KAOS2000 Magazine Concert Review: Mr. Bungle

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Mr. Bungle

November 5, 1999 - Birch Hill - Old Bridge, NJ
November 8-9, 1999 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
"All behold the Spectacle…" And what a spectacle they were. Perhaps the most overlooked band in the twentieth century, Mr. Bungle hit the NY area with one show at the Birch Hill in Old Bridge NJ on 11/5, and two dates at NYC's Irving Plaza on 11/8-9.
Their ability to change styles, virtually shape-shifting with every song, can only be likened to the dynamic spectrums usually reserved for lunatics and psychopaths. Behind prodigy frontman Mike Patton of Faith No More fame, are a cast of musicians who, although anonymous to the mainstream, possess greater skills across such a wide variety of instruments than any other group that I can think of. With a two percussionist back line complementing Trevor Dunn's effortless bass and keyboard talents, to say solid is an understatement. Guitarist Trey Spruance in my opinion is about one of the best guitar players I've ever seen. He also plays keyboards, like everyone else in the band does, showing whatever schizophrenic face the moment calls for. Two other keyboard players fill in every other gap, real or imaginable, with guitar, bass, flute and sax with obvious ease.
Simply one of these bands that you either love passionately or absolutely hate. There is no middle ground. With their most recent release "California," they have gone back to a more cohesive style than 1995's wonderfully vague, Disco Volante (who knows what Bond flick that's from?). Yet, they still have progressed even further away from the evil carnival style assault known as their self-titled debut record from 1991. A record that still has lasting damage on my psyche, "California" drips of the transparent West Coast ideology that infects the Hollywood region with a Beach Boys-like, Jazz-styled, Satanic lounge band approach. Although the majority of the shows centered around these two later records, a reminder of just how heavy these guys can really be flashed with the old tracks "Travolta" and "My Ass Is On Fire". Honestly, more brutal than Japan's barrage on Pearl Harbor, a standout contrast to such slick numbers: "Air Conditioned Nightmare", "Goodbye Sober Day", "Sweet Charity", "Ars Moriendi", "Chemical Marriage", "Violenza Domestica", and "Nobody Knew They Were Robots". Pulling a rabbit out a hat, they smashed through an impressive cover of the Dead Kennedy's classic, "Drug Me", much to my delight. Sadly, I only saw DV's "Merry Go Bye Bye" at one of the two shows I attended.
Do not miss this band live - ever!
Written by and Photo © 1999 Steve Trujillo / Fake111

Philip Anderson is a musician, in addition to being a writer/photographer. He has performed as a guitarist/vocalist, as well as songwriter, in several bands over the past 20 years. As a writer and photographer, he has been published by several magazines and in several books, and had his works appear on television.

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