While Neon Trees were in New York shooting the video, we managed to corral ‘em just long enough to answer our burning questions about the single, the video, and their own dirty Habits.

Tell us about the meaning behind the single “Animal.”

I’m a masochist in love, and some how am shocked when there is no pain. I am not very nice to myself in when I’m in a relationship. I also observe a lot of my friends when they are starting out they all seem like predators or animals, and so I took all these dark elements and put them in a pop song.

Did you know right away this was going to be the lead single?

I think so; I think it just felt like something that sounded like a single. We have a lot of songs, I think all of them actually, that have great hooks and melodies because that is something we aspire to do with Neon Tree’s music, give credibility back to pop/rock. I think there are other great singles on the record, Animal is a great introduction.

The original video for “Animal” is a great intro to the band, so what was the reason for shooting a second version?

The original was always meant to be a viral video. Something that had the feel of a documentary/in the moment vibe. Something that is quite important to us as a band is art and aesthetic and we wanted to make something visually rad for the official vid. I think people will love it and it will have more of the vibe of what are live is, a little more visceral, a little more artistic, but still quite tongue and cheek.

There are obviously going to be comparisons to bands like the Killers but your sound goes far beyond that. What would call your genre?

Post Punk Soul, if we had to make a genre up. Maybe Post Punk soul pop, it has the energy of punk music, the decadence of new wave, the soul of old r&b and soul music, and the pop of great pop bands of the past.

‘Fess up: Your album is called Habits, so, what’s the worst habit that each of has broken or still has to break?

Tyler – I quit the bad habit of eating meat
Chris – I have an insatiable sweet tooth, and I don’t want to get diabetes
Branden – Red Bull and Oxycontin
Elaine – Speaking out in class. I broke that habit in 6th grade

Bonus: Life Unexpected fans, listen closely next week!  Neon Trees’ track “1983″ will be featured in the March 15th episode of the CW hit drama.

Yes, we’ll admit it, that’s pretty much what happened when we had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Castro last year.  We’ve been fans of the singer/songwriter since his days on Idol, so now we’re beyond excited that he took the time to answer some questions for PopAwesome.

We were especially interested to find out the worst rumor he’s heard about himself and whose style he digs.  Jason really surprised us and shared a lot of interesting info about himself.

Some of his answers are so sweet that you’re going to have a silly grin slapped on your face for the rest of the day. Check out Jason’s endearing responses below and get pumped for his debut album coming soon!

The song you’re most proud of…

“It Matters To Me.”  It was the last song I wrote for the album and it almost didn’t happen. Even after I wrote it, we almost didn’t record it.  I feel like it was the little song that could!  Fighting for itself the whole way, and in the end, it turned out to be one of the most special tracks.

Best concert you’ve ever been to…

Jason Mraz last summer at the Greek.  He is so amazing, and the show is just a blast! Next on my list is John Mayer… and I’m dying to see Tom Petty… I’m pretty sure that would the best concert EVER!

Your favorite thing to do on a rainy day is…

Snuggle on the couch and watch movies all day!

The album you’ve got on repeat…

Tom Petty’s Greatest Hits

What movie could you watch a thousand times?

Gladiator

Fav beauty product in your repertoire?

Water… *laughs*

What TV show can you not stand to miss?

LOST; I’m currently going through all 5 seasons of Lost because I missed an episode in the first season and could not stand to see another episode until I saw the last one… obviously I got waaaay behind.  *laughs*

We know you just got married – but you must have a celebrity crush…

I’ve got a big crush on my wife… I mean so big that no one can compare.  Seriously.

Whose style do you love?

I love the style of the Oceans 11 crew… especially Brad Pitt.  Those collars and jackets where so cool!!! If I ever cut my hair that’s how I’m going to dress.  *laughs*

One thing you can’t live without?

Water… not only because its a necessity for life but also because I drink like 5 gallons a day! I barely drink anything else.

Best/worst rumor you’ve heard about yourself…

Worst rumor I hear is that I smoke pot.  I don’t use drugs, I really am this laid back.  Life is goooood.

