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Online Special: Bringing down the detractors with Third Eye Blind

As the band members of Third Eye Blind know all too well, a new hit album, a sold-out tour and continuous radio play only provides fuel to the ever-burning fire lit by popular music critics.

Still, Third Eye Blind bass player Arian Salazar said the negative vibe has not dimmed the band's expectations for their sophomore album or their current tour.

"I don't care about the detractors anymore - in fact I don't give a shit about critics in general," he said. "My expectations are that we are going to rock the asses off a lot of people."

Salazar added that the tour, which includes a March 11 stop in Phoenix at Union Hall, 600 E. Van Buren St., will showcase some new songs and new sounds.

"We've got a fresh, dynamic vibe," he said. "It'll take a lot of time. Some of the songs we're playing we're still learning"

Salazar, who co-produced the band's second album, Blue, said the radio-friendly melody and catchy lyrics that define their music often invites criticism.

"It's got something to do with the amount of radio play. The air waves get saturated with Third Eye Blind songs," he said. "It seems that some people feel that they have to rebel against the idea."

"I think it's human instinct to dog something that is popular," he added.

Some critics have said the band is a commercialized rock entity created for nothing more than industry profit.

Salazar disagreed with the characterization, adding that the band plays music for the sake of music, not for money.

"That's not why we do music," he said. "We're looking to move beyond the stereotypical rock-sound band."

While Third Eye Blind has plenty of critics, they also have a lot of fans. This has caused a discrepancy between the band's profits and their musical drive.

Their self-titled first album has sold over four million copies - yet never broke into the Billboard top 20.

Salazar said this is indicative of both the band's hard touring as well as their decision not to play profit-directed music.

"It shows that our appeal is not as instantly accessible to the masses," he said. "It took us over two years of touring to sell those albums."

"I have no idea what it means about our place in the recording industry. It tells me that we have a grassroots foundation," he added.

Still, the band has stirred up controversy in the past with other performers like Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) and Edward Kowalczyk (Live).

Last month, the band invited even more criticism when it sacked guitarist Kevin Cadogan, who wrote 10 of the 14 songs on their multi-platinum first release.

Salazar said he could not elaborate on the departure, only that it is part of the music business and nothing more.

"Let's just say that we have parted ways," he said of Cadogan. "It's something that happens. We all wish him well. He's a great guy and a great player."

In the end, Salazar said the band is prepared for its detractors as it continues on the tour - beginning on March 1 in Santa Barbara, Calif.