YOUR QUESTION:

03/25/2021 Tom, Warsaw

Hi Trevor. Such a great pleasure to listen or lately even read you! Listening to the "new" Bungle I thought... "Hey who else would have come up with such a crazy idea" but then realised looots of bands come back to their roots as they get old and nostalgic to the old times. Is it the real middle age crisis? Even Mike's outrageous look would have suggest that (pardon me). Do you feel there is still something new available for you, an unknown path? I really enjoyed your writing would that possibly be some new direction?

MY ANSWER:

I’m always striving to learn and grow. What my capabilities are only time will tell. I feel like a lot of younger musicians have already surpassed me, but then there’s just more for me to take influence from. There is ALWAYS an unknown path. Finding it is another thing.
I think in Bungle’s case, there certainly was a level of nostalgia, but it was more about giving respect to something that never had it. More of that than getting back to roots.
I’m somewhat set in my ways to a degree, but I hope that I will continue to exhaust what possibilities I am capable of and therefore be forced to explore new directions.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/24/2021 Sam Chambers

How pissed off does it make you that middle and upper class assholes actually have the gall to listen to your music and even claim to get something out of it?

MY ANSWER:

Honestly it doesn’t piss me off at all. I can’t claim or control anyone’s intake or what that means to them. Not sure how you could actually. How can you measure what someone gets out of it? Do assholes listen to my music? Probably. Hopefully they paid full price.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/23/2021 Trav Sandberg

Hi Trevor, I was always pretty obsessed with the organ sounds from Disco Volante, specially the Ma Meeshka ones. Do you remember which keyboard or synth were used? Thanks in advance

MY ANSWER:

Unfortunately I do not, although I believe there is a B3 running through a Leslie on that tune, no? We had a lot going on at the time, you’d have to ask someone else.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/18/2021 chrisThoughts? Is Rock finally dead?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pdQnZLEWNo

MY ANSWER:

HAHHAHA. I think it’s clear that rock is undead.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/15/2021 Sam Chambers

While you were (thankfully) never a ska band, do you ever regret even flirting with that shit? I can't listen to the self-titled for that influence, preferring intelligent music like Disco Volante and California, or REAL music like your metal stuff.

MY ANSWER:

Hell no I don’t regret it. Bands like Fishbone, Oingo Boing, The Specials, Bad Manners— we were digging all that stuff. And I still appreciate a good Madness video from time to time. I respect your opinion but ska is just another way of arranging chords and melodies, like everything else.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/09/2021 Director

Did Patton ever tell you why he added lyrics to Experiment in Terror? Do bands even talk about that kind of stuff, or is it more of a no questions asked policy?

MY ANSWER:

I’m not sure what other bands talk about — and I haven’t been in many bands where there is a dedicated lyricist other than myself. We never talked about that choice, but I don’t think we had to. It makes sense to me why he would do that.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/03/2021 JC

Ever listened to Dominick Fernows noise project Prurient?

MY ANSWER:

Thanks to you, I am right now. Digging it.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/03/2021 The Ghost of Halloween Past

Hi Trevor, I hope this question isn't too personal. Around the time that you moved to NYC, Trey was known for being sharply critical of not only the "Downtown" scene of Zorn's orbit, but also '90s avant improv in general. I wouldn't expect you to be aware of all or even most of the stuff that he expressed in interviews over those years, but I was wondering if through conversations between you two if he ever communicated such sentiments, and if it ever affected your friendship with him considering that you were going to be moving across the country to become part of a scene that he was publicly criticizing. As a relevant aside, was there any reason why you did not take part in the Weird Little Boy sessions that included Trey, Mike, Zorn, and Willy Winant, on, I believe, an off-day in NYC on the Disco Volante tour? Cheers.

MY ANSWER:

I remember something of this, some of which may have come from his own personal experiences. But no, that never affected our friendship. I can respect differences of opinions, or maybe I agreed with some of what he said. I have no recollection to be honest, and it seems to me that those types of opinions are capable of evolution in any regard. I can say for certain that all of us in Bungle were reaching for very different things as the touring of California concluded. Granted, we were in our 30s, somewhat successful and able to make personal moves that didn’t necessarily include our usual circle.
I don’t know why I wasn’t included in that recording, but it’s probably because there was a specific instrumentation involved, a certain budget, etc. It’s a waste of time to ever take any of that sort of thing personally. Not long after that I ended up going on tour with Zorn in a “West Coast” version of the Masada Quartet, so I got my time in.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/02/2021 I just found out Shelley played on a Bjork album, I never knew that! Any good stories she relayed to you about the recording?

MY ANSWER:

Yes indeed! Glad that is being noticed. I believe she got that gig via her colleague Zeena Parkins. I don’t remember hearing any stories, but as I understand it, it was a very positive experience.

