About
Os Mutantes ("The Mutants") are an influential Brazilian
psychedelic rock band that were linked with the Tropicália
movement of the late 1960s. When Os Mutantes was
formed, it combined influences from psychedelic acts from
the English-speaking world like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix,
and Sly & the Family Stone with bossa nova, tropicália,
samba and the cultural legacy of the Brazilian art vanguards
from the modernist movement.
One of the most well-known and influential rock bands in
Brazil, Os Mutantes are cited as a major influence to many
contemporary underground or independent bands in the
United States and Europe. Beck paid tribute to the group
with his single "Tropicália" from the album Mutations. The
Bees (UK band) covered "A Minha Menina" on their first
album, Sunshine Hit Me. Red Hot Chili Peppers bass player
Flea has stated on his Twitter account that he is a fan. Kevin
Barnes of Of Montreal cites Os Mutantes as an important
influence. Talking Heads frontman David Byrne has worked
to publish and promote the group's music through his Luaka
Bop label. Kurt Cobain publicly requested a reunion tour
from the trio in 1993, writing a letter to Arnaldo Baptista, but
the bands first live performance since 1978 was at London’s
Barbican Arts Centre on May 22, 2006 - (though without
Rita Lee, who was replaced with Zélia Duncan on vocals).
This performance was followed by shows in New York City,
Los Angeles (with the Flaming Lips), San Francisco, Seattle,
Denver, Chicago, and Miami. However in September 2007,
both Arnaldo Baptista and Zélia Duncan left the band, each
expressing wishes to continue with their respective solo
projects.
Sérgio Dias, however, vowed to keep the reformed band alive,
not wanting to let "the giant sleep again", as he put it. And so,
led by Dias with Esmeria Bulgari on vocals, Henrique Peters
on keyboards, Vinicius Junqueira on bass and Claudio
Tchernev on drums the band toured extensively enjoying
some great highlights such as "A Minha Menina" featuring as
the audio track for the McDonald's commercial “Victory” in
June 2008, their first new release in 35 years, “Haih Or
Amortecedor” (ANTI- Records) in September 2009. Extensive
tours in support of the album including Glastonbury Festival
in June 2010. In 2011, they collaborated with Of Montreal on
the song "Bat Macumba" for the Red Hot Organization's most
recent charitable album "Red Hot+Rio 2." and in 2013 the
release of their album “Fool Metal Jack”. In 2017, Sergio Dias
collaborated with the English singer-songwriter, Carly
Bryant and subsequently she was put into the band’s line up
on vocals, guitars and keyboards. Tres Olhos Music Festival
quoted after her debut performance “"Packed with the new
vocals, Carly Bryant took the audience to ecstasy, showing
she’s here to stay.” The six piece release the single ‘Black and
Grey’ in late 2017 and are currently working on a new studio
album.
"A head-turning comeback” BBC music
"There was nothing quite like Os Mutantes, and there still
isn't" The Guardian
"Kaleidoscopic, politically-charged rock" Billboard
