At the Drive-In - Ursa Minor Album: Vaya EP [1999]
combining emotional melodies and an upbeat rhythm moving at an unpredictable rate, at the drive-in definitely stuck out in their hometown of el paso, TX. formed in early 1994, the now all-star lineup secured around cedric bixler (vocals), omar rodriguez and jim ward (guitar), paul hinojos (bass) and tony hajjar (drums), toured in support of their first two EPs to mostly empty houses and clubs across the western united states. a small gig in los angeles - with an audience consisting of only nine people - somehow got the attention of flipside records, who released the band's first full-length, "acrobatic tenement" in 1996. with constant energy and a stubborn enthusiasm to continue, at the drive-in began to develop an audience, helped out by constant touring and word-of-mouth hype. their final three releases, "in/casino/out", "vaya", and "relationship of command", were gradually and absolutely astounding, and saw the band coming together to find the true and beautiful essence of their music. they took the raw intensity and power of their earlier efforts, and focused upon it, bringing forth something that surpassed anything they had done prior. overall, they were an incredible band that was moving in a direction so exciting that left many dying to see what they'd do next. sadly, that would never come to be, with the band members parting ways in 2001 and spawning sparta and the mars volta. at their best, they could be breath-taking, heart-pounding, seamless, and inspiring all at once. amidst all the rock, there was the undeniably unique edge about ther band's sound. beautiful vocals bursting passion in quirky, abstract, and often thrilling lyrics, youthful energy, driving melodies, and a sense of beyond-the-moment urgency.
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