Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group

Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group
Company type	Music ensemble
Industry	Music
Founded	2005
Founder	Omar Rodríguez-López
Headquarters	United States
Products	Experimental rock music, live performances, albums, EPs

The Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group (ORLG) is a United States-based experimental rock ensemble and serves as the main side venture of artist Omar Rodríguez-López. With a fluid roster revolving around Rodriguez-Lopez, the band mainly delivers live performances of his solo compositions, distinct from his work with The Mars Volta. Following the dissolution of The Mars Volta in 2012, Omar issued multiple solo albums up until 2013 before dedicating himself solely to collaborative efforts involving bands like At the Drive-In, Bosnian Rainbows, Antemasque, and Crystal Fairy.

2005–2009

Initially formed as the Omar Rodriguez Lopez Quintet in 2005, the group emerged during a European tour promoting Omar’s self-titled solo release. The lineup featured three members from The Mars Volta—Juan Alderete, Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez, and Adrián Terrazas-González—alongside Money Mark, known for his work with the Beastie Boys. Their first recordings consisted of lengthy, predominantly improvised instrumental tracks with titles in Dutch. Collaborating with Damo Suzuki, they produced the 25-minute EP Please Heat This Eventually, captured during their 2005 European tour; it was initially issued on vinyl in December 2006 and broadly distributed by January 2007. Later that year, they released another joint EP with Lydia Lunch and the double LP vinyl The Apocalypse Inside of an Orange.

While originally called the Quintet, by 2006 the ensemble adopted the name Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group, as reflected on Please Heat This Eventually. In 2007, they appeared at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, incorporating additional members Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Thomas Pridgen from The Mars Volta. During this phase, Alfredo Ortiz was added on percussion. Pridgen took over drumming duties until 2010, succeeding Marcel who transitioned to percussion and keyboards. Terrazas-González concluded his touring role with Omar in 2008.

In March 2009, their European tour featured vocalist Ximena Sariñana and keyboardist Mark Aanderud, who replaced Money Mark. A live five-track recording from a London show was released in September 2009 under the title Los Sueños de un Hígado, showcasing pieces from Rodriguez-Lopez’s albums Se Dice Bisonte, No Búfalo, Old Money, and Solar Gambling. This release followed earlier collaborative EPs and stands among the limited official outputs credited to the Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group.

During spring 2009, a new formation named El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez was introduced and featured on the album Cryptomnesia (recorded in 2006 but released in 2009). Moreover, the trio El Trío de Omar Rodriguez Lopez—consisting of Omar, Ximena Sariñana, and double bassist Aaron Cruz Bravo—issued Ciencia de los Inútiles. In 2010, a quartet album including Juan Alderete, Marcel Rodríguez-López, Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, and Omar was digitally launched alongside a duo project by John and Omar. Prior to this, John Frusciante had collaborated with Omar through live performances and the single "0=2" during 2005–06.

2010–2012: Deantoni Parks becomes part of ORLG and The Mars Volta

The band’s American live debut, initially scheduled for May 2, 2010 at New York’s Highline Ballroom, was delayed until September 17 due to scheduling conflicts involving key members. Although there was speculation that Dave Elitch, then drumming for The Mars Volta, would join ORLG, it was Deantoni Parks, a former collaborator, who was officially announced as the tour drummer for 2010. Parks had previously filled in with The Mars Volta in 2006 and maintained a close relationship with the group. Additionally, Lars Stalfors contributed as sound manipulator during the 2010 shows.

ORLG broadened its touring itinerary by performing at Tokyo’s Metamorphose Festival on September 4, followed by appearances in Chicago and along the U.S. West Coast. Later that year, their tour extended through Russia and various European locations, while The Mars Volta participated in South American festivals throughout October. Concurrently, Parks played with Juan Alderete’s Vato Negro, including performances in California and at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival, collaborating on a Vato Negro album. By December 2010, Parks had resumed his role as drummer for The Mars Volta.

In 2010, Omar Rodriguez Lopez released several projects: Tychozorente, which featured Elvin Estela and omitted guitars; Cizaña de los Amores, highlighting vocalists Ximena and Lisa Papineau; along with surprise digital albums Mantra Hiroshima—his second collaboration with drummer Zach Hill—and Dōitashimashite, a live recording from the U.S. tour. The year concluded with the studio album Un Escorpión Perfumado, featuring contributions from Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez and Deantoni Parks.

The 2011 ORLG tour began at a Rodriguez Lopez Productions and Sargent House showcase during the SXSW Music Festival, introducing Cedric as guest vocalist in place of Ximena. Several premiered tracks were early versions of songs that would later appear on The Mars Volta's album Noctourniquet. When Cedric experienced vocal difficulties, the band adapted by performing instrumental sets mainly composed of material connected to the forthcoming Vato Negro album.

