The Mumps | ar

The Mumps were a mid-'70s bi-coastal Power Pop/Proto-Punk/Glam-Camp band fronted by gay columnist Lance Loud (The Advocate, Details, Interview, and Creem).

In 1973, Lance Loud was the "gay son" featured on the first reality TV show, An American Family (which later was parodied by Albert Brooks' Real Life).

After the show, he moved to NYC inspired by his obsession of Andy Warhol and The Velvet Underground. In NYC, he cemented The Mumps' lineup and was one of the crowd favorites of early Punk clubs such as Max's Kansas City and CBGBs, paving the way for the release of their first single "Crocodile Tears" in 1975. After another single much critical praise, the band failed to secure a major label contract, and many recordings of the act languished in obscurity. However, several successful Punk, Power Pop, and Metal bands cite The Mumps as a major influence.

In 1993, the first retrospective was released (Fatal Charm), followed by another in 2005 (How I Saved The World). .