Os Mutantes
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1966 in São Paulo, Brazil |
| Headquarters | São Paulo , Brazil |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Os Mutantes (, The Mutants) is a Brazilian rock ensemble linked to the late 1960s Tropicália movement. Drawing inspiration from Anglo-American psychedelic pop, they fused traditional Brazilian sounds with innovative studio techniques, including guitar feedback, distortion, and elements of musique concrète. Their highly praised debut album, bearing their name, was released in 1968.
Established as a trio in 1966, Os Mutantes collaborated with Gilberto Gil on his 1968 record and played a significant role in the influential Tropicália: ou Panis et Circencis collective album. They rapidly emerged as prominent figures in the "new MPB" (popular Brazilian music) and Brazilian rock scenes. Throughout the 1970s, their musical direction evolved toward progressive rock, coinciding with the departure of founding member Rita Lee in 1972. After producing nine albums—including two, O A e o Z and Tecnicolor, which were only released during the 1990s—the band dissolved in 1978. The 1990s brought renewed appreciation for their impact on the psychedelic movement both within Brazil and internationally.
Although best recognized for original members Rita Lee, Arnaldo Baptista, and Sérgio Dias, Os Mutantes underwent numerous personnel changes over time, with Dias remaining the only continuous member. Later contributors included Liminha and Dinho Leme. Following a break from the late 1970s until the early 2000s, the group reassembled in 2006 without Lee, resuming touring activities and releasing new recordings.
Origins
Os Mutantes originated in São Paulo in 1966, founded by siblings Arnaldo Baptista (bass, keyboards, vocals) and Sérgio Dias Baptista (guitar, vocals), along with lead vocalist Rita Lee. Initially called Six Sided Rockers, they adopted the name Os Mutantes shortly before a television appearance—a suggestion from Ronnie Von inspired by Stefan Wul’s novel Emperor of the Mutants. The Baptista brothers hailed from an artistic household—father was a poet and mother a pianist—and had previously performed with The Wooden Faces; meanwhile, Lee had been part of The Teenage Singers. Sérgio Dias’s distinctive Golden Guitar was crafted by their brother Cláudio César Dias Baptista, who also custom-built many of their instruments and sound effects.
Tropicália
Os Mutantes emerged as pivotal contributors to the Tropicália movement after forming ties with influential artist Gilberto Gil. They released two albums that merged psychedelic rock with a variety of artistic influences and collaborated closely with key Tropicália figures such as Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil before Veloso and Gil faced exile by Brazil’s military regime in 1969. During this era, the band encountered threats from government authorities.
In 1967, Os Mutantes supported Gilberto Gil at the Festival of Brazilian Popular Music, marking one of the earliest appearances by a rock band at Brazilian music festivals; Gil secured second place with "Domingo no Parque." The following year saw their participation in Gil’s second solo album as well as the seminal Tropicália manifesto record Tropicália: ou Panis et Circencis, featuring major artists from the movement and arranged by Rogerio Duprat.
Their 1968 live performances backing Caetano Veloso at the Festival Internacional da Canção provoked strong hostility from conservative student audiences who opposed Tropicália’s avant-garde style. Despite facing jeers, boos, and objects thrown during their sets—including Veloso’s controversial "É proibido proibir"—the band continued performing. Veloso’s passionate reaction to the backlash led to their withdrawal from the competition amid ongoing protests. This incident underscored the cultural clashes surrounding Tropicália’s groundbreaking approach amid a repressive political environment.