In December 2011, the Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Trio—comprising Rodriguez-Lopez, Alderete, and Parks—embarked on an Australian tour featuring seven concerts across five cities, supported by Le Butcherettes, with Omar also playing bass guitar. At the 2012 Metamorphose Festival in Japan, the trio was joined by Le Butcherettes’ vocalist Teri Gender Bender, performing selections from the then-unreleased Octopus Kool Aid.

2012: Formation of Bosnian Rainbows, ORLG hiatus amid At the Drive-In activities & resurgence in 2018

During summer 2012, a new ORLG tour was announced encompassing over forty shows across Europe, the United States, and Japan. Initially reported to feature Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Deantoni Parks, and Teri Gender Bender—with longtime bassist Juan Alderete absent—it was soon disclosed that this lineup had formed a new group named Bosnian Rainbows, which also included Nicci Kasper on synthesizers and keyboards. Bosnian Rainbows released their self-titled debut album in June 2013, recorded live at Clouds Hill Recordings in Hamburg. A live album capturing the 2012 performances, titled Chocolate Tumor Hormone Parade, was released in 2017.

Between 2016 and 2017, alongside this live release, twenty-two additional albums were issued, primarily recorded between 2008 and 2013 with some material dating back to 2001. During this interval, Omar concentrated on At the Drive-In and various film projects. These albums were issued without accompanying tours or physical formats.

Following a six-year break focusing on Bosnian Rainbows, Antemasque, At the Drive-In, Crystal Fairy, and cinematic endeavors, ORLG made a comeback with a show scheduled for December 8, 2018 at Festival Catrina in Puebla, México. Omar’s first solo performance in six years took place on November 23 at Hamburg’s Clouds Hill Festival, featuring selections from his Ipecac Recordings releases of 2016/2017—Arañas en la Sombra, Weekly Mansions, Roman Lips, and Killing Tingled Lifting Retreats—alongside an unreleased composition. He was supported by his brother Marcel and two female musicians new to his projects.

Discographies

The numbers denote release sequence

indicates recordings from 2001, prior to the establishment of The Mars Volta

^A# marks the order within the "Amsterdam Series," produced during Omar's residence in Amsterdam from 2005 to 2006

Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group

04 Please Heat This Eventually (2006/2007)^{A EP1} [available digitally and on vinyl; included as a Japanese bonus disc with Se Dice Bisonte, No Búfalo]
06 Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Lydia Lunch (2007)^{A EP2} [issued in Europe by Willie Anderson Recordings]
16 Los Sueños de un Hígado (2009 live) [released digitally and on vinyl; limited edition of 1,000 copies]
25 Dōitashimashite (2010 live) [available on digital and CD formats]
31 Woman Gives Birth to Tomato! (2013) [digital release]
50 Chocolate Tumor Hormone Parade (2017 live) [digital only]
59 Live At Clouds Hill (2023 live-in-studio)

El Grupo Nuevo de Omar Rodriguez Lopez

15 Cryptomnesia (2009)

El Trío de Omar Rodriguez Lopez

19 Ciencia de los Inútiles (2010) [digital and vinyl formats, limited to 1,000 copies]

Omar Rodriguez Lopez Quartet

21 Sepulcros de Miel (2010) [issued digitally and on vinyl; limited to 2,000 copies split between 1,000 purple and 1,000 orange editions]

Omar Rodriguez Lopez Quintet

07 The Apocalypse Inside of an Orange (2007/2008)^A3

Additional Omar Rodríguez López Releases

(all credited as "Omar Rodriguez Lopez" unless specified)

