your question:
12/01/2022 emma
hi do you reckon you'll ever redo bowel of chilley like you did wrath of the easter bunny or is mr bungle dead now
my answer:
No reason to redo that amateurish stuff.
your question:
11/16/2022 John F Kennedy
Thanks for conversing with fans in this manner. I wish more artists did this.
I have seen you play 3 times. Twice with Mr Bungle and once with Mondo Cane at Sydney's State Theatre (I smiled for days after that show). The Mr Bungle Disco Volante Australian tour was something special with William Winant on percussion. I remember you guys did a superb cover of Tower Of Strength.
1. Can you remember which version your cover was based off? ( I hear more of Frankie Vaughan's rowdiness in yours over the smoothness of Gene McDaniels).
2. Whose idea was it?
3. Does a studio recording exist?
Thanks.......
my answer:
We were covering Frankie Vaughan’s version; definitely the more hammy and kitschy of the two. Can’t remember who’s idea it was, either Patton or Heifetz. There might be some basic tracks on 2” tape in someone’s garage.
your question:
11/15/2022 Bud Bundy
Mr Bungles "Squeeze Me Macaroni" bears a striking resemblance to the Red Hot Chili Peppers song "Sex Rap". Are you ready to admit plagiarism. Was that the cause of the whole feud??????
my answer:
Are we still talking about this shit? “Striking resemblance”? You gotta be kidding.
The cause of the feud was them kicking us off several festivals out of fear.
your question:
11/07/2022 JC
You guys have gone out of your way to denounce nu metal and you've all made your opinions on bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot etc very clear over the years. To come full circle where you're now playing shows with Slipknot and doing Sick World which is a nu metal bonanza w the same bands you have reviled for years. What's the thought process there? Were you out voted? Money talks? Have you guys mellowed and now have mutual admiration for other bands that are considered peers in the sense that they are around the same age as you. Can we be expecting a peace offering and tour w the Chili Peppers in the future? Just curious as to how you feel about playing shows with bands you've made no secret of your disdain for. 1 month til those Slipknot shows. Fingers crossed they don't come across any old interviews w Patton where he disembodied them
my answer:
Firstly, to say that we are “playing shows with” these bands is a stretch. If we get offered to do a massive festival for a bunch of money, we’re not gonna turn it down. We’re not stupid. You actually think that all the bands that play on a festival together all have mutual respect for each other? There’s a big difference between us taking bands we like on tour with us and hopping on a festival bill. Those festivals are about supplying as much content to the audience as their tickets and sponsorships will allow. Also, as a musician I can say those festivals are a clusterfuck. We usually try to get in and out as quickly as possible, and only hang briefly with the few bands that we may know or like. I may have mellowed in many ways in my old age, but I still think a lot of bands suck and I’m still not a fan of NüMetal. We won’t be touring with the Jalepeño Poppers. They wouldn’t dare being slaughtered night after night.
I couldn’t care less what any of those bands read either. No back peddling here.
your question:
10/25/2022 David
Of all the projects and recordings you have been involved with, can you list some that are the most similar to Moonchild Trio. That metal jazz fusion thing is the tits
my answer:
That’s a tricky one, as Moonchild is a specific Zorn project. If you’re not aware, the albums Astronome, Six Litanies for Heliogabalus, The Crucible and Ipsissimus are all Moonchild variants. Six Litanies happens to be my favorite. You might also like Asmodeus.
your question:
10/24/2022 Lucas Toro
Just one question.
Who´s singing in the "secret song" from disco volante?
my answer:
That would be me, you whippersnapper.
your question:
10/21/2022 david mirrione
thanks for replying for my 2 year old question LOL,
16 now and i still got more questions haha,
will the unreleased track from the california record ever surface? ive heard it mentioned in interviews i just cant recall the name right now
on a side note, thank you to you and the other bungle members for introducing me to blue velvet, the sample at the end of stubb got me curious and now its my favorite movie ever made
thanks and have a good day!
my answer:
Sorry, man. I get busy sometimes and answering questions is a duty more than anything.
