If you’re already familiar with these three bands, you’ll know that their weirdness is a beloved aspect of their image. For those who don’t know, you’re in for a surrealist, avant-garde, art rock experience.
Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle formed in 1985 while the founding members were still high school students. It started as a speed and thrash metal outlet, but the band reportedly got tired of that after about a year. They dabbled in ska and funk, recruiting horn and drum players. With new influences guiding them, the band found they could really do whatever they wanted.
Their first demo, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny, was recorded in 1986. It still featured a solid thrash metal sound, with the new ska additions blended in. The art rock experimentation showed up in their use of bongos, kazoo, saxophone, and train whistles. As Mr. Bungle released more music in the following years, their sound evolved to include swing, funk, free jazz, carnival music, avant-garde improv, and more ska elements. According to founding member Mike Patton at the time, Mr. Bungle was essentially “weirdo funk music”.
Oingo Boingo
Danny Elfman’s avant-garde art rock project formed in 1979 after seven years as a surrealist theater group called the Mystic Knights of Oingo Boingo. As the group evolved, they initially made ska-punk music. But Oingo Boingo, by design, wouldn’t be boxed in. They incorporated elements of new wave, art rock, punk, ska, jazz, and had an overall experimental approach.
Oingo Boingo was known for their high-energy stage presence, which built on their theater troupe foundations. Although there were several lineup changes throughout the years, Elfman, Leon Schneiderman, Dale Turner, Sam Phipps, Steve Bartek, and John “Vatos” Hernandez stayed consistent. In the mid-90s the group turned to a more rock-oriented sound, leaving behind their keyboards and horns. This proved to be their final change, as they retired after a final concert in 1995.
Idiot Flesh
Idiot Flesh was an experimental art rock band that formed in 1985, originally under the name Acid Rain. They released a demo under that name in 1987, before changing to Idiot Flesh before the release of their first album, Tales of Instant Knowledge and Sure Death, in 1990. Its founding members were students at the University of California at Berkley.
The band incorporated many different theatrical elements in their music and stage shows. They used marching band routines, puppet shows, circus acrobatics, fire breathing, and instruments made out of household objects. Idiot Flesh also included skits and interludes on their albums. Although they disbanded in 1998, several members went on to work with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, the Sun and Moon Ensemble, Cirque du Soleil, and Les Claypool of Primus.
Photo by Rafael Macia /Redferns
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