Mid-1970s
In 1971, Os Mutantes officially welcomed bassist Arnolpho Lima Filho, known as "Liminha," and drummer Ronaldo Leme, nicknamed "Dinho." Prior to Rita Lee's departure in 1972 to embark on a solo path, the group had issued five albums. Although Lee’s 1972 record Hoje É o Primeiro Dia do Resto da Sua Vida was recorded with the band, it was released under her name alone due to conflicts with their record label. The band’s sound evolved towards progressive rock with the album O A e o Z, which was recorded in 1973 but remained unreleased until 1992 because of disputes with the label. That same year, Arnaldo exited amid interpersonal tensions and struggles related to LSD use, followed soon after by Dinho and Liminha. After a suicide attempt, Arnaldo was institutionalized. Sérgio Dias, the sole founding member remaining, steered Os Mutantes through to their breakup in 1978, during which they put out one studio album, a live recording, and an EP. Additionally, two previously unreleased albums—O A e o Z and Tecnicolor (from 1970)—were made available years later.
Reunion
On 22 May 2006, Os Mutantes—comprising Arnaldo, Sérgio, and Dinho but excluding Rita Lee and Liminha (with Zélia Duncan stepping in for Lee)—reassembled for a live show at London's Barbican Arts Centre, their first performance since 1978. This event marked Dinho’s return behind the drums and was followed by concerts in major American cities such as New York, Los Angeles (where they performed alongside the Flaming Lips), San Francisco, and Chicago.
In 2007, the band partnered with British DJ JD Twitch on the cultural exchange project Trocabrahma between Britain and Brazil. By September of that year, Arnaldo Baptista and Zélia Duncan departed to concentrate on solo ventures, leaving Sérgio Dias as the driving force committed to continuing Os Mutantes. November reports hinted at Liminha rejoining and Karina Zeviani taking over vocals from Duncan; however, neither became part of the lineup. Sérgio revealed intentions to produce a new studio album featuring collaborations with artists such as Tom Zé and Devendra Banhart.
April 2008 saw the release of "Mutantes Depois," their first fresh track in over three decades, introducing new vocalists Bia Mendes and Fabio Recco. In June of that year, their song "A Minha Menina" was featured in a commercial for McDonald's.
Their first studio album in thirty-five years, Haih Or Amortecedor, was launched on 8 September 2009 via ANTI- Records. The band supported this release with an extensive tour across North America in autumn 2009 and appeared at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2010 before embarking on another North American tour that fall.
In 2011, Os Mutantes collaborated with Of Montreal on a rendition of "Bat Macumba" for the charity compilation "Red Hot + Rio 2," which aimed to raise awareness about AIDS/HIV.
The album Fool Metal Jack was released on 30 April 2013 featuring predominantly English lyrics and a refreshed lineup including Ani Cordero on drums and Amy Crawford handling keyboards. The group toured North America to promote this record.
Between 2022 and 2023, led by Sérgio Dias, Os Mutantes embarked on another North American tour.
Legacy
Os Mutantes fused elements from English-language rock icons such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Sly & the Family Stone, the Ventures, and Duane Eddy with Brazilian genres like bossa nova, tropicália, and samba, as well as influences from Brazil’s modernist art movement.
They rank among Brazil’s most pivotal rock ensembles and have significantly influenced numerous underground and independent bands across the United States and Europe. In 1993, Kurt Cobain publicly called for their reunion by reaching out directly to Arnaldo Baptista. Cobain discovered Os Mutantes through Pat Fear of White Flag (band), whose own group The Tater Totz became the first American band to cover Os Mutantes on their 1988 album Alien Sleestaks from Brazil. Musician Beck paid tribute with his single "Tropicália" from the album Mutations. The English band The Bees recorded a cover of "A Minha Menina" on their debut Sunshine Hit Me. Bassist Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers has expressed admiration for Os Mutantes via social media. Kevin Barnes of Of Montreal cites them as a major influence. Additionally, Talking Heads’ lead singer David Byrne has promoted their work through his label Luaka Bop.
Their track "Ave Lucifer" was sampled in Captain Murphy’s song "The Killing Joke," produced by Flying Lotus.
Discography
The body of work by Os Mutantes encompasses ten studio albums, two live recordings, ten compilation albums, four EPs, ten singles, and a single video album.
