Jump to content

At the Drive-In

From Alfawiki
At the Drive-In
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1994 in El Paso, Texas, United States
Headquarters
El Paso
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, EPs

At the Drive-In was a post-hardcore group originating from El Paso, Texas, formed in 1994. The latest ensemble featured Cedric Bixler-Zavala on vocals, Omar Rodríguez-López handling guitar and vocals, Paul Hinojos on bass, Tony Hajjar playing drums, and Keeley Davis contributing guitar and vocals. After initial lineup adjustments, the band settled into a five-member formation with Bixler-Zavala, Rodríguez-López, Jim Ward, Hinojos, and Hajjar.

Before disbanding in 2001, they produced three full-length albums alongside five EPs. Their third studio effort, Relationship of Command (2000), is widely regarded as a defining work in the post-hardcore genre and included the hit track "One Armed Scissor". Following the breakup, Bixler-Zavala and Rodríguez-López established the Mars Volta, while Ward, Hinojos, and Hajjar went on to create Sparta; Hinojos eventually joined the Mars Volta as well.

The band reunited in January 2012, performing at major festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza. In 2016, they regrouped once more without Jim Ward, who was replaced by Keeley Davis from Sparta. Their fourth studio album, in•ter a•li•a, was released in 2017 before the group announced an indefinite hiatus in November 2018.

Formation and Acrobatic Tenement (1994–97)

Founded in 1994 by guitarist Jim Ward and vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala, At the Drive-In played their inaugural live show on October 14 of that year at The Attic in El Paso, Texas. This was soon followed by a performance at the Loretto High School Fair. In November 1994, they released their debut recording—a 7-inch EP titled Hell Paso. Shortly thereafter, the band embarked on their initial Texas tour. After the passing of drummer Bernie Rincon led to a lineup change, they released their second EP ¡Alfaro Vive, Carajo! in June 1995. Subsequently, they undertook a 42-day tour spanning 10,000 miles across the United States in a purchased 1981 Ford Econoline van.

Throughout these tours, At the Drive-In cultivated a dedicated underground fanbase by performing primarily in basements and intimate venues throughout the western U.S., with popularity spreading largely through word of mouth. A key gig at a modest Los Angeles bar caught the attention of Flipside record label staffers who then offered to release the band's album. After agreeing to this deal, At the Drive-In toured the Southwestern states for 21 days before returning to Los Angeles to record their debut album Acrobatic Tenement on a budget of $600.

Released on August 18, 1996, this album was followed by an extensive U.S. tour lasting 100 days from February to June 1997. Covering approximately 24,000 miles, the tour included performances alongside bands such as Screw 32, J Church, AFI, and Face to Face. During this time frame, their fanbase expanded considerably. After completing this cycle, the band took a month-long break before gearing up for their next recording session and tour.

Following Acrobatic Tenement, the lineup stabilized with Tony Hajjar and Paul Hinojos joining while Omar Rodríguez-López transitioned from bass to guitar duties. Their third EP El Gran Orgo, released on September 18, 1997, revealed a shift toward a more melodic yet emotionally charged sound. Two days after its release, they embarked on a 35-day trek covering 11,000 miles beginning in Boulder, Colorado. This tour featured shows with Karp and the Young Pioneers among others. By this stage, At the Drive-In’s rising popularity was evident as headlining performances in the Midwest attracted audiences ranging from 100 to 350 attendees.

In/Casino/Out and Vaya (1998–1999)

After Flipside stopped releasing records and Offtime encountered financial difficulties, At the Drive-In began searching for new record labels. Their opportunity arrived when Bob and Michelle Becker of Fearless Records signed them following a live performance. Although Fearless was mainly known for pop punk, the label proved to be a strong match both personally and professionally.

The band commenced recording their sophomore album, In/Casino/Out, on June 3, 1998, collaborating with producer Alex Newport. The sessions were held at Doug Messenger's studio in North Hollywood and Revolver Recordings in Costa Mesa, with mixing carried out at Paramount in Hollywood. This record demonstrated a more developed sound, largely recorded live to preserve the raw energy of their stage presence.

