? and the Mysterians (or Question Mark and the Mysterians) are an American garage rock band from Bay City and Saginaw in Michigan, initially active between 1962 and 1969. Much of the band's music
consisted of electric organ-driven garage rock and an enigmatic image inspired by the 1957 Japanese science fiction film The Mysterians. In addition, the band's sound was also marked by the raw, resonating lead vocals of "?" (Question Mark, the stage name of Rudy Martínez), making Question Mark and the Mysterians one of the earliest groups whose musical style is described as punk rock. Their music and imagery were highly influential on later bands.
It only took one song, the organ-driven number one smash "96 Tears," to make ? & the Mysterians into
garage rock legends. Eccentric frontman Question Mark (actually spelled "?," once he had his name legally changed) cultivated an aura of mystery by never appearing in public without a pair of wraparound sunglasses; he frequently claimed he had been born on Mars and lived among the dinosaurs in a past life, and that voices from the future had revealed he would be performing "96 Tears" in the year 10,000.
On a more earthly level, the Mysterians' sound helped lay down an important part of the garage rock
blueprint, namely the low-budget sci-fi feel of the Farfisa and Vox organs (most assumed that "96 Tears" had featured the former, but ? later remembered using the latter). What was more, they were one of the first Latino rock groups to have a major hit, and ?'s sneering attitude made him one of the prime suspects in the evolution of garage rock into early punk.
The band signed to Pa-Go-Go Records (based in San Antonio, Texas and run by Rudy "Tee" Gonzales)
in 1966 and released its first and most acclaimed single, "96 Tears", in the early part of that year. "96 Tears" became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and propelled the group to a 15-month period of national prominence.[9] Their debut album, 96 Tears, followed. Though Question Mark and the Mysterians were unable to replicate their success with their later recordings, and are thus deemed a "one-hit wonder", they did manage to reach the singles charts on five occasions.
Now blessed with national distribution, "96 Tears" raced up the pop charts and went all the way to number one in the fall of 1966, becoming one of garage rock's all-time classics. The band's first album,
naturally also titled 96 Tears, was released by the end of the year, as was its follow-up single, "I Need Somebody," which just missed the Top 20. Released in early 1967, "Can't Get Enough of You Baby" was a minor hit, but the group's second album, Action, sold disappointingly; moreover, Cameo-Parkway was experiencing financial difficulties, and was later taken over by ABKCO chief Allen Klein.
The Mysterians departed, recording singles for Capitol in 1968 and Tangerine and Super K in 1969, to
no commercial avail (during this period, bassist Mel Schacher served a short stint in the group prior to joining Grand Funk Railroad). They also cut an album for Ray Charles' TRC label that went unreleased. Though they disbanded in 1969, the band has regrouped and released additional material over the years. "96 Tears" was listed at number 210 on the 2004 Rolling Stone list The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
QUESTION MARK AND THE MYSTERIANS + 4 BONUS TRACKS 1966
Label: Anthology – ANT 30.11
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release
Country: Italy
Released: 1966
Genre: Rock
Style: Rock & Roll, Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock
TRACKS
01. I Need Somebody 2:12
02. Stormy Monday
Written-By – Aaron T. Bone Walker 2:26
03. You're Telling Me Lies 2:28
04. Ten O'Clock 2:10
05. Set Aside 2:59
06. Up Side 2:49
07. "8" Teen 2:45
08. Don't Tease Me 1:36
09. Don't Break This Heart Of Mine 1:50
10. Why Me 1:35
11. Midnight Hour 2:32
12. 96 Tears 2:55
13. Do Something To Me 2:32
Written-By – Calvert, Marzano, Neumann
14. Love Me Baby 2:57
15. Ain't It A Shame 2:15
16. Turn Around Baby 2:09
LINE - UP
Bass Guitar – Frank Lugo
Drums – Eddie Serrato
Lead Guitar – Bobby Balderrama
Lead Vocals – ? (Question Mark)
Organ – Frank Rodriguez
Written-By – Robert Martinez (tracks: 1, 3 to 12, 14 to 16)
Flac Size: 210 MB
QUESTION MARK AND THE MYSTERIANS - ACTION 1967
Label: Move – MOVE 3001
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release 1994
Country: US
Released: 1967
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock
TRACKS
01. Girl (You Captivate Me) 2:19
02. Can't Get Enough Of You Baby 1:57
03. Got To 2:23
04. I'll Be Back 2:02
05. Shout (Part 1 And 2) 5:28
06. Hangin' On A String 2:14
07. Smokes 1:52
08. It's Not Easy 2:44
09. Don't Hold It Against Me 1:59
10. Just Like A Rose 2:12
11. Do You Feel It 2:24
BONUS TRACKS
13. Midnight Hour (Unrelease Version) 2:30
14. 96 Tears (Unrelease Version) 3:03
LINE - UP
Bass – Frank Lugo
Drums – Edward Serrato
Guitar – Robert Balderrama
Keyboards – Frankie Rodriguez
Vocals – Rudy "?" Martinez
Flac Size: 212 MB
QUESTION MARK AND THE MYSTERIANS - MORE ACTION 1999
The year 1999 brought the release of another, somewhat better-produced two-disc set of re-recordings, More Action, this time released on Cavestomp! (it was later condensed into the 2001 single-disc release Feel It!: The Very Best of Question Mark & the Mysterians).
LINE - UP
Backing Vocals – Robert Lee Balderrama, Frank Rodriguez
Bass – Big Frank Lugo
Drums – Robert Martinez
Guitar – Robert Lee Balderrama
Keyboards – Little Frank Rodriguez Jr.
Vocals – ?
Question Mark & The Mysterians – More Action
Label: Cavestomp! Records – CS! 5002-2
Format: 2 x CD, Album, Enhanced
Country: US
Released: May 25, 1999
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Garage Rock, Power Pop
DISC 1.
01. Don't Give It Up Now 3:36
02. Feel It 3:27
03. Hangin' On A String 2:22
04. 96 Tears 3:09
05. Girl (You Captivate Me) 2:20
06. Can't Get Enough Of You Baby 2:13
07. Ain't It A Shame? 3:02
08. Cheree 3:46
09. Beachcomber 1:52
10. It's Not Easy 2:58
11. I'll Be Back 2:29
Flac Size: 225 MB
DISC 2.
01. That's How Strong My Love Is 3:31
02. Love Me Baby (Cherry July) 2:40
03. Sally Go Round The Roses 3:57
04. Don't Hold It Against Me 2:03
05. Do You Feel It? 2:56
06. Satisfaction 3:52
07. Strollin' With The Mysterians 2:42
08. Are You For Real? 2:45
09. I'll Be Back 2:24
BONUS TRACK
10. 96 Tears (En Espanol) 5:18
I have a slightly different edtion...the best of with 27 tracks where everything important is there.
ReplyDeleteOn sunday we go back to Erwin's friend and comeback with a bag full of good music.
The very best of the 60's garage bands in my opinion! Thanks! - Stinky
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, great set of tunes
ReplyDeleteThank YOU!!
ReplyDeleteYou're always welcome my friend.
Delete