Mars Volta’s part frontman, part guitarist Cedric Bixler-Zavala has very publicly, very passive aggressively announced he will be parting ways with the highly revered prog rock outfit after posting a slew of tweets on the subject. Though his reasons for leaving aren’t too clear yet, Bixler-Zavala takes potshots at his bandmate Omar Rodríguez-López and his commitment to side project Bosnian Rainbows.
“I can’t sit here and pretend any longer, I am no longer a member of Mars Volta,” Bixler-Zavala tweeted to thousands of followers.
After 12 or so tweets, Bixler-Zavala announced that he “tried his hardest” to keep The Mars Volta afloat but, despite his best efforts, continuing with the band looked unsustainable. He added that the band’s hiatus, which came into effect back in 2012, was “an insult to the fans”.
The band officially called hiatus after At The Drive-In/Mars Volta member Rodriguez-Lopez and Mars Volta drummer Deantoni Parks stepped back from the band to focus on their new project Bosnian Rainbows, and today Rodriguez-Lopez debuted the first track from the outfit’s forthcoming album. At The Drive-In reformed last year and made a special performance at Splendour In The Grass.
The renowned musician thoroughly thanked his fans for their unwavering support both financially and spiritually over the years. So happy is Bixler-Zavala with his fans that he even invites them to ask him about the sitatuion if they see him in person. “I’ll tell you my story,” he writes.
Bixler-Zavala is still tweeting but as yet there is no response from Rodriguez-Lopez. Fingers crossed for a friendly 2023 reunion.
Thank u 2 all VOLTA fans u deserved more especially after the way u rooted for us on this album. I tried my hardest to keep it going (cont-)
— Cedric Bixler Zavala (@cedricbixler_) January 24, 2013
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. (cont-)
— Cedric Bixler Zavala (@cedricbixler_) January 24, 2013
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
— Cedric Bixler Zavala (@cedricbixler_) January 24, 2013
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
— Cedric Bixler Zavala (@cedricbixler_) January 24, 2013
For the record I tried my hardest to get a full scale North American tour going for Noctourniquet but Omar did not want to.
— Cedric Bixler Zavala (@cedricbixler_) January 24, 2013
I guess a break from mars volta means starting another band and ignoring all the support the fans gave us. I tried my hardest guys
— Cedric Bixler Zavala (@cedricbixler_) January 24, 2013
