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7"
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LBR 015EP
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Had they been born in the English-speaking part of the world, their name would possibly stand among those of the well-known bands of the sixties. But Los Mockers happened to come from a small place named Uruguay, and throughout the band's short life they never got further than neighboring Argentina. In 1966 they recorded their first album, and a couple of singles (probably too underground there and then) and disbanded soon after. Following a recent band reunion to head a top music festival in Spain, Los Mockers recorded a few new songs now released for the first time.
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LP
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MR 326LP
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The story of Los Mockers is truly unusual. Formed in Montevideo in 1963, they were one of the first Uruguayan R&B bands. They recorded one LP and a couple of singles in Argentina in 1966 and broke up one year later, truncating a promising career. Unexpectedly, from the early 80s on their only LP was reissued by independent labels in different parts of the world: Uruguay, Spain, the US, and Sweden. This established the reputation of Los Mockers as a cult band beyond their country of origin. Their influence has kept on growing since then and new generations of bands keep discovering their music, playing it live and recording their own versions of Mockers songs. In 2006, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their legendary LP, Los Mockers decided to realize a long-held dream: the original line-up got back together, with the exception of drummer Beto Freigedo, who had died years before in a motorbike accident. With the collaboration of the great drummer Germán Vilella (formerly of Los Rodríguez), some intense and emotional recording sessions took place. The reunion became a celebration and the feeling came back as if they'd never been apart, producing a handful of new songs where the incredible energy and the typical vocal strength of Los Mockers are present again. Side A of this record features these new tracks and is completed with a document from the band's origins: one of their first recordings, unissued until now, registered in 1965 in the Radio Ariel radio station of Montevideo. The title couldn't be more fitting: "Time Is On My Side." Meanwhile, numerous bands from different countries have revisited the classic songs of Los Mockers. Side B contains a surprising selection of covers, some faithful to the original, others more personal and imaginative. However, they all represent a warm tribute by a new generation of bands that found inspiration in those pioneering recordings by Los Mockers.
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LP
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MRSSS 503LP
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Maybe if they had come from an English-speaking country, their name would now be among the greats of the '60s. At least, their career would have lasted longer instead of being truncated at their peak. But Los Mockers were from Uruguay and during their short life as a band, they never got beyond Río de la Plata. Their story begins at a high school in Montevideo, where three of the future Mockers were students. Aged 16, they started playing covers of Mexico's Teen Tops, The Shadows and Trini López and soon they were writing their own songs. Their upright bass was borrowed and their Spanish guitar was plugged into a radio they moved from electric guitar and bass, handmade by the guitarist's father, who was a carpenter. The primitive drum kit was finally completed and they even managed to get hold of a rudimentary Hammond organ. At the time they were called Los Encadenados and under that name they recorded their first demos, sung in Spanish. In 1964, the British Invasion shook the world. Los Encadenados also covered some Beatles songs, but they were still searching for their own identity through rougher and less-trodden paths. What really influenced their style were the first Rolling Stones records -- a little more rugged, but with a rebellious energy that electrified the whole band at once. Soon after, they found other sources of inspiration, such as The Animals. It was what they were looking for: the wild force of rhythm and blues. Montevideo got hip in the summer of 1965 and venues like La Cueva opened up, where the band performed often. Most weekends they played at student parties and they also appeared live on TV regularly. The band was growing and writing their first songs in English. It was the moment to take one step forward and choose a new name that reflected the music they were making. The fights between mods and rockers in England gave them the idea: from then on they would be known as Los Mockers. They were 18 and 19 years old. 1966 was the band's most prolific year. Then based in Argentina, after a few months they were playing regularly at venues such as Whisky a Go-Go and on TV. That year they released their first single and only LP, although they didn't achieve major success. They had a good number of loyal fans, but their music was too strange for a wider audience. A planned second LP was never completed as the band, unable to make a living in Argentina, went back to Uruguay, discouraged, in 1967. Although their comeback was welcomed enthusiastically, new tour plans fell through and they split up soon after. Remastered from the original stereo recordings. On 180 gram vinyl.
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