In/Casino/Out was released on August 18, 1998, and supported by extensive tours alongside groups such as Knapsack and The Murder City Devils. After a short break, they toured with Jimmy Eat World in early 1999, followed by a six-week European tour spanning eleven countries. Upon returning to the U.S., they recorded their fourth EP, Vaya, which came out on July 13, 1999. The tour promoting this release included support from acts like The Get Up Kids and Rage Against the Machine. In April 2000, they issued a split EP with Czech band Sunshine featuring a total of five tracks.

Relationship of Command (2000–2001)

On January 17, 2000, At the Drive-In began work on their third full-length album, Relationship of Command, at Indigo Ranch Studios in Malibu with producer Ross Robinson and mixer Andy Wallace. Robinson persuaded the band that he could authentically capture their intense sound. The recording process lasted seven weeks and included guest appearances from Iggy Pop. Released on September 12, 2000, the album earned widespread critical praise and propelled the band into mainstream visibility.

Following the album’s debut, At the Drive-In embarked on extensive tours across Europe, Japan, and the United States. They also appeared on several national television programs such as Farmclub, Later with Jools Holland, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Late Show with David Letterman. The single "One Armed Scissor" received substantial airplay on MTV, significantly raising their profile. By 2002, Nielsen SoundScan reported that Relationship of Command had sold 273,000 copies in the U.S.

Breakup (2001)

On November 12, 2000, the band's tour van lost control on icy roads and overturned; although shaken, only minor injuries were sustained by Hajjar and Bixler-Zavala. In January 2001 at Australia’s Big Day Out festival, their Sydney performance was cut short when frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala criticized the audience for disregarding safety rules against moshing, labeling them "robots" and "sheep." The band canceled their final five European tour dates in February due to "complete mental and physical exhaustion."

In March 2001, amid peak popularity and just before a planned U.S. tour, At the Drive-In announced an "indefinite hiatus," effectively disbanding after completing a world tour. Their last concert took place on February 21, 2001, in Groningen. Contributing factors to the breakup included overwhelming hype, relentless touring schedules, creative disagreements, and substance abuse issues involving Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala. Rodríguez-López described the hiatus as essential for recuperation after six continuous years of recording and touring.

Bixler-Zavala accepted responsibility for the group's dissolution, explaining that the band constrained his musical aspirations. He desired to explore beyond punk and hardcore into more progressive and alternative rock territories. He and Rodríguez-López envisioned their next project drawing inspiration from Pink Floyd’s The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, whereas other members favored pursuing a more alternative rock direction.

Post-breakup endeavors (2001–2009)

Following the dissolution of At the Drive-In, Bixler-Zavala and Rodríguez-López concentrated on their dub-influenced side project De Facto before establishing The Mars Volta, which embraced a progressive rock style. Concurrently, Ward, Hinojos, and Hajjar formed Sparta, a band with a more conventional sound. Hinojos later joined The Mars Volta between 2005 and 2009. After The Mars Volta ended in 2013, Rodríguez-López collaborated with Bosnian Rainbows, while Bixler-Zavala initiated Zavalaz. The pair reunited in 2014 to create Antemasque.

Initial reunion phase (2009–2012)

In 2009, Bixler-Zavala mentioned ongoing talks about reuniting At the Drive-In once financial issues were settled, although Jim Ward publicly denied reunion speculation. The band officially came back together at the end of 2011 and announced it in January 2012. Their first performance since 2001 took place in Austin, Texas, followed by a brief tour across Texas and appearances at Coachella alongside prominent festivals such as Lollapalooza and Reading and Leeds. They regained rights from Fearless Records to re-release much of their discography via their own label, Twenty-first Chapter.

Despite positive feedback for the reunion concerts, Rodríguez-López was criticized for seeming disengaged on stage—a reaction initially attributed to personal grief but later understood as a disconnect from the band's material. He initially dismissed plans for new recordings, although this stance shifted with the 2016 reunion.

After The Mars Volta disbanded in 2013, Bixler-Zavala and Rodríguez-López stopped communicating amid public disputes but stayed committed to reviving At the Drive-In. They pursued individual projects—Zavalaz and Bosnian Rainbows—until reconciling in early 2014. An initial attempt to restart At the Drive-In was unsuccessful, leading them to form Antemasque, which toured and recorded over the subsequent two years.

