The Mars Volta

One thing that I noticed when I was a participant in the graffiti scene in San Francisco was an ongoing battle between the crews US and HR over the name Cake which had been claimed by a member from both crews. Both members are from Oakland, but while Cake 89 is a tattoo artist, the other Cake is the new Mars Volta drummer. I don't know which one is more impressive, but although I like Cake 89's art more, I respect Pridgen for making it into a band political enough to sup... MORE

After listening to an advanced copy of The Bedlam in Goliath for about a week, I am ready to release my opinion of the record, and the band as a whole. This comes at a perfect time, for the album will be released tomorrow. This may help you save money and rather indulge in something that may not leave you somewhat annoyed.
It is important to begin with my proclamation of being a huge At The Drive-In fan. Having said that, I have been on The Mars Volta's side of the battl... MORE

Here is a B-side from Deloused in the Comatorium era Mars Volta. Everyone interested is probably already aware of this one. The lyrics were recycled into the later-released Day of the Baphomets from Amputechture. But the song is completely its own. Follows a savage arrangement with a surprisingly cool and mellow coda for these guys. The Volta take the stage at the Orpheum this Sunday night, I may or may not be there, but fingers crossed tickets will find me. I really want ... MORE

If you've never seen the Mars Volta live, GO!!! Beware of swinging mic stands and all around rock and roll mayhem. The band, whose album The Bedlam In Goliath debuted at Number Three on the Billboard Top 200 last week, is heading back out on the road beginning April 1st in Orlando, Florida. 04/01/08 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL04/04/08 - House of Blues - Myrtle Beach, SC04/05/08 - The Tabernacle - Atlanta, GA04/17/08 - The Pageant - Saint Louis, MO04/18/08 - Newport Mu... MORE

So I walked into the ballroom at approximately 7:30 with hundreds of tight-pants, fro-do'd Cedric and Omar fanboys with my tie-dye, sandals, and flannel feeling awkwardly at home.  The venue is familiar like a face getting off a plane after years of separation; this is the place where I saw one of my first concert "experiences" - two years ago, Guns n' Roses, another story - as I said, awkwardly at home. Naturally I gravitate towards the right where I stood in that oft... MORE

The Mars Volta are getting creative with their anticipated new album The Bedlam in Goliath. Goliath doesn't hit stores till January 29th, but the Volta are already releasing the album's cover art to fans via an online game/puzzle. Once you solve the puzzle, located here, you are rewarded with an MP3. The bummer is that the track isn't and preview of Goliath, but a cover of the Circle Jerks' "Back Against the Wall." The Mars Volta will play the Bill Graham Civic Auditoriu... MORE

... so here it is. Starting things off by setting rather high expectations and featuring this song, but what else can I do when I am still coming back to this album and song nearly every week since its first release? Probably one of the most comprehensive and complicated pieces of musical art I've come across. This is, of course, to be taken with a grain of salt since I really haven't gone any particular route as far as musical taste. I guess in that respect I could use ... MORE

The Mars Volta release their fourth studio album The Bedlam In Goliath today. To celebrate here are four videos for four tracks off the prog-rockers' new album, also produced by the band's guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez: "Wax Simulacra," "Aberinkula," ""Goliath" and "Askepios." (Try to say those four titles 10x really fast.) The Mars Volta, "Wax Simulacra" "Aberinkula" "Goliath" "Askepios"

The Bedlam in San FranciscoThe First Annual New Years Eve Experience featuring The Mars Volta (acoustic and electric)The EternalsPeanut Butter WolfNobody DJ Dennis (good foot, Long Beach)and surprise special guests December 31st at 8pmBill Graham Civic Auditorium San Francisco, CA - December 6, 2007 - Live Nation is pleased to unveil the festivities for "The Bedlam in San Francisco", the first annual New Years Eve Experience featuring The Mars Volta. Bringing back... MORE

The Mars Volta's new concept album The Bedlam in Goliath will hit stores on January 29th. Some songs that make up the album include "Aberinkula," "Metatron," "Ilyena," "Tourniquet Man." A few tracks run more than 10 minutes, like "Goliath," and are doused with the guitar experimentation of previous Volta albums. Red Hot Chili Pepper axeman John Frusciante even adds some of his skills to the album. The band came up with the idea for The Bedlam in Goliath after guitarist O... MORE

and you'll find an audio clip of The Mars Volta's Goliath!! This song makes me want to run around in circles in the street, screaming at old ladies as they stroll by. Listen and you'll know why...

"Wow," my friend mutters as we turn down the final lingering sounds of the Mars Volta's 6th album, "That completely sucked." Sadly, I'm forced to agree. Though there are some very catchy movements to this piece, at no point in any song does the Volta recapture the feel of their earlier albums. The reason for this seems to lie in the fact that the lyrics and their delivery are both lacking. While Cedric Bixlar Zavala's vocals are one of the main attractions to most Mars Vol... MORE