Omar Rodriguez-Lopez

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Omar Alfredo Rodriguez-Lopez (born on September 1, 1975 in Bayamón, Puerto Rico) is the left-handed guitarist of the rock band The Mars Volta.

1 Biography
2 Equipment
3 Discography

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Biography

Rodriguez-Lopez grew up in El Paso, Texas. After leaving the city before the age of 18, he spent time traveling across America. During this time he saw his life going nowhere, as he abused drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine, and engaging in such activities as "dumpster diving" to obtain food. He was a self-proclaimed bum. So he got in touch with friend Cedric Bixler Zavala who suggested he come back to El Paso. With the help of Bixler Zavala, he was able to make it back to El Paso where he joined At The Drive-In as backup vocalist and bass guitarist. After receiving a record deal with Flipside and recording Acrobatic Tenement with the band, he became their full-time guitarist.

Rodriguez-Lopez has spent most of his career working with, and often living with, his close friend, Cedric Bixler Zavala. The pair first played together in rock band At the Drive-In. While still in that band, they formed a dub reggae outfit called DeFacto. In 2001 The two left At the Drive-In, which they had been part of since 1993, on "indefinite hiatus" to form The Mars Volta. In addition, Cedric appears on Rodriguez-Lopez's A Manual Dexterity: Soundtrack Volume 1, the soundtrack to Rodriguez-Lopez's film. The release of this film is postponed indefinitely.

Rodriguez-Lopez's compositional and playing style is characterized by, among other factors, unresolving dissonances (in particular a heavy use of the tritone), chromatic passages, serial composition and lengthy improvisation. He is also known for his vast array of effects pedals. Rodriguez-Lopez claims to be ignorant of any music theory.

Rodriguez-Lopez's style has been likened to that of King Crimson's Robert Fripp (who also uses tritones abundantly). It is likely that Fripp has had a considerable influence on Rodriguez-Lopez. However, Rodriguez has cited salsa pianist and bandleader Larry Harlow as his primary influence. Rodriguez cites the comedian Lenny Bruce, the film-maker Werner Herzog and the New Age anthropologist Carlos Castaneda as three other important influences.

Rodriguez-Lopez is credited as writing all the music heard on The Mars Volta's 2005 release cd, Frances the Mute, as well as acting as record producer, arranging and recording all of the music. He has also recently finished producing the forthcoming album from LA-based band Radio Vago.

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Equipment

Omar uses a Ibanez AX120 custom. He has many of these guitars and uses them in The Mars Volta tours. He used a Fender Mustang, a Fender Jaguar, and a Fender Telecaster on The Frances The Mute album and he used a Gibson SG on De-loused In The Comatorium. Omar also uses Orange and Vox amps. He used a Jaguar and a 1977 Gibson SG when doing shows with John Frusciante and Flea. The pickups in the Ibanez AX120 are Seymour Duncan JB Jrs. He also uses a huge range of effects pedals.

ADA Flanger
BOSS PS-5 Super Shifter
Ibanez DE7 Delay
MXR Phase 90
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff
Ibanez SB7 Synthisizer Bass
Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler
Digitech Whammy
Electro-Harmonix Small Stone
Dunlop Bass Wah
Electro-Harmonix Poly Chorus
Moogerfooger Ring Modulator
Electro Harmonix Memory Mann Deluxe.                                                           
BOSS DD 5 or 6
Electro-Harmonix Holy Reverb
BOSS TU2 Chromatic Tuner
Digitech Synth Wah
MXR Micro Amp
Line 6 MM4 Modulation Modeler

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