“Bungle is dead.”
This was posted on the news page of The Selected Discography of Trevor Dunn back on August 16th:
Bungle is dead. Please realize that. I’m going to SF next month to finally liquidate our storage space. Buncha useless gear we’ve been paying $225 a month for it to sit in dust for five years. Yep, that about sums it up. I’m happy. One of these days I’m going to publish a history of that band and I’ve got the archives to back it up! pack-rat that I am.
Source: Trevor Dunn
September 12th, 2005 at 11:36 AM
This is really for the best. If the band members had no other options for their output, it would’ve been a bigger shame, but the minute that Ipecac was a reality, Bungle was no longer necessary for Mike and Trevor. Much as I love “California” (and I really, really do), you can sort of feel the conflicting aesthetics within the band pulling itself a part. That’s why it’s better for The Secret Chiefs 3 and Ipecac to exist as seperate entities. With Fantomas, Patton is able to chase his taste for music with extreme, whiplash-inducing changes and with Convulsant, Trevor Dunn has really refined the type of post-jazz (whatever that means) that he toyed with on “Everyone I Knew In High School Is Dead.”
I have to say that it’s a real treat to see Trevor Dunn Trio Convulsant and Fantomas to perform on the same evening. In both instances, you just see a joy in performing from each maestro as their respective wicked talented bandmates perform their dream projects with gusto. As great as Bungle was (and still is when you spin the older discs), it’s clearly an obsolete institution to those who were involved with it.
I wish I could say more about The Secret Chiefs 3, but I’m completely unfamiliar with their work. I suspect that there may’ve been some bad blood towards the end there, and while I obviously can’t speak to what was going on behind the scenes, I do have to say that Patton-based cult of personality that was going on during their 1999-2000 must’ve been galling.
On a related note, I’m still surprised at how many folks whoop and call out when to Patton when he’s setting up for a performance. If ever there was performer who tunes the audience out to focus on the job at hand, it’s him. That’s what I really like about Patton’s current work ethic: It’s all about the music now. Those who turn out hoping to see him flop around like a fish or pour bottles of urine over his head need to hop a Wayback Machine and set course for the early ’90s.
So, yes, it’s a bit of a bummer that Mr. Bungle is officially dead, but those who’ve been following Patton and Trevor’s interviews and chit-chats over the last few years already knew that. Light a candle for the band if you must, but my suggestion for commemorating their official passing is to sping “Sister Phantom Owl Fish” or the Fantomas disc of your choice, especially “Delerium Cordia.”
A couple of talented musicians have moved on to greener pastures.
September 12th, 2005 at 11:42 AM
If he gets around to it I can’t wait for the Mr.B book it will kick so much ass
September 12th, 2005 at 3:28 PM
I’ve been curious to see a book of Trevor’s writings for quite some time now. His Answers on the Selected Discography website are a gas. He has a talent for the printed word and my fridge stinks of Johnny Walker black.
September 13th, 2005 at 8:51 AM
Yes, Trevor is brilliant, not only a great musician, but very funny and clever. i really do hope he gets to publish a book. Now that Ipecac have put out the melvins book, you never know they could do it for Mr B in the future!
September 13th, 2005 at 9:07 AM
I’d hate to disagree with such a beautiful reply such as Tom K’s, but I just gotta: While I do agree with most of what you said, I feel that the whole “Patton is all about the music” concept is wrong. The whole image of “Patton is all about the music” has become exactly that – An image. One cannot argue with the lacking musical quality of his last few outings when compared to his past efforts. Personally I feel that right now his music comes way too much from the brain, meaning he’s doing the sort of music he THINKS he should do, and way too less from his heart, meaning he’s not doing things he FEELS he should do. I think it really shows in his music, which to me has come a bunch of experiments, which is exactly what people expect him now days to do, which is exactly why his music isn’t really about music, it’s about doing what people expect him to do.
Hope that made sense.
And about Dunns book: Spruance promised years ago a journal from the recording days of California and that never surfaced for whatever reasons, so allow me to doubt the release of Trevors book, at least for the next few years.
