The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band from El Paso, Texas, formed in 2001 and currently based out of Mexico.[1] Founded by guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the band incorporates various influences including progressive rock, krautrock, jazz fusion, hard rock, Latin American music, and the rhythmic complexity of math rock into their sound. They are known for their energetic and improvisational live shows, as well as their concept-based studio albums. In 2009, the band won a Grammy in the "Best Hard Rock Performance" category for the song "Wax Simulacra."[2] They were named rock music's "Best Prog-Rock Band" of 2008 by Rolling Stone magazine.