Apparently the 2013 break-up of prog-rock heroes, The Mars Volta, was not as acrimonious as it initially seemed.
Less than a year later, founding members Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala were back with an album under the new name, Antemasque, featuring The Mars Volta’s Dave Elitch on drums and Red Hot Chili Pepper’s Flea on bass (the touring line-up features Marfred Rodriguez-Lopez on bass duties).
Since then the new venture has toured sporadically – with a particularly controversial date recently in New Zealand – and has now announced two Irish dates, June 14 at the Limelight in Belfast and June 15 at Whelan’s, Dublin.
With At The Drive-in and The Mars Volta's reputations for high energy, chaotic live performances, the chance to see the new act in such intimate venues is an exciting proposition. Just watch out for Bixler-Zavala's kettle!