Startled Calf - Live in El Paso, Texas
December 14th, 1991 @
Coronado High School
w/
Setlist
Notes
At this point this performance is relatively legendary among The Mars Volta faithful. Is it good? Not really, it is a teenage punk band, but despite that even at this young age Omar is giving us the earliest of hints as to why he and the stage are the holiest of alliances. Even while barking about how much he hates his teachers and classmates he commands a presence that he has carried with him 30 years later.
Part of the S.A.V.E. benefit concert. The show was abruptly ended by the police. According to Dr. Tara Lopez, the show was halted due to attendees stage diving. She also states that attendees ended up singing Christmas carols in the parking lot after the show was halted.
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There is currently no audio available for this show.
Tour Era
Before The Mars Volta, ANTEMASQUE, Bosnian Rainbows, or even At the Drive-In, there were Foss, Jerk, Phantasmagoria, and Startled Calf. Very little is known about this era of music for Cedric and Omar, and in fairness to those who were able to witness it there was little reason to document. It is understandable that no one anticipated a few teenage punks from El Paso would go on to be well-regarded musicians (or a congressman).
The bits we have show young artists feeling around, exploring, and identifying their sound. The music is rough, unpolished, but full of the youthful heart that seems to vanish as we get older. The venues a blend of garages, high school auditoriums, and anywhere that would host a motley crew of DIY punks.
Make no mistake, there are no hidden gems among this era. The shows truly are a collection of adolescents fumbling and exploring. That said, what may be lacking in song-smithing or finesse is replaced with a ferocious energy. In hindsight we can see these young burgeoning adults screaming against the world they were about to invade. It is an energy we can all relate to and appreciate.