YOUR QUESTION

11/18/2020

Hey Trevor, I've been really enjoying listening to some of your solo bass works lately. I love all of the different techniques and unexpected sounds you manage to get out of your instrument. I've never even heard a prepared contrabass piece before. I love the way you push its voice to its limit! I ended up throwing some of "Pentagram" into Ableton to experiment with and all of the different sounds and eccentricities led to some really interesting discoveries with the just simplest of manipulations.
This got me wondering. Have you ever worked with any electronic musicians or dipped your toes into electro-acoustic music yourself? I'd love to hear it if so! Your playing seems like perfect material for an experimental producer to work with. I'm just imagining all the various textures and sonic intricacies that you could create with this extra set of tools at your disposal. Sounds like a dream.
Anyways, I'm gonna look for some more of that solo work. Hope you're well!

MY ANSWER

I owe a lot of my knowledge about extended technique on the contrabass to Bertram Turetsky, Mark Dresser and Fernando Grillo. I’ve worked with several electronic musicians over the years. If you haven’t yet, check out my duo SpermChurch. I’m playing electric bass, and sometimes it’s impossible to tell who’s doing what, but you might dig it. I’ve also used an array of stomp boxes with contrabass. Probably something I’ll do more of eventually.

YOUR QUESTION

11/17/2020 Cain

Imagine the sight of middle-aged Brooklyn hipster Trevor slapping and popping the Mr. Nice Guy bass line in front of his computer in his Park Slope apartment with his painted nails and leather wristband. R U laughing as much as I am? What if Fiona Apple was thinking about maybe hiring you as her new bassist but then she caught wind of the song titles on the new thrash metal demo with the pentagram bunny skull and she went on to the next bassist on her list? What's your go-to home cooked meal when you're feeling lazy and don't have much time? Keep the dream alive.

MY ANSWER

Hipster? Well, I can tell you I’ve never slapped a bass in Park Slope. I think Sebastian has the Fiona gig locked in. And who’s to say she’s not totally into that record? I boy can dream.
A quesadilla with half an avocado and plenty of sour cream.

YOUR QUESTION

11/16/2020 Who?

Hello Trevor. I don't really have a question, I'm just here to say that I'm amazed by the discovery that Trey's Scourge project was actually from 1990, which means Jed Watts was still in the fold that late, even after OU818, which blows my mind. I always thought that project was from right after Raging Wrath and that Jed was then out of the picture by 1987 at the latest. Also, you might be mildly amused hearing that some websites say that on that Scourge demo you played keyboards (lol) and that John Wayne Law played bass.

MY ANSWER

Trey and Jed had a friendship that pre-dated Bungle and continued after we made our musical decisions. Also, Eureka is a small town. Scourge didn’t last long. I think we did 3 or 4 shows total, and those websites you read are correct! I did not play bass in Scourge, I played the Ensoniq SQ80! John Wayne Law played bass. He was also in Bungle’s rival band F.O. and later a weirdo alt-skate art rock band called Terminal Sickie. Now you know.

YOUR QUESTION

11/16/2020 Mariana Kaeme

Hi Trevor! I am from Buenos Aires, Argentina and I would like to ask you some questions:
1_ In "Disco Volante" there is a song: "Violenza Domestica" where you can see the bandoneon of the Argentine musician Lisandro Adrover. Do you like tango? Do you have knowledge about orchestras or musicians of this genre?
2_ One of the most famous tango composers is Astor Piazzolla, very resentful in my country for those who did not tolerate his innovation. His grandson, Daniel "Pipi" Piazzolla, has a band that fuses jazz, tango, folklore, called "Escalandrum". What do you know? Very interesting!
3_ I have listened to your "Playlist For The Dead" and I find in it "Las Simples Cosas" interpreted by Chavela Vargas. This song is also sung by an Argentine interpreter: Mercedes Sosa. Do you know her? If you don't know them ... I recommend it! Her voice is beautiful.
4_ In relation to the previous question: the lyrics of "Las Simples Cosas" are from an Argentine poet: Armando Tejada Gómez. Do you speak Spanish or do you understand a little?
5_ You came to Buenos Aires with Mondo Cane and Tomahawk. What memories do you have of my city?
I really appreciate this opportunity, your time and dedication.
I don't know if artists can save the world (it's not their obligation either), but an art like yours saves my life every day.
I send you a lot of love from here, the south of planet earth!