There are several unreleased tracks from each of our records. It’s a can of worms, especially now, to dig up the tapes, and mix them. Maybe someday. Now go watch some Tarkovsky.
your question:
10/17/2022 Toots
10/17/2022 22:19:57Toots
Have you heard this band, Kampec Dolores? I've just found out about them, they're from Hungary and apparently opened for Pere Ubu in the USA for a tour. But this song, Jesus, seems right up your alley. Kinda reminds me of Stump in a way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXqXHyrAuvA What do you think?
my answer:
Very cool. I like it. Never heard of them. Thanks for sharing!
your question:
10/12/2022 theee dunnalinguist
greetings Trevor. long-time fan here. since '91. we have spoken on a couple occasions right here in Ohio.
i recall you taking the time to make a small list of essential listening for me. thanks again for the kind gesture.
here are a few questions. nothing fancy. just some nails i would like to have hammered.
1. my ass is on fire - the video - what is the story behind the bald man in the water when the video first starts?
2. could you please update the hermitage section? (some of us really look forward to reading that)
3. have you seen any impressive horror movies lately?
thanks again for all that you do in the house of the rising Dunn!
my answer:
1. That’s Heifetz sitting in a hot tub somewhere on tour.
2. Done
3. Talk To Me wasn’t bad. I tend to prefer the old classics. Currently on a DePalma kick.
your question:
10/11/2022 Ethan Mason
I'm a big fan of Mr. Bungle and for a while, I've been trying to find the sample at the end of "Dead Goon" with the piano and strings but I can't seem to find it anywhere on the internet. Any chance you could help me out?
my answer:
That whole outro is an improvisation by David Shea who did some turntable work on that record. I have no idea what vinyl he was using. As far as that whole mashup is concerned, our record is the only place it exists.
your question:
09/24/2022 Vrum Vrum
Hi Trev. Was listening to podcast where you mentioned how you like radio shows, live concept of it and how you discover new stuff like that. Can you recommend some station, shows for us ordinary mortals swiming in see of distractions? .
Btw I also had a fantasy to be radio host and I can blame this show for it https://youtu.be/as8Elg9-J00 (I was maybe 6-7) have you seen it?
Looking forward to your singer/songwriter project! Love
my answer:
I can’t recommend WFMU enough. They archive everything so you can listen on their website as well.
I vaguely remember Midnight Caller. I think more clearly I remember WKRP.
your question:
09/21/2022 Kyle
If I ever get married again, would you consider playing the procedure?
my answer:
Of course. Pay me enough to bring a band..
your question:
09/17/2022 Jordan
Hey, Trevor. Hope you've been well. I've brought some jazz-related questions for you today.
1) I've been wanting to learn how to improvise walking bass lines for a while now. What's your best advice on how to get the ball rolling on that? Is there any specific music theory that I should focus on when learning and/or playing them? Are there any books you would advise me getting?
2) Were there any particular jazz musicians that influenced the writing of "Platypus"?
3) Are there any modern jazz artists that you've listening to lately?
Thank you so much for being an inspiration for me and many others alike.
My answer:
1) Learn all your scales and arpeggios in all keys (start with major, dorian and mixolydian). I learned how to walk by reading chord charts in big band. Get a Real Book and start learning standards. Check out Jamey Abersold’s records, especially the one of the simple Charlie Parker tunes. Ron Carter is playing bass on those and you can get a book of his transcribed lines. That is an essential study. Take lessons with any professional jazz musician (bassist or otherwise) for more guidance.
2) Jaco, Kev Hopper (Stump), Percy Jones (Brand X), probably Weather Report & Return To Forever.
3) Chris Speed, Craig Taborn, Kris Davis, Anna Webber, Steve Lehman, Gerald Cleaver, Linda May Han Oh, Tim Berne.
your question:
09/14/2022
Wanted to ask you about Phlegmatics. Being that it’s a tone row, did you have guitar doubling the vocal so that Patton wasn’t on an island alone singing a thorny serial melody, which can be quite challenging for an “untrained” singer, or was that the arrangement from conception?
Also, do you remember where the idea came from to split the drums into two distinct tracks (panned hard L & R) in that short part before the intro beat kicks in again? That effect of two drummers simultaneously playing/improvising different parts is one of my favorite moments on DV. Thanks for the two minute masterpiece, Trevor. Warm wishes from L.A.
My answer:
It was a choice of orchestration — guitar and voice in unison over an unrelated drum beat.