Craziest thing you’ve ever done to impress a guy/girl…

In elementary school, I was racing a girl back to class after recess and thought that beating her would impress her.  She was ahead of me so I grabbed her arm to slow her down and accidentally threw her to the ground… that is NOT the way to impress a girl.

What are you most excited for this year?

Releasing my album!!! I have been working on it for the last 2 years and this is the year! Along with releasing the album I also look forward to touring and singing my songs every night!

One gift you are wishing for this year?

I’d like the biggest iPod there is…

Best holiday gift you have ever received?

A Commodore 64 when I was 12.

Re-gifting… Cool or Not Cool?

Not cool

Best Holiday song (cover or original)?

Do they know its Xmas? Band Aid

Favorite Holiday movie?

Charlie and The Chocolate Factory.

Now, on to some questions about 2009 and the New Year...

Best Album of 2009?

Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid

Breakout Star of 2009?

Elbow

Worst Album of 2009?

Not sure.

Most anticipated album of 2010?

Our own.

How will you be spending New Years Eve?

With family.

New Year’s resolution?

Less intake of food and drink!

One gift you are wishing for this year?

Just quality time with my friends and fam. I’m hard to shop for.

Best holiday gift you have ever received?

A calling card when I was broke and my girlfriend at the time was in Australia

Re-gifting… Cool or Not Cool?

Lol totally cool! As long as the person doesn’t know

Best Holiday song (cover or original)?

Mariah Carey’s whole Christmas album

Favorite Holiday movie?

Elf

Check out Carly’s “Most Awesome” stuff below and be sure to grab her new album Back To The Beginning by clicking here.

WHAT IS THE MOST AWESOME…

Song you’ve ever written? “Here I Am” (Carly co-wrote it)

Recipe you know by heart? Bread Pudding!

Concert you’ve ever been to? Avril Lavigne

Date you’ve ever been on? Haven’t been on that awesome of a date to tell about!

Website you visit each day? Twitter

Thing to do on a rainy day? Snuggle up on the couch and watch movies all day

CD in your car? I always have my ipod wherever I go

Item of clothing in your closet? My new Gladiator heels!

City you’ve ever visited? New York

Movie you could watch a thousand times? Anything with Will Ferrell

Karaoke song? Probably a Britney Spears song

Beauty product in your makeup bag? Mascara and lip gloss

Event in your life this year? Making the “Time To Wake Up” video!

What is the MOST AWESOME…

Song you’ve ever written? “Radio Song”

Recipe you know by heart? Scrambled eggs

Concert you’ve ever been to? Coldplay

Date you’ve ever been on? I took this girl to a classy restaurant and surprised her by playing songs from her favorite movie on the place’s grand piano. I got to swoon her AND impress the restaurant all at once. And that’s just awesome.

Website you visit each day? fmylife.com

Thing to do on a rainy day? Rainy days are best spent inside watching movies with a girl you fancy.

CD in your car? Circus by Britney Spears

Item of clothing in your closet? Low cut Diesel v-neck. It’s a total rockstar shirt.

City you’ve ever visited? Los Angeles. We wrote and recorded the entire record in LA. I love that city.

Movie you could watch a thousand times? Snatch

Karaoke song? Spice Girls – Wannabe

Beauty product in your repertoire? Hair straightener

Event in your life this year? Seeing my little sister in the ballet.

Being a new band from Germany and given both your look and your sound there are obvious similarities to Tokio Hotel. How do you deal, as a band, with the constant comparisons? What separates you from Tokio Hotel?

The only thing that we really do have in common is that we are two successful bands from Germany with and extraordinary style traveling around the world. I really think that anyone who finds our music sounds similar must be deaf. But I just don’t deal with the comparisons at all because we are doing our own thing and have our own identity.

Your first big tour in the United States was with Lady Gaga who is arguably at the top of the pop food chain right now. Where does Cinema Bizarre go from there with another tour?

