MR. BUNGLE

I discovered Mr. Bungle not too long ago. Complete fucking genius. "California" is my favorite so far. Their first album is pretty chaotic and a little harder to get into but great fun as well. "California" has a psychotic lounge feel and Patton's never sounded better. You don't know whether he's being sincere or laying on the cheese during the slow songs and that's half the fun. They throw ten musical styles together in one song and it actually works.

This next quote from a Mr. Alexander D. Victoria I found at amazon.com kind of encompasses how I feel about the way other bands have changed me. Namely Fugazi, Radiohead, Husker Du (what, did you think I wouldn't mention them? C'mon, it's my blog).

"I have a bitter sweet love for Mr. Bungle. They forced my mind to expand long before it was ready. I really wish that I could sit in my car and bob my head to the latest Matchbox 20 song, or makeout with some Celine Dion blasting in my living room, but I can't.

Mr. Bungle, thank you for pounding the last nail into my pop culture coffin.

Be careful with this record. It will change the way your ears work."

In salute to that first album, here's a video from the first song off their first album. Like clowns on acid. Don't watch if you're scared of dolls or said clowns: