Maroon 5: Overexposure is a plus

Maroon 5 lead guitarist James Valentine thinks the band is overexposed.  Frontman Adam Levine's face is everywhere -- from TV to billboards.  The pop-rock band’s hits are aired multiple times.

But James believes such overexposure worked in Maroon 5’s favor. The band’s album, “Overexposed”, which includes “Moves Like Jagger,” its biggest hit to date and “Payphone,” earned worldwide success.

"The title came about at the time when Adam's face in the US was everywhere because of the new season of "The Voice." And you just couldn't get away from his face. It's on the buses, everywhere. At that time, we were definitely very overexposed," James told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! and some members of the press in a group interview at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where the band had a sold-out concert  on Tuesday, September 18.

Danger of overstaying

"I think now, having the success of the new record means some of the songs get a bit overexposed, which is good for us. (But) You're always in danger of overstaying," James added.

"Moves Like Jagger" is the  band's first top ten song in the US since "Makes Me Wonder" in 2007. "Payphone," on the other hand, reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The band also won People's Choice Awards' Favorite Band this year.

Maroon 5's success comes as "a total surprise" for James.

“My main goal was just to make a living. Everything else that happened was a total surprise. Mickey and Adam and others have been playing together since they were 13. And I was 20 in year 2000.  For the very first time I heard Adam open his mouth to sing, I was like, "This guy can do so well," James added.

He also revealed that keyboardist and backing vocals Jesse Carmichael won’t stay in hiatus for long.

"He's absolutely coming back. We've been touring and recording intensely since 2001 and it was pretty exhausting. We worked it out and Jesse's (like), "I'm just gonna sit this record out and come back," James revealed.

He also shared his inspiring experience with Filipino cancer patient Carlo Santiago, whom he met in a Los Angeles charity. Although Carlo passed away due to cancer, James said the band always thinks of him, especially during shows.

"We get involved with a charity in Los Angeles. We teach them lessons and that's where I met Carlo. He's one of our most amazing students. he's really talented as well.”