Mr. Bungle

Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle performing in 2020
Mr. Bungle performing in 2020
Background information
OriginEureka, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1985–2000
  • 2019–present
Labels
Members
Past member(s)
  • Theo Lengyel
  • Jed Watts
  • Luke Miller
  • Scott Fritz
  • Hans Wagner
  • Danny Heifetz
  • Clinton "Bär" McKinnon
Websitemrbungle.com

Mr. Bungle is an American experimental rock band. They formed in Eureka, California in 1985. The band is known for spanning many genres, often within the course of a single song. This includes heavy metal, avant-garde jazz, ska, disco, and funk. This is further enhanced by frontman Mike Patton's versatile voice.[1][2][3] They also use unconventional song structures and samples, play a lot of instruments, wear costumes, and play many different cover songs during live performances.[4]

The band was founded as a death metal project. This is while the members were in high school. They got their name from a character in the 1960 children's educational film Beginning Responsibility: Lunchroom Manners.[5] Mr. Bungle released four demo tapes in the mid-to-late 1980s. Warner Bros. Records signed the band in 1990 because of Patton's work in Faith No More. They released three studio albums between 1991 and 1999. The band toured in 1999 and 2000 to support its third album. After this, they did not make any new music or play music at any shows. The band ended in 2004.[6] It came back as a thrash metal band for many shows in February 2020. They performed the 1986 demo album The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny with Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian and former Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo.[7] The band then returned to the studio to re-record the demo as a studio album. They released it in October 2020.

Mr. Bungle has had many different people join and leave the band. Patton, guitarist Trey Spruance, and bassist Trevor Dunn are the only consistent members. The band was based in San Francisco when it was with Warner Bros.[8][9][10] The band had many problems with another band named Red Hot Chili Peppers. Many times, these problems were between Patton and Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis.[11][12][13][14][15]

Artistry

Musical style

According to Invisible Oranges, Mr. Bungle "cultivated their own complex universe whose parts, embracing both regimen and disorder, inspired awe with increasing perspective and closer examination".[16] Mr. Bungle were initially death metal,[17] and later a thrash metal band.[18] They changed their style in the early 1990s to funk metal.[19] It showed the influence of ska, disco and avant-garde jazz.[17] In a 2021 interview, Spruance claimed that, "there's never been a time in Mr. Bungle’s existence where it wasn't a metal band. There was always metal in there somewhere, and when we think ‘metal’; metal isn't just riffs and drums playing like a machine; it's a whole psychology. The psychology of metal is there, even in that funk metal era; it's everywhere."[20]

CBS News said that the band's music was an "anarchic mix of metal, ska, experimental jazz, punk and soundtrack music".[21] The Sydney Morning Herald described Mr. Bungle as "experimental rockers".[22] AllMusic described the band as "free-form rock radicals" and said that "Mr. Bungle's sound and approach are a unique mix of the experimental, the abstract, and the absurd".[17] Pioneers of avant-garde metal,[23] the band was also categorized as alternative metal by Kerrang![24] and The Quietus.[25]

Stage shows and image

Mike Patton in costume live in 1991

Mr. Bungle are known for their unconventional stage shows. The band members dressed up in costumes and masks. The 1999–2000 shows in support of the California album usually had Dunn dressed as a blonde girl resembling Goldilocks or The St. Pauli Girl.[26] However, the other members often did not wear costumes. This was because of the increased demands of the music.[27] Occasionally, the band would simply appear in black suits with white dress shirts. They would also dress up in chef costumes, cowboy suits or as the Village People.[28]

Legacy

Korn have used what they have dubbed the "Mr. Bungle chord"[6] (A flat fifth chord or "tritone"). James "Munky" Shaffer, one of Korn's guitarists, stated in a 2015 interview that Mr. Bungle's self-titled debut "set the tone for us and what we went on to do creatively".[29]

Members

All of the members of the 'classic' lineup of Mr. Bungle play many musical instruments. The timeline below only lists their main instruments. Members of the band were known to switch instruments mid-performance.