You really should listen to SC3!
September 13th, 2005 at 1:23 PM
personally i really do miss bungle. as much as i love sc3 and fantomas they just dont quite hit the heights that each new bungle release did. it seemed like every time bungle released something it was following the same course as the rest of the music that i would be listening to at the time and it changed as i did. i feel bad that guys who have been together for so long have grown apart. i was watching my videotape of them performing at their high school talent show and it blew my mind that they really had been just kids when they started.
September 13th, 2005 at 9:39 PM
I think “California” was a hell of an album to end an amazing and untouchable band such as Bungle. I just thank god I was able to catch the California tour. As long as most member keep puting out music…I will be a happy camper.
September 15th, 2005 at 5:08 PM
I’d just like to point out that it’s not just Patton, Spruance and Dunn putting out music. Heifetz’ recent work can be sampled at http://www.merlemorris.com and http://www.mp3.com.au/thehead and http://cdbaby.com/cd/thetangosaloon among others. McKinnon has been involved in http://www.theribbondevice.com/ and some others.
Get out and look for them!
September 16th, 2005 at 8:01 AM
Thanks for the links! I had no idea!
September 19th, 2005 at 7:35 PM
I’ve seen two shows from secret chiefs 3 (admittedly when Dunn, McKinnon and Heifetz played) and they were mind blowing, to say the least. I would love to see the estradasphere incarnation of the lastest releases, that would be a treat. It’s a shame (for international fans) that Spruance seems to lack the drive to take his acts on the road.
It’s one of the great pleasures to see these incredible ex-bungle musicians branch off and follow whatever it is that drives them. So different, yet similar in their integrity and complexity. Heifetz has been playing in a band called The Exile, gigging in Brisbane regularly and it’s a treat too.
I interviewed Dunn for local street press and HE brought up Bungle, in a question about analogue vs digital. There’s a story busting to be told there, i can feel it. They are too professional to let loose. We may have to wait until they’re all 60 and contemplating their lives to actually get the real stories…
September 20th, 2005 at 9:15 PM
From what I understand, Patton is still up to his crazy stage antics as much as ever. In some Duane Denison interview from a while back, he was talking about Patton letting a fan vomit into his throat at a show on the last Tomahawk tour. That certainly wasn’t so long ago.
As far as Bungle. It’s for the better that all the guys in the band are now pursuing their own music and doing it happily. That said, as much as I love Sister Phantom Owl Fish, General Patton Vs. The Executioners, and Book of Horizons, nothing for me has compared to the opus that is California. The thing that was so amazing about Bungle was the hugely vast and varied styles all melded together. Nothing any of them has done since melds nearly as many influences. The only band that comes to mind that even comes close is Estradasphere.
Another thing that I don’t think many people think about is the fact that as Bungle grew apart and tensions mounted in the band, their music continued to get better and better. Is there a connection? Something to think about.
September 20th, 2005 at 9:22 PM
Oh, and Trey doesn’t take SC3 overseas because the band is too damn big and it costs huge sums of money to go on tour. On the plus side, since the European tour earlier this Summer got cancelled, Trey took the opportunity (since he had everyone’s time booked) to practice and record new material for the next record. A friend of mine who’s in the band says Trey’s outdone himself, and as usual the next record should blow the last one out of the water.
