The Mars Volta Wiki

## Welcome to the The Mars Volta Wiki

**The Mars Volta** is an American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas, 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), Linda-Philomène Tsoungui (drums) and Leo Genovese (keyboards, saxophone).

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 #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 after 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 and drummer Linda-Philomène Tsoungui were added to the line-up.

## Band members

According to the liner notes for *Amputechture*, *The Bedlam in Goliath*, *Octahedron* and *Noctourniquet*: "The partnership between Omar Rodríguez-López & Cedric Bixler-Zavala is The Mars Volta. These compositions are then performed by The Mars Volta Group."

**Current line-up**

* Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar, direction, backing vocals, synthesizers (2001–2012, 2019–present)
* Cedric Bixler-Zavala – lead vocals (2001–2012, 2019–present)
* Eva Gardner – bass guitar (2001–2002, 2019–present)
* Marcel Rodríguez-López – percussion (October 2003–2010, 2019–present), synthesizers, keyboards (2005–2012, 2019–present)
* Linda-Philomène Tsoungui – drums (2022–present)
* Leo Genovese – keyboards, synthesizers, saxophone (2022–present)

**Touring members**

* Josh Moreau - bass guitar (September–October 2022; filling in for Eva Gardner)

**Former contributors**

* Isaiah "Ikey" Owens – keyboards (2001–2010; died 2014)
* Jeremy Ward – sound manipulation (2001–2003; died 2003)
* Blake Fleming – drums (March–August 2001, July–October 2006)
* Jon Theodore – drums (August 2001 – July 2006)
* Ralph Jasso – bass (2002)
* Linda Good – keyboards (2002)
* Flea – bass (2002 in studio for *De-Loused in the Comatorium* sessions, also recorded trumpet in 2004 for *Frances the Mute*)
* John Frusciante – guitars (2002–2009 in studio, 2003–2006 occasional live performances)
* Jason Lader – bass (January–April 2003)
* Juan Alderete – bass (April 2003 – 2012)
* Paul Hinojos – sound manipulation (2003 live offstage, 2005–2008 joined officially in recording and onstage), live guitar (2006–2008)
* Adrián Terrazas-González – woodwind, percussion (2004 in studio for *Frances the Mute* sessions, 2005–2008 joined officially in recording and onstage)
* Deantoni Parks – drums (September–November 2006, 2010–2012)
* Thomas Pridgen – drums (October 2006, December 2006 – October 2009)
* Dave Elitch – drums (November 2009 – October 2010)
* Lars Stalfors – keyboards, sound manipulation (2011)
* Willy Rodriguez Quiñones – drums (2021 in studio for *The Mars Volta* sessions)