YOUR QUESTION:

03/02/2021 El Bajo

I don’t get some of the unspoken rules of metal. For example, if there is going to be this entire genre of music based on two distorted, screeching guitars, why would the bass have distortion and deliberately get lost in the noise of the guitars? Why doesn’t metal have clean, bouncy, rubbery bass tones that have a directness (more fundamental/less overtones) that cuts through and can anchor and complement the metallic mids of the guitars, and give the music a really heavy bottom end?

MY ANSWER:

Well, that’s exactly why I don’t use a ton of distortion in those situations. I maintain the low end and definition necessary for the harmonic movement to be clear. There are endless unspoken rules in every genre and it’s your job to question them!

YOUR QUESTION:

02/24/2021 Ryan Roddick

Like everyone who submits a question, I first must sing your praises. Huge fan of all of your work, my son is learning bass currently and I have frequently given him music of yours to show him how a well rounded bass player can move from one genre to the other. Also finding out that you played bass on the Backyardigans movie was pretty cool and made it enjoyable to watch. Now that that's out of the way.
1. Did you and the other bungle guys reach out to Bar and Danny regarding the easter bunny album? I know they weren't apart of it originally but to me, they are core members of the band.
2. Any more film scoring? I love the album Four Films.
3. The Cardiacs vs. Zappa. I recently had a debate with my brother on the better band. In my opinion Zappa was an amazing musician but I find him a bit egotistical and his lyrics are dumb. I feel Tim Smith of the Cardiacs was just total talent and humble. What are your thoughts?
Thank you for the music you share with us all, it's truly a gift.

MY ANSWER:

1. Yes, we did. Total transparency, like the mature fucks we are.
2. Yes, something I did years ago soon to be released on my label —also, if you haven’t seen my personal Bandcamp page, there is a “Three Films” release from an older period of composing.
3. I don’t really understand the rating game, or comparing who’s better. I like both for various and different reasons, or sometimes the same reasons. I certainly have my preferences, as you do, but that really says nothing about who is better. The whole lot is brilliant.

YOUR QUESTION:

02/23/2021 Brooklyn Draft Dodgers

Does Mr. B own the rights to the WB albums and will there be band sanctioned reissues?

MY ANSWER:

We do not own those; WB does. There is currently some talk on a box set….we’ll see….

YOUR QUESTION:

02/22/2021 Aiden T.

Hi!
First, I just wanted to say I really enjoy your work and it's very inspiring. I do also really love Mr. Bungle but I'm sure you get a ton of questions about them, so I'll stick to other questions.
I am also both an upright and electric bass player (although I'm very much an amateur) and was just wondering what your opinion on fretting with your third/ring finger was? My high school's orchestra conductor was always very strict about not fretting with my third finger, although he did not actually really play bass much himself. However, my current school's guitar/electric bass teacher actually argues in favor of using your ring finger. I didn't know if maybe it was an upright vs electric bass thing or just a personal preference kind of thing as neither teacher played both basses. I noticed in the tabs you put out of Dead Goon you use third finger but wasn't sure if you only use it on electric or if you try and avoid it at all.
Unrelated, but I was also wondering what you thought of mint chocolate chip ice cream? A lot of people say it tastes like toothpaste but it's one of my personal favorite ice cream flavors.
Lastly, thanks so much for creating great music and also for answering all these questions, it's very appreciated. Hope you're doing alright in quarantine and I hope to hear back whenever you have time if you choose to answer this one :)

MY ANSWER:

It’s good to use the correct nomenclature so avoid the word “fretting” when talking about the upright bass, otherwise I think you’re talking about an instrument with frets. By the same token, the upright bass does not have a fretboard, it has a fingerboard. Anyway, what you are describing is very much an electric vs upright scenario. Traditionally the 3rd finger is not used in classical technique on the upright until you get into thumb position, where you also drop the use of the 4th finger. Electric bass is totally different and I use a four finger position (one finger per fret, 1-2-3-4) all the way up the fret board. There are some exceptions to all of this. Some modern upright players utilize the 3rd finger around the 8th position or so, and sometimes the traditional upright position of 1-2-4 is easier utilized in certain scenarios on the electric bass. Check out my article “For And Against Technique” in Arcana vol 2 for more on this tomfoolery. I’m a big believe in both traditions of the respective instruments. A lot of masters spent a lot of time honing in on the perfect technique. There are various schools of thought on which is best, but it’s really up to you to find your own balance.

I do like chocolate chip ice cream. I disagree with the toothpaste association. But mostly I prefer more chocolatey or fudge oriented flavors.

YOUR QUESTION:

02/21/2021 Carl

(Regrettably I am dumb. Thus my question is irritatingly tedious and fantastically selfish. I am wearing a black trio convulsant tshirt however, which entitles me to harass you. (Told you I was dumb.)
In the chorus of My Ass Is On Fire, along with your terrifically cool energetic bass line there is a sound. Is it a crowd? Backing vox by lead singer and band? An effect? A mysterious EQ detour?
Love ya Trevor. Maybe some questions are better left unanswered. Not this one, obviously. Just some.
Carl

MY ANSWER:

Don’t be so hard on yourself, Carl. You do you. I’m not exactly sure what sound you’re talking about — there is some noise synth doubling the bass part in what I guess you’d call the chorus. It could also be some eq wizardry or other subtle doubling. Can’t remember!

