Squared away in his office in Graham hall, Dr. Dennis Bixler-Marquez is an established professor and director of Chicano Studies at UTEP. Well-dressed and thoroughly intelligent nothing looks peculiar about this man, but from behind his glasses he has seen the growth of a modern day rockstar, his son.
"I'm pleased, because he's doing what he loves to do because it's not always an option people have," Bixler-Marquez said. "Sometimes you're left with 'I should have done this' and that's not the case with him."
Bixler-Marquez fathered Cedric Bixler-Zavala, co-founder and vocalist of the Mars Volta and former At the Drive-In vocalist. At the Drive-In tasted little and late mainstream acknowledgement before splitting into two in 2001. One half formed Sparta, while Bixler-Zavala and bandmate Omar Rodriguez-Lopez formed the Mars Volta. Now near its eighth year of existence the Mars Volta has long eclipsed At the Drive-In's shadow and is making its own mark in the music industry.
Like father, like son, each one has been highly successful in their respective fields.
Bixler-Marquez graduated from UTEP with his bachelor's in political science and master's in socio-cultural education. At Stanford University, he did additional graduate work acquiring his master's in Spanish and a doctorate in multicultural education. With over 30 year's experience, he rose from a lecturer to director at UTEP. He has researched a variety of issues involving border security issues, multi-cultural education, immigration, ethnic groups and more.
His son went from performing in local venues, to selling out theaters and reaching mainstream audiences with the Mars Volta. The band has released four LPs (full albums) and was voted Best Prog-Rock band by the Rolling Stone. They are known for their experimental, mind-bending concept albums and extensive chaotic performances. Their music incorporates elements of salsa, jazz-fusion, punk and psychedelic rock.
"I enjoy it," Bixler-Marquez said. "They've done some very creative things that I never thought they would do."
His son first grew interested in music after watching KISS on a television aired program. He grew fond of music at a very early age. With a makeshift guitar in hand, he would often perform at his grandmother's house in front of the other children and anyone else who was watching, Bixler Marquez said.
"He would put on a full blown show. He was doing this at the age of 5 and 6," Bixler-Marquez said. "He had all the kids mesmerized."
As a professor, Bixler-Marquez undoubtedly pushed for Bixler-Zavala to be successful in education, but music had far more appeal to his son.
"I don't think we had a plan for him exactly, except a traditional upbringing," Bixler-Marquez said. "He was just very turned on to music and he wanted to pursue it as a career."
The Bixler family encouraged and supported their son's aspiration early on by purchasing equipment, allowing his band to practice in their home, and occasionally lending a hand at a show.
"You never know if they're going to hit it or not, so all you can do is help out and hope that it does," Bixler-Marquez said. "His tenacity has always been there."
Bixler-Marquez recognized Bixler-Zavala's dedication and commitment to music when he started booking tours, creating flyers, and promoting his bands. Along with the business aspect, Bixler-Marquez saw the development of his son's musical talents under his own roof.
"The two words we used most frequently in our house were 'Bajale y apagale'," Bixler-Marquez said.
As a child, his father first taught him to read and write in Spanish. Bixler-Marquez also sent him to practice his Spanish at Juan De Dios Peza elementary school in Juarez. For the Mars Volta's second album "Frances the Mute" Bixler-Zavala recorded lyrics in both Spanish and English.
"Once in a while, he'll be writing a song somewhere and he'll call me at 3 in the morning to ask me how to say this in Spanish," Bixler-Marquez said.
Along with language, values and beliefs are commonly passed on by parents to their children. Inside his office, Bixler-Marquez has several tall bookshelves filled with books on music, culture, language, politics, religion and other subjects. Bixler-Marquez's teachings and beliefs are possible influences that may have characterized his son, and influenced his lyrics.
In At the Drive-In, Bixler-Zavala wrote a song called "Invalid Litter Dept.", which was about the scores of women murdered and missing in Juarez, just one of many songs written with more of a political, social and cultural awareness.
"He called me when they decided to shoot the video. We talked about it. I told him it was a very delicate subject," Bixler-Marquez said. "They told me through their music they wanted to raise a consciousness of what's going on in Juarez."
After watching his son's development and journey to an accomplished artist, Bixler-Marquez has great respect and appreciation for everyday artist. Through Chicano studies, he tries to give local artist opportunities by offering artists chances to contribute to the artwork of textbooks and calendars, promoting Chicano cinema, and offering Chicano related fine art classes.
"In particularly the fine arts are under funded," Bixler-Marquez said. "I always want to make sure those artists are treated with respect."
The Mars Volta returns to El Paso and it is likely Bixler-Marquez will be in attendance when they perform at the Abraham Chavez Theater on Sept 28, at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at
www.ticketmaster.com.
Media Credit: Special to The Prospector
