In 1993, Kurt Cobain publicly rallied for Brazilian cult trio Os Mutantes to reunite. He was turned down. Five years later, Beck paid a more direct tribute to Os Mutantes with his 1998 album 'Mutations,' spurning a whole new generation to discover the band's fusion of Beatles-era psychedelia with localized Brazilian music and politics. That musical combination became known as 'Tropicalia' and Os Mutantes, its flagship group.

"It was really amazing to see that songs you made 30 years ago were touching the 'Opinion Formers' of the musical universe, such as Kurt, Devendra [Banhart], Beck, Belle & Sebastian, and so many other cats," guitarist Sergio Baptista tells Spinner. "It was a humbling experience, for it shows you that music has a life of its own."

Perhaps then it was the music's refusal to die that led to Os Mutantes' unlikely -- and surprisingly lively -- rebirth in May 2006. Originally returning to the stage for a one-off reunion show at the Barbican Theatre in London, the band now appears to be back for the attack.

"I believe it was always meant to happen," Baptista says. "I guess it was the right planetary conjunction and the most important thing was that it was on public request worldwide. I really believe Mutantes needed to reappear so people could relate directly with us."

David Byrne's Luaka Bop label will release a double live CD of the Barbican show on November 13, to be followed by the DVD version. Look for a whole new generation of indie-rockers and alternative artists camped out at local CD stores for the midnight sale.