San Francisco, CA – Trevor Dunn, the versatile bassist known for seamlessly navigating the realms of avant-garde jazz and experimental rock, has been a pivotal force in the music scene since the mid-to-late 1980s, notably as a founding member of the genre-defying ensemble, Mr. Bungle.
Originating in 1985 in Eureka, California, Mr. Bungle, comprised of Dunn alongside Mike Patton, Trey Spruance, and drummer Jed Watts, quickly carved a niche with their anarchic blend of thrash/death metal infused with elements of ska and funk. However, their sonic journey took unexpected turns, incorporating avant-garde jazz, soundtrack influences, and punk.
The band’s initial self-produced demo, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny (1986), marked the beginning of their evolution. Relocating to San Francisco after Patton joined the renowned rock band Faith No More, Mr. Bungle’s eccentricity extended beyond their music to a visual spectacle, featuring Halloween costumes, clown masks, and a diverse catalog of cover songs.
Mr. Bungle’s discography expanded with albums like Disco Volante (1995) and California (1999), but the group took an extended hiatus in 2000. During this period, Dunn collaborated on various projects with Patton, including Fantômas and Tomahawk.
In a surprising turn of events in the summer of 2019, Mr. Bungle announced a reunion to revisit their early demo, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny. The lineup, featuring Dunn, Spruance, Patton, along with Dave Lombardo on drums and Scott Ian on guitar, delivered electrifying performances and released a re-recording of the demo in 2020.
Despite the positive reception of the new album and a Halloween livestream, Mr. Bungle faced setbacks when Patton put touring plans on hold due to mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic. Fortunately, Patton has returned to the stage, with Mr. Bungle delighting fans during performances in South America.
CBS San Francisco recently caught up with bassist Trevor Dunn to discuss the band’s history, the genesis of the Raging Wrath lineup, and upcoming plans for the Geek Show Tour with the Melvins.
Reflecting on the reunion, Dunn revealed that the idea to revisit The Raging Wrath had been on his mind for years before proposing it to the band. The process involved polishing the raw material and presenting it as envisioned during their youthful, experimental phase.
Dunn touched on the addition of Scott Ian, expressing initial skepticism about a second guitar player but acknowledging Ian’s impressive contributions and musicianship. The interview delved into the challenges of revisiting the past, the fast tempos of their early work, and the process of staying true to the original recordings while incorporating new elements.
Despite Dunn’s diverse musical journey, including ventures into improv and avant-garde jazz, he emphasized his ability to compartmentalize and adapt to the needs of different musical situations. The conversation concluded with insights into the nature of improvisation and spontaneous composition, highlighting the dynamic and unpredictable nature of live performances.
As Mr. Bungle embarks on the Geek Show Tour, fans can anticipate a thrilling showcase of the band’s roots and evolution, reaffirming Trevor Dunn’s enduring impact on the intersection of jazz and experimental rock.