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Patton's Words Of
Wisdom
Welcome to words of wisdom. Our very first interview is
with none other than Mike Patton. You probably know him as the singer for the
now defunct 'Faith No More', but brilliant as that band were they are now in the
past and Mike hasn't wasted any time in setting up a new band, the genre defying
'Fantômas'. He is still the singer for his first band 'Mr. Bungle' who's
new album California was one of the finest albums of last year. Mike also has
also produced solo albums, appears in various guest slots on others peoples
records, and is the co owner of Ipecac records along with his manager Greg
Werckman. Mike is one busy man and just the kind of quality bloke we at Flashing
Hobo like. But who the fuck is Ross?
Q. Most people reading this won't have heard of
Fantomas yet. Could you give a
quick description.
A. Uneasy listening is a way to describe it, tiny cells of music.
Q. Has the Fantomas project gone as well as you had hoped?
A. It has gone better than I could have dreamed.
Q. Fantomas are only playing in London and Nottingham (Ross' hometown). Why
Nottingham?
A. For Ross of course. Who the fuck is Ross? We go where we are wanted. There
seems to be a huge Fantômas cult in Nottingham.
Q. Any chance of future Fantomas songs featuring lyrics like in the Bolan
cover chariot choogle?
A. Yes
Q. What keeps driving you to discover new grounds when you could presumably
sit back and rest on your laurels?
A. Rest on my laurels? Christ, I'm not Roger Daltry! I've still got a lot
more. Different types of things.
Q. Is there one piece of work that you're particularly proud of?
A. I'm proud of all of them.
Q. All the touring you've done must have given you a great worldview. What
part of the world do you favour if any?
A. I favour any place but Florida.
Q. What do you make of the current crop of so-called sports metal bands such
as Korn and Slipknot? In a recent N.M.E article on this genre FNM were
proclaimed as the godfathers of this movement. And you must have noticed
that Slipknots stage wear bears more than a passing resemblance to the get
up Mr Bungle were wearing back in 91?
A. I don't think about things like that. I go about my business without
worrying about what other bands do. I did not invent rock nor do I have a
copyright on any style of music. Sports metal? Hmmm that's a new one.
Q. In Britain at the moment there is a huge debate raging about the validity
or otherwise of MP3 music. What's your angle on it? Does it rob the coffers
of record labels or is it a way of empowering musicians who wouldn't
otherwise been heard?
A. Distributing art without paying the artist is WRONG (and illegal). Seems
simple to me. What is there to debate. The artist should be able to choose.
Q. You must have written enough pages of lyrics to wall paper the Empire State
building. You make it sound easy. Is that the case or is it something you
sweat over?
A. It is not always easy.
Q. You're known for somewhat energetic stage performances. Where do you get
all your energy?
A. From these caffeinated mints called Penguins, made in Seattle. Have they
made it to Europe yet?
Q. Ross collects baseball caps and looking at you in old fnm promos you seem
to have owned more baseball caps than Imelda Marcos had shoes? How many do
you think you've owned?
A. Who the fuck is Ross?
Q. Does the lack of promotion given to California in Britain (and presumably
the rest of Europe) annoy you considering it's commercial appeal? I say
commercial because there seems to be something for everyone in there, Pink
cigarette sounds almost like early Elton John to me and the rest of the
album has everything from disco to metal, with shades of Prince and Beach
Boys in-between.
A. Lack of promotion does bother me. The CALIFORNIA distribution drama was a
mess.
Q. Are Mr Bungle respected in their hometown?
A. We get mad props from our homies.
Q. What was it like growing up in California? Where you popular at
school/college?
A. It was sunny.
Q. You've covered a lot of songs. Which one of your songs would you like to
see covered and by who?
A. Page 6 from the Fantômas Cd covered by Bjork.
Q. Internet rumour says that you were less than keen on joining FNM and were
keen to stay at college. With hindsight did you make the right choice?