MY ANSWER

1. Yes I do like tango and I know of a few Argentinian artists.
2. I don’t know anything about Pipi!
3. I will check her out. Any relation to Julio Sosa?
4. Entiendo un poco
5. Mucho carne! I was also there with the Nels Cline Singers. Good food, good people, nice football.

YOUR QUESTION

11/14/2020 Hola

Hi Trevor !
What are your favorite punk bands ????? :)))

MY ANSWER

COC, DRI, 7 Seconds, Die Kruezen, Siege, Descendants, Bad Brains, Melt Banana

YOUR QUESTION

11/12/2020 Chuck

Hi. When you’re (small) talking with someone who doesn’t know you, like in line at the DMV or at an awkward family party or whatever, and they ask what you do and you say you’re a musician, what is your answer when they inevitably ask “what kind of music?” I struggle with this a lot so I’m looking forward to hearing about your experience with this conundrum! Thabks!

MY ANSWER

I don’t know how to answer that question about specific bands much less in a more general way. I usually say it’s “rock” or “jazz” and leave it at that. If someone conveys that they know subgenres or niches than we can dive further but usually I tell them that they won’t hear my music on the radio and then I name drop all the people I work with who are more famous then me. Eventually the subject turns to Dave Mathews.

YOUR QUESTION

11/10/2020 Sergie

Hello Trevor, I have to say, I love your projects man , they're great. Love your attitude to the music itself , like always searching for something new and never stop
As for the question , wanted to know your opinion on The Police band, what you think of them? Have you ever been the fan of it. Couldn't find it anywhere)

MY ANSWER

I love all the Police records. Ghost In The Machine has some of the best bass lines ever and that record had an impact on me when it came out. Weird combo of instrumentalists in my opinion, but that’s what kinda makes ‘em great. A friend of mine who was a stripper in Florida told me that Sting, his wife, and some other dude drugged her one night, so there’s that. (see previous question about separating the art from the artist). Yikes.

YOUR QUESTION

11/08/2020 One Mean Cockfighter

Hello Mr. Dunn,
Are you a fan of Nina Nastasia's music? Does Peter Hook do it for you?
Dead Horse's Peaceful Death and Pretty Flowers. Opinions, thoughts, I believe ya'll shared the same bill a few times. Much love from Tejas!!!

MY ANSWER

I have spent very little time with these artists. That said I do appreciate Peter Hook’s unique style. Not a huge fan of New Order, but in the right mood I’ll give it a whirl. I believe I owned PD&PF at one point. I think Bungle played with Dead Horse in Boston around the year that came out and it was good to hear metal still capable of being interesting in a post-Slayer world. I suppose I should study up on these!

YOUR QUESTION

11/09/2020 Oliver

Hey Trevor,
I hope you are well, safe and above all, happy.
I wonder, being an accomplished musician with a deep knowledge of music theory - how do you feel about musicians that can't read music?
There are some insanely talented musicians that came up through the punk/post punk genre that can't read music, and can only play by ear - how do you find working with them? What challenges do you face with this?

Thank you, and take care.

MY ANSWER

I work with plenty of musicians who don’t read or have an academic understanding of theory. I do believe that, in terms of work at least, those are benefits. They don’t, however, have any bearing on a person’s musicality, innovation and ear. Having a good ear is more important than anything including technique and theory. In Fantômas I was the odd man out being the only person who understood what was theoretically happening. That knowledge was useless and I had to conform to a different way of expressing the language that was being presented.

The list of ‘outsider’ artists’ or more accurately ‘self-taught’ is long and impressive whether you’re talking about music, plastic arts or whatever. Technique and theory can also hinder one’s vision, giving the artist pause to consider judgement or experience imposter syndrome. It’s in the pause that inspiration is lost. Part of being versatile is being able to exist in various environments and I enjoy that challenge. I can learn from all of it

YOUR QUESTION

11/08/2020 Adam

Some people have circulated a rumor Mr Bungle played aversion of Nirvanas 'Tourettes" on a WB comp in 1995 called 'Twist & Shout" and did so on the "artist untitled "moniker. Can you confirm or deny these rumors

https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Twist-Shout-6-OClock-Good-News/release/7071967

MY ANSWER

Leaning towards ‘deny’ on this one. No memory of that, which doesn’t really mean anything. But I know one of our live mashups back in the day included a different Nirvana song. Does sound like something we would do though, doesn’t it?

