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.