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The Mars Volta

  • 3,447,542 plays
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  • 4,092 FAVS
  • 489 fans

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biography

Picking up the pieces from At the Drive-In, Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez formed the Mars Volta and wasted little time branching out into elements of hardcore, psychedelic rock, and free jazz that expanded on the boundaries of their previous work. Although their previous band's demise ultimately arrived before they were able to truly capitalize on their mounting commercial triumphs, the Mars Volta immediately impressed with their willingness to eschew conventional logic and push themselves into new artistic directions instead of opting for the more marketable sounds. (Interestingly, their progressive yet streamlined approach gave them the early lead among critics against their former bandmates in Sparta, the more emo-leaning of the bands resulting from the split.) Bixler-Zavala and Rodriguez-Lopez enlisted friends Ikie Owens (also of the Long Beach Dub Allstars) and Jeremy Michael Ward, and the Mars Volta debuted with the EP Tremulant in 2002. Still, as much of their reputation was built on the strength of their live show, their highly energetic performances resulted in a wave of word-of-mouth hype that elevated the band to near-mythic proportions because so little of their recorded material was available to the public. Sadly, Ward passed away May 25, 2003, from an apparent drug overdose at the age of 27. The Mars Volta had recently returned from an European tour supporting the Red Hot Chili Peppers, where they introduced brand-new tracks from the full-length De-Loused in the Comatorium, which was released via Universal the following June.

The band returned in early 2005 with their second full-length, the ambitious song cycle Frances the Mute. (They also issued the live set Scab Dates later that year.) Leading up to the release of third album Amputechture in September 2006, drummer Jon Theodore quit and was replaced by Blake Fleming (who had played on early Mars Volta demos). The album also featured an expanded role for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante. Less than a year later, in late 2007, the new single "Wax Simulacra" paved the way for the fourth Mars Volta album, The Bedlam in Goliath, which debuted at number three on the American albums chart. Less than two years later, the band had prepared their follow-up, a slightly quieter outing titled Octahedron that became their debut for Warner Bros. Rodriguez-Lopez has also recorded multiple times, producing more than a half-dozen albums within the span of as many years. ~ Matt Fink, All Music Guide

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      • What can I say?

      • As someone who has had a stringed instrument in my hand since age 4, spent many years being trained as a classical musician, done regional tours in rock bands and listened to about every type of music there is, I will say this about The Mars Volta: They rock! Cedric is a bit over-the-top in his live performances and that can distract you from the complexity of the music, but I would still encourage anyone to see them live. Not many bands can pull off their level of musicianship on a recording, let alone exceed it in person.  Their style(s) is/are not for a casual listener. However, if you are a real music lover or a musician yourself, you're sure to enjoy this band. You may not like them at first, but they will surely grow on you:)
        Enjoy!
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      • Audio Perfection

      • I have been listening to the The Mars Volta since the ATDI split and have never looked back.  Seen them on every tour and they keep getting better saw them at the Congress Theater in Chicago actually four days ago and it was the best yet.  TMV will always be there for the music and fans, oh yeah and Omar is the next guitar legend...
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      • THE great wonder of the world

      • I could never put into words the amount of pleasure that I get from watching these guys live.  I've caught 4 of their Chicago shows in the last 6 years, and each one is better than the one before it.  Omar and Cedric are true masters of their art and their genius is awe inspiring.
      • 2 out of 2 people
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      • a messege to all TMV fans

      • first of all add me if your a tmv fan right now. Secondly tmv is the most diverse band know to mankind. if you havent seen this band live yet, do it and its an order if you love music in any way.  Octahedron is amazing as is alll of The Volta's albums. Cedric and Omar rule the world period TMV 4TW!!!!!!!
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      • !

      • I lost my virginity to the jam session about 4:35 into Cygnus...Vismund....Cygnus. nuff said.
      • 1 out of 2 people
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