Jeremy Michael Ward

Jeremy Ward, born in 1976, is a founding member of De Facto and The Mars Volta.   He is the cousin of Jim Ward.  Per the documentary, If This Ever Gets Weird, he was in some sort of romantic relationship with Omar at one time.  

Jeremy's first musical credit is contributing some experimental sounds at the end of Lopsided.  From there he would contribute melodica, sound effects, and some vocals in the dub reggae band De Facto.  This is where his collaboration with Omar and Cedric significantly increased as evidenced by posthumous releases Omar Rodriguez-Lopez & Jeremy Michael Ward, and Minor Cuts and Scrapes in the Bushes Ahead which were recorded in 2001.  

Jeremy would be an integral member in the first three years of The Mars Volta.  He contributed sound effects and manipulation during live performances from 2001 to 2003 and in the studio on Tremulant and De-Loused in the Comatorium.  Since he was not on stage during live performances he was often ignored and disregarded by the media, concert goers, and venue managers.  As mentioned in the documentary he would at times be mistaken for a roadie.  Despite this, his work helped create the haunting, chaotic, and experimental nature of those initial shows.  

Jeremy struggled with substance use during these critical years of the band's activity, the most problematic of which being heroin.  This led to Jeremy to struggle during the recording of De-Loused in the Comatorium, and while on tour.  It appears the increased pressure of The Mars Volta versus De Facto was a contributing factor in the escalation of his substance use.  In If This Ever Gets Weird he can be found slurring his speech, stumbling, and struggling to stand up.  

Jeremy would attend rehab at an unknown time and for a period of time appeared to have recovered from significant substance use.  Jeremy's last show with The Mars Volta was May 21st, 2003.  The show was a one-off solo show which served as a capstone for a leg opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Members of the band have identified this show as one of their best.  The Mars Volta had a few week break following this performance, after which they were supposed to resume touring in June. While the majority of the band stayed in New York City for a few days, Jeremy returned to Los Angeles on his own.  During an interview with Dean Del Ray, Juan Alderete told a story where Jeremy kissed his feet and said a goodbye before he flew home.  He described the event as strange and in hindsight prophetic considering what happened a few days later.

Jeremy was found dead in his apartment on May 25th, 2003 of a heroin overdose.  He was 27 years old.  He died one month before the release of De-Loused in the Comatorium.  There has been some speculation that he died by suicide, but there has never been any significant indication this is accurate, versus an individual perhaps struggling with his recovery from drug use and the pressures of touring in The Mars Volta. 

Jeremy's impact on the early phase of The Mars Volta is undoubtable.  Although he never held the spotlight like Omar and Cedric did, without him it is unclear if the releases Tremulant and De-Loused would have had the same level of impact on the music world.  His contribution to their live work is important to note, creating flourishing noisescapes between songs and making Cedric's vocals sound twisted and distorted.  He contributed lyrics to songs and his skills in sonic manipulations were critical in giving the credibility The Mars Volta had in their musical experimentation.  His impact on the band would continue long after his death with later songs utilizing experimental compositions of his such as on Luciforms and or being the topic of lyrics such as on Palm Full of Crux.