The Mars Volta have split, after singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala posted a letter to fans appearing to accuse fellow bandmember Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of not being committed enough.
The duo formed The Mars Volta following the split of former band At The Drive-In in 2001 and have released six albums, including 2012’s Noctourniquet. However, as revealed on NME.COM yesterday (January 23), Rodriguez-Lopez has recently started a new band, Bosnian Rainbows, which seems to have been the final straw for Bixler-Zavala.
Revealing all in a long statement, Bixler-Zavala vents his anger at Rodriguez-Lopez for not wanting to tour their latest album, asking: “Am I supposed to be some progressive house wife that’s cool with watching their partner go fuck other bands?”
Bixler-Zavala’s statement reads:
“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 it’s 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.”
Rodriguez-Lopez, who announced in late 2012 that he and At The Drive-In frontman Cedric Bixler had placed The Mars Volta on hiatus, is joined in new outfit Bosnian Rainbows by drummer Deantoni Parks, keyboardist Nicci Kasper and singer Teri Gender-Bender, who is also a member of noise experimentalists Le Butcherettes.
At The Drive-In reformed for a series of live performances and festival dates in 2012.