Sun-bleached Texas has long fostered a roughly-hewn garage rock and proto-punk scene. From the 13th Floor Elevators to the Butthole Surfers, artists both bold and depraved have given rise to a legacy of singularly outsider music. The Mystery Dates were one of the first bands to emerge from San Antonio's early '80s underground--like the Lone Star State's answer to the arty and debauched rock 'n' roll of New York Dolls, the Stooges, and the Dickies. The Mystery Dates' two proper releases, 1982's self-titled 7-inch EP and a 1983 single, Self Inflicted Sex, have remained the group's quintessential offerings. They're also difficult to track down. But this new compilation, titled Who Are the Mystery Dates?, unearths these forgotten releases and pairs them with later numbers and some unreleased tracks. Who Are the Mystery Dates? is a compelling document of the group's fast, loud tunes and manic energy, offering a Texas history lesson steeped in the raw, volatile world of these musical pioneers. Frontman Frank Pugliese, previously fronted the Vamps who shared the stage with the Sex Pistols at Randy's Rodeo in January 1978. The evolution of Pugliese's sneering and audacious energy comes full circle, as the first 10 tracks are pulled from the Mystery Dates initial 7-inches. Songs such as World War III (Is Calling Me), Easy Action, and (Don't Wanna) Grow Up are a testament to the Mystery Dates' influence on the shape of punk to come. Later songs, such as Man In the Middle, Feeling's Mutual, and Still No Fun, illustrate a growing tendency toward a faster, more aggressive hardcore sound. The last five tracks are restored from previously unreleased recordings captured during the band's earlier years. Who Are the Mystery Dates? is both a testament to the band's prowess and a reminder of the importance of preventing these cultural artifacts from being lost to the sands of time forever.
Release date:
September 22, 2023
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Nobsound Little Bear T7 Tube Preamp
Delivers rich, warm audio through its high-quality vacuum tubes, featuring multiple inputs and adjustable gain
-
Vinyl Care - Top Picks
A selection of accesories to keep your turntable equipment & vinyl records in the best shape
-
Audioengine A2 Plus
Precision-engineered 2.75-inch woofers and a 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, featuring built-in DAC and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration.
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Michael Hurley Broken Homes and Gardens
No Quarter
September 12, 2025 -
Cochemea Vol III: Ancestros Futuros
Daptone Records
September 26, 2025 -
The Fall Seminal Live
Beggars Banquet
September 5, 2025 -
Good Charlotte Motel Du Cap (Amazon Exclusive; Red)
Atlantic
August 8, 2025 -
Marcus King Darling Blue
Republic Records
September 26, 2025 -
Genesis The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway [7xLP]
Atlantic Catalog Group
September 26, 2025 -
Gwenifer Raymond Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark
We Are Busy Bodies
September 5, 2025 -
Double Wish Double Wish (Blue)
Hit the North
August 21, 2025 -
Olivia Dean The Art Of Loving
Island
September 26, 2025 -
Grizzly Bear Painted Ruins (Oxblood) [2xLP]
Warp Records
October 17, 2025 -
Between The Buried And Me The Blue Nowhere [4xLP]
Inside Out Music
September 12, 2025 -
Yusuf/Cat Stevens On The Road To Findout: Greatest Hits (Amazon Exclusive; Orange; Alternate Cover)) [2xLP]
A&M
September 5, 2025 -
Georgia Harmer Eye Of The Storm (Gold)
Arts Crafts
August 29, 2025 -
Bywater Call Sunshine - Live In 2024
Gypsy Soul Records
August 22, 2025