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Os Mutantes |
| 1969 | Mutantes
|
| 1970 | A Divina Comédia ou Ando Meio Desligado
|
| 1971 | Jardim Elétrico
|
| 1972 | Mutantes e Seus Cometas no País do Baurets
|
| 1974 | Tudo Foi Feito Pelo Sol
|
| 1992 | O A e o Z
|
| 2000 | Tecnicolor
|
| 2009 | Haih Or Amortecedor
|
| 2013 | Fool Metal Jack
|
| 2020 | Zzyzx
|
Live albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Mutantes Ao Vivo
|
| 2006 | Mutantes Ao Vivo – Barbican Theatre, Londres 2006
|
Compilation albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 1986 | Algo Mais
|
| 1994 | Personalidade: Mutantes
|
| 1994 | Minha História: Mutantes
|
| 1996 | Coleção Obras-Primas: Mutantes
|
| 1997 | 'Os Grandes da MPB: Os Mutantes'
|
| 'Millenium: Os Mutantes'
Released in Brazil in ’98 Recorded between ’67 and ’73 Label PolyGram Reissued as Novo Millenium: Os Mutantes by Universal Music in ’05 | |
| 'Everything Is Possible: The Best of Os Mutantes'
Released in the US in ’99 Recorded between ’67 and ’71 Label Luaka Bop |- | |
| 'A Arte de Os Mutantes'
Released in Brazil in ’06 Covers recordings from ’67 to ’73 Label Universal Music Reissued with new artwork in ’15 |- | |
| 'De Volta Ao Planeta Dos Mutantes' Released in Brazil in ’06 Recorded between ’67 and ’73 Label Universal Music |- | |
| - |
EPs
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 1968 | Caetano Veloso & Os Mutantes Ao Vivo (live collaboration with Caetano Veloso)
|
| 1969 | Mutantes No. 1
|
| 1970 | A Divina Comédia Ou Ando Meio Desligado (selected tracks from the LP)
|
| 1975 | Mutantes
|
Box sets
| Year | Title | Album information |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Os Mutantes |
|
Singles
| Year | Single title | Associated album | Record label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | "Suicida" / "Apocalipse" | Non-album release (credited as O'Seis) | Continental (Brazil) |
| 1968 | "A Minha Menina" / "Adeus, Maria Fulô" | Os Mutantes | Polydor (Brazil) |
| 1968 | "É Proibido Proibir" / "Ambiente de Festival (É Proibido Proibir)" | Non-album single (with Caetano Veloso) | Philips (Brazil) |
| 1968 | "Caminhante Noturno" | Mutantes (A-side track by group MPB-4, not Os Mutantes) | Philips (Brazil) |
| 1969 | "Caminhante Noturno" / "Baby" | Mutantes/Os Mutantes | Polydor (France) |
| 1969 | "Dois Mil e Um" / "Dom Quixote" | Mutantes | Polydor (Brazil) |
| 1969 | "Ando Meio Desligado" / "Não Vá Se Perder Por Aí" | A Divina Comédia Ou Ando Meio Desligado/Mutantes | Polydor (Brazil) |
| 1971 | "Top Top" / "It's Very Nice Pra Xuxu" | Jardim Elétrico | Polydor (Brazil) |
| 1972 | "Mande Um Abraço Pra Velha" | Non-album release (B-side performed by singer Fabio) | Polydor (Brazil) |
| 2008 | "Mutantes Depois" | Non-album single | Digital distribution |
| 2015 | "Esos Ojos verdes" | Non-album single | Digital distribution |
Videos
| Year | Video description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Mutantes Ao Vivo – Barbican Theatre, Londres 2006 | Released on DVD format |
Other recordings featuring Os Mutantes
| Year | Artist | Album/Single | Format | Label | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Gemini II | "Lindo (Groovin')" / "Tchau Mug" | Single | Continental | O'Seis provided backing vocals |
| 1967 | Nana Caymmi | "Bom Dia" | Single | RGE | Served as backing band |