01 A Manual Dexterity: Soundtrack Volume One (2004)* credited as Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez
02 The Special 12 Singles Series (2005/2006) credited as Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez & John Frusciante [digital and vinyl only; limited edition of 500 copies through GSL]
03 Omar Rodriguez (2005/2006)^A1 [European distribution except for a limited run of 2,000 picture discs by GSL in 2006]
05 Se Dice Bisonte, No Búfalo (2007)^A2 [brown marble vinyl limited to 750 copies by GSL]
08 Calibration (Is Pushing Luck and Key Too Far) (2007/2008)^A4 [grey marble vinyl limited to 750 copies by N20]
09 Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Jeremy Michael Ward (2008)*
10 Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fungus (2008)*
11 Minor Cuts and Scrapes in the Bushes Ahead (2008)* [European distribution]
12 Old Money(2008/2009)
13 Megaritual(2009)A5 [European edition]
14 Despair(2009) [European edition]
17 Xenophanes(2009) [limited pink vinyl of 2,000 in USA, yellow vinyl for Europe]
18 Solar Gambling(2009) [digital and vinyl formats; limited to 1,500 copies: 750 clear blue and 750 clear yellow]
20 Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & John Frusciante(2010) [limited to 2,000 copies: split evenly between black and clear red vinyl]
22 Tychozorente(2010) [European edition]
23 Cizaña de los Amores(2010) [European edition]
24 Mantra Hiroshima(2010) [available digitally and on CD]
26 Un Escorpión Perfumado(2010) [clear red vinyl limited to 1,000 copies]
27 Telesterion(2011) [4LP vinyl compilation limited to 1,500 copies]
28 Un Corazón de Nadie(2012) [digital and CD releases]
29 Saber, Querer, Osar y Callar(2012) [digital and CD releases]
30 Octopus Kool Aid(2012) [vinyl limited to 1,000 copies]
32 Equinox(2013) [digital release]
33 Unicorn Skeleton Mask(2013) [digital release]
34 ¿Sólo Extraño?(2013)[digital release]

Ipecac Series 2016/2017

35 Sworn Virgins (2016)
36 Corazones (2016)
37 Blind Worms Pious Swine (2016)
38 Arañas en la Sombra (2016)
39 Umbrella Mistress (2016)
40 El Bien y Mal Nos Une (2016)
41 Cell Phone Bikini (2016)
42 Infinity Drips (2016)
43 Weekly Mansions (2016)
44 Zapopan (2016)
45 Nom de Guerre Cabal (2016)
46 Some Need It Lonely (2016)
47 A Lovejoy (2016)
48 Roman Lips (2017)
49 Zen Thrills (2017)
50 Chocolate Tumor Hormone Parade (2017)
51 Ensayo de un Desaparecido (2017)
52 Azul, Mis Dientes (2017)
53 Gorilla Preacher Cartel (2017)
54 Killing Tingled Lifting Retreats (2017)
55 Solid State Mercenaries (2017)
56 Birth of a Ghost (2017)
57 Doom Patrol (2017)

Clouds Hill

58 The Clouds Hill Tapes Parts I, II & III (2020)
60 Is It The Clouds? (2024)

2005 tour ensemble (Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Quintet)

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar
Juan Alderete de la Peña – bass
Marcel Rodríguez-López – drums
Adrián Terrazas-González – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, percussion
Money Mark Ramos-Nishita – keyboards and synthesizers
Damo Suzuki – vocals (guest appearance on November 14, 2005)

2007 special lineup

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar
Cedric Bixler-Zavala – lead vocals
Juan Alderete de la Peña – bass
Marcel Rodríguez-López – percussion, keyboards, synthesizers
Adrián Terrazas-González – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute, percussion
Thomas Pridgen – drums
Money Mark Ramos-Nishita – keyboards and synthesizers
Alfredo Ortiz – percussion (guest musician)

2009 touring band

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar
Juan Alderete de la Peña – bass
Marcel Rodríguez-López – keyboards and synthesizers
Thomas Pridgen – drums
Mark Aanderud – keyboards
Ximena Sariñana – lead vocals

2010 touring lineup

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar and vocals
Juan Alderete de la Peña – bass
Marcel Rodríguez-López – keyboards and synthesizers
Deantoni Parks – drums
Ximena Sariñana – lead vocals
Lars Stalfors – sound manipulation, keyboards, engineering

2011 US/Mexico tour lineup (The Mars Volta)

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar and backing vocals
Cedric Bixler-Zavala – lead vocals
Juan Alderete de la Peña – bass
Marcel Rodríguez-López – keyboards and synthesizers
Deantoni Parks – drums
Lars Stalfors – sound manipulation, keyboards, engineering

2011 Australian tour / 2012 Panama one-off lineup

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar, vocals
Juan Alderete de la Peña – bass guitar
Deantoni Parks – drums

2012 Japanese and Spanish one-off performances line-up

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar, vocals, keyboards
Juan Alderete de la Peña – bass guitar
Deantoni Parks – drums
Teri Gender Bender – lead vocals

2012 tour roster (Bosnian Rainbows)

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
Teri Gender Bender – lead vocals
Deantoni Parks – drums, keyboards
Nicci Kasper – synthesizers, keyboards

2018 tour ensemble

Omar Rodríguez-López – guitar
Marcel Rodríguez-López – keyboards, Mellotron
Audrey Johnson – drums
Virginia Alves – vocals
Leo Genovese – piano

External links

Omar Rodriguez-Lopez Quintet on MySpace