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
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
HumminGuru: Ultrasonic Vinyl Record Cleaner
Advanced ultrasonic technology with customizable cleaning cycles and a large tank capacity to thoroughly remove dust, dirt, and contaminants
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Styx Circling From Above
Ume
July 18, 2025 -
The Wood Brothers Puff of Smoke
Honey Jar Records
August 1, 2025 -
Between The Buried And Me The Blue Nowhere [4xLP]
Inside Out Music
September 12, 2025 -
hard life onion
Mercury Records/Republic
July 18, 2025 -
Wednesday Bleeds
Dead Oceans
September 19, 2025 -
Marissa Nadler New Radiations
Sacred Bones
August 15, 2025 -
Paradise Lost Lost Paradise 35th Anniversary
Peaceville
July 18, 2025 -
Richard Hawley Coles Corner: 20th Anniversary (Half-Speed Mastered; Zoetrope Picture Disc)
Parlophone Int'l
August 8, 2025 -
Borracho Ouroboros
Ripple Music
August 8, 2025 -
JADE THAT'S SHOWBIZ BABY!
Rca Records
September 12, 2025 -
Nova Twins Parasites & Butterflies (Transparent Blue)
Marshall Records
August 29, 2025 -
Ken Boothe & Jah Wobble Old Fashioned Ways
Cleopatra Records
June 27, 2025 -
Thin Lizzy Acoustic Sessions
Mercury
August 1, 2025 -
Reneé Rapp BITE ME (Apple) (Amazon Exclusive)
Interscope
August 1, 2025