Current members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Faith_No_More_@_Steel_Blue_Oval_(1_3_2010)_(4416923380).jpg
 Mike Patton
  • 1985–2000
  • 2019–present
  • lead vocals
  • keyboards
  • samples
 all releases
Trey_Spruance.jpg
 Trey Spruance
  • lead guitar
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
Trevor_Dunn_05N9397.jpg
 Trevor Dunn
  • bass
  • backing vocals
Anthrax Rockavaria 2016 (10 von 12).jpg
 Scott Ian 2019–present
  • rhythm guitar
  • backing vocals
  • The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo (2020)
  • The Night They Came Home (2021)
Dave_Lombardo_8.5.14.jpeg
 Dave Lombardo
  • drums
  • glockenspiel

Former members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Theo Lengyel 1985–1996
  • saxophone
  • clarinet
  • keyboards
 all releases from The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny (1986) to Disco Volante (1995)
Jed Watts 1985–1987 (guest performer, 2020)
  • drums
  • backing vocals
 The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny (1986)
Hans Wagner 1987–1989 (guest performer, 2023) drums
  • Bowel Of Chiley (1987)
  • Goddammit I Love America!!!$ɫ!! (1988)
Scott Fritz 1987 trumpet Bowel Of Chiley (1987)
Luke Miller 1987–1989
  • tenor sax
  • trumpet
 Goddammit I Love America!!!$ɫ!! (1988)
DannyHeifetz.jpg
 Danny Heifetz 1989–2000

(guest performers, 2024)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • trumpet
 all releases from OU818 (1989) to California (1999)
Umlaut_Bar_McKInnon.jpg
 Clinton "Bär" McKinnon
  • saxophone
  • clarinet
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals

Touring members

Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Oliveros_Mem0036_(47053501171).jpg
 William Winant[30] 1995–2000 percussion
  • Disco Volante (1995)
  • California (1999)
Ches-smith.jpg
 Ches Smith[30] 1999 none
Jeff Attridge[31] keyboards
James Rotondi[30][31] 1999–2000
  • keyboards
  • guitar
  • backing vocals

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
[32]		 US
Heat
[33]		 AUS
[34]		 UK
[35]
1991 Mr. Bungle — — 134 57 US: 232,706[36]
1995 Disco Volante
  • Released: October 10, 1995
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Format: CD, CS, LP, DI
 113 4 40 — US: 92,302[36]
1999 California
  • Released: July 13, 1999
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Format: CD, CS
 144 7 134 — US: 72,381[36]
2020 The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo
  • Released: October 30, 2020
  • Label: Ipecac
  • Format: Digital, CD, 2xLP, Cassette
 30 — 6 53

Live albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[37]
2021 The Night They Came Home
  • Released: June 11, 2021
  • Label: Ipecac
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download, streaming
 46
[38]

Demos

Year Demo Label
1986 The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Ladd-Frith
1987 Bowel Of Chiley Self Released
1988 Goddammit I Love America!!!$ɫ!! Self Released
1989 OU818 Self Released

Singles

Year Single Album
1991 "Quote Unquote" Mr. Bungle
1992 "Mi Stoke Il Cigaretto"[39] Non-album single
1995 "Platypus"[40] Disco Volante
2020 "USA" Non-album single
"Raping Your Mind" The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo
"Eracist"
"Sudden Death"

Music videos

Year Video Director
1991 "Quote Unquote" Kevin Kerslake
"My Ass Is on Fire" Steve Lederman
2020 "Raping Your Mind" Eric Livingston
"Eracist" Derrick Scocchera
"Sudden Death" Derek Cianfrance

