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? and the Mysterians

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

? and the Mysterians, also Question Mark and the Mysterians, is an American garage rock band from Bay City and Saginaw in Michigan. They were active from 1962 to 1969, with reunions later. The band members were children of Mexican seasonal labourers who had settled in Michigan. The first trio, with Larry Borjas, Robert Martinez and Bobby Balderrama, was inspired by surf bands and guitarists such as Link Wray and Duane Eddy. The singer called himself the question mark and performed with an enigmatic image, borrowed from a 1957 Japanese science fiction film.

Music and breakthrough

In 1966 the group signed with Pa-Go-Go Records in San Antonio. Their first and most acclaimed single was 96 Tears, released in the spring. The original A-side was Midnight Hour, but the question mark had radio stations play the other song. The station CKLW in Windsor, Ontario, in particular played it a lot. It became a number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and kept the band in the spotlight for fifteen months. The following singles, I Need Somebody and Can't Get Enough of You Baby, also reached the charts, but nowhere near as high. The album Action from 1967 showed the band at its best, but sold poorly.

Influence

The music revolves around an electronic organ with a sharp, almost ghostly sound, over a simple, hammering accompaniment. 96 Tears is often cited as a precursor of punk. In 2004 it stood at number 210 in Rolling Stone's list of the five hundred greatest songs.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to 96 Tears and notice the organ that carries the whole song. Hear how the organ riff keeps returning while the singer sounds almost indifferent.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: ArtistsGarage rock