Currently we are working on own European “WE’RE ALL TOYZ”-Tour. We are also planning another trip to the US this summer and for sure we also want to come back to play more concerts and a full US tour. GaGa was very supportive and it was a great oppurtunity to go on tour with her.

It was just announced that your album Bang will be coming out in the United States on August 25^th. Can you tell us a bit about what fans have to look forward to? How will this release differ from past albums in Germany?

In Europe we are releasing the second album but we don’t want the US to miss the first one. So we decided to make a mix up of the two European albums. But there will also be some tracks that we worked on just for the US market. “BANG!” is goin to be a firework of glitter, melancholy and power. It’s just goin to be bang!

Each member of the band has a very unique look and it seems as if androgyny is a theme. Is this a true statement?

I have always been very androgynous. If you look at pictures from my childhood I already have been lookin different than other kids. At least they made me feel different. I was a misfit and they forced me to think about the way I am. I just don’t want to be restricted by what I do by rules that are from another time. Why shouldn’t a guy be wearing make up? I don’t know who makes that rules and I don’t care about those either.

What’s the best hair and makeup advice you could give one of your fans?

I’m not the guy to give anyone an advice how they should look like. Just feel comfortable with what you do. The only way to get happy is being you.

If you had to pick one person to date and one person to dump who would be which from Twilight’s Robert Pattinson or Jonas Brother’s Nick Jonas. Same question for Megan Fox or Miley Cyrus.

I’d dump Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus.

What’s next for Cinema Bizarre in the U.S.?

It’ll make bang and get bizarre!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_oaMY41XM[/youtube]

We had an opportunity to catch up with Michael and we couldn’t let him go without hitting him with our Awesome interview… check out what he had to say below and pick up your copy of Hold Back My Heart tomorrow, or now on Amazon.com.

The Most Awesome…

Song you’ve ever written? “This is Goodbye” off my new album. It just was as pure as pure songwriting can be. It really came out of the sky and I could not believe I had a hand in it.

Recipe you know by heart? My recipe for my world famous lasagna; trust me it rocks!

Concert you’ve ever been to? Hard to say but… Paul McCartney, Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen

Date you’ve ever been on? Hmm, I would say my date that turned into marriage in Vegas we kinda were on cloud 9 and said screw it lets do it haha

Website you visit each day? WWTDD the best ever! Whoever writes this is a comic genius

Thing to do on a rainy day? Sleep or watch bad movies

CD in your car? Kings of Leon right now

Item of clothing in your closet? Always a white V neck  T-shirt

City you’ve ever visited? New York! Let’s be honest if you can’t find everything you want here then you’ve got a problem

Movie you could watch a thousand times? BraveHeart

Karaoke song? “Shook Me All Night Long” by ACDC

Beauty product in your repertoire? Moisturizer. Come on guys get with the program!

Event in your life this year? Actually having a copy of my new record Hold Back My Heart in my hands. Really a dream come true.

Tina Parol

Another little known fact about our girl Tina, in 2008 she lent her songwriting talents to the likes of Britney Spears with the single ‘Rock Boy’, currently an international bonus track on Circus. With a killer mix of funky pop, rock and reggae cultivating her own sound, 2009 promises to see Tina Parol in full bloom.

Want to know even more about Tina? Well we sat down with her and asked her to answer our most Awesome Questionnaire… we were with her up until the point she said her fav website was Perez Hilton — we kid, we love Perez too, but where’s her PopAwesome love? Either way, check out what Ms. Tina had to say below…

The Most Awesome…

Song you’ve ever written?
“Who’s Got Your Money?” It’s bitchy and all about revenge but it’s also fun, and I hope, funny!

Recipe you know by heart?
Oh man…ready? Peanut butter, banana and nutella French toast.

Concert you’ve ever been to?
Green Day at Webster Hall.  They were taking audience requests.  It brought me back to the Dookie days of 2^nd Grade.

Date you’ve ever been on?
Burger joint at Le Parker Meridian Hotel here in NYC.  Red meat is the way to my heart.

Website you visit each day?
Perez Hilton.com

Thing to do on a rainy day?
Write a hit song.  Duh.