Second reunion and in•ter a•li•a era (2015–2018)

In October 2015, At the Drive-In declared their reunion with plans to appear at Rock On The Range festival in May 2016. By January 2016, after teasing new material, the band announced intentions for a global tour and an upcoming album. During rehearsals, Jim Ward was replaced by former Sparta member Keeley Davis due to Ward’s unpreparedness for touring and recording.[1]

Lead vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala later clarified that Ward was not mentally ready for the reunion: "His head wasn't there... We have to respect what is happening now, which includes age and the desire to move forward."[2]

The group had to cancel part of their North American tour because of vocal difficulties experienced by Bixler-Zavala.[3] On December 8, 2016, they unveiled "Governed by Contagions," marking their first new track in sixteen years through Rise Records. Their album in•ter a•li•a was released on May 5, 2017, preceded by the single "Incurably Innocent".[4] A limited-edition Diamanté EP followed on November 24 as part of Record Store Day with only 4,000 vinyl copies available.[5]

At the Drive-In performed at Rock en Seine in Paris in August 2017,[6] and headlined the Neon Desert Music Festival in May 2018.[7]

Hiatus and uncertain future (2018–present)

During a concert at Circo Voador in Brazil on November 17, 2018, Bixler-Zavala revealed that the following night's show would mark At The Drive-In's last performance for an indefinite period. He expressed appreciation to fans via Twitter while acknowledging the unpredictability of any future appearances. Their concluding concert took place on November 18, 2018, at Bar Opinião in Porto Alegre, Brazil, after which the band officially announced a hiatus on Instagram. In 2025, Bixler-Zavala reiterated through Instagram his opposition to any potential reunions, declaring that the band's era was "permanently sealed forever" and confirming their final show occurred in Brazil.

Musical style and influences

At The Drive-In’s music is predominantly classified as post-hardcore, incorporating influences from emo, post-punk, and art punk. Their sound draws heavily from bands such as Indian Summer, Swing Kids, Fugazi, Sunny Day Real Estate, Bad Brains, and the 1990s post-hardcore movement spearheaded by Gravity Records artists like Antioch Arrow and Heroin. Prior to their initial split, groups including Drive Like Jehu, Hot Snakes, and The Nation of Ulysses played a significant role in shaping their style; notably, Bixler-Zavala credited Drive Like Jehu as a crucial influence on their album Relationship of Command.

The band has also performed covers such as "This Night Has Opened My Eyes" by The Smiths and "Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk" by Pink Floyd, both featured on the 2004 compilation This Station Is Non-Operational. Their name originated from a blend of inspirations connected to Bad Brains and the chorus from Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me".

While In/Casino/Out was recorded live in studio settings, Relationship of Command captured the raw intensity of their live shows with added emotional complexity, largely influenced by producer Ross Robinson. This album included experimental tracks like "Rolodex Propaganda", "Non-Zero Possibility," and "Invalid Litter Dept.".

Musically, At The Drive-In is distinguished by unconventional chord progressions, rapid tempos, and dynamic shifts between quiet and loud passages. Jim Ward and Paul Hinojos anchored the rhythm section, whereas Omar Rodriguez-Lopez contributed innovative riffs laden with heavy effects, particularly evident on Relationship of Command. Ward frequently alternated between guitar and keyboard to enrich melodic textures, exemplified in "Invalid Litter Department".

Legacy

At The Drive-In is recognized as one of the most impactful post-hardcore bands emerging in the late 1990s through the early 2000s. Their album Relationship of Command received critical acclaim, ranking 47th in Kerrang!’s list of the 50 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century, placing 83rd on Spin Magazine’s top 100 albums from 1985–2005, and securing the 90th spot on MTV2's greatest albums compilation. BBC critic Mike Diver highlighted the album’s "landmark status," crediting it with elevating post-hardcore into a "vital commercial force" and establishing a standard for post-hardcore releases since 2000.

In October 2011, Rock Sound inducted Relationship of Command into its Hall of Fame. Writer Ryan Bird emphasized the band's pioneering role in defining the genre and underscored their enduring influence despite various obstacles.

