The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001. The band's only constant members are Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, 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 Rodriguez-Lopez, Leo Genovese and Linda-Philomène Tsoungui (drums).
Omar Alfredo Rodríguez-López is a Puerto Rican guitarist and songwriter. He has formed or played in several bands, including the Mars Volta, At the Drive-In, Antemasque, and Bosnian Rainbows. He was the bassist for the dub band De Facto. He has embarked on a solo career, both in studio and in concert, frequently described as experimental, avant-garde, or progressive. He has also collaborated with numerous artists, such as John Frusciante and El-P.
Frances the Mute is the second studio album by American progressive rock band The Mars Volta released in February 2005 on Gold Standard Laboratories and Universal. Produced by guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, the album incorporates dub, ambient, Latin and jazz influences, and is the first to feature bassist Juan Alderete and percussionist Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez. The album also includes contributions from future saxophonist Adrián Terrazas-González, who joined the band during its subsequent tour.
Cedric Bixler-Zavala is an American singer. He is the lead singer and lyricist of the progressive rock band the Mars Volta and the only constant member of the post-hardcore group At the Drive-In, for which he was the lead singer and occasional guitarist. He is also the lead singer of the band Antemasque, and sings and plays guitar in his band Zavalaz.
Pablo J. Hinojos-Gonzalez, also known as Paul Hinojos, is an American musician best known as the bass guitarist for At the Drive-In, and former touring member of The Mars Volta. He is also a former guitarist of Sparta.
Omar Rodriguez is the second studio album by The Mars Volta guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and the first in the "Amsterdam series". Most of the overdubs were done on the road in August 2005 and the album was mixed in September. Gold Standard Laboratories began offering a limited edition vinyl picture disc of this release for mail order in December 2006.
Amputechture is the third studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on September 12, 2006, on Gold Standard Laboratories and Universal Records. Produced by guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, the album marks the final appearance of drummer Jon Theodore, and is the first studio album to feature guitarist and sound manipulator Paul Hinojos, formerly of At the Drive-In and Sparta.
Se Dice Bisonte, No Búfalo is the third studio album by Omar Rodríguez-López and the second in the "Amsterdam series". It was written and recorded in 2005 in California and Amsterdam, and was released May 29, 2007 by Gold Standard Labs on both vinyl and CD. A limited edition, brown marble vinyl was also available. 750 were made to fulfill pre-orders through April 30.
The Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group is an American experimental rock band, and the main side project of Omar Rodríguez-López. Featuring an ever-changing lineup of musicians alongside Rodriguez-Lopez, the group is most often a live entity to perform the various outlets of his solo music aside from the Mars Volta. After the dissolution of the Mars Volta in 2012, Omar completed a few more solo records until 2013 before deciding to pursue only collaborative efforts with groups At the Drive-In, Bosnian Rainbows, Antemasque, and Crystal Fairy.
Old Money is the eighth studio album by American guitarist and composer Omar Rodríguez-López, his first with Stones Throw Records who released CD and MP3 versions on November 10, 2008 and a vinyl version in February 2009. Rodríguez-López explained that the album is "loosely based on the concept of exploitative industrialists and, well, their old money."
Octahedron is the fifth full-length studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on June 23, 2009. The album was released by Warner Bros. Records in North America and Mercury Records worldwide. It is the last studio album to feature drummer Thomas Pridgen and guitarist John Frusciante, and the first not to feature contributions from keyboardist Isaiah "Ikey" Owens and multi-instrumentalist Adrián Terrazas-González.
El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez is a band consisting of Omar Rodriguez Lopez (guitar), Cedric Bixler-Zavala (vocals), Juan Alderete de la Peña, Jonathan Hischke and Zach Hill (drums).
Xenophanes is the twelfth studio album by Omar Rodríguez-López as a solo artist. The same members of Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Group who toured Europe in March 2009 are featured on this record, created a few months beforehand. On September 28, 2009 the recording was released digitally via the Rodriguez-Lopez productions website as well as physically in Europe on both CD and yellow vinyl. The recording was released physically in the U.S. on November 10, 2009 on both CD and pink vinyl. A music video directed by Omar for "Asco Que Conmueve los Puntos Erógenos" was released on YouTube on November 30, 2009.
Before Gardens After Gardens is the third album by Big Sir. The album features contributions by The Mars Volta’s Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Deantoni Parks, Rx Bandits’ Matt Embree and Steve Choi, bassist Jonathan Hischke and Beastie Boys producer Money Mark.
Noctourniquet is the sixth studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released on March 26, 2012 on Warner Bros. Produced by guitarist and songwriter Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, it is the band's only studio album to feature drummer Deantoni Parks, and their first album not to include contributions from guitarist John Frusciante.
"The Malkin Jewel" is the only single from The Mars Volta's sixth studio album, Noctourniquet and was the band's last official single for a decade, before their breakup and subsequent reunion and release of "Blacklight Shine" in 2022. It was premiered on February 13, 2012 on Triple J radio and later on BBC Radio. The same day, an interactive page featuring the song was launched on the band's official website. Official release through all digital retailers followed the next day.
Zavalaz is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2013. It features singer and guitarist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, guitarist Dan Elkan, bassist Juan Alderete and drummer Gregory Rogove.
Antemasque was an American rock supergroup formed in 2014 by former members of At the Drive-In and The Mars Volta, Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala. Their first album featured Red Hot Chili Peppers's Flea on bass and Dave Elitch on drums. Both Flea and Elitch had previously played with The Mars Volta. Omar's brother Marfred Rodríguez-López eventually joined as a permanent bassist with Blink-182 member Travis Barker taking over drumming duties.
Some Need It Lonely is the thirty-eighth studio album by Omar Rodríguez-López as a solo artist, released on 16 December 2016. It is his twelfth and last release in the 12 album series initiated by Ipecac Recordings, although before its release the label confirmed an additional 12 records forthcoming set to continue the fortnightly release schedule.
The Mars Volta is the seventh studio album by American progressive rock band the Mars Volta, released through Clouds Hill on September 16, 2022. Produced by guitarist, songwriter and musical director Omar Rodríguez-López, the album was preceded by the singles "Blacklight Shine", "Graveyard Love" and "Vigil".
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