A. Internet rumor says a lot of things. Internet rumor says that Elvis is
still alive and that Tony Blair was born as a siamese twin. I prefer to look
ahead. Ask me when I'm 70 and stop beleiving Internet rumours.
Q. You spent your twenties in FNM. Most young people would do anything to have
had an opportunity like that. But did being in such a successful hard
working band mean sacrificing a lot of the things average twenty something's
do like hanging out in bars or watching videos etc.
A. I did all those things..... still do. I'm going to my prom in 2 weeks!
Q. Having been in the limelight and now less so, which do you prefer?
A. Yes
Q. As this is a British magazine, are there any British bands or artists (old
or new) that you are a fan of?
A. Yes
Q. You're stranded on a desert island and you're allowed one book one album
and one film. What would they be?
A. Can I have a TV with a satellite dish and video games too?
Q. Please give one piece of useful advice to readers of FLASHING HOBO magazine
A. Stop reading this. Stay off the Internet. Do something worthwhile. Grow
your hair long on the back of your head. Support Ipecac Recordings!!!!!
[A further 3 questions were answered by Greg Werckman,
Mike Patton's manager and co-founder of Ipecac Recordings]
Q. Tell us about the KIDS OF WIDNEY HIGH.
A. It is a school for mentally challenged kids in LA. They have this amazing
music teacher, Michael, who writes songs and the kids each get to write the
lyrics and sing a song. They choose the theme. It is amazing and very honest
and real! They have opened for Mr.Bungle several times and are one the most
amazing live acts you will ever see. It reminds us how important music can
be. These kids do it for the joy of music. Not about trends, fashion ,money or
fame. It fits what we do at Ipecac.
Q. I have read that you write a lot of the songs for Mr Bungle and all the
songs for Fantomas yourself. Do you record a basic demo version of the
songs yourself and play all of the instuments, then present it to the rest
of the band? If so then how. Do you have a home studio?
A. Mike has a home studio. With Fantomas he wrote everything for the first
record. The other musicians added to the mix during the recording process.
With Bungle it is different. Each member comes up with different sounds or
pieces of songs. They trade tapes and combine what they come up with.
Q. How many artists do you envisage Ipecac Recordings having on their books
in a couple of years? Do you think they will all be fairly underground or
do you think you could feasibly give rise to more mainstream acts like Sub
Pop did?
A. We only plan on putting out 6-7 releases a year. We don't concern
ourselves with what is underground or mainstream, we just put out stuff we
like and work with people we like. It would be nice if other people like it
too.
Ipecac Recordings Release schedule
IPC-1 FANTôMAS "self titled" out now
(group featuring M Patton, Trevor Bungle,Buzz Melvin, Lombardo x-slayer)
IPC-2 Melvins "The Maggot" out now
IPC-3 Maldoror "She" (Patton with Merzbow) out now
IPC-4 Melvins "The Bootlicker" out now
IPC-5 Kids of Widney High "Let's Get Busy" out now
IPC-6 Melvins "The Crybaby" (featuring guests: Tool, Leif
Garrett, Mike
Patton, Hank Williams III, David Yow-Jesus Lizard, Foetus,Skeleton Key, and
more) out now!!!!!!
IPC-7 Kid 606 “Down With The Scene” out
June 20 (techno/punk)
IPC-8 The Lucky Stars “Hollywood & Western”out May 30 (classic country)
IPC-9 Ministry “Ministry Live - Psalm 69 Tour 1992” ?
IPC-10 “Great Phone Calls featuring neil hamburger” (reissued with bonus
tracks) July 4
IPC-11 Ministry “Ministry Live - Sphinctour 1996” ?
IPC- ? Ministry “Ministry Live - Clitour 1999” ?
Melvins on tour now!!!!!!!!!!
Check dates at ipecac.com!!!!!
Sorry no catalog, mailorder ....yet
Ipecac Recordings making people sick since 1999
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