EXCLUSIVE: Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn on Camp Vegas and Road Life

Neon Trees is not your average rock band. The group is comprised of four Mormons from Utah who keep it clean backstage – no partying. The lone woman in the group isn’t the lead singer – Elaine Bradley is on drums. And yes, the song “Animal” may have just topped the alternative charts, but lead singer Tyler Glenn says the group doesn’t have the audacity to start making ridiculous demands.

“The help with the song and the song on the campaign was more than we could ask for,” Glenn said on “The Ralphie Radio Show” in reference to commercials for Las Vegas tourism featuring the band’s hit single. “I don’t think any of us have the balls to like try and actually say, ‘Hey, can I stay here for free?’”

Download the interview


The modest and humble roots might be a nod to their religion. Glenn dismisses any idea that it’s difficult to tour with a rock band and stay clean.

“I don’t think it’s the days of Guns ‘N Roses anymore, so I don’t know, I think you kind of have a choice,” the lead singer said. “The hair metal peer pressure isn’t there as much.”

But don’t be fooled, just because the band doesn’t party now, doesn’t mean they don’t have any experience to draw back on – Glenn admits that the group drew on their past ways for some of songs on the album, Habits.

“A lot of the subject matter on our album is from that, and experiences we’ve had, and ‘sins of our youth,’” he revealed. “I think we use it to influence our art and our music.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.