In case Alarm magazine’s “Death of a Dictator” cover story–and the ego-centric press shot above–didn’t make it abundantly clear, Cedric Bixler-Zavala slammed the door on the Mars Volta’s future in his Twitter feed tonight, saying the following…
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 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. 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. 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. Thank u a million times over for ever giving a fuck about our band. For the record I tried my hardest to get a full scale North American tour going for Noctourniquet but Omar did not want to. 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. All I can do is move forward with my music and just be happy that mars volta ever happened at all. God Damn we had a blast. Thank u again. I just feel really guilty for not even really saying the truth because a hiatus is just an insult to the fans. To all our fans all over the world thank you for giving a fuck. You all ruled! I don’t think ill ever hear a fist full of dollars the same. My record will see the light of day soon and I’m excited because it sounds nothing like my previous endeavors. And no I’m not joking about any of this, I owe it 2 u guys to all fans to be serious about this. Thank u to all past members who helped Volta along as well. we blasted through like a comet and left our mark!
If u ever see me in person and want to know why I’ll tell u my story. Please just be happy that it happened at all remember all the opposition we were met with for just starting a new band back in 2001. SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE VOLTA FANS WHO FLOODED WARNER BROS FACEBOOK PAGE AND GOT NOTHING IN RETURN! I was honored by this guys! ThankU. And for the record I’m still in love with ATDI. Proof was in MY performance. I would never get on stage if my heart was else where I have cancelled shows before for knowing full well that my heart was not in it at that moment. Why? Because its an insult to the audience.
Ouch. That last comment is undoubtedly in reference to Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s cruise control performance at Coachella last year. As for what the frontman means by “starting another band,” that’s in reference to the sudden full-time status of Bosnian Rainbows, Rodriguez-Lopez’s new group with drummer Deantoni Parks, keyboardist Nicci Kasper and singer Teri Gender-Bender (from Le Butcherettes).
None of this should be a surprise. After all, the Mars Volta’s former (?) guitarist/primary songwriter told Billboard this last March:
It’s been 10 years of totalitarianism and dictatorship, doing things my way of having complete control over everything. The only way the group can go on now is by changing that and opening it up. As far as the Mars Volta is concerned, [Noctourniquet is] the last record of its kind.
Meanwhile, Bixler-Zavala insisted “I’m extremely focused on Mars Volta and figuring out that thing. That’s where my priority is.” Hmmm, wonder who’s at fault here? But hey, we’ve got this to look forward to now…