CD in your car?
Kings of Leon – Only By The Night…. They are an incredible band.

Item of clothing in your closet?
Black leather jacket by Marciano.  It’s all warn in and matches everything I own.

City you’ve ever visited?
I am a hardcore New Yorker, so I have to say before I answer this question that NYC is the best city on earth in my eyes, but I do enjoy Paris and London, too.

Movie you could watch a thousand times?
Spinal Tap, Steel Magnolias & The Nightmare Before Christmas.  How’s that for diversity?

Karaoke song?
Abba – “Dancing Queen.”  Best-Song-Ever! I freakin’ love Abba.

Beauty product in your repertoir?
I am obsessed with Boscia Skincare.  I swear by them.  Everything they have is amazing, but this one eye treatment is insane.  It’s called: Enlivening eye treatment.

Event in your life this year?
Hearing myself on the radio for the first time on KISS FM Dallas.  I was driving into Dallas for the first time and had the radio on.  My friend Billy the Kidd was DJing and announced “Here is a new one from Tina Parol called ‘Who’s Got Your Money!!!’”  I freaked out.  It was absolutely perfect.

We definitely had a lot of those feelings but i don’t think they were specifically tied to Howard or his body of work…we just put a lot of pressure on ourselves in general to make the best record that we could that would “stack up” against not only Howard’s previous works, but all of the great records out there that we love and grew up listening to
as well.

You’ve said that  you experienced the worst writer’s block of your life upon entering the  studio. How did you overcome that?

We actually went into the studio twice and most of the troubles we ran into in writing the record came after the first stint…we layed down about 7 instrumental tracks that had no lyrics and ultimately ended up scratching all but 2 as a result.  from there we really struggled with the idea that we “missed our chance” to make a great record full of great songs and that ultimately had a very negative effect on our ability to write.  we finally got to a point where we
just said “screw it, let’s write what we want to write and not what we think everyone else wants to hear”…from there the songs just starting pouring out of us.

Do you still hook  people up with free merch who bring non-perishables to your shows?

It happens much less frequently now, but we’ve still been know to make a trade here and there…ps – we LOVE chocolate chip cookies.

It seems like  every band out there is out to create a new genre. If you were to create your  own for Single File, what would it be called?

stupid-rad americana-core.

Are Legos, G.I.  Joes and Nintendo still integral parts of life and the band?

Nintendo is for sure, Legos and G.I. Joes not so much, haha…but we definitely whip out the NES and the SNES when we get together at home. Mario Kart and Super Spike Volleyball are two of our favorites…

Humor seems to  play a big role in Single File – does the humor help more on the road, in  front of an audience or in the studio?

I’d say it definitely helps more being in front of an audience…I think that when we’re having fun on stage, it makes it super easy for everyone else to have fun with us!

The poor guy on  the front of “Common Struggles” seems like he’s had a pretty bad day. Maybe  it’d make him smile if we knew his name!

Let us introduce you to Gart, the poster child for having a “case of the Mondays”, haha…

On your twitter  page (twitter.com/singlefile) you mentioned Jimmy John’s – if you’re talking  about the best subs in the world – then what do you get there?

I can’t actually say I’ve had Jimmy Johns to be perfectly honest, haha…I just see the commercials all the time – so stupid.  But when it comes to sandwiches, I think we can all agree on some type of Italian situation…pepperoni, salami, pepperjack, GO!  So delicious…

On your twitter  page you also have your bio as “The best damn rock ‘n roll band west of the  Mississippi.” If you’ve taken the crown for  that region, who takes it for the East of the Mississippi?

Gotta go with Valencia from Philly – we’re GREAT friends with those guys…they rock hard and put on an amazing live show – check ‘em out if you haven’t yet!

Nuggest vs Lakers  - who is winning and in how many games?

Nuggets in 7 for sure…can’t stand the Lake-show!  As far as the East, Magic in 5, then the Nuggets beat the Magic in 6 to become NBA Champions of the universe!

For more information on Single File visit www.SingleFileRock.com!