Os Mutantes | Artist

Os Mutantes is an influential Brazilian psychedelic-pop band formed 1966 in São Paulo, Brazil, by Sergio Dias (guitar, vocals, organ, cello, percussion, oud, harmonica), Arnaldo Baptista (bass, keyboards, vocals) and Rita Lee (vocals). In 1969 Liminha (bass, guitar, vocals) and Dinho Leme (drums, tabla, percussion) joined the core trio, making the group a five piece. Os Mutantes, sometimes shortened to just "Mutantes", were linked with the Tropicália movement, a dissident musical movement during the Brazilian dictatorship of the late 1960s. They released their acclaimed self-titled debut album in 1968 and followed up in successive years with three more classic albums: Mutantes, A divina comédia ou ando meio desligado, and Jardim elétrico. After two further albums, the band split in 2000 but reformed nine years later and began performing and recording new material. Standout albums include their first four releases, along with Tudo foi feito pelo Sol (1974), and the excellent live reunion performance Mutantes ao vivo: Barbican Theatre, Londres, 2006. When Os Mutantes was formed, they 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. Os Mutantes is one of the most well-known and influential rock bands in Brazil. In addition, many contemporary underground or independent bands in the United States and Europe cite Os Mutantes as a major influence. Kurt Cobain publicly requested a reunion tour from the trio in 1993, writing a letter to Arnaldo Baptista.

Artist Website: myspace.com/osmutantes

Featured Albums: Os Mutantes

Related Artists: Mutantes, Rita Lee

Video Clips: Baby, Panis et Circensis, The Movie