Cedric Bixler-Zavala announces Texan prog rockers Mars Volta have split up.
The Mars Volta have split up after vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala broke the news in a series of tweets earlier today.
Bixler-Zavala stated that guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez‘s unwillingness to tour and commitment to new band Bosnian Rainbows forced him to break up the Volta.
Taking to his twitter feed, he wrote: ‘My dream was to get us to the point were Jon Theodore and Ikey Owens came back but sadly it’s over.
‘What am I suppose to do be some progressive house wife that’s cool with watching their partner go fuck other bands? We owe it 2 fans to tour.‘
Ever since their seminal prog opus debut album, De-Loused in the Comatorium, Getintothis has been a firm follower of the band.
And their show at All Tomorrow’s Parties in 2005, the festival they curated, will live long in the memory – a three-hour marathon complete with Omar’s incendiary soloing, Cedric’s ballistic vocal-body-acrobatics and Jon Theodore‘s unbelievable percussive work.
Though their recent catalogue never quite matched the greatness of their debut and follow up Frances the Mute, subsequent albums Amputechture, The Bedlam in Goliath, Octahedron and Noctourniquet each contained remarkable musicianship, progressive production and a multitude of fine tracks which were always worth revisiting.
Here’s Cedric’s final word on the break-up through his tweets:
“Thank u 2 all Volta fans you deserved more especially after the way you rooted for us on this album. I tried my hardest to keep it going. But Bosnian Rainbows was what we all got instead. I can’t sit here and pretend any more. I no longer am a member of Mars Volta. I honestly thank all of you for buying our records and coming to our shows. You guys were a blast to play in front of. We could never had done it with out you. My dream was to get us to the point were Jon Theodore and Ikey Owens came back but sadly it’s over. Thank you a million times over for ever giving a fuck about our band.
“For the record I tried my hardest to get a full scale North American tour going for Noctourniquet but Omar did not want to. All I can do is move forward with my music and just be happy that Mars Volta ever happened at all. God Damn we had a blast. Thank you again. I just feel really guilty for not even really saying the truth because a hiatus is just an insult to the fans. To all our fans all over the world thank you for giving a fuck. You all ruled! I don’t think ill ever hear a fist full of dollars the same. My record will see the light of day soon and I’m excited because it sounds nothing like my previous endeavors. And no I’m not joking about any of this, I owe it 2 you guys to all fans to be serious about this.
“Thank you to all past members who helped Volta along as well. We blasted through like a comet and left our mark! If you ever see me in person and want to know why I’ll tell u my story. Please just be happy that it happened at all remember all the opposition we were met with for just starting a new band back in 2001.
“And for the record I’m still in love with At the Drive-In. Proof was in my performance. I would never get on stage if my heart was else where. I have cancelled shows before for knowing full well that my heart was not in it at that moment. Why? Because its an insult to the audience. To be clear I’m not angry I just wanted to be honest with the people who have allowed me to make a living playing music. What am I suppose to do be some progressive house wife that’s cool with watching their partner go fuck other bands? We owe it 2 fans to tour.”
Further reading on Getintothis:
The Mars Volta live at Manchester Apollo.
Mars Volta named in Getintothis‘ Top 10 Albums of the Decade.
The Mars Volta to release The Malkin Jewel
Minutemen and Mars Volta combine on Anywhere for Record Store Day.
Mars Volta live at Latitude 2008
The Mars Volta – Octahedron – Album of the Week
