| Since
Mr. Bungle is notorious for taking substantial amounts of
time between albums (it took them four years to follow up
their 1991 debut), its band members are left with a lot of
time on their hands. Hence the members of Mr. Bungle use their
off time wisely, by writing, recording, and touring with other
bands or, often, side projects.
The best side project of the bunch, Secret Chiefs 3, features
Mr. Bungle comrades Trey Spruance (guitar/vocals), Trevor
Dunn (bass/vocals), and Danny Heifetz (drums). If there are
any remaining who think that the musicians in Mr. Bungle are
just a vehicle for vocalist Mike Patton's singing talents,
Secret Chiefs 3 is the ultimate proof that this is not the
case. Trey Spruance gets a chance to be the leader, he wrote
every track on their 1996 debut First Grand Constitution and
Bylaws, and was the record's producer as well. Before the
full-length debut appeared, the group whet their fans' appetites
by including a Secret Chiefs 3 single with vinyl copies of
Mr. Bungle's 1995 magnum opus, Disco Volante, as well as recording
a warped version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
for a Japanese Christmas compilation. They were also signed
on to contribute a Beach Boys track to a Japanese Beach Boys
tribute album, showing that they can tackle just about any
musical form put in front of them. - Greg Prato |
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