The Mars Volta

After their buzz band At the Drive-In broke up, Cedric Zavala and Omar Rodriguez formed the Mars Volta. Veering away from the sharp, loud rock of At the Drive-In, the Mars Volta instead explore hardcore, psychedelic rock of galactic proportions. Infused with elements of jazz and space-age music, the progressive band has pushed the boundaries of what is possible for rock artists. Bixler and Rodriguez drafted their friends and De Facto bandmates, keyboardist Isaiah Owens (Long Beach Dub All-Stars) and the late Jeremy Michael Ward. After Ward's untimely, sad passing, the band made the tough decision to add two new members ‚ Jon Theodore on drums and Juan Alderete on bass. Word about the band spread quickly. In keeping with their forward-thinking music, The Mars Volta take their songs to the next level in their notoriously spectacular live performances. With great music and an even greater live reputation, the band has had the chance to tour with such dynamic performers like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and have recently headlined their own national tour in support of their release, De-Loused in the Comatorium. Their album was inspired by and dedicated to a free-spirited artist friend of theirs who committed suicide in 1996. An exploration into a dark and frightening inner world, De-Loused in the Comatorium strives to capture the story of a man, slowly breaking down, crippled to the world. With evocative vocals and lyrics and music that trembles with fantasy and confusion, the Mars Volta have created an epic album that indicates their journey is only just beginning.

— Jin Moon


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