Sunday, March 20th 2011
News: The Mars Volta
The Mars Volta Surprise SXSW, Debut New Material
Last month, we told you that The Mars Volta were readying a new album for 2011, and we’ve been anxiously expecting for more information on the new material ever since. Given that the band’s guitarist, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, likes to preview new Volta songs on his solo concerts, eyebrows were raised when it was announced that his March 19th show at SXSW would feature a special guest.
Omar’s group included Juan Alderete, Deantoni Parks, and Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez, all of which have been members of The Mars Volta. Then the special guest turned out to be none other than Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the Volta’s lead singer, making for a complete reunion of the group onstage. According to fan reports, Cedric was present during the entire set, and the band played 4 new songs (supposedly from the upcoming album). While we can’t yet confirm this number of tracks, there’s a video evidence proving that at least one track was debuted at the performance. Check it out below, and sorry in advance for the clusterfuck of sound:
Other than Cedric’s obvious lack of a huge afro, it’s immediately noticeable that this track sounds quite heavier than most of their last effort, 2009′s Octahedron, and even includes backing vocals by Omar, something we’ve never witnessed before. On the lead singer’s insane YouTube channel, he recently took the opportunity to make a few remarks on the sound of the upcoming Mars Volta LP – which, it must be noted, should be taken with a grain of salt:
“Sorry no spanish on this record, no Zeppelinesque voyages, no Santana like flourishes or vishnu accuasations. No congas, no Hammond organ stabs, no 30 minute songs, no drums that sounds like mosquitos buzzing in your ear. Just future punk. That’s the only way to describe it from my point of view.”
Whatever this “future punk” is going to sound like, we’re in.
Update: Check out three new songs from The Mars Volta.
What the fuck happened to his hair!
Every time I’ve seen this band live they have sucked so hard. To the point that I wanted to hate them…but then I would go home and throw on one of the records and remember why I like them so much.
This is no different. I bet this song will be cool when we hear the recorded version.
+1
They’ve always been a studio band.
That’s one hell of a good surprise! New TMV is always welcome.
PUNK ROCK POR VIDA!!!
and I was there BWAHAHAHA. well sort of anyway, RIGHT outside the fence but I could see the whole thing. the crowd almost took down the fence but some big burly dudes stopped them.
future punk? Refused did it and much better. TMV should quit while they’re ahead as well.
Refused did a lot of things better than most people. I still thought they sounded pretty decent here. I’m looking forward to the new record.
Saben mars volta.
A couple more videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwt9oBHbcrk
Please take down the link to his youtube channel! TMV should be like a secret cult, not aerosmith. Do you want him to get a zillion subscribers and no longer reply to us? That would suck for him, you, me, and everyone in between. Be careful with your knowledge!
This is the internugs, son! There are no secrets here.
They should go back to their roots…. the two first was the best, what happened?
This is a great performance. I feel sorry for anybody who does not like the Mars Volta’s live show, because they are missing out on half of what makes them so great. (They sound great and pristine on record and their live show is a completely different experience. It’s much more human. I’m a big fan of the human element.)