Courtesy

Even though its lead singer adheres to a pretty clean lifestyle and its name was taken from a famed author of children's books, neither of which exactly screams “badass,” Silverstein has somehow managed to find success among a young, sometimes base fan. Silverstein, its name taken from children's author Shel Silverstein, saw its last album, July's Arrivals and Departures, debut at No. 25 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart with about 27,000 copies sold in its first week.

Why did Silverstein take its name from a children's author?
Seven years ago, we started the band, and we were practicing in (guitarist Josh Bradford's) basement. It's a typical basement with books lying around. We didn't have any lyrics. So we would just sing out of whatever books were lying around, National Geographic, whatever. One time, I picked up a book from Shel Silverstein, who had just passed away at the time. We talked about how he was also a writer for Playboy and an activist for the legalization of marijuana. We didn't have a band name yet, and it was of those dumb moments where you're sitting around looking for some sort of inspiration to call your band something. We looked at the floor, saw a Silverstein book, and just went with it.

What do you most respect — Silverstein's authoring of children's books or his work for Playboy and trying to get marijuana legalized?
I think his work with writing children's books because that's what he's most known for. Other things in life tarnished the reputation for what he was known. In a lot of ways, they were not exactly your politically correct types of things. I'm not a pot-smoker or a porn addict, but I don't think those things are all that bad. There is a place in our society for those things. You can see the importance of children, and you can also write for Playboy and condone smoking marijuana.

You're the lead singer of a young rock band, and you don't smoke marijuana?
It was never really something I was into and never something I wanted to be a part of my life. At an early age, I saw people in high school and middle school already smoking pot, and it was all they talked about and all they wanted to do. I've seen people get dumb and seen smart people lose motivation and get dumb. I never wanted that, so I never did it. Two other guys in the band are straight-edge, and there are some that party like it's 1999. We have a wide variety of lifestyles.

What is your favorite children's book?
“The Giving Tree.” It's not even a kid's book. If you're ever in a bookstore, you can flip by and read the whole story and it puts a tear in your eye. It's very smart, and at the same time, it's very cute and tells a deep, meaningful story.

Did you ever think you'd have a song covered on “American Idol” (a contestant sang “Smashed Into Pieces” during Season 5 preliminaries)?
I definitely took it as a compliment. That kid (in the audition portion of the show) went on there because he wanted to scream on “American Idol” and make a statement. He wasn't trying to win. He wanted to be that guy. Of all the bands in the world that scream, for him to pick our band, I definitely took that as a compliment.

I read that Metallica's “black album” inspired you to begin writing music. Do you still like Metallica?
Well, I'm a little disappointed in the direction they've taken since that album. That last record (St. Anger) was so bad.

You're a vegan. Is that because you want to live healthy or because you want to save animals?
I'm more into that because I believe that I can be just as healthy, if not healthier, than a person who eats meat. At the same time, I'm not harming any other creatures and not contributing to all the other problems the meat industry creates. I feel great, healthy and everything.

Clint Hale | 210SA