your question:

08/10/2023 Sister

"She Ossifies" is the funniest piece you've ever written. In the tradition of Schnittke. I'd bet two million dollars you were guffawing sitting at the mixing session when it was time for this one.

my answer:

I appreciate this perspective, but I wasn’t guffawing, so you owe me 2 mil. I, too, can see the sense of humor, but it is so laced with tragedy that any laughing is mostly nervous. I’ve never thought of the association with Schnittke before, but he is one of my favorite composers, and now that you mention it, I can see that sardonic nature of my writing in this case. Actually maybe I was chuckling a bit. Gimme 1 mil and we’ll call it even.

your question:

08/10/2023 Logan MacArthur

Big fan of everything Mr Bungle has done just wondering two things.
1. What’s one of your early demo songs that didn’t make it onto an album that you’re fond of? One I like is Goosebumps, very unique and interesting vibe.
2. What can you say about the song Praise of folly that you’ve mentioned a couple times? I know it’s a song from California that was never released and that’s really it. Be really interesting to hear more about it.

my answer:

1. There are parts of several songs, such as Waltz For Grandma’s Sake, that I’m fond of, or rather, recognize the potential of. Mr. Nice Guy was one we all wanted to put on the first record, but something had to get axed.
2. It’s a fairly short, melodic song about End Timers partially inspired by Peggy Lee’s version of Me And My Shadow, with a somewhat Nordic string ensemble bridge. Maybe someday we’ll dig it up.

your question:

07/31/2023 Tyler

I've been a nosy bastard lately.
Does "Success in Life" from 12-17-1992 have any meaning to either You, Heifetz or Patton?
If so, would you mind elaborating?

my answer:

The Kronos Quartet commissioned Mr Bungle to write music for them and that was the title of the piece (or collection of pieces, I should say). The title comes from TV evangelist Robert Tilton’s show that we were obsessed with and much of the music was aimed at representing his demeanor and personality. The piece itself was a bit of an over-cooked disaster. Too long and overwrought. Kronos recognized the composer quality in our band, but that didn’t really translate to us writing for another ensemble. There was one, truncated performance at the Artaud Theater in San Francisco that mostly fell on deaf ears.

your question:

07/22/2023 Dylan

I am 12 years old and a massive fan of your work. I have been a bass player for about a year and I can play some bungle songs. I have recently been wanting a 5 string fret less bass, so I was wondering if you had any recommendations.

my answer:

I don’t really. You should try some out. How it feels to you, in your hands, against your body is really important. And if you’ve been playing 4-string until now, it’s quite a change. You’re young enough that you don’t have to worry about getting “the best bass ever” yet. You can get to that later. Get what is in your budget and don’t worry about names or brands. I’ve recently been playing a cheap Mexican Jazz bass that I’m loving. Also, fretless is tricky. Intonation is an added challenge. I recommend getting one with fret-markers, but that’s just me. I find the scale of the fingerboard on electric to be too uniform to utilize muscle memory. Maybe start with a fretless version of what you already have?

your question:

06/30/2023 lizzy's big dark hell

Hi Trevor,
My questions:
1. Have you ever felt boredom or resentment with your craft / profession as a musician after so many years of study and practice and fighting to make a living? What do you tell yourself when you feel like you wanna quit this shit, or are just generally pissed off with the work? Asking cause I feel that way often as a video editor only 13 years into my career. I'm wondering if it ever alleviates, cuz clearly you haven't quit.
2. You've mentioned the gym a few times here as part of your daily thing, what do you include in your workouts?
3. Have you ever had pizza at Luigi's down in Greenwood Brooklyn and/or Smiling Pizza and do you have a preference for either?
4. Is 36 too late to start playing music again? I played in an orchestra in my teen years and it was probably the best experience of my life and has shaped me tremendously. I would probably pick up guitar again just for the sake of having music as a companion again, not really to become a rockstar or even decently proficient.. but I feel goofy about it all.

my answer:

1. I’ve had moments when I thought about quitting, moments of disillusionment, furstration. There was a period in 2000 or so when I found all music boring and it worried me. Allow me to use NYC as an analogy to an al- encompassing music career. NYC is an intense place. It’s got everything; more good stuff and more bad stuff. It can be inspiring and life-fulfilling in one moment and disgusting and sad in the next. Therefore, it’s important (if you spend a lot of time here, as I do) to get away from it from time to time. Even just for a day hike in North Jersey or the Catskills. Music takes up a huge portion of my waking hours— it can be in the background or I can focus intently on it. It’s there for my livelihood and entertainment. It helps me wake up and go to sleep. Because it’s omnipresent, I have to make an effort to get away from it sometimes; embrace silence, rest my damn ears for a while; in fact, forget about it. We want what we can’t have. We find “playing hard-to-get” attractive. I believe it’s important to deny yourself your desires sometimes; and probably even more so if those desires are also your job.
2. A little bit of everything. I’m not trying to be cut or anything. Just trying to maintain. A musician’s life is pretty sedentary most of the time. Gotta keep the blood flowing.
3. Luigi’s is the best slice in the neighborhood. I’m no so into Smiley’s.
4. No, it’s never too late. Just keep one around, out of the case, and pick it up once in a while. Read through some classical piece and just have fun with it. No need to put any pressure on yourself.

