The Mops

They began as an instrumental rock group similar to The Ventures, but soon after forming, Mikiharu Suzuki's brother Hiromitsu joined on lead vocals.

[1] In April 1968, the full-length debut, Psychedelic Sound in Japan, followed; the album included covers of "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love" by Jefferson Airplane, "Light My Fire" by The Doors, as well as "Inside-Looking Out" and "San Franciscan Nights" by The Animals.

They received much press for being the "first psychedelic band" in Japan, and performed with elaborate light shows.

The group then signed with Liberty/Toshiba/EMI, moving to a blues rock and hard rock sound, and followed with the hits "Tadorituitara Itumo Amefuri" "Gekko Kamen (Moonlight Mask)" and "Goiken Muyo (No Excuse)", both of which charted in 1971.

The group achieved a resurgence of cult fandom in America after their "theme song", entitled "I'm Just A Mops", was included on the 1960s rarities compilation Nuggets II.