your question:

04/14/2024 Ninny Risotto

Hey Mr. Trevor Dunn! I'm a massive fan of Mr. Bungle and your work. Recently I was wondering about the Disco Volante album cover. Do you know where the photo of the woman holding a dried viper fish up to her eye was sourced from? Who took the photo, who was in the photo? I've been curious for a long time now and I haven't seen many other people discussing this.
Thanks!

my answer:

Oddly, I just came across my thorough research notes from that period. The photo is from a book called The Greatest Depths —probing the Seas to 20,000 feet & below by Gardner Soule (published in 1970). Photo courtesy of Hank Meyer Associates and the Wometco Miami Seaquarium.
I found this book in the San Francisco library and knew immediately that had to be the cover. You can find copies for pretty cheap on abebooks.com (my favorite source of online used book shopping). It can also be viewed on archive.org

your question:

04/14/2024 Gnous

hey trevor, hope you're doing well! I just wanted to jump in and tell you how much of an inspiration your work is to me. My question is: do you snore? if so, how loud? thanks, the answer to that question would mean a lot. cheers :3

my answer:

I don’t snore often, but it’s pretty mild. I’d say about 40-50 decibles.

your question:

04/11/2024 Jared Home

Hey Trevor, Huge fan of your work! Wanted to ask about Fantomas and how much you enjoyed working on the discography, any highlight moments that stood out to your or interesting tidbits of knowledge spanning the whole discography! Hope this isn't a stupid question... thanks!!

my answer:

Those were some of the most relentless and laborious records I’ve ever been a part of. I feel that a lot could have been achieved more efficiently. That said, I remember the first record being pretty fun and experimental in that we tried all kinds of different things in the studio to get the sounds Patton was after. Honestly I don’t have a lot of memories of those sessions because I was focused on just trying to play my parts correctly. The last two were recorded in the same session at times I didn’t know which piece was going on which record.

your question:

04/11/2024 Paul Sammon

Do you ever think about your morality and consider putting your trust in God?

my answer:

Did you mean mortality? That I do think about fairly often in healthy doses, because we’re all going to die, and it’s good to remember that.
If you, in fact, meant morality, yes, I think about that, too. I was raised well by two conscientious parents and feel that I have a pretty good understanding of morality. In either case, I’m not sure what “trust in God” means. “God” means a lot of different things to different people. If it is my choice to make my own decisions then I trust that God trusts me.

your question:

03/12/2024 Sebastian

Hi Trevor!
First of all, nice work on King Buzzo's Gift of sacrifice! Love how the your lines doesn't follow/copy the guitar riffs all the time and have their own approach.
I want to ask you on your tone/EQ approach on the later Mr. Bungle record, as is always challenging to cut through metal guitar distortions. How you worked with them on where to cut/boost? Specially on mid frequencies. By the way, nice to hear metal bass that is not dingwall+darkglass like a lot of recent recordigs!

my answer:

Thanks for noticing my use of counterpoint. Unison is great some of the time, but not all of the time.
I can’t talk about my tone on that album without mentioning our mixing engineer Jay Ruston, who is a bass player himself. He really brought out the natural sound of my bass and found it’s place amongst the saturated guitars. I’m not sure what he did EQ-wise as this was done during those remote operational times. I used my Pbass for the entire record and found a Verellen Meat Smoke amp in the studio. I’d never used one before, but the Ampeg I wanted didn’t have a master volume and I wasn’t able to use it as we were all in the same room (save for the drums). I make it a point when I play metal to not use too much distortion. I try to get a good, healthy tub grit. But as you may know, distortion on bass typically sucks out the low end, not to mention, the guitars have it covered! So, a cleaner tone makes more sense to me.

your question:

02/27/2024 vale

how was recording 'fear no love' by bob ostertag? cant find much about that album!

my answer:

I seem to remember going over to Bob’s apartment and recording directly into his system. There may have been some beats to play to, but in general, I think he recorded everything separately, chopped it up and arranged it digitally, being the pioneer of modern thought that he is.

your question:

02/22/2024 Byron Dunbar

Do you differentiate between speed metal, thrash metal, and death metal? I hear Trey Spruance describing the Raging Wrath stuff as death metal, but he also uses the terms speed and thrash interchangeably with it while you seem to either go with just metal or speed metal to describe your current output.

my answer:

