Re: Mr. Bungle anyone?

[Jim Poppen <zebu@mindspring.com>]

Mike,

Over ten years ago, Mr. Bungle played the Phoenix theater in Petaluma.
Out walks Patton wearing football-style shoulder pads, spandex pants,
and a GIANT dildo strapped to his forehead. Their opening song was a
spot-on cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares To You" (or is it "2 U"?).
The dramatic irony was hysterical. Later, Patton performed simulated
fellatio on the bassist (who had fake blood streaming from his mouth).
Their musical expertise totally blew me away, (no pun intended, I
swear). Do you know off hand if they'll be playing San Francisco anytime
soon? Are they keeping up with the insane stage antics?

Jim

Mike Biffle wrote:
> 
> Fridays show in Santa Cruz at Palookaville was amazing! Having not heard 
>their new release, I wasn't aware of their addition of ethereal Beach 
>Boys style harmonies with a twist... Amazing display of musicianship from 
>everyone.
> 
> I also didn't know that Mike Patton played keys. Sometimes singing with 
>one, two and sometimes a third mic as well as tweaking his vocal 
>processors with dsp's AND triggering samples and synth sounds with filter 
>tricks while singing, Mike Patton went beyond any singer I've ever seen. 
>With the possible exception of formal electronic music treatments. Sounds 
>ranging from demonic shrieking to classic jazz singing to animal, jungle 
>and industrial noise effects came from his vocals and signal processors.
> 
> On the looping front, it seemed like there were at least a few and 
>possibly more segments of looped samples as the basic skeleton which the 
>rest of the band (and sometimes not) played with. While it was somewhat 
>obvious to me, It also seemed entirely seamless and appropriate and was 
>definitely not distracting in any way. The fact that as a band they were 
>capable of incredible flash cut changes of sound, dynamics, timbre and 
>genre completely overshadowed any of the canned parts which we've all 
>mentioned in previous discussions here.
> 
> Don't know the name of the rest of the gang, but it was Bass-Vox, 
>Sax-Flute-Keys, Percussion (Patton said the percussionist was a UCSC 
>music professor, Walter ???), Drums, Guitar-Keys-Vox (Spruance), Vox-Keys 
>(Patton).
> 
> Guitar sounds were great from Trey Spruance and he went direct. Looked 
>like he had a Marshal JMP 1 rack tube pre as well as a Line 6 floorboard 
>and possibly a POD. Just a house monitor, no amp. Some wailing fat surf 
>sounds as well as great tremolo stuff and of course the requisite heavy 
>metal sorts of sounds. He also played keys much of the time.
> 
> There was some great schtick from Patton where he asked if any of 
>Walter's students were out there and if they actually learned anything 
>"from this clown"... One guy said he learned snare drum and Mike screamed 
>"Well get the fuck up here NOW!!!" and they got the drummer's snare out 
>there for him to play. He played a long fast roll with Patton holding one 
>of his processed mics over it. Patton then said "Hey... I thought that 
>was pretty good, but Walter still thinks YOU SUCK!!! SO 
>GEDDOUTTAHERE!!!!!!!" The guy actually took it very well and it was a 
>good laugh. Not sure if it was staged, but it was very funny.
> 
> Anyway... it was an awesome show, but it was also awesomely loud with 
>real ear damage capability. I'm sorry I only had bar napkins threre to 
>stuff in my ears. Woke up with my ears ringing... Full house all ages 
>show as well... Great audience and no sign of violence... lots of smiling 
>faces despite the extreme content and aggression of the music. High marks 
>for audience vibe!
> 
> best to all...
> -Miko
> 
> Miko Biffle                          "Running scared from all the usual 
>distractions..."
> mbiffle@svg.com