Live video

Year Video Director
2020 Mr. Bungle: The Night They Came Home Jack Bennett

References

  1. ↑ Bukszpan, Daniel (2012). The Encyclopedia of Heavy Metal: Completely Revised and Updated. Sterling. p. 167. ISBN 978-1402792304.
  2. ↑ Huey, Steve. "California – Mr. Bungle : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  3. ↑ "POP MUSIC REVIEW : Mr. Bungle and Mike Patton of Faith No More at Lingerie". Los Angeles Times. January 12, 1991.
  4. ↑ Prato, Greg. "Mr. Bungle". Allmusic. Retrieved 4 September 2025. The band built a large and loyal cult following on the subsequent tour, as they performed in masks to hide their identities, and played unlikely covers during their set ...
  5. ↑ "Mr. Bungle Frequently Asked Questions". Bunglefever.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Prato, Greg (December 8, 2004). "Mr. Bungle Go Kaput". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 3, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  7. ↑ "MR. BUNGLE To Reunite For First Shows in Nearly 20 Years". Blabbermouth.net. August 13, 2019. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
  8. ↑ "MR BUNGLE". Trevordunn.net. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  9. ↑ Mathieson, Craig (November 2, 2012). "The leap from Faith". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  10. ↑ Vella, Frank. "Trey Spruance". Cal Poly Humboldt. Archived from the original on July 27, 2017. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  11. ↑ Bogosian, Dan (2020). Red Hot Chili Peppers FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the World's Best-Selling Alternative Band. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9781493051427. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  12. ↑ Kerrang! 292
  13. ↑ Wall, Mick (2010). Appetite for Destruction: The Mick Wall Interviews. Hachette UK. ISBN 9781409114352.
  14. ↑ "Faith No More Return of the King". exclaim.ca. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  15. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "BBC1 Radio Interview with Mike Patton". YouTube. July 30, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  16. ↑ Maltz, Aaron (June 13, 2019). "Brilliant Madness: Mr. Bungle's Ever-Wild "California" Turns 20". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on June 15, 2019. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  17. 1 2 3 Cite error: The named reference allmusic.com was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  18. ↑ "Reunited Mr. Bungle Announce Their First Record In 21 Years, A Re-Recorded Version Of Their 1986 Thrash-Metal Demo". August 13, 2020. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Mr. Bungle Announces Re-Recording of The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo with New Members Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo for October 2020 Release". Music.mxdwn.com. August 13, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Trey Spruance Mr Bungle Faith No More eonmusic Interview January 2021 Part 1".
  21. ↑ "Experimental Rock Legends Mr. Bungle Revisit First Demo At Warfield". CBS News (San Francisco). February 3, 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  22. ↑ Colman, Tim (May 11, 2007). "Secret Chiefs 3". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  23. ↑ Deiterman, Corey (July 28, 2015). "Faith No More is Back...Could Mr. Bungle Be Next?". Houston Press.
  24. ↑ "DANNY DEVITO SAW MR. BUNGLE LIVE, GAVE MIKE PATTON ACTING POINTERS". Kerrang!. February 9, 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020. While plenty of rock and metal fans were stoked when Mike Patton-led alt-metal crew Mr. Bungle announced their first live performances in 20 years, one doubts that many of them assumed Danny DeVito was stoked about it as well.
  25. ↑ "Opinion | Why the World Doesn't Need New Nu Metal". The Quietus. March 11, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2013. Looking back, nu metal was a fairly natural progression of the increasingly 'alternative' nature of metal's mainstream at the time, and drew inspiration from some pretty good bands into the bargain. 'Alternative metal' acts Faith No More and Mr Bungle were tapped more than any other groups
  26. ↑ "Mr. Bungle Beats Queen; Neil Young Under the Stars – Manhattan, New York, NY". Nypress.com. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  27. ↑ "Mike Patton: A Singer with Energy". CNN.com. October 13, 1999. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  28. ↑ Serba, John (February 8, 2000). "Sno-Core Tour Smacks the Fans Silly". The Grand Rapids Press. p. C4.
  29. ↑ "Korn's James 'Munky' Shaffer – Under the Influence". Theskinny.co.uk. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  30. 1 2 3 "A series of interviews about Mr. Bungle's 'California' PART 2". faithnomorefollowers. July 18, 2019. Archived from the original on 2 November 2019. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  31. 1 2 "Old News | Bungle Fever". bunglefever.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  32. ↑ "Mr. Bungle Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Mr. Bungle Chart History (Heatseekers Album)". Billboard.com. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Mr Bungle ARIA Chart history (Albums) to October 2025". ARIA. Retrieved November 2, 2025 – via Imgur.com. N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart.
  35. ↑ "Mr. Bungle". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  36. 1 2 3 "Sludge Scans For January 2001 | Metal Sludge". metalsludge.tv. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
  37. ↑ "australian-charts.com – Mr. Bungle – Disco Volante". Australian-charts.com.
  38. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. June 21, 2021. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  39. ↑ "Mr. Bungle – Mi Stoke Il Cigaretto". discogs.
  40. ↑ "Mr. Bungle – Platypus". Pattonmd.com. Archived from the original on 2026-01-09. Retrieved 2026-01-03.

Other websites

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.