Jeff Jordan (born c. 1948)[1] is an American surrealism painter in Eureka, California. He is best known for painting several of The Mars Volta's album covers, including for The Bedlam in Goliath.[1]

Jeff Jordan
Born1948 (age 75–76)
Known forThe Mars Volta album cover art
StyleSurrealism
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life

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To avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War and sent to Southeast Asia, Jordan joined the American Air Force in 1966 and was stationed in Iceland before returning to the United States and working as a missile guard at Vandenberg Air Force Base.[1]

Career

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Jordan's interests vary widely and he has explored a wide range of art styles; as such, it took him 25 years to settle on his surrealist style.[1] His work is done by hand with acrylic and oil paints.[2] After years of working as a commercial artist who felt uninspired by his commissions, he teamed up with The Mars Volta for their album Amputechture (2006). The cover is Jordan's painting Big Mutant, while Dwarf Dancing is on the CD face and LP labels.[1][3] Agadez was used as the cover art for The Bedlam in Goliath (2008) and was also the name of the album's eighth track.[4][5] Rolling Stones readers chose this as the second best album cover of 2008.[6][1] The band's fifth studio album, Octahedron, features Jordan's artwork on the front[1][7] and back covers as well as throughout the LP packaging. He has also created t-shirts and live backdrops for the band.[citation needed]

Album artwork credits

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The Mars Volta

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Gama Bomb

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Leprous

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Protest the Hero

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Graham Czach

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  • Lucid (2010)[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Pollard, Nathan (2013-03-18). "Interview: Jeff Jordan". Verbicide Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20.
  2. ^ Louden, Sarah (2010-11-02). "Surrealists Sonny Kay and Jeff Jordan exhibit Parallel Universes at LA's Hold Up art gallery". Alarm Magazine. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  3. ^ a b Paul, Aubin (2006-07-04). "The Mars Volta reveal Jeff Jordan's "Amputechture" artwork". Punk News. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  4. ^ Roffman, Michael (2008-01-31). "Album Review: The Mars Volta – The Bedlam In Goliath". Consequence. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  5. ^ Wilhelm, Joseph (2014-05-12). "Agadez – Jeff Jordan". Meridian Fine Art. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  6. ^ "Readers' Rock List: Best Album Covers of 2008". Rolling Stones. 2008. Archived from the original on 2009-05-12.
  7. ^ Comingore, Amy (2009-08-27). "The Mars Volta Bring Octahedron to Life". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  8. ^ "Play Ouija, get cursed, record album". Yale Daily News. 2008-02-01. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  9. ^ a b "Mars Volta cover artist Jeff Jordan on fame, animals, and the word "legendary"". Alarm Magazine. 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  10. ^ "Gama Bomb unveil artwork, song titles for Tales from the Grave in Space". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. 29 October 2009. Archived from the original on 2014-03-11.
  11. ^ "Leprous – Bilateral". Metal Revolution. 2011-08-22. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  12. ^ "LEPROUS: 'Coal' Artwork Unveiled". Blabbermouth. 2013-04-17. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  13. ^ Hartmann, Graham (2013-10-02). "Protest the Hero Soar with New 'Volition' Track 'Drumhead Trial'". LoudWire. Retrieved 2023-12-04.