None of Them Knew They Were Robots

Crazy days call for crazy music, and today was one such day.  The perfect occasion to put Patton, Trey Spruance, Trevor Dunn, Danny Heifetz, and Clinