The Mars Volta have called it a day, following frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala stating "I can’t sit here and pretend any more. I no longer am a member of Mars Volta", report Prefix.
In a series of tweets earlier today, Bixler-Zavala stated that guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez’s commitment to new band Bosnian Rainbows was the final straw for his role in the Texan prog-metallers.
He went on to say that Rodriguez-Lopez’s unwillingness to tour with the band last year also contributed to his decision: "For the record I tried my hardest to get a full scale North American tour going for Noctourniquet but Omar did not want to."
Following the duo reforming At The Drive-In for a run of shows last year, Rodriguez-Lopez placed the band on hiatus.
UPDATE, January 29: At The Drive-In have announced that they’ll be re-issuing Acrobatic Tenement and Relationship Of Command this year, on March 25 and April 22 respectively, with an additional run of the latter coming out on coloured vinyl for Record Store Day on April 20.
While he’s been working on material for Bosnian Rainbows, Bixler-Zavala has also been writing for a solo project, with one of his tweets explaining: "My record will see the light of day soon and I’m excited because it sounds nothing like my previous endeavors".
The NME have collected the tweets in full, which you can read below:
"Thank u 2 all Volta fans you deserved more especially after the way you 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 you 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. 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 you 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 you guys to all fans to be serious about this.
"Thank you to all past members who helped Volta along as well. We blasted through like a comet and left our mark! If you 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.
"And for the record I’m still in love with At the Drive-In. 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. To be clear I’m not angry I just wanted to be honest with the people who have allowed me to make a living playing music. What am I suppose to do be some progressive house wife that’s cool with watching their partner go fuck other bands? We owe it 2 fans to tour."