When we were growing up in the ‘80s it was just metal. Then came Speed and Thrash, then Death. I think we sort of used those terms interchangeably because it was such a small world back then, all overlapping. I would still call The Raging Wrath Speed or Thrash, I suppose and I’m not really sure what the difference is. The nature of the subgenres has become so diverse in metal that I’ve lost track of what is supposed to be what. We were certainly influenced by bands like Possessed and Venom when we wrote that music and I guess you could say those are early prototypes of Death Metal — maybe a song like Sudden Death has more hints of Death Metal in it, but to me it’s just easier to say metal. When the guy next to me on a plane asks what kind of band I play in I usually say “a rock band”.

your question:

02/09/2024 George Martin

Do you like Kristin Wiig as Lola Bunny? (To YouTube!)

my answer:

I love Kristin Wiig but I’m not into that animation.

your question:

01/28/2024 Ilyas Phaizulline

Have you ever engaged in self-torture and had suicidal thoughts? Also, do you think it's better to be in a relationship or to be alone?

my answer:

Geez, not holding back here are ya. Fortunately for me, no, I haven’t. And I implore anyone who does to seek help — even if it’s simply talking frankly with others.
There’s no absolute to your second question because it is absolutely subjective. And the answer can be both. Alone time is extremely important to me so that has to be taken into account whatever the case may be. Sometimes it takes the better part of a person’s life to figure out what is best for them.

your question:

01/28/2024 Tim

Hi, Trevor.
Longtime fan. Really appreciate all your work.
Are you a cinephile? If so, what are some of your favorite movies and or genres? Personally, I love all kinds of films, especially horror and sci fi. I notice a lot of crossover appeal with metal fans and horror/sci fi audiences.

my answer:

Definitely big into films. I listed some favorite directors a few questions back and realized I’d forgotten Luis Buñuel who is one of my favorites. I like horror movies, but mostly stuff from the ‘70s & ‘80s; I tend to go for the more psychological stuff (so in terms of “horror”, things like Magic, Scanners, Altered States, etc). Also love pretty much any movie based on a Tennessee Williams play. I also like to go down actor and director rabbit holes, i.e. all Liz Taylor, Marlon Brando or Sidney Poitier films, etc. Bonus points for chronological order.

your question:

01/24/2024 CK Armstrong

Hey you sexy bitch,
I'm an ex pro bass player. One world tour and a solo vagabond would tour as a session guy: whatever country I found gigs in that would support living I would go to.
In my early days I would learn the Mr. Bungle tracks that were more accessible to me with my skill set. I've never been the fastest but I can contort my hands pretty good for fast/unusual changes. I've always hailed that portion of my learning as the linchpin of my playing.
I'm a normie now but still get calls to play 8 years after retirement. I put that down to you, Gould, Miller, Pastorius and many others in that order.
I feel like I'm in a mental hole right now. I'm doing my well paid job but facilitate a couple of cover bands because people are shocked when I say I just don't want to play anymore. Music means something to me when I'm improvising songs with my 4 year old daughter and laughing with what her lyrics are and hearing weird substitutions when she hits a not that makes no sense but I hear the "chord" that we make and relate it to (often) a Mr bungle track.
Question: should I keep playing the cover gigs for some bonus bucks and friends happiness when really, I'm not sure I want to?

my answer:

This is a personal conundrum I think that only you can answer. My first thought is that you might want to take a deep breath and let any pressure about what music should be to you fall away. There’s nothing wrong with putting it aside as a profession and enjoying it solely through your daughter. I’m sure you’re a great teacher to her and that’s not a light thing. Bonus bucks are always good, but at what price? If playing in bands feels like an obligation, and it’s not about what you want then why do it? If on the other hand, those gigs are no big deal and you can have fun doing them, then by all means have some fun.
We often find ourselves doing things we don’t want to do and I think it’s important to find out why and to consider what is the worst that could happen if we didn’t do them. Perhaps the worst thing might turn out to be a positive thing. Be honest with yourself and don’t feel guilty about decisions that make you feel better about life.

your question:

01/18/2024 Kristin Hall

If you're a fan of a band, cartoon show, or other thing, and you get involved in the fan community, and they turn on you, does that mean you have to stop liking said thing?

my answer:

