In a hangar-like sound studio in Hollywood, California, members of Linkin Park and Thirty Seconds to Mars were on hand Tuesday, March 4 to announce their upcoming North American 'Carnivores' tour (which will also be featuring AFI).

Representing LP were Mike Shinoda and Chester Bennington while newly-minted Oscar winner Jared Leto was on hand on behalf of his band, Thirty Seconds to Mars. After a brief video introduction, the three musicians casually came out on stage and took questions from both the press and fans (via video submission) for approximately 45 minutes.

In describing what inspired the pairing of these two bands, Shinoda explained, "When I listen to the radio, these days I'm kind of missing that visceral rock energy, so I felt like this would be a great moment for these three bands to get together."

He also described the fact that whenever Linkin Park asks their fans who they'd like to see on the road with them, that Thirty Seconds to Mars is a constant favorite. As for the inspiration behind the name of the tour, Shinoda said that he found the energy of a rock show in general to be something fierce, animalistic and ferocious, hence "Carnivores."

Bennington acknowledged that the band will also be sharing some new music imminently and that the tour will be a good chance to showcase some of their new work. The band later followed up on that statement by issuing the new single 'Guilty All the Same' with Rakim and making it available via iTunes.

Leto, who was about to hop a plane back to Europe to resume the current Thirty Seconds to Mars tour, was definitely the center of attention in view of his Oscar win several days earlier at the Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor. Though he focused primarily on the upcoming summer tour with Linkin Park, he did share that is Oscar statue already has a ding in it after getting bumped under the staircase at home.

In Leto's words, the Carnivores tour will be, "An orgy of art and music -- no pun intended." When asked for any advice he would give up-and-coming bands, he offered, "Just work, work and work -- and write, write and write." He then shared an anecdote after meeting Paul McCartney at the recent Grammy Awards whereby the former Beatle said essentially the same thing -- that careers are made by those that simply show up and understand that they have to work hard all the time, whether they feel inspired or not.

As far as any possibility of both bands sharing the stage on this upcoming run, Shinoda said that those things are typically spontaneous and happen in the moment. So while he can't predict anything at this point, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility.

Near the end of the press conference, Thirty Seconds to Mars drummer Shannon Leto hopped up on stage for a moment and then posed for some photos with the other three musicians.

This trek will surely be one of the biggest tours of the summer. Tickets are on sale now at this location.

Carnivores Tour with Linkin Park, Thirty Seconds To Mars & AFI

08/08 − West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre
08/09 − Tampa, FL @ Steinbrenner Field
08/12 − Charlotte, NC @ Verizon Wireless
08/13 − Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live
08/15 − Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
08/16 − Mansfield, MA @ Comcast Center
08/18 − Holmdale, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
08/19 − Wantagh, NY @ Jones Beach
08/21 − Buffalo, NY @ Darien Lake
08/23 − Montreal, QC @ Parc Jean Drepeau
08/24 − Toronto, ON @ Air Canada Center
08/26 − St. Paul, MN @ Minnesota St. Fair
08/27 − Winnipeg, SK @ MTS Center
08/29 − Chicago, IL @ First Midwest Bank Pavilion
08/30 − Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
09/06 − Houston, TX @ Cynthia Woods Pavilion
09/06 − Dallas, TX @ Geza Energy Pavilion
09/08 − Denver, CO @ Fiddler’s Green
09/10 − Phoenix, AZ @ US Airways Arena
09/11 − Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
09/13 − Quincy, WA @ The Gorge
09/15 − Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
09/16 − San Diego, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
09/18 − Sacramento, CA @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
09/19 − Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion

Linkin Park + Thirty Seconds to Mars at Carnivores Tour Press Conference

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Charles Epting for Loudwire
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Charles Epting for Loudwire
Charles Epting for Loudwire
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