YOUR QUESTION

11/08/2020 Shell aka bunglecryptid on Instagram

I've been listening to MadLove non-stop, it's honestly fucking exquisite. I can't stop listening to "Left With Nothing". Your vocals are awesome, I love your voice. Do you think you'll sing more in future projects? And were there things that got in the way of you singing solo before this? (Fear, self doubt etc).
Also, what do you think draws you towards certain pop artists? I'm a fan of some pop music as well and am curious as to what appeals to you about it the most. Btw, I totally agree Britney should have gone buzzcut punk rock band. I'm not sure if you've ever heard it but someone merged Toxic with Change by Deftones and it's what I imagine it could sound like.
Lastly, will you still do anything for $5? If so, would you like to go on a Zoom date with me?
Anyway, love your work, take care and greetings from the land of the platypus.

MY ANSWER

I’m currently focused on the ‘singer/songwriter’ album I’ve been talking about for 15 years. Singing on every song except for an “instrumental”. Yeah, I’d say it was a matter of building my confidence as a lead singer. Also, finding it more enjoyable as I’ve gotten older. I’m drawn to pop artists for the same reason I’m drawn to any non-commercial artist which is that I find the music interesting, appealing, etc. I like the idea of pop music that has this very accessible outer layering (thus it’s popularity) while having hidden gems of weirdness (either harmonically or production-wise) underneath. I also find the production of super fancy pop to be intriguing and a mysterious world of it’s own. Did I say I’d do anything for $5? If so, I was clearly being facetious. I won’t even leave my house for less than $300. So, yeah, buy yourself a zoom date.

YOUR QUESTION

11/06/2020 Royce Again

I have a totally inconsequential question but I’ve been curious about it for a while and I don’t know why.
From what I’ve seen, every Bungle performance from the beginning up through the tour for the first album had you at stage right and Trey stage left. But since DV and continuing to the present day on the Raging Wrath shows, you guys switched. Was there any reason for this?

MY ANSWER

I seem to remember that early on I was stage left, but I think we randomly changed things around on occasion for no good reason. No idea if there was any logic to the set up when we were a septet. Later, it made sense for the keyboard station to be where it was and for me to be tucked back, as it were, with Danny. In general, I don’t have a personal preference, although I was taught by a jazz band instructor in college to set up on the high hat side and I tend to automatically do that. I think it does give me a better sight line to the drummer.

YOUR QUESTION

11/06/2020 Royce

As far as the OG Raging Wrath goes, wondering if it would ever be even possible to do a new mixdown from the original 4 track tapes, or are those cassettes gone forever? If they’re history, do you or Trey at least have the first generation mixdown of it that was used to dupe copies back in the day?

Also, what on earth is going on with that 1992 WB split 7 inch with Flaming Lips of Sudden Death? What’s the story behind that? Why was Warner interested in putting out that material in ‘92? Do you remember what the tape source was for that pressing?

MY ANSWER

Pretty sure all those cassettes are lost or have degenerated. Most likely both. There would also be no reason to do a new mix as it was amateurishly performed and recorded.

I had completely forgotten about that split and have no memory of what the story is. Probably WB asked us for an extra song for the split and we sarcastically gave them that. They probably never listened to it. The tape source could have been Trey’s original mixdown (at that point the OG RW was only 5 years old) or one of us had an unplayed dupe that still sounded decent.

YOUR QUESTION

11/05/2020 Rebeca

Hello Trevor,
I recently watched one of your YouTube interviews and was pretty excited to hear you say that you would like to work with Björk if you had the opportunity.
-In your opinion, what would you say is your favorite work from her?
-Is that work what inspires you to want to work with her or would you want to go to a different direction?
Well, I hope it does happen one day because it's always a nice adventure listening to both of your music. I would buy the album in a heartbeat.
Thank you!
P.S. I think your mini collages are awesome!

