In 1991, Columbia University student and now Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke formed the punk band Foss with drummer Cedric Bixler-Zavala. O'Rourke would eventually go on to become a successful politician, while Bixler-Zavala found success in both At The Drive-In and The Mars Volta. Foss' existence found its way into the limelight during O'Rourke's campaign against incumbent Republican Ted Cruz in the 2018 Texas race for senator.

In a recent presidential campaign stop, one person asked O'Rourke if he'd have The Mars Volta reunite to play his inauguration should he win. O'Rourke says he'd love to have them play basically anytime during his campaign and that he's proud to have them be from his hometown of El Paso.

"It would be an honor to have The Mars Volta play anything along the campaign or in this presidency. Cedric and Omar… That group is one of the most talented collections of individuals, and I'm really proud that they're from El Paso."