your question:

06/13/2023 Johnny Baluciaga

Trevor? Ahh jeez, dude, I gotta ask: What is the story of Stubb the dog?

my answer:

Stubb was Trey’s dog; Butt Hill was is real place where she would rub her butt as dogs do. She was old.

your question:

06/10/2023

Hi Trevor, what's the cover image of debutantes & centipedes? Great record, by the way. I just heard it for the first time in like 15 years. I was surprised by how much it touches on Sonny Sharrock, Black Sabbath, Mahavishnu, etc. and way more bluesy in the guitar than I had remembered!

my answer:

That’s from a Dutch photo book called “Nachten van Parijs” by Jan Brusse, who I credited in the liner notes of the original CD. Yes, bluesy! That’s Adam Levy on guitar. Those are some key touches you mention.

your question:

05/29/2023 Cedric the Jerry Seinfeld

Did you hear Avenged Sevenfold interpolating Mr. Bungle's music in their new song "We Love You"? Here it's the heavy part in Slowly Growing Deaf https://youtu.be/4-NHVWecj2U?t=66 and here it's the softer intro part https://youtu.be/4-NHVWecj2U?t=121 ; plus there's this acoustic coda that I can't help but feel also harks back to Retrovertigo https://youtu.be/4-NHVWecj2U?t=274 What do you think of this type of "tribute"?

my answer:

This is the first I’ve heard it. I suppose I can sorta hear what you’re talking about; maybe less so in the first example. I think interpolation might not be the accurate word though. It’s no mystery that they have been influenced by Bungle but it seems that they are doing their own thing with it here, which isn’t necessarily my thing. I’m happy to be someone’s influence as long as they make it their own, which is what I try to do with the things that have come before me.

your question:

05/24/2023 Kenny

Hey Trevor, I was curious what kind of movies you like? I kinda take you for being a David Lynch kinda guy, maybe some Tarantino thrown in there as well. If you could list out some of your favorite movies and/or directors, I'd really appreciate reading it.
Also, not relevant to the above - Do you ever listen to the original Raging Wrath demo? If so, what do you hear when you listen to it? I still think that, despite sounding like shit, it's a GREAT show of young talent that hadn't been correctly honed yet.

my answer:

I can’t really stand Tarantino. Don’t get me started. Yes, Lynch of course, but I tend to go for a lot of film noir and ‘60s/‘70s American directors like Elia Kazan, Hal Ashby, Polanski, Cronenberg, John Huston. But I also love Ingmar Bergman and probably my favorite director is Andrei Tarkovsky.
I do not listen to that demo, although I had to in order to relearn that music; The sound quality takes me back to my bedroom and the smell of paint in Eureka.

your question:

05/24/2023 Easter Bunni

How is it that your bass is more audible/perceptible on the ‘86 tape than it is on the 2020 re-recording? On the original demo I can always hear what you’re playing, every bassline is perfectly clear. But on the new recording I basically can’t tell what you’re playing at all. This isn’t a dig at you or the new record, I’m just wondering why there’s such a big difference in the bass’ presence and what, if anything, went into this choice, because everything else (drums, guitars, vocals, and obviously overall fidelity) is so much clearer on the new recording as is to be expected. It’s pretty wild that I have to go back to the ‘86 recordings to learn the bass parts!

my answer:

Wow, I don’t know what you’re listening to but I would totally disagree with this perception. But let’s face it, the original demo was recorded with two mics in a room & the drums are buried. There’s a lot less going on frequency-wise, despite the amateurish quality. I am very happy with the tone I got on the 2020 reboot; it’s distinct from the guitars by not being over-saturated, yet still has grit and it’s own place in the mix. If you’re not hearing that you might want to check your stereo, honestly. Also, the two guitars and I are essentially playing in unison the entire time, so it should be pretty clear what’s going on.

your question:

05/16/2023 Phil

Sorry if this has already been asked & answered, I’ve been trying to figure this out for years - what are the figures on the cover of the OU818 demo? Random toys? Some fast food place mascots?

my answer:

Toys from the personal collection of one Danny Heifetz. I think that’s a Bob’s Big Boy -type figure that “pees”. Might be hard to tell but we jammed an American flag in there.

your question:

04/18/2023 KyriosKri

I read an interview of Weasel Walter mentioning that you introduced him to the metal genre. Like Deicide's 2nd album. Getting into the genre the same way myself (free jazz - >flying luttenbachers->...), could you list some albums you recomended him and he really liked?

my answer:

Hm, I find that hard to believe; that I was the one who introduced him. But I suppose it’s not implausible. It’s true though that Legion was the one Deicide record I owned, and it is a good one. I have no recollection of a conversation that Weasel and I had about metal, but I probably just rattled off a few of my favorites like Damaged: Token Remedies Research; Soilent Green: Sewn Mouth Secrets; VoiVod: Morgöth Tales. Also some of what might be considered “metal adjacent” music, bands like NoMeansNo, Melt Banana, Full of Hell, Die Kreuzen, Cephalic Carnage.

