Fans of At the Drive-In just can’t seem to catch a break. Just after reuniting for their first album in 16 years Cedric Bixler-Zavala sent out a tweet saying the band doesn’t know when they will play again. The cryptic message left fans wondering what the band’s future looks like.
I apologize for the heavy emotions tonight. Maybe it’s a sign of weakness to some of you but I had to give a huge thank you to my ATDI family. This was our 2nd to last show. Tomorrow is the last. Don’t know when we’ll play again. Thank you Rio. How do I even sleep now?
— LaVar Te El Culo (@cedricbixler_) November 18, 2018
A story from the PRP says that tweet came after a live show in Rio de Janiero. The band is finishing up their 2018 tour and had reached their second-to-last show. According to Brooklyn Vegan, at the end of the last show on Sunday (November 18) Bixler-Zavala addressed the crowd saying, “you tell your friends you saw the last fucking time we got together, cause I don’t know when we’re going to do this again, okay?”
After the show, the band released a statement through their Instagram officially announcing their break. In it they described how they sat in a hotel room before deciding to reunite, ending the post by thanking their fans and the crew. A variety of fan videos were later posted of the shows, which can be viewed below.
The news of the band’s hiatus is especially disappointing considering the band recently reformed in 2016 after breaking up in 2001. At the Drive-in was one of the driving forces of the post-hardcore scene and had finally entered the mainstream with their third studio album Relationship of Command (2000).
Unfortunately, an internal conflict started to brew, which caused the band to break up. Lead singer Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez left and eventually formed the progressive rock band, the Mars Volta. Vocalist and guitarist, Jim Ward, drummer, Tony Hajjar and bassist Paul Hinojos left to form the band Sparta.
The split continued for years until the band had a short reunion in 2012 before breaking up again shortly after. The band reconnected in 2015, when they eventually decided to begin recording again. ATDI later released their new single “Incurably Innocent,” which was later featured on their 2017 album, In•ter a•li•a. They also released a three-song EP title, Diamante.
While the new breakup may be disappointing for fans of the band they do have some hope. Compared to their past split the band seems to be in a better place, which means fans of the band can be hopeful for their future.
A full setlist of the band’s performance is listed below:
At The Drive In @ Bar Opinião, 11/18/2018
Arcarsenal
Governed By Contagions
Sleepwalk Capsules
Lopsided
Hostage Stamps
Invalid Litter Dept.
Enfilade
No Wolf Like the Present
Quarantined
Pendulum in a Peasant Dress
Catacombs
Napoleon Solo
Pattern Against User
Encore:
One Armed Scissor