MY ANSWER

I dig everything she does, but I guess Homegenic and Biophilia are my favorites. Still love Human Behavior as well. I appreciate her vision and drive and constant pushing of boundaries. I would just want to be in that; I have no concept of what direction this little fantasy would go.

YOUR QUESTION

11/04/2020 T.K.

Other than the songs that were on TRWOTEB and 'Fuck The USA', were any other songs recorded during the sessions? If so, any plans to release them?

MY ANSWER

Yes. Not sure yet.

YOUR QUESTION

11/04/2020 Will Collins

Thanks for recording the new Bungle album. Raging Wrath is brilliant from beginning to end. Here's my question: what's your favourite tune on the new album? Or at least which one are you most proud of?

MY ANSWER

Probably “Methamatics” because it sort of encapsulates the whole concept of polishing off the old and reframing it. Also, never having heard it with drums before was exciting. Realizing that tune was like finding a long lost child I’d forgotten I’d put up for adoption.

YOUR QUESTION

11/04/2020 SmiddythediddyBeannachdan

Trevor!
With a surname like Dunn, you're sure to have some Scottish/Irish blood in those veins. It's probably the reason why you're so talented, youthful, good looking and also a bit mental! 😉
I'm curious if you've actually looked into your ancestry, or would want to? Do you think it might influence what you explore musically if you found some cool/unusual ancestry in there? I'm pretty much solid Scots/Irish, but going way back there's some Scandivian and even Native Canadians in there too! It helped me understand why I seem to have a natural affinity to certain places, people, music and I found it fascinating!
Anyway. I'm just going to go ahead and claim you as one of us based on your name, awright doll? And if you ever play in Scotland soon in one of your many incarnations, come to Glasgow. I'll buy you a proper drink!

MY ANSWER

Yes, Scottish blood as well as some Norwegian and some other shit, too. I have a strong liver and a taste for blood. I recently thought about giving my DNA to the CIA through one of those spit samples. I’m slightly curious to know more details, but not wholeheartedly. I don’t think it would influence me musically one way or the other. My cultural roots have nothing to do with those countries/bloodlines. My culture is white-trash America with a high degree of curiosity. I will take you up on that proper drink.

YOUR QUESTION

11/03/2020 lou b

Do you find it ironic that the Raging Wrath demo *the OG one* is what helped get Patton in Faith No More because apparently Jim Martin was obsessed with the tape and that helped lead to MPs audition for FNM when they needed a new singer

MY ANSWER

I’m not sure what would be ironic about that, but I never understood the mindset. Patton wasn’t exactly “singing” on that OG demo, certainly nothing like he would end up doing with his other band. So I don’t know why they thought he would be a good choice. But perhaps you mean it’s ironic that Jim Martin, the guy who essentially got Patton the gig, was eventually fired for basically being too metal. That IS ironic.

YOUR QUESTION

11/03/2020 Hi, I’ve got a burning question that I hope you can reveal the answer to. Where is the Persichetti riff on RWotEB?
Thanx!

MY ANSWER

Ha! Thanks for paying attention. It’s in “Methamatics”. A four-note break that happens about 50 seconds in right before the first fast part. I think the notes are F, Ab, Bb, Db. It happens again a few seconds later, a half-step up and in a different rhythm, just before the vocals enter. I don’t remember which Persichetti piece I stole it from though! Something for symphonic band I’d guess.

YOUR QUESTION

11/03/2020 GOON

Many, many thanks for the Hallowaleen show/stream good sir! That was an absolute blast - I've been a tangential metal fan, at best. Obviously - through you guys, I love Estradasphere, Dethklok is tremendous. Outside of that - not a whole lot of heavier stuff. (Grew up on the popular eighties stuff - Twisted Sister, Iron Maiden, Ratt, etc...) Love the virtuosic stuff w/ the self-deprecation aspect - It's clearly a necessity for me -
Query: How the hell are you not completely tensed up playing this music for two hours straight. There is no way you can be, but the music pretty much induces it. Particularly the drumming & guitar playing - I find myself gritting my teeth & tensing arms & legs just sitting around watching you guys -
Muchos gracias por tomarse el tiempo de leer y responder

MY ANSWER

Staying relaxed is key to maintaining muscle and tendon health. Remembering to breathe is important. Keeping that oxygen intake ensures everything stays lubed and flexible. Sounds like you need to get out in the pit.