Of course not. Fuck the fan community : D
They aren’t the reason you got into said thing, and you are allowed your own opinions outside of any crowd. Crowds scare me. Who is leading the crowd? Why do individuals love to jump on the bandwagon of a group-opinion? What ever happened to gray areas? And fandom, as much as it benefits me, is something I also find strange. Anyway, I’m on the verge of a tangent so suffice it to say you can like whatever you damn please, regardless of who also likes it or opposes you.

your question:

01/17/2024 Miranda

Hey, Dunn! How's the great chain of being treated you this past year? I'm a little late, but great job on Seances. I have a few little things I'd like to harass you with, if that's okay!
- Is there any odd interest or hobby you've picked up recently (or as relative to 'recent' as one can be these days), or have you mostly just been in a state of present?
- Does the forward advancement of your musical or creative side simply go on, or do you sometimes have to get it unsnagged when it meanders too long? If the latter, what do you tend to do?
- If you've ever listened, what are your thoughts on The Mars Volta? yay or nay?
Thank you, much love from frigid Western Canada.

my answer:

I’m not sure I’d call it odd but in the last 10 years I started producing more paper collages —it’s a way to create without the self-imposed pressure of a learned vocation resting on my shoulders. It also has the added bonus of allowing me to listen to a lot of music while I “work”. I’ve occasionally sold a few but haven’t been advertising as they are time consuming.
The forward advancement of my mind, in general, depends on the continuous effort of learning. The snag you speak of is real, and interestingly enough, it’s at these times I may turn to making collages. Long walks and meditation help, too. I will never be satisfied with what I know and that is what essentially keeps the advancement going.
Have not checked out The Mars Volta. Somethings hover around my radar and let me know that I’m probably not interested.

your question:

01/11/2024 Anonymous

Hello, sir! I hope you are doing well.
Are you a big fan of black metal? If you are what would your favorite black metal records be?
Also what do you think of the Hellenic black metal scene (if you think of it at all) given how different it sounds from the typical black metal?

my answer:

It’s not something I really listen to unless I happen to be at a show, so no, I wouldn’t call myself a “fan”. And I’m too old to keep track of all the subgenres.

your question:

12/19/2023 The Suit

Hi Trevor,
Can you tell us about that sharp suit your wore on the Australian TV show with SC3 in the 90s? Did you own it? What occasions did it see? Might you still have it? Give us the scoop!

my answer:

Probably purchased at a thrift store in SF. Probably wore it at weddings I played during that decade. Pretty sure it’s long gone; got a little tight around the waist.

your question:

12/18/2023 Sophia

I hope this message finds you well. Do you plan on seeing Ween any time in 2024?

my answer:

Wasn’t planning on it. Should I? Don’t have a lot of time for going out to see shows this year unfortunately.

your question:

12/17/2023 Erik

Hello Mr. Dunn. Do you ever typically / plan on doing any masterclasses, clinics, or anything of the sort? Would love to get a chance to learn from one of the best to do it. Thank you.

my answer:

I’ve done clinics on occasion. My next one will be in Sarajevo in November 2024. It’s something I should probably do more; I wonder how a Patreon subscription would do…..

your question:

12/11/2023 David Mirrione

Yo!, I finally saw that the question I sent when I was like 13 or 14 got answered haha. Since then I've joined two bands in the bay area and my musical endeavors are getting some sort of recognition which is always nice. First of all, Thanks for the years of Influencing, literally went out and bought my first bass after hearing Disco Volante. Now onto the question... After all these years of playing, do you suffer from stage fright or nervousness of any kind? That's the one thing I can't get over, anyways.. Take Care, thanks motherfucker!

my answer:

I’ve never experienced stage fright, god forbid. I do get nervous on occasion, mostly if there is written music that is particularly difficult or under-prepared, which I do my best to avoid. I still get excited to play, which sometimes feels like nerves, but I put whatever that energy is into the music; the music focuses me and distracts me from all else.

your question:

12/05/2023 Wilson

Favorite Band, Composer, Musician, Record, Song? For me, a few of these change sometimes, so whatever you feel now is what I'm curious about.

my answer:

Currently obsessed with the band Little Dragon; composer: Thomas Adés; Musician: Arone Dyer; Record: Mingus - Ah Um; song: “Lily’s Call” by Little Dragon

my answer:

12/02/2023 Felicia

What has been the best advice someone has given you in your career?

your question:

Practice; slow down; breathe.