Many Rockbanders are only familiar with Mike Patton through Faith No More's inclusion of the song "Epic" in the game. This is very unfortunate because "Epic" was seen as a jokey, accidental hit, much like "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses. Mike has been making music for almost 30 years, and while FNM was a large part of his career, he has had as many musical projects as Scott Weiland has had rehab stints. I did exclude some of his more avant-garde, experimental stuff because i don't want to scare you away yet.... anyway, the songs:
General Patton vs. The X-Ecutioners: "Get Up Punk!" (2005)
this is a more recent project, with Patton teaming up with NYC hip hop turntabilist collective X-Exutioners. the track here features Patton singing, but many tracks feature crazy samples and Patton doing his patented beat-boxing
Tomhawk: "Crow Dance" (2007)Tomahawk is an alternative metal band also containing John Stanier (drums, Helmet, Battles) Duane Dennison (guitar, The Jesus Lizard), and Kevin Rutmanis (bass, The Melvins). They started as a straightforward (for Patton, at least) rock band, sounding very similar to the bands they were all in, in a 90's Amp Rep style, but have since moved more in the direction of their name, and have been incorporating Native American music into their style, as seen here.
Dillinger Escape Plan (feat. Mike Patton): "Good Dogs Do Bad Things" (2002)Dillinger Escape Plan's crazy, all over the place, need-a-calculator-to follow extreme math metal combined with the vocal theatrics of Senior Patton reminds me of the good ol' days when the harlem globetrotters or batman would team up with scooby doo. There is only this EP, and a few live recordings (the DEP were between singers), but definitely worth a few listens.
Faith No More: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, Everything's Ruined, Ashes to AshesEverything's Ruined represents the Jim Martin (original guitar player) era, that those who know "Epic", "Falling to Pieces" and "Midlife Crisis" and the later, sorta-alt-metal Faith No More, who also dabbled in swing, spanish ballads, and electronica, here represented by "Ashes to Ashes" and "The Gentle Art of Making Ememies (listen to the lyrics to this one; it will change your life)"
Lovage: Pit Stop (Take Me Home) (2001)This concept album with Dan the Automator (Gorillaz, Handsome Boy Modeling School, Dr . Octagon) about getting down with your lady friend pairs Patton trading breathy vocals with Jen Charles (Elysian Fields) over trip hop and jazz samples. Lyrics are tongue-in-cheek, but the quality of the record is definitely serious. Put away your Barry White next time the mood arises, and put this on...
Mr. Bungle: Goodbye, Sober Day (1999)This album is from the band of Patton's true love, and first band, that was around before, during, and after Faith No More. From death metal to free jazz to Beach Boys-esque music and vocal harmonies to ska to carnival music to deadly serious covers of Burt Bacharach, you never quite knew what to expect from this band that formed back in high school in the early 80s and made it to Warner Brothers records due to the strong sales of Patton's "other" band.
Peeping Tom: Sucker (feat. Norah Jones) (2006)Peeping Tom is a Patton pop/rock/trip hop project featuring a revolving cast (Dan the Automator, Rahzel, Massive Attack, Kool Keith) creating what Patton called radio pop music in his skewed world. Listen to this cut featuring Norah Jones (yes, that one) getting dirty with Patton and wonder how they not only opened up for The Who in Philly, but also got booed off the stage (not exactly what The Who fans were expecting, I guess)
check them out!
click to download the mix here!