September 21st, 2005 at 9:31 AM
you know, i feel that everyone has made great points to the fact the musicians of bungle have moved on and that their music is great and you can download this one’s new stuff from this link or this one, but i have to say it does not fill the void that bungle, or FNM left. all i know is this, i like to hear patton sing. he is THE BEST vocalist/singer out there, and when i see the levi’s add on t.v. and hear FNM’s version of easy being played i smile every time. see that is what is wrong with all of the patton incarnations since FNM and Bungle, there is such a lack of, in my opinion, good lyrical content. now im not saying that i do not enjoy tomahawk, but it comes no where near any of FNM’s worst song(do they even have one?!) and im sorry, call me uninformed, but the famtomas thing…well i just dont get it. now before some of you guys decide to bite my head off just sit back and think about how much fun it was to sing along side of squeeze me macoroni to the horror of non-bungle fans, or how you smiled when you finally found out that part in carousel about “will warner bros putting this record on the shelf.” you dont get that anymore with fantomas. im hoping this peeping tom thing surfaces, cause im still holding onto some hope that some fun interesting music, with lyrics that are fun to sing along to is gonna come out next year, well that is at least what the people at ipecac e-mailed back to me. and again i have bought plenty of stuff hoping that i was gonna hear the guy sing, ie tomahawks 1st and 2nd album, maldoror, fantomas’s directors cut, the dillenger escape plan, general patton vs the executioners, and none of it compares to the old days which I refuse to let go.
September 23rd, 2005 at 6:24 AM
before SC3-book of horizons came out I was sad that Mr.B was gone.
Spruance has outdone himself.
Dunn? I can’t say I’ve listened to his records.
Patton?
To be honest I would rather hear 1 great record out of Patton every 2-4 years
then what he’s been doing since California…sure every now and again he does something that’s decent but I do believe he’s spreading himself thin…trying to make as much money as possible on image.
September 27th, 2005 at 4:09 PM
Damn my youth! I admit to being too young to see bungle (much due to my past poor taste) but those records have been a better example of mind expansion than any hallucinogen has been. I will deeply miss the group i love so dearly. I may just weep next time i hear my ass is on fire or after school special. Now i must find a way of purchasing some of the bungle gear before it is liquidated to the masses.
September 29th, 2005 at 1:31 PM
What happened to theo????!!!!!
September 29th, 2005 at 2:54 PM
we all know bungle was the best a very unique thing that only comes around once in a while ,i am devastated by the news, now that it is official, i had hopes it would not happen, there is something special about those guys patton ,dunn and trey more talent than is right and tons of hard work perfecting the craft ,(which they did perfect with every release as few as there have been) i only hope they will grace us with some kind of box set, with unreleased material and perhaps much video footage, i for one have been in search of a band that compares and even though i love pattons projects, trevor donns trio ,and sc3 very much, it just aint the same, and noone out there is coming close i only hope that some of the guys from bungle,which i have not heard from,are doing something as good as bungle,peace
September 30th, 2005 at 3:23 PM
Hmph. there goes the greatest band in history.
October 1st, 2005 at 4:09 PM
Nothing new.. this is what, the 19th confirmation that Mr. Bungle has “officially” broke up?
Let’s move on..
October 4th, 2005 at 8:19 AM
First off…while i’ve known of the ‘death of bungle’ for some time – it still stings…it’s one of those ‘if-i-don’t-listen-it-may-not-be-true’…Oh, well. It still totally sucks. Anyhow, I am a definate Mike Patton lyrical Fan. I don’t think anyone can touch him.
NOW, I’ve still not heard anyone mention Mike Pattons brief stint with Dan The Automater for the project: “Lovage”. For all of you looking to hear Mike Patton flexing his Lyrical ability — THAT is the album to look into:
http://www.epitonic.com/artists/lovage.html
Seriously, I’ve listened to most everything from FNM, 3SC, Fantomas to the Xecutioners project and Lovage is BY FAR the best [for people wanting to hear Patton's voice and humor]. Go, buy it…NOW. It will fill the void … for a little while, anyway.
Oh, one more thing…
“O.G. Says:
I’d hate to disagree with such a beautiful reply such as Tom K’s, but I just gotta: While I do agree with most of what you said, I feel that the whole “Patton is all about the musicâ€? concept is wrong. ”
I think you are totally completely wrong about that one, O.G.. In fact, I believe the exact opposite. After all the recordings Pattons done, don’t you think that he is well aware of what’s involved in the production aspects of what he releases? He has people pulling from all ends to get to work with him. If he was just doing what people wanted him to do, FNM would be doing a reunion tour, Mr. Bungle would be releasing their 10th Record, and he would have never teamed up with Razhel.