your question:

04/06/2023 Enda

Hi Trevor. It's April 2023. I've only gotten around to listening to 'Séances' as of today. Is there a particular torture I can administer to myself for my previous six months of ignorance, or is the knowledge of what I have deprived myself of enough?

my answer:

Hi Enda, It’s April 2024 and I’m just getting around to responding to your question. This is one you’ll have to figure out for yourself. Whatever self-punishment seems necessary, if at all. I wouldn’t go to hard on yourself though. The world is saturated with music and it’s difficult to keep up, and you also have to consider not listening to music. Give your ears a rest once in a while. Listen to silence. Indeed knowledge can be a very painful thing, but only you know what is enough, and if you don’t then embrace the not-knowing.

your question:

03/03/2023 Jhoann Silver

1) how it was to record then-ex-Korn Brian Welch's Save Me from Myself back in 2008 ?
2) Mr. Bungle was a huge influence for Korn in the early 90's, they claim. any thoughts?
thank you, Mr. Dunn. hope you're doing well.My answer:

My answer:

1) I’ve mentioned this many times in interviews and such, but suffice it to say it was a bizarre experience. I showed up in Phoenix and recorded for two days to what I believe was an almost finished album. It was mostly myself and three engineers in a small control room. I was reading charts and supposedly replacing someone else’s bass parts. It took about six months to get paid.
2) Head himself told me that. In fact, he told me how they actually “stole” stuff from us including stage antics. I always thought it was hilarious that they claimed to be influenced by what they called “the Bungle Chord” which was nothing more than a tritone.

your question:

02/20/2023 Jake Hex

Did Napoleon XIV influence you in any way?
(Also I love you so much Trevor!!)

my answer:

The only Napoleon XIV I knew was They’re Coming To Take Me Away, which was definitely an influence as was a lot of stuff I heard on the Dr. Demento show in the ‘80s. Napoleon XIV’s posthumous album (the ‘feces’ one) is a bit cringe, as the kids say.

your question:

02/18/2023 Magpie O'Hara

Have you ever felt pressured into supporting fellow acts in a "scene" you were a part of and conflicted because you felt you would rather not support them given the quality (or lack thereof) of their output or you disliked them in any way? Or perhaps you've never caved to those pressures? No need to name names.

my answer:

I try to be honest and not give unnecessary compliments. If for some reason I feel compromised or awkward I will find my exit (sometimes I do that regardless). But pressured? No. I think that kind of pressure only comes from one’s self. I would hate it if someone gave me a false compliment out of pressure. But on the other hand, I don’t have to like something to be supportive. If the conviction is there, just being an artist can be enough for me to be encouraging or sympathetic. My tastes are subjective and I have to keep myself in check with that fact.

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.

your question:

02/14/202 Nathaniel Beall

Will you do an interview with me about something that is not music? I recently started a show about relationships and I'd love to hear about some tools and rules you use/d to maintain relationships while on the road. Let me know?

my answer:

What in God’s name makes you think I have anything to say about relationships and maintaining them. Tools? Rules? It’s all about communication. There, interview over.

your question:

02/07/2023 Francesco

Dear Mr. Dunn,
would you kindly share the music sheet for goodbey sober day?
Thanks in advance

my answer:

There ain’t no sheet music for that! We taught each other most stuff by ear. Actually there could be a few scraps of isolated parts somewhere. Probably getting moldy in my basement.

your question:

02/05/2023 Aaron Gilbreath

Hi Trevor,
The longhaired local clerk at a Tempe, Arizona head shop promised to smuggle my cassette recorder into Bungle's 1992 show at After the Goldrush, so I could record your show. His name was Ted. He said he knew you all somehow. My recording would have sounded like shit on my equipment, but my high school fandom wouldn't be deterred, and I think he felt bad for me. He never met in the club to give me the equipment, though, but afterwards, he said it didn't matter, because you all recorded that particular show through the club's soundboard. I know it's been decades, but I wanted to finally ask if you did record that show? The board tape of you all playing "The Stroke" in Chicago on that tour still hits for me, and the sound is so clear and your energy so resounding, that I hope both new and OG fans like me can hear a full board recording from that wild '92 tour. If not, can you at least let me know if you taped any of your shows like the headshop clerk told my teenage ass? This question lingers from my childhood. And yes, it surprises me that I still wonder, but I've been writing a long article about early Bungle -- your creativity, friendship, and originality -- and this question came up. So did a stack of cool flyers from that show that I saved like the dork that I am. (I'm self-publishing the story on my Alive in the Nineties Substack, for free.) Thank you.
Happy 2023 to you and yours.

My answer:

I don’t think we ever intentionally recorded our live shows. It’s possible our soundguy did. It’s possible i have a cassette of that show in my house somewhere, but I don’t recall seeing “Tempe” written on any cassettes. I don’t know anyone named Ted.