Mr. Bungle 1992

 

Band Members: Danny Heifetz – Drums. Trevor Dunn – Bass. Clinton (Bär) McKinnon - Tenor sax, Clarinet, Keyboards. Trey Spruance - Guitar, Keyboards. Mike Patton – Vocals.

 

Dates: March 14^th to April 20th

 

Number Of Shows Played: 30

 

Cities:

Countries: 3

 

Number Of Songs Played: 31

 

Songs Debuted on Tour: "You Don't Know What Love Is" (Chet Baker), "Bring The Noise" (Anthrax and Public Enemy), "I Don't Need Society" (D.R.I.), "Parents Were Little Once Too" (Mr. Rogers), "Pictures Of You" (Oingo Boingo), "Territorial Pissings" (Nirvana), "The Thing Strikes" (Henry Mancini), "The Thing Strikes" (Henry Mancini), "The Thrill Is Gone" (Chet Baker), "Time" (Alan Parson's Project), "You Don't Know What Love Is" (Chet Baker).

 

Overview: Let me preface this by saying this may well be my favorite Mr. Bungle tour. Looking at in writing, it seems like a boring tour, only 31 songs played, 11 songs debuted, but they are all covers, and some were only played 2 or 3 times. The 2 things that make this tour great in my opinion are the musicianship that band shows, and the improvised pieces they threw in. This tour is Mr. Bungle playing tighter than they ever have before, and probably ever will again. Every show I’ve heard from this tour is pulled off excellent, and stands up for all 30 shows. Also, this is the last time a lot of the original songs were played. I’m glad they did, because I somehow doubt they could ever top the performances on this tour.

 

The Songs That Were Played:

 

"3rd Floor Dungeon" (Dr.Seuss movie called "5000 Fingers of Dr.T")

In my opinion, this was the highlight of the whole tour. This was played very straightforward, and very somber, no goofing around at all. Trey and Bär played keyboards, giving it an almost funeral like feel. Too bad audiences like to talk to each other over it.

 

"Bring The Noise" (Anthrax and Public Enemy)

This was only played once. Patton quotes part of Chuck D’s lines during girls of porn during the April 5^th show.

 

"Citta Violenta" (Ennio Morricone)

Another highlight of the tour. The version they play is pretty close to Morricone’s original. I nice change of pace during a lot of the rock stuff played on the tour.

 

"Drug Me" (Dead Kennedys)

Exactly the same arrangement as played in 1991. Fairly accurate to the original.

 

"I Don't Need Society" (D.R.I.)

Played a few times on the tour, always consistent and rocking. I have never heard the original, so I’m not sure how the two compare. Anyone who has care to comment?

 

"Nintendo Medley"

Only played once, on April 9^th. I haven’t heard it, but I suspect it’s pretty much the same as it was played on previous tours. This is one of the low parts on the tour, in my opinion.

 

"Parents Were Little Once Too" (Mr. Rogers)

Played a few times. This song would have been better if it didn’t sound under rehearsed.

 

"Pictures Of You" (Oingo Boingo)

Sadly, I have never heard this song. It was only played twice. If you have any more info about it, please tell me.

 

"Territorial Pissings" (Nirvana)

Everytime I’ve heard this played, it was part of ‘Slowly Growing Deaf’. It was put in the middle section, where the Super Mario samples are on the album. This is played in sort of a cheesy lounge version. Very funny.

 

"The Clown In Me" (Mr. Rogers)

This was only played twice ever, and one of those times was in 1992. It really is nothing to write home about. It’s a catchy song, but isn’t really anything special.

 

"The Stroke" (Billy Squier)

Are you ready to rock motherfuckers????? This song was played frequently on the tour, and ruled everytime it was played. This version is similar to the original version, that is, if you played the original version at 33rpms on your turn table. The tempo is about half that of the original, and Patton sings with an octave pedal, giving it a very metal feel. The last measure is played the same way as the original.

 

"The Thing Strikes" (Henry Mancini)

Almost always played as an opener, probably because it makes for a great opening piece. Bär and Patton play keyboards on it, giving it a cheesy ‘sci-fi’ type feeling.

 

"The Thrill Is Gone" (Chet Baker)

Played very straight ahead. The only versions of this I have ever heard have been crappy quality.

"Thunderball" (Tom Jones)

I have never heard a recorded version of this song from this tour. I assume it was played the same way as it was on previous tours, and the rough mixes for the first album.

 

"Time" (Alan Parson's Project)

Another highlight of the tour. The song is played fairly close to the original, apart from two parts where the band starts to crescendo, but then cuts back to playing quiet just when you think there about to rock. Always played great.

 

"Yardbird Suite" (Charlie Parker)

Only played 3 times on this tour. I think it should have been played more. It sounds a little under rehearsed, but not to the point of being bad. It’s loose, up tempo, and a lot of fun.

 

"You Don't Know What Love Is" (Chet Baker)

A punk type rendition of this standard. It was played a few times, and was kind of a bland part in the set, but, it isn’t bad by any means.

 

( )

I believe this indicates a noise improve, and not the song with the same name. If anyone knows any different, please tell me!

 

Carousel

This was played pretty similar to the album version, with a less elaborate horn arrangement. This another song that they could have dropped for this tour.

 

Dead Goon

This tour produced the best Dead Goons Mr. Bungle ever played. These usually went on a while, with improvisation at the end. Apart from that, it’s similar to the album version.

 

Egg

Played the same way as it was on the demo’s, and the first album.

 

Everyone I Went To High School With Is Dead

Played a handful of times. This version, like all live versions of this song, is pretty different than the album version. Live versions tend to be way more chaotic, and way longer. This song is basically a long improvised piece, with the two verses coming in at various points. They played this good, but it’s nothing compared to the terrific versions they did in 1995 and 1996

 

Love Is A Fist

Pretty much the same as the album.

 

Mr. Nice Guy

This song was played twice on this tour, and very different than on the OU818 demo. A lot of the sections were played much slower, and more aggressive. I personally like this version much more.

 

My Ass is on Fire

There are no major differences between this and the album version.

 

Platypus

Played pretty much the same as every performance of the song up till 1995. A showcase for Trevor’s bass playing.

 

Slowly Growing Deaf

Played similar to the album version. The middle part was sometimes opened up to improvisation.

 

Squeeze Me Macaroni

This song was reworked for this tour. Most of the song is done half time, with a reggae type feel during the verses, and a fairly heavy feel during the refrains. When the bridge part comes in (slop your face with my bologna), the band speeds up a little, and then goes into the rest of the song as normal.

 

Stubb (a Dub)

This song was done similar to the album version. I really have nothing against this song, or the performances of it on this tour, but I really think it shouldn’t have been played.

 

The Girls Of Porn

Played five times on this tour. If you ask me, that’s five times too many. This song was played faster than the album, and previous tours. This tour probably has the best renditions of this song, but, you can’t polish a turd.

 

Travolta

Travolta has always been played the same way, accounting for minor differences in instrumentation.

 

 

Other People’s Opinions:

 

No one has left their opinion of this tour yet. I guess that means that everything I said is exactly right. If you want to add an opinion on this tour, email me, and I will put it up.