soikatron

Fans of The Mars Volta probably weren't surprised when their latest album, Bedlam in Goliath, debuted at #3 on Billboard. The band, however, couldn't believe it. Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, the Volta's guitarist and sporter of the coolest afro in indie rock, described their reaction to MTV News like this: "We're surprised by any kind of commercial success or acceptance on a mainstream level."

His confusion may be understandable. The Mars Volta have never been known for their mass appeal. Their first four albums consisted of challenging, uncompromising songs and cryptic musings on everything from morphine abuse, failed abortion, possessed nuns and, for Bedlam, a Ouija-like board game. It's safe to say their music caters to a niche audience.

Although Bedlam sold 54,000 records in the first week of its release, Rodriguez-Lopez is confident that the albums went to the Volta faithful, not new fans. "Over the years, it's grown organically, but really, the crowd is the same —   people who want to come out and see live music, honest music, and hear mistakes and watch people be human," Rodriguez-Lopez reportedly said from the Coca-Cola Zero Fest in Mexico City, where the Mars Volta performed on April 12. The band is in month three of its massive international tour in support of Bedlam. 

In typical Volta fashion, the guys aren't letting the swell of success or busy schedule distract from their ambition.  They're already planning albums six and seven.

"The Bedlam in Goliath is a year-old for me at this point, and it was written a year before that, so, essentially, it's two years old for me," Rodriguez-Lopez said. He reportedly didn't elaborate on the sound or style of the new songs, except to say that they'd be "more acoustic." 

Mars Volta tour dates:

4.26: Guadalajara, Mexico @ Zero Festival
5.12: Toronto, Canada @ Sound Academy  
5.14: Cleveland, OH @ Agora
5.15: Detroit @ Fillmore
5.18: Denver, CO @ Fillmore
5.21: Calgary, Canada @ McEwen Hall
5.22: Edmonton @ Events Center
5.24: Vancouver @ PNE
5.26: George, WA @ Sasquatch
6.10: Osaka, Japan @ Hatch
6.11: Nagoya @ Diamond Hall
6.13: Tokyo @ Studio Coast
7.12: Leige, Belgium @ Les Ardentes
7.23: Vienna, Austria @ Arena
7.25: Warsaw, Poland @ Stodola
8.2: Lisbon, Portugal @ Parades de Courra (festival)

-Soikatron