Os Mutantes Coming To A Town Near You

We’ve already told you all about how Brazilian tropicalia pioneers Os Mutantes are getting ready to release their first studio effort in 35 years, Haih or Amortecedor.  Now, the psych-rockers have announced plans to follow-up their critically acclaimed 2006 reunion tour with yet another.

The group’s live show has been heralded by artists from the Flaming Lips to David Byrne for its high-energy, progressive qualities. Constantly shifting styles, time signatures, and moods, Os Mutantes have been regarded as one of the most captivating live bands in the world.  Kurt Cobain even pleaded with the band to reunite and open for Nirvana on a tour in the mid 90s, to which they declined.  The Urban UK retroactively mentioned the upside to Cobain’s unsuccessful efforts: “In a way, Kurt Cobain was lucky that Os Mutantes turned down that support slot – Nirvana getting out-rocked by a bunch of mad, middle-aged Brazilian hippies would have been a sight to behold.”

Band leader Sergio Dias has expressed his excitement for the upcoming tour, during which he will be able to do what he does best: “I love playing this music live,” Dias says. “It is the best thing possible. When we were playing at the Pitchfork festival it was like looking at yourself when you were a kid trying to mumble the words to I Wanna Hold Your Hand in English and not understanding the words. There weren’t many Brazilians there but the kids were singing our songs in Portuguese. Playing with this band live is amazing. I cannot describe anything better other than maybe going into space. It keeps me young.”

The tour is sure to be as phenomenal as anything the band has done before, showcasing the unique sound and the profound influence that the group has had on the modern music scene.  The band, however, says that they do not intend to simply dwell on the past.  Via the press release: “The reunited Mutantes offer something far more intriguing than mere psychedelic nostalgia. While the ingenious genre blending Tropicália spirit remains intact on Haih or Amortecedor, it’s clear the Mutantes are not looking to the past, but ahead into further uncharted musical terrain.”  Whichever way they do decide to look, it should be a pretty good view.

North American Tour Dates:

08-28-09, Los Angeles California, The Echoplex

08-29-09, San Francisco California, Outside Lands Festival,

09-01-09, Redway California, Mateel Community Center

09-02-09, Portland Oregon, Aladdin Theater

09-03-09 Vancouver, BC, The Commodore Ballroom

09-04-09 Bellingham Washington, The Nightlight

09-05-09 Seattle Washington, Bumbershoot Festival

09-19-09 Yosemite California, Symbiosis Fest

09-24-09 Denver Colorado, Cervantes

09-25-09 Omaha Nebraska, Waiting Room

09-26-09 Minneapolis Minnesota, Cedar Cultural Ctr

09-30-09 Cleveland Ohio, Beachland Ballroom

10-04-09 Boston Massachusetts, Sommerville Th.

10-08-09 New York New York, Webster Th.

10-09-09 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Mr. Smalls

10-10-09 Columbus Ohio, Capitol Th.

10-11-09 Lexington Kentucky, WRFL Fest

10-13-09 Tampa Florida, Skipper’s

10-14-09 Ft. Lauderdale Florida, Culture Room

10-16-09 Atlanta Georgia, Variety Playhouse

10-17-09 New Orleans Louisiana, Tipitina’s

10-18-09 Austin Texas, La Zona Rosa