Group

The Mars Volta

From: El Paso, United States
Since: 2001–present
Rating: ★ 4.65 (9 votes)
Releases: 91

progressive rock
art rock
rock
hard rock
neo-psychedelia
post-hardcore
alternative rock
experimental

About

The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band formed in 2001. The band's only constant members are Omar Rodríguez-López (guitar, producer, direction) and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals, lyrics), whose partnership forms the core of the band. The band's current line-up also includes founding member Eva Gardner (bass), Omar's brother Marcel Rodríguez-López (keyboards, synths, percussion), Leo Genovese (piano, keyboard, saxophone) and Linda-Philomène Tsoungui (drums).

Known for their energetic live shows and concept albums, The Mars Volta formed following the break-up of Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala's previous band, At the Drive-In. Seeking to experiment and expand their sound, Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala recruited Gardner, Isaiah "Ikey" Owens (keyboards), Jon Theodore (drums) and Jeremy Ward (sound manipulation) to form The Mars Volta. The band released their debut EP, Tremulant, in 2002, with Gardner leaving the band prior to recording their debut album, De-Loused in the Comatorium. She was replaced by Red Hot Chili Peppers' bass guitarist Flea for the sessions. The Rick Rubin-produced album received widespread critical acclaim upon its release in 2003.
The band's second studio album, Frances the Mute (2005), was self-produced by Rodríguez-López and was the first to feature longterm members Juan Alderete (bass) and Marcel Rodríguez-López. The album debuted at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 and became the band's biggest commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies in the US and achieving Gold certification from the RIAA. The band's third studio album, Amputechture, was released in 2006 and was the last album to feature Theodore. In 2008, the band released The Bedlam in Goliath, a concept album inspired by the band's turbulent experiences with a ouija-type talking board. The album's first single, "Wax Simulacra" was awarded a Grammy Award in 2009 for Best Hard Rock Performance. The band released its fifth album, Octahedron, in June 2009.
Following the release of their sixth album, Noctourniquet (2012), and a run of reunion shows with At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta entered a hiatus in September 2012. Rodríguez-López subsequently formed a new project, Bosnian Rainbows, and the band formally broke up in January 2013 amid disagreements between Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala. The duo repaired their friendship and reunited in 2014 for a new project, Antemasque, and further At the Drive-In tours and recording sessions.
Reuniting in secret in 2019, Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala recorded a new studio album, The Mars Volta, with Gardner, Marcel Rodríguez-López, and drummer Willy Rodriguez Quiñones. The band announced their reunion – after ten years of public inactivity – with an art installation called L'ytome Hodorxí Telesterion, in June 2022. For the band's live return, jazz pianist Leo Genovese, drummer Linda-Philomène Tsoungui and Josh Moreau were added to the line-up. The band's ninth album, Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacio, was released in April 2025.

From The Mars Volta on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Members

Eva Gardner 2001–2002, 2022–now · original member bass guitar
Cedric Bixler‐Zavala 2001–2013, 2022–now · original member lead vocals
Omar Rodríguez‐López 2001–2013, 2022–now · original member guitar
Marcel Rodriguez‐Lopez 2003–2010, 2005–2013, 2022–now percussion, keyboard, synthesizer
Willy Rodriguez Quiñones 2022–now drums (drum set)
Blake Fleming 2001–2001, 2006–2006 · former drums (drum set)
Jeremy Michael Ward 2001–2003 · original member · former effects
Jon Theodore 2001–2006 · original member · former drums (drum set)
Isaiah “Ikey” Owens 2001–2010 · original member · former keyboard
Linda Good 2002–2002 · former keyboard
Ralph Jasso 2002–2002 · former bass guitar
John Frusciante 2002–2008 · former guitar
Jason Lader 2003–2003 · former bass guitar
Juan Alderete 2003–2013 · former bass guitar
Paul Hinojos 2005–2008 · former effects, guitar
Adrián Terrazas‐González 2005–2008 · former percussion, woodwind
Thomas Pridgen 2006–2006, 2006–2009 · former drums (drum set)
Deantoni Parks 2006–2006, 2010–2013 · former drums (drum set)
Lars Stalfors 2008–2011 · former effects, keyboard
David Elitch 2009–2010 · former drums (drum set)