, a Noble & Cooley,
and a vintage Ludwig. Leto also plays two 20" bass drums. ("I like the
tones of two different
drums," he explains.)