October 5th, 2005 at 3:27 AM
oh fuck! they broke up?
October 5th, 2005 at 9:49 PM
after reading trevor’s statement i honestly got a little depressed. so much that i couldn’t listen to any of the post bungle music i’ve tried to occupy my time with these last few years. call me a drama queen, but man i don’t want to move on. i can’t say that anything the ex-tribe has done is better than the old stuff. i did have silly little fantasys and expectations that bungle would just put out an album every 5 years cause they got so damn busy. instead of spending my time reading every little news post i just made up my own. patton’s last statement about the break up was vague enough for me to hope things would change. trevor’s article is reality.
one way i look at it is every person has an average of 7 careers. they all moved on to their next ones.
October 9th, 2005 at 5:40 AM
What separates Bungle from Patton`s other bands is that they had been friends since childhood. Thus it feels like Bungle was a band with a world of it`s own. I`m certain that ex-bungles will never make anything as good as Bungle.
October 12th, 2005 at 5:09 PM
You know, it sucks that Bungle has a fan base that produces so many different kinds of opinions like all of these and then those people anticipate the negative reaction to their own opinions because of the nature of their diversity. What I mean is if you like the Patton-singing material more than the noise/sound concoctions, you obviously have those feelings for a human reason. And if it’s vice versa (you like the experimental stuff better than the crooning), the same is true for that. Bill, you’re not “uninformed” and neB, you’re no more right about O.G. than O.G. is about Patton.
That being said, here are my thoughts without apology…
I heard about Bungle because I was a Faith No More FANATIC. I was 14. The first song I heard was “Squeeze Me Macaroni” and my initial reaction was… so what if it’s the FNM singer, that doesn’t mean I should automatically like it. It didn’t have that goth-type sound that I was in love with at the time (probably because of what was going on in my life). But then I heard “My Ass Is On Fire” and the chorus vocal melody and guitar gypsy-scale riff sucked me the hell IN. Then “Stubb A Dub” was the next song to really grab me with the post-”THANKS, MOM!” disco keyboard part.
I reacted to Disco Volante the same way I reacted to FNM’s King For A Day. The good songs got better but the bad songs got worse. I think “Chemical Marriage”, “Carry Stress in the Jaw”, “The Secret Song”, and “Desert Search for Techno Allah” made me like them all upon first listen. But I think “Everyone I Went to High School With Is Dead” is just pure trash. I take it as a joke; one that is funny only once. I also think that “Platypus” is highly overrated. But now I also understand that this reaction matches my personality. I’m probably the least funny of my friends and the most uptight. But so fucking what?
To me, California is Bungle’s worst album, musically-speaking. However, I think the lyrics on this album have never been matched by any artists ANYWHERE. They remain my favorite themes and phrases to this day. “None of Them Knew They Were Robots” and “Retrovertigo” are absolute masterpieces of wording. I ALSO think that Bungle’s performing abilities are at their peak on this record. It’s just too bad they composed boring or take-a-while-to-grow-on-you melodies for it.
So will I miss Bungle? Without a doubt. Because, like Faith No More, they always teased me with not making that album that could have flattened the earth and make it look pointless to make any other music. I know both of those bands had that ability but maybe it was the inner conflicts that prevented them from doing so…
which is my point here. Everyone just speak your mind. For those who can’t realize the concept of the difference of opinion…well, we know those are the same people who build concentration camps and try to take over the world.
October 18th, 2005 at 6:43 AM
anyone want a computer signed by patton? his G4 is on ebay currently 1500, but with a buy it now price of 2000$. it is autographed and has a pic of him autographing it. thought you guys might get a kick out of it. here is the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7554199876&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT
November 4th, 2005 at 5:55 AM
with some luck maybe the guy that buy that find some hidden tracks demos from fnm =p
November 6th, 2005 at 6:51 PM
But what happened to theo!!!??? You know the other guy who used to make those weird random noises in Mr. Bungle. Who knows? Theo where are you!!?? Come play with me.
