your question:

02/06/2023 Bob Balaban

I've been diving into The New Zealand band Split Enz 1970's stuff and was wondering it they influenced Mr. Bungle at all back in the day. Their early videos are pretty incredible.

Oops. Meant to be more specific and submitted before finishing, Split Enz! They seemed like a 1976 Mr. Bungle. Maybe musically from a different palette (Kinks, Beatles), but their theatrics are just as wonderful. Contemporaries of Devo, Oingo, Sparks and Queen but less successful in the states, Specifically I'm thinking of their videos for "Late Last Night" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51ib_El-yh4 (I swear I've seen Patton mimic this Tim Finn character live) - "Lovey Dovey" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66s967Qx0dM - Or "Jamboree" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1NAN0-wIcU (4:25 has some Platypus vibes). Thanks man!

my answer:

I don’t remember anyone ever mentioning Split Enz back in the day. I only recently got into Crowded House (and I think Finn is an incredible songwriter) and subsequently Split Enz, which I’ve yet to take the deep dive into. So to answer your question: No, they were not an influence.