I believe the idea of the separated drum sets came to me in the studio continuing with the idea of the drums being in their own world (as the bass essentially is in this section, too (at least rhythmically). I don’t remember if it was a forethought or if it came about by “accident”.
your question:
09/14/2022 Kenny Kong
Hey Trevor!
1. I -BELIEVE- you've mentioned having some love for some hip-hop artists/groups before, have you ever tried making any beats? I feel like you could probably come up with something really adventurous and off-kilter.
2. Have you ever read a wrong interpretation of your lyrics? If so, what are some that you've read?
3. Throughout your entire discography, do you have even one love song, lyrically? You've touched on some pretty deep stuff before but I don't recall if you have any music lyrically dealing with love
my answer:
1. I have not although it’s been on my mind to venture in.
2. I’m sure I have but I don’t dwell on that; Many times they are intended to be interpreted differently.
3. Love Is A Fist is sort of an anti-love song inspired by the hackneyed, cookie-cutter love songs of the ‘80s. Later I wrote a couple songs on my MadLove record that might fall under that category. Absence & Noise is a break up song and In Love (In Theory) is about being in love with the wrong person, to a degree. I’m more interesting in sociology than some proclamation of romance.
your question:
09/14/2022 Layne
Favorite 80s sitcom? Growing Pains v Family Ties. Which is better?
my answer:
Nothing beats Soap, although technically that’s ‘70s. I was pretty deep into Three’s Company, The Jeffersons, Mork & Mindy, Taxi etc. I guess my TV years bridged the decades. Never watched Growing Pains and Family Ties had Justine Bateman who was around my age and whom I had a good crush on.
your question:
09/14/2022 Grant
Did Slipknot ever pay you guys royalties for copying the masks thing? When they first became popular and people praised them for their "look", do you just shrug it off or is it more aggravating
my answer:
We have no royalties to make on wearing Halloween masks and gas station jump suits as we never tried to secure any rights to those costumes. It might have been a different thing if we had custom masks made that were copied. We also were not the first band ever to wear masks. Did they cop our shit? Yes. I know for a fact that they saw us play on the ‘92 tour when we donned such outfits (later, they were keen on using our sound guy for some reason). It’s mostly aggravating because they are a terrible band. Come at me, bro. How is an 8-piece band capable of sounding like a duo? Anyway, nothing to be done about it. They took an idea and ran with it and ultimately made it their own, so props to that.
your question:
09/13/2022 Jason
Have you heard Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwoods new band The Smile?
my answer:
I’ve heard a couple things, yes.
your question:
09/13/2022 CR
Is there a reason why Bungle refused to play material from the 1st album on the DV and California tours (w the exception of Travolta). I understand Disco Volante era Mr B not wanting to play "Girls of Porn" or "Squeeze Me Macaroni" but songs like "Dead Goon" or "Slowly Growing Deaf" definitely could have been given a run through
my answer:
A very good reason. We always put together a set of what we want to play. Sometimes we are sick of certain songs or just not feeling them. We can’t play everything, and we can’t please everyone, so we do what we want.
your question:
09/12/2022 Bertie Bassett
Good day to you, fine sir. I have a few questions. Thank you in advance for taking time out to answer such.
1. What is your opinion on Fieldy from Korn? I heard rumours that he made a jazz fusion album for solo bass. Have you heard that?
2. Keeping with the same topic - Fieldy (inventor of slap) - have you heard his rap album? If not, I highly recommend it.
3. What do you think of 3/4 length trousers? I don't understand their function. Always look a tad awkward in my eyes.
4. What to do about individual strands of grey hair in a goatee? I'm talking one or two cheeky beggars.
5. Are you a fan of Creed?
6. Do you have any tattoos? Have you ever considered getting a chin tattoo? Like Dez from Coal Chamber?
7. If you received a call tomorrow morning from Dez inviting you to join Coal Chamber on bass, would you accept the offer? New album and a world tour on the cards. Dude from Taproot featuring on lead guitar.
Thank you again. I look forward to reading your answers. All the best.
My answer:
1. Dear god, the guy is not a bass player. I heard one of his solo records recently. It’s so bad that it’s amazing
2. I’ve heard this one is even better
3. I’m fine with them. Don’t have any myself, but I’m no fashion guru.
4. Chick dig ‘em
5. No
6. Yes. No.
7. It would have to pay an impossible amount of money. I’m not ashamed to be a Capitalist whore.