The Mars Volta. 

Two individuals, Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, from El Paso, Texas. The band originally formed after their Post-Hardcore band, At The Drive-In, went on an "indefinite hiatus".

Their music is often classified as progressive rock, with heavy punk, jazz and Latin influences. They are known for their wild, energetic, and highly improvised live shows, cryptic lyrics, and use of ambient music to help establish mood.

The Mars Volta is not the entire band. It is only Cedric & Omar. Omar writes, arranges, records and produces all of their music. Cedric writes all of the lyrics. The music is then performed by what Cedric & Omar call "The Mars Volta Group". This includes Isaiah Ikey Owens on Keyboards, Deantoni Parks on Drums, Juan Alderete de la Peña on Bass, Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez on Percussion & Synthesizers, Adrian Terrazas-Gonzales on Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet and additional wind & percussion instruments (2004 in studio, 2005 in show - Current) Pablo Hinojos-Gonzalez on Guitar & Sound Manipulation.

The Mars Volta have released the following CDs:

Studio Albums:
- De-Loused In The Comatorium (2003)
- Frances The Mute (2005)
- Amputechture (2006)

EPs:
- Tremulant EP (2002)

Live:
- Live (2003)
- Scabdates (2005)

Compilations:
- A Missing Chromosome (2005) (Distributed Only To Radio Stations)

"Just The Mars Volta. I have nothing else to say."

The Mars Volta. by Gregk. October 23, 2006

the mars volta 

...the closest you will ever get to the best music ever invented.

The Mars Volta is an eargasm addiction, give me my daily fix of vitamins T-M-V now!

Everything else just sounds so...boring

the mars volta by jboi May 17, 2007

The Mars Volta 

Prog-like band which fuses prog, blues, a bit of jazz, and of course, internal headphone gravy. Some despise them. Some bow to them. All and all, a great band regardless.

No example

The Mars Volta by Rie November 11, 2003

the Mars Volta 

A band that originated in Texas from post-punk At the Drive In, (also a great band), and decided to reform to develop numerous concept albums. The first, being De-Loused in the Comatorium (the story of a past band member Julio Venegas who commited suicide), is a masterpiece, blending Latin roots (some members are hispanic), trademark post-punk rock riffs, jazzy interludes, progressive and experimental synthesization and much more to create a deep, emotion-filled record. Their recent release, Frances the Mute, is just as legendary, yet focuses more on the song length and digital paraphernalia rather than conventional song-structure. And for the Mars Volta, this is definetely a good thing.

The Mars Volta are indeed a special group of musicians. Their cd booklets are strewn with philosophical and aesthetically stimulating images and words, fueling their contemplative sound. They cross many boundaries and break the barrier between conformity and musical subconsciousness. They are madly orginal and insanely creative.

the Mars Volta by stray March 5, 2005

The mars volta 

Prog band from Texas. Mixes alot of Salsa, and Jazz with there straight foward prog-rock. Amazing lyrics, will blow your mind. Your ears will orgasm to Omars wicked guitar while you listen to Cedrics voice.

"Frances the Mute is one bad ass song." (Notice I said song, not album
"Frances the Mute is one bad ass album"
"De-Loused is better than Frances the Mute album."

The mars volta by calvinownsj00 May 30, 2005

The Mars Volta 

Best band to form from a breakup in a long while. Plus the intense sound will keep your heart racing while Cedric's lyrics rival the mad genuis of Les Claypool's.

"Was he robbed of the asphalt that cushioned his face? A room colored charlatan hid in a safe? Stalk the ground..."

The Mars Volta by Dan Schnur January 30, 2004

The mars volta 

Great band, great lyrics, great music. Great. Lyrics werent written by cedric but by omar

The mars volta > you

The mars volta by Matt June 11, 2006