No piece of video can capture the Mars Volta. No photo graph or online news source or audio tape or mp3 could properly convey each squeal and beat and diversity of sounds that come at you at a Mars Volta show. At first we were all, "wtf why are they playing at a place with seats?", but then we went and were like, "if people are just going to watch with their mouths wide open, why bother standing, just sit."

But everyone stood. Some bobbed their heads, some raised their fists, but most just withstood the musical mastery and visual herkyjerk.

Singer dude ran all over the place, part James Brown, part Robert Plant, part street cat who doesn't know that he's supposed to just stand on stage and rock. Bro was all over-- climbing on things, crawling on things, running over things, and in the video below, becoming a nuisance with the folding chairs.

And guitar vest guy played that left handed guitar like he was mad at it. Perfectly fine with its whines, totally cool with its coos, I don't know his name but the man is a maestro. As was the saxist who also played flute and the shakey shakes. As was the topless ripped drummer. As was the brotha on keyboards.

Sold out shows downtown should have this sort of energy, it was like going to rock and roll church in Heaven on Jazz night. I can honestly say that it was one of the best concerts I've been to without knowing one song played or one person in the group. I feel like I've been baptized or something.

still and moving images by Sonny I. LaVista for LAist