"Music is our life." Those are the four simple words behind fast-rising rock ensemble The Juliana Theory. Coming together nearly six years ago in Pennsylvania, these five incredible musicians never imagined they would encounter the level of critical and popular success they currently enjoy.

Through brilliantly layered guitars, bass, and drums, The Juliana Theory fashions a musical style uniquely its own. Edgy grooves are brightly painted over by the melodic and intense vocal stylings of frontman Brett Detar, whose seductive, smart, personal lyrics entice you into their world. Already, The Juliana Theory--which also includes Joshua Fiedler, Joshua Kosker, Chad Alan, and Josh Walters--has produced one EP and three full-length albums. The group's first project, Understand This Is a Dream, was released in March 1999 on Seattle-based Tooth & Nail Records. In August 2000, Emotion Is Dead hit music-store shelves, followed by the EP Music From Another Room (Alan's personal favorite) in October 2001. The overwhelming commercial success of Emotion rewarded these hardworking East Coasters with a myriad of opportunities to sign with high-profile record labels--any artist's dream--but it was Sony-owned Epic Records that The Juliana Theory chose to work with on its highly anticipated, most recent record, Love, released in February 2003.

The group's sound is a motley mix of each member's various musical tastes. Influences range from classic tracks by The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix to the newer sounds of Fugazi, Vendetta Red, and even U2. "[Bono is] an amazing singer and front man," remarks Detar. "He's an activist, he's the whole package--he's great." These five very personal preferences melt together in the studio to create music that is definitely one of a kind. Always looking for new sources of inspiration, Alan notes that it's important to be open-minded. "There is a lot of good music to be heard," he adds.

Dedication, passion, and perseverance are the attributes that define The Juliana Theory best. Recording and touring require different mindsets, Alan notes, and the guys have been doing both consistently since their earliest days. Recently, the group toured with The Ataris, Further Seems Forever, Something Corporate, Coheed & Cambria, Unwritten Law, and Evanescence. They play more than 200 shows per year, worldwide, which can mean long days and weeks on the road. But this nonstop schedule also provides an irreplaceable forum for the band to connect with their fan base. "We feed off the energy of the crowd," says Alan. Fans are important to them, and the group feels a strong sense of loyalty to their supporters. In fact, The Juliana Theory has made it a custom to meet as many fans as they can after each show.

Love has currently sold more than 60,000 copies and is garnering tremendous support both in the United States and abroad. "We are glad that [the album is] out and seeing the light of day," comments a modest Detar. Humble as these guys are, they're still in the process of waking up from their longtime dream of musical success to see that it's now their reality. In the face of growing media attention, the band members remain faithful to both their music and their listeners. The Juliana Theory is always aware of and thankful for its background and beginnings, giving the members and the music a healthy perspective. "We try not to get caught up in [the glamour]," explains Alan. "We are going to do this whether or not we have the backing of major labels."