Mr Bungle – experimental, kooky, enigmatic, truly original.

Founded in 1985, Mr Bungle have had a somewhat “on and off again” career.  Releasing only three full length albums between 1991 and 1999, it’s remarkable the impact and influence that they have had.  Singer and founding member, Mike Patton, went on to have a huge career in a variety of eclectic projects (explore his discography, there is something for every occasion!), and guitarist Trey Spruance has also had a similarly varied career, with varying levels of success.

Now in 2020, Mr Bungle re-unite, albeit with a new, and arguably stronger, line up.  Patton, Spruance and long time bass player, Trevor Dunn, are back, and joined by Slayer alumni, and long time Patton collaborator, Dave Lombardo on drums, and one of the fastest wrists in rhythm guitarists, Scott Ian of Anthrax fame.

This new line up came together last year for a couple of high energy shows, that celebrated the band, particularly their 1986 demo, The Raving Wrath of the Easter Bunny.  There were also a selection of covers included, including tracks from Cro-Mags, Corrosion of Conformity, Siege, Circle Jerks, and an encore of The Exploited’s Fuck The USA.

Now comes a recorded version of Fuck The USA, the first recorded material from Mr Bungle in over 20 years – the first taste of an upcoming album that will see the new line up re-record their 1986 demo, plus the aforementioned cover songs from the live reunion show, and a selection of previously in-recorded tracks from the bands earliest days.

This cover is absolutely fantastic.  It’s overflowing with punk rock energy and attitude.  The scathing lyrics are somewhat timely – possibly why it was chosen as a first taste.  It’s short and to the point, clocking in at a little over two and a half minutes, and sees Patton let loose vocally.  The band is equally unhinged – Lombardo and Ian are great additions to this line up, while Trevor Dunn’s bass guitar is viscous, and Spruance is an incredibly underrated guitarist.

There is nothing that I don’t like about this track, and as a long time fan of Bungle, I cannot wait for the albums release!

-Shayne McGowan

Check out one of the bands full reunion shows;