Lemming's Artist of the Week: Mike Patton

By Kanrei

The artist of the week this week has recreated himself more times than anyone can keep up with. Whether he is fronting an 80’s rap/metal band or creating techno madness or just plain shrieking into the microphone this artist has proven himself master of anything he tries. His name is Mike Patton and he is the vocalist from hell (in a good way)

Mike Patton first came to fame as the replacement singer for Faith No More. His debut with the band, “From Out of Nowhere” was marketed as metal, but was like nothing I had heard before. I bought and returned it three times before I finally “got” it.

With Mike Patton’s influence Faith No More moved between hardcore metal, pop, rap, and even 20’s jazz-swing effortlessly and became world famous. He was a lead singer who could actually sing and that was rare in hard music. And it was not just that he could sing, but he could literally sing every style of music perfectly and loved to show it.


Mike Patton’s joining Faith No More was about more than him making it; he brought his old band along with him as part of the deal. Mike Patton’s “real” band, Mr. Bungle was signed to a record deal in the process. Mr. Bungle’s sound is best described by my sister when I played them for her 14 years ago. She said “it sounds like what Mike wants to hear when he is really stoned.” That sums it up perfectly.

Mr. Bungle I can only describe as the soundtrack to a circus tent being run by the family from Texas Chainsaw Massacre crossed with a children’s television show being filmed in the background. Throw in some Beach Boys and a touch of speed metal and you are close, but still not there. Now you must eat lots of acid. Not just any acid either, but the “do not eat the brown acid” acid of Woodstock fame. Now, while in the tent with the family and the show watch a porno movie and you got Mr. Bungle. It is 100 times better than I describe it, but it is impossible to describe. Listen and you will say “damn he was pretty close, but I love it.”

Faith No More was able to keep Mike for four albums before he moved on. Mr. Bungle has thus far gotten three with him, but Mike Patton is a workaholic and cannot stop. He has also recorded techno as General Patton, and Lovage, and Peeping Tom. He has recorded speed metal with the Melvins, Fantamos, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Tomahawk to name a few.

Just entering “Mike Patton” into Google will give you everything you everything you could possible want to know. I give Mike Patton 20 stars out of 10, but not all his projects are to my liking. It all depends on your taste in music, but I guarantee Mike Patton has done something for you as well. I mean he even has done a duet with Burt Bacharach. What are you waiting for?