Keen historians, musicologists, cultural observers and followers of the Mysterious Beings will be aware of the importance of the band’s infamous concert at the Como Se Llama Su Llama Hotel in Puno on the edge of Lake Titicaca, Peru in 2013. The facts surrounding the performance and ensuing riot remain in dispute and its sociological implications will provide generous fodder for doctoral dissertations for many years to come

This recording of “Rue Archimède” is all that survives from the performance. Due to the effects of the altitude, the band was already exhausted after tuning up, when the sound of two young Aymara Indian boys playing accordions drifted through the open door from the street. I had been working on this song for a while, but struggling with the tune. Suddenly, it all came together, the band came to life, we invited our new friends to join us on stage, and the result is presented here..

Later in the set, lead guitarist Dee Sharpe’s right hand, badly infected from a llama bite, became too swollen for him to continue. This is the last recording before the amputation of the infected hand forced him to adopt the one-handed style that makes him such a unique artist today. It is interesting because, he can already be heard pioneering the technique during the choruses, when he is simultaneously playing guitar and bass. This has led many to speculate that he might have gone on to adopt the single-handed style even without the amputation, using his free hand to hold a refreshing cup of tea during strenuous guitar solos.

You can also listen at SoundCloud.