LOS ANGELES (Reuters Life!) – It might not always be easy being associated with one of world’s best-known teenagers, Miley Cyrus, but it can have its perks such as a quick path to fame — as U.S. band Metro Station has found out. The co-founders of the band are Cyrus’ half-brother Trace Cyrus, 20, and Mason Musso, 20, the brother of Mitchel Musso, who stars with the 16-year-old pop idol in the hit Disney TV series “Hannah Montana” about a secret schoolgirl rock star.The heavily-tattooed Trace Cyrus and Mason Musso met on the set of the TV show. They formed Metro Station in 2006, with Musso as lead singer and rhythm guitar, Cyrus on vocals and lead guitar, and adding drummer Anthony Improgo and keyboardist Blake Healy. Metro Station released their self-titled debut album in September 2007 with their best known single “Shake It,” and toured with numerous bands. They are currently on tour with Miley Cyrus. Musso spoke to Reuters about the band, fame and success.

Q: It is hard to get away from being linked to Miley Cyrus?

A: “We are not trying to get away from it but we do want to establish ourselves as our own band.”

Q: Do you think it has helped get you established quicker and opened doors for the band?

A: “Absolutely. Our siblings have been nothing but supportive but that is something that we needed. At the same time we have done this ourselves. We are Metro Station and we have nothing to do with Hannah Montana.”

Q: Has it been hard work to get where you are now?

A: “It is a lot of work. Two years ago we were traveling around in a 15 passenger Ford van and now we are playing in front of 20,000 kids every night. I remember the night our record was released and we were playing in a small bar to three people.”

Q: Apart from your siblings, what helped you succeed?

A: “We had a lot of support from our label (Columbia) and our management. We just kept focused and stayed on the road.”

Q: When does the tour end and what next?

A: “I believe it is over on December 28. Then we are going to cut another record. It has been two years since our first record was released. We are ready to do some new songs. We are going into the studio right after we are done with this tour and will make another record, hopefully to come out next summer.”

Q: Do you have much new material?

A: “We are always writing. I have a bunch of stuff. But it is a case of us getting together when we don’t have the stress of the road. It is harder to write on the road than when you are home … but we have a new song “Japanese Girl” that isn’t on the record and we have been playing if on the Miley Cyrus concert.”

Q: Do you think your sound will change much on the new album?

A: “I would say you will hear some growth. When Trace and I made the first record Trace and I were 17 or 18 and now we are both 20 and we’ve gone through a lot with the life we now have and being on the road constantly. It is definitely Metro Station but it is a little darker.”

(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Patricia Reaney)