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.
