The Mars Volta  

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The Mars Volta (also known by the initialism TMV) is a Grammy award winning American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas. Founded in 2001 by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, Latin American music, and the rhythmic complexity of math rock into their sound. They are known for their energetic live shows, as well as their concept-based studio albums. In 2009, the band won a Grammy Award in the "Best Hard Rock Performance" category for the song "Wax Simulacra."

Band members

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

Current

• Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar, director, production, live backing vocals (2001–present)
• Cedric Bixler-Zavala – lyrics, vocals (2001–present)
• Juan Alderete – bass guitar (2003–present)
• Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez – percussion, synthesizers, keyboards (2003–present)
• Deantoni Parks – drums (September−November 2006, 2010−present)
• Lars Stalfors – sound manipulation, keyboards (2008–2010 backstage, 2011–present on stage, also works as recording and mixing engineer in studio)

Former

Sound manipulators

• Jeremy Michael Ward – (2001–2003)
• Paul Hinojos – (2003–2004 live offstage, 2005–2008 joined officially in recording and onstage, also performed additional guitar)

Drummers

• Blake Fleming – (2001, July−September 2006)
• Jon Theodore – (August 2001–July 2006)
• Thomas Pridgen – (October 2006−October 2009)
• Dave Elitch – (November 2009–October 2010)

Bassists

• Eva Gardner – (2001–2002)
• Flea – (2002 in studio for De-Loused in the Comatorium sessions, also performed trumpet on Frances the Mute)
• Ralph Jasso – (2002)
• Jason Lader – (2003)

Keyboardists

• Isaiah Ikey Owens – (2001–2010)
• Linda Good – (2002)

Wind

• Adrián Terrazas-González – (2004 in studio, 2005–2008 live, also performed additional percussion)

Guitarists

• John Frusciante – (2002–2008 in studio, occasionally part of a live setting)

Studio albums

• De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)
• Frances the Mute (2005)
• Amputechture (2006)
• The Bedlam in Goliath (2008)
• Octahedron (2009)
• Noctourniquet (2012)

Filmography

• Coachella (2006)
• All Tomorrow's Parties (2009)