November 10th, 2005 at 6:52 PM
Patton hasn’t been involved an album I can’t stop listening to for months since he was with Mr. Bungle, besides the latest Tomahawk outing. Wish they’d have settled their differences but if there is ever to be a book I can’t even imagine how entertaining it would be.
November 17th, 2005 at 6:04 PM
comon, everybody!!!!!!!, you got to be kidding me??????, we are all big fans of Bungle, but this notice is so old, like bored, i really like Dunn s music, i respect him too much, he is a good man, but the disscusion here is the break of Mr. Bungle and no the publicity that Dunn has taken with the idea of publishing a book. Every careful fan of Mr. Bungle knows, the 1001 historys that happened during the time they played (by the way, there is one history from Spruance that is simply incredible!!).
all that was around the band was really a freaky shit, but to me, they are the best musicians i have ever heared, it is a shame that patton gave priority to another stupids proyects, cuz his best works will be always, the ones he did in a far away past, and after tomahawk i really dont follow his marks anymore.
the situation, the comments, and what the name of Mr. Bungle has become are just past, and i really hope that i would be wrong about this. a damn shame…………………
November 30th, 2005 at 4:48 PM
Can anyone tell me if they have heard ou818? I have a totally different one than anyone else….The track list and cover are all different….here is the list…..
OU818 DJ INTRO
Squeeze Me Macaroni
Slowly Growing Deaf
The Girls Of Porn
Love Is A Fist
Lesbian
The Things We Used To Do
Scary Movies
Misunderstood
Chicken Wing
Police Rule
Three Blind Mice
Welcome Back Kotter
Quote Unquote
We Are The Champions
I also have a picture of the cd cover…I don’t have the original due to the Canadians, but I do have it on my hard drive.
December 11th, 2005 at 2:38 AM
I saw Elvis yesterday and Mr. Bungle will bring out an new album next year! Lets keep the soul alive!
April 5th, 2006 at 6:56 PM
Anyone who thinks Patton’s game has diminished over the past few years is deluded. He has brought it to a level now , that no other singer has EVER been. His new music is better than the old, and the old was better than most stuff is now. Maybe you can’t digest it is all. Most great works are not for the average listener.
April 24th, 2006 at 7:05 PM
Scott Bentz, you have a copy of them performing at their talent show?? Oh my God, is there any place I can see it? I haven’t seen any performances featuring Mike P. or the Bungle dudes for that matter pre 1989. Can you please just tell me any way at all that I could see it? Thanks.
June 26th, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Bungle is (officially) dead? Good ridence! They quit while they were still ahead. The first album was a masterpiece, and the following two releases were disappointing, lame, and decending in quality and kooth. If they were only going to release trash, it’s best that they folded the tent.
July 1st, 2006 at 12:42 AM
I have abandoned you long ago because you are an idiot!
August 23rd, 2006 at 5:44 PM
MrB is, no dout about it, the best Patton project. And California is one of the best albums in history. But the new Patton works are better than olders (for me personaly)
Fantomas get better and better in each LP, Kaada Patton “Romances” is A-MA-ZING, General Patton VS X-ecutioners is incredible intelligent hiphop… ok, Lovage is such a duck-sh¡t…. i really expected much more of that combo.
El señor Bungle nunca morira, carajo!!!!
April 29th, 2007 at 6:35 AM
gazzetta sport…
news…
December 24th, 2008 at 6:49 PM
hahaha look at my post date… Yah, it’s what u see…
The fact is we are all different just the way Mr. Bungle used to mix different types of music and sound in their songs. But still they sounded awesome. So in the same way it’s awesome that we’re all different. The problem is people can’t accept that. Maybe if the band members could have accepted their differences Mr. Bungle would still be alive rocking today’s shitty musical world (not all of it, but most) and like Trey said, they could be conquering the world. Well, it’s over though. I feel sad for it, but i’m happy that i happened to meet Mr. Bungle. For me, they’ll always be the best band. Peace.