Rock group Neon Trees hit number one on the alternative chart with its song "Animal.' Talking to Tyler Glenn the lead singer was treat as we discussed '80s music, religion and Glee.
Windy City Times: Hi, Tyler. So you started the whole group of Neon Trees?
Tyler Glenn: Yes, about five years ago.
Windy City Times: Where are you all from?
Tyler Glenn: I am from San Diego. We are from all over the place. Brandon is from Las Vegas, Elaine is from Chicago, Chris is from there as well; we all met in Utah randomly.
Windy City Times: The group is named after In-N-Out Burger's neon sign?
Tyler Glenn: Me and my friends in high school used to hang out at In-N-Out. There was one particular one where I grew up. This one had a neon palm tree light. We were just joking around and thinking Neon Palm Trees would be a cool band name. Later on when we needed name for this band this just fit the aesthetic and look for it.
Windy City Times: How do you feel about the song "Animal" being on Glee?
Tyler Glenn: I think it is cool. Glee brings back a focus to the arts in a clever way. I was a choir kid in school. I was outside the popular group. I am glad that it's there for younger kids. I think it is hilarious. I don't get to watch it as much as I want to but I am glad they covered our song.
Windy City Times: "Animal" is not an easy song to sing. It has a big range.
Tyler Glenn: It definitely does, yeah.
Windy City Times: You did one of the remixes yourself on the EP single?
Tyler Glenn: Yes, that was one of my very first times doing a remix. I went for more of the New Order approach to the song.
Windy City Times: Are you into '80s music?
Tyler Glenn: Yes, that was the music that really helped me find my voice and my look. It is the kind of music that I like. I think the music I grew up with was classic rock or punk. I liked music that had an edge and melody. I loved pop-art bands with that quality to them in the era of '80s and '90s.
Windy City Times: Like Depeche Mode…
Tyler Glenn: Depeche Mode, The Smiths, INXS, Spandau Ballet...
Windy City Times: Some of those guys are still touring.
Tyler Glenn: I think for groups like Duran Duran there is a sense of nostalgia to them. People that grew up in the eighties don't want to forget about them. I don't know if that is a direct reason why we have found success is because a lot of people of that age have found that quality in our live performances.
Windy City Times: Duran Duran just played Chicago recently.
Tyler Glenn: Oh, cool. We saw them play at [the music festival] Coachella when we played there this past summer.
Windy City Times: You just played in Chicago with My Chemical Romance, correct?
Tyler Glenn: Yes, it was our second time at the Aragon. It was amazing. I loved opening for that band, first of all. The people and music was really cool.
Windy City Times: Chicago crowds are good. Now you get to headline your own tour. The band has performed covers of Fleetwood Mac and Hall & Oates as well.
Tyler Glenn: We were invited to Daryl Hall's house to film his web series. They choose some songs of ours that they wanted to cover and then chose some of their old songs, songs that we like to hear. It was an excuse to sing and be musical.
Windy City Times: Are there covers that you want to do but haven't done yet?
Tyler Glenn: I would love to do "Search and Destroy." I think "Shake to the Beat" by Depeche Mode would be a crazy cover. I am really into the new Adele song. It has such passion. I love soul music like Little Richard and Tina Turner. So things like that would be great to cover. There are plenty of new songs that I would live to sing but I am glad that our music is being embraced.
Windy City Times: Neon Trees seems to attract a wide range of fans, both young and old.
Tyler Glenn: We get all ages at our shows and all kinds of backgrounds. It's weird because I wonder if they know who they are watching. I am this dorky, awkward and overly artistic guy dancing onstage. But they seem to love it and sing along. It makes me feel good because I sound like I am at home on this stage in front of these people. It has made my life better.
Windy City Times: Were you or the other guys raised very strictly?
Tyler Glenn: We all were. I don't know if "strict" is the word but we were all brought up in the Latter-day Saints church. My parents always encouraged me to question and figure things out for myself. I think because the family I was raised in I was brought up happy. I know I was really glad that I was brought up in this religious environment because a lot of my friends felt a little aimless. At the same token I can see how it can be oppressive for people to feel brought down and not able to be themselves. For me I loved my childhood and my upbringing for sure.
Windy City Times: Looking forward to seeing the crowds there at the show.
Tyler Glenn: We are very excited.
Neon Trees jam at House of Blues, 329 North Dearborn Wed., June 8. For tickets, visit www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/chicago. For more of the Surrender tour visit www.fameisdead.com .