YOUR QUESTION:

02/18/2021 Alexandra

Hi Trevor,
first of all: Thank you for all of your music. Lockdown was a time where I really discovered a lot of different music (Thank you for the mixtape this really helped too). What about your experience? Is there still music out there where you suddenly think "I really like that" even though it's not the genre you normally listening too?
For the future I wish you all the best and as many gigs as possible after the lockdown. Don't forget to come to Austria!

MY ANSWER:

I did listen to a lot of music in lockdown. Spend hours surfing Bandcamp and finding all kinds of electronic and noise stuff I knew nothing about. Some of that stuff made it on to my mixtapes! I explore areas I’m not familiar with on purpose in order to find new, exciting music. It’s really endless. Despite the usual crap that is shoved down our throats via commercial radio and other outlets, there is really a ton of great music to be found. Looking for it is half the fun!

YOUR QUESTION:

02/14/2021 Hed

Hi Trevor, really curious what your favorite studio to record in is, and why? Cheers.

MY ANSWER:

That’s a really open-ended question. Really depends on a lot of factors. I love The Bunker and EastSide Sound, both in NYC. Oktaven up in Yonkers is great. Systems 2 was a beautiful room, which is sadly gone now. The same can be said of Brilliant in SF. Many studios are great, and the room or iso booths come into play depending on what the band is but ultimately it’s really the engineer that makes or breaks it.

YOUR QUESTION:

02/09/2021 Michael

Hi Trevor,
Longtime fan, blah blah blah. I discovered recently that you worked on a Brian Welch record that Tony Levin also worked on. I've never heard it but I wanted to ask if you had met and worked with Tony during those sessions and what you thought of his work overall. I live in the same general area as Tony does, it's given me the opportunity to see him perform many times in King Crimson related projects but also in jazz (Levin Brothers) and even quasi classical (California Guitar Trio) settings. I'd venture to say he's one of the most versatile and talented instrumentalists I've seen and a genuinely lovely guy as well. I briefly met you a couple of times around 20 years ago and I'd say the same for you, I've seen you play in some vastly different groups and you were also gracious enough to chat with a 21 year old music nerd after shows. I believe you live within a few hours of each other, is there any chance that you might collaborate someday? It'd be a match made in heaven for this fan.

MY ANSWER:

I share your respect for Mr. Levin. Been a King Crimson fan for years. Apparently I replaced his tracks on the Brian Welch record if you can fucking believe that. I have much I could say about that entire recording experience, little of it is good, other than the paycheck I got. I’ve never seen so much quantizing in my life. I have never met Mr. Levin but would be honored to. No concept of what a collaboration could possibly consist of.

YOUR QUESTION:

02/04/2021 1

Lol, on your wikipedia page, one of the genres listed is punk rock. You’ve literally never played on a punk record in your entire life. Why do you think people are always so desperate to credit punk? Imagine anyone thinking that on the encyclopedia entry for your professional career as a bassist, one of the genres that you fall into as a bass player is PUNK.

MY ANSWER:

I appreciate how you seem to have the definitive call on what I’ve recorded in my entire life. Maybe it didn’t occur to you that you don’t know everything; that there is no way you could. That’s beside the point though. It’s called “street cred” to answer your question. It has a “real” quality that is visceral — not unlike pretty much everything else, but you know, it makes for good marketing I suppose. I have played lots of “punk” songs on stage in my life. My wikipedia page is painfully uninformed though. I don’t know who wrote that stuff.

YOUR QUESTION:

02/04/2021 barry white

whatever happened to the mike pride trio with you and mary? ya’ll had a good musical rapport. better yet, what happened to mike, he seems to not be around much anymore? cheers xoxo

MY ANSWER:

Mike is busy as ever as a musician although not located in NYC anymore. Things happen, people move around, get into other stuff, etc. Would be fun to revisit that someday.

YOUR QUESTION:

02/03/2021 Help

Hello. I would like your guidance. Like any normal person, I keep my CD collection in alphabetical order and within that order, each artist’s albums are ordered by year. Really basic, traditional stuff. But, you see, I am struggling with what to do with the Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny CD. Should it go first, before the self-titled WB debut, or last, after California???? This is a serious archival/curatorial/aesthetic/philosophical/existential dilemma. Please, Trevor.

MY ANSWER:

Well, it’s not like you have 10 Bungle CDs to confuse the issue. Pretty sure you’ll be able to find it either way. I suppose it makes logical sense to put it after California since you’re categorizing the recording, not the concept. Probably what you should really do is buy two copies and bookend this legendary oeuvre. I’m not as anal as you; I just jam an artist’s works all together, not worrying about the chronology. The real problem starts when you start a “world music” shelf, and some of those people also have “rock” and/or “classical” recordings. Where the hell am I supposed to put Nate Wooley’s music??