Numerous artists have cited At The Drive-In as an inspiration or expressed admiration for their work; these include …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Thursday, Billy Talent, Biffy Clyro, Underoath, Will Swan of Dance Gavin Dance, Nick Hipa of As I Lay Dying, The Fall of Troy, Jamie Lenman, Rolo Tomassi, La Dispute, Mutiny on the Bounty, sleepmakeswaves, Jarvis Cocker, Night Verses, and St. Vincent.

Band members

Last lineup

Past members

  • Jim Ward – guitar, backing and lead vocals (1994–1996, 1997–2001, 2012), keyboards (1998–2001, 2012)
  • Kenny Hopper – bass guitar (1994–1995)
  • Jarrett Wrenn – guitar (1994–1995)
  • Adam Amparan – guitar (1995–1996)
  • Ben Rodriguez – guitar, backing vocals (1996–1997)
  • Bernie Rincon – drums (1994–1995; deceased 1995)
  • Davy Simmons – drums (1995)
  • Ryan Sawyer – drums (1996)

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:915 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:80 top:5 right:0 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:1994 till:11/19/2018 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1994 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1994

Colors = 

id:Vocals  value:red        legend:Vocals
id:bvocals value:pink       legend:Backing_vocals
id:Guitar  value:green      legend:Guitar
id:Keys    value:purple     legend:Keyboards
id:Bass    value:blue       legend:Bass
id:Drums   value:orange     legend:Drums
id:Percussion value:claret  legend:Percussion
id:album   value:black      legend:Studio_album
id:ep      value:gray(0.5)  legend:EP
id:bars    value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

BarData = 

bar:Bixler       text:"Cedric Bixler-Zavala"
bar:Ward         text:"Jim Ward"
bar:Wrenn        text:"Jarrett Wrenn"
bar:Amparan      text:"Adam Amparan"
bar:BRodriguez   text:"Ben Rodriguez"
bar:Davis        text:"Keeley Davis"
bar:Hopper       text:"Kenny Hopper"
bar:ORodriguez   text:"Omar Rodríguez-López"
bar:Hinojos      text:"Paul Hinojos"
bar:Rincon       text:"Bernie Rincon"
bar:Simmons      text:"Davy Simmons"
bar:Sawyer       text:"Ryan Sawyer"
bar:Hajjar       text:"Tony Hajjar"

LineData = 

layer:back
 color:album
  at:08/18/1996
  at:08/18/1998
  at:09/12/2000
  at:05/05/2017

 color:ep
  at:11/15/1994
  at:06/15/1995
  at:09/18/1997
  at:07/27/1999
  at:04/13/2000
  at:11/24/2017

PlotData= 

width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Bixler      from:start      till:03/15/2001 color:Vocals
bar:Bixler      from:06/30/1999 till:03/15/2001 color:Percussion width:3
bar:Bixler      from:01/09/2012 till:08/28/2012 color:Vocals
bar:Bixler      from:01/21/2016 till:end        color:Vocals
bar:Ward        from:start      till:08/15/1996 color:Guitar
bar:Ward        from:08/01/1997 till:03/15/2001 color:Guitar
bar:Ward        from:06/03/1998 till:03/15/2001 color:Keys width:7
bar:Ward        from:01/09/2012 till:08/28/2012 color:Guitar
bar:Ward        from:start      till:08/15/1996 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Ward        from:08/01/1997 till:03/15/2001 color:Vocals width:3
bar:Ward        from:01/09/2012 till:08/28/2012 color:bvocals width:3
bar:Hopper      from:start till:05/31/1995 color:Bass
bar:Hinojos     from:08/15/1996 till:end        color:Bass
bar:Davis       from:01/21/2016 till:end        color:Guitar
bar:Davis       from:start       till:end         color:bvocals width:3 
bar:Hajjar      from:start       till:end         color:(Drums & Percussion)
bar:Rincon      from:start till:end           color=Drums

</timeline>

Discography

See also

External links

  1. ↑ ...
  2. ↑ ...
  3. ↑ ...
  4. ↑ ...
  5. ↑ ...
  6. ↑ ...
  7. ↑ ...
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=At_the_Drive-In&oldid=83262"