AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Sparta

Artist:Sparta

Song:Cut Your Ribbon

Album:Wiretap Scars

Sparta is a post hardcore band formed in 2001 after At the Drive-In split up. The music is very similar so fans of At the Drive-In should enjoy Sparta. Despite At the Drive-In's success, lead singer Cedric Bixler-Zavala was unhappy with the band's direction. After the split, he formed The Mars Volta with guitarist Omar Rodriguez-Lopez. Drummer Tony Hajjar and bassist Paul Hinojos wanted to form a new band. They asked At the Drive-In guitarist Jim Ward if he wanted to be lead singer. They brought in former Belknap bassist Matt Miller. Hinojos switched to guitar. Sparta signed with DreamWorks Records. After releasing an EP, Sparta released their 2002 debut album Wiretap Scars. The album was produced by Blink-182 producer Jerry Finn. The songwriting was credited to the band as a whole so the royalties would be split evenly. This is done to avoid conflict. Cut Your Ribbon was the first single. The album did OK. It is available as a digital download. There was pressure on Sparta to live up to At the Drive-In's reputation. They opened for Pearl Jam on tour and released the 2004 album Live At the Zona Rosa. Then Ward's cousin Jeremy died from a heroin overdose. He was a sound technician for The Mars Volta. This affected Ward's songs for the 2004 album Porcelain. When the album was not well received, Ward pulled Sparta off the road. He didn't know if he was going to keep the band going. Hinojos left to join The Mars Volta. Keeley Davis replaced him. They signed with Disney's Hollywood label for the 2006 album Threes. When this album was unsuccessful, Ward announced that Sparta was going on hiatus. Ward formed the alt country band Sleepercar. Sparta reformed in 2011 mostly to play Ward's club in El Paso. A single was released. Sparta released a new album Trust the River on Dine Alone in 2020. There are plans for Sparta to return to touring. Ward released a solo album last year. And with Ward and Miller the only remaining Sparta members, Ward might stop using the Sparta name. It might be easier to tour solo. Here's the video for Cut Your Ribbon by Sparta.