| 1967 | Ronnie Von | Ronnie Von Nº 3 | LP | Polydor | Performed as backing band on eight tracks |
| 1967 | Gilberto Gil | Gilberto Gil | LP | Philips | Acted as backing band on eight songs |
| 1968 | Caetano Veloso | Caetano Veloso | LP | Philips | Provided backing band for the track "Eles" |
| 1968 | Various | Tropicalia ou Panis et Circenses | LP | Philips | Includes Mutantes' track "Panis et Circenses," plus four additional songs featuring the group as backing band |
| 1968 | Rogério Duprat | A Banda Tropicalista do Duprat | LP | Philips | Functioned as backing band on four tracks |
| 1968 | Various | II Festival Estudantil da Música Popular Brasileira | LP | Philips | Contains Mutantes' non-album song "Glória ao Rei dos Confins do Além" |
| 1968 | Gilberto Gil | Single | Philips | Performed as backing band | |
| 1969 | Various | IV Festival Internacional da Canção Popular | LP | Philips | Features a live rendition of "Ando Meio Desligado" |
| 1970 | Rita Lee | Build Up | LP | Polydor | Arnaldo Baptista served as musical director, songwriter, and performer |
| 1972 | Rita Lee | Hoje É o Primeiro Dia do Resto da Sua Vida | LP | Polydor | Essentially a Mutantes album credited to solo artist Rita Lee |
| 1974 | Arnaldo Baptista | Lóki? | LP | Philips | Features Rita Lee (backing vocals), Liminha (bass), Dinho Leme (drums) |
Current lineup
- Sérgio Dias – guitar, vocals, sitar, bass, organ, cello, oud, percussion, harmonica (active 1966–1978; resumed 2006–present)
- Henrique Peters – vocals, keyboards, piano, organ (since 2008)
- Vinícius Junqueira – bass, synth bass (since 2008)
- Esmeria Bulgari – vocals, percussion (since 2012)
- Cláudio Tchernev – drums, percussion (since 2013)
- Camilo Macedo – guitars (since 2015)
Past members
- Arnaldo Baptista – keyboards, vocals, bass, cello (1966–1973; returned 2006–2007)
- Rita Lee – vocals, percussion, keyboards, recorder, autoharp, theremin (1966–1972; deceased 2023)
- Cláudio César Dias Baptista – audio generation (1967–1969)
- Liminha – bass, vocals (1969–1974)
- Dinho Leme – drums, percussion (1969–1973)
- Manito – keyboards, saxophone, flute (1973)
- Rui Motta – drums, percussion (1973–1978)
- Túlio Mourão – keyboards, vocals (1973–1976)
- Antônio Pedro – bass, vocals (1974–1976)
- Paulo de Castro – bass, vocals (1976–1978)
- Fernando Gama – bass, vocals (1978)
- Zélia Duncan – vocals (2006–2007)
- Bia Mendes – vocals, percussion (2008–2012)
- Fábio Recco – vocals, piano (2008–2012)
- Ani Cordero – drums, percussion (2012–2013)
- Amy Crawford – keyboards, piano, organ (2012–2013)
Timeline
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External links
- Brazilian progressive rock bands
- Música popular brasileira groups
- Brazilian psychedelic rock bands
- Tropicália movement
- Luaka Bop recording artists
- Musical acts from São Paulo
- Bands formed in 1966
- Groups disbanded in 1978
- 1966 establishments in Brazil
- 1978 disestablishments in Brazil
- Bands reunited in 2006
- 2006 establishments in Brazil
- Brazilian musicians of the 20th century
- Brazilian musicians of the 21st century
- Anti- (record label) recording artists
- Polydor Records recording artists
- Philips Records recording artists
- Som Livre recording artists
- Brazilian English-language musical groups
- Brazilian protopunk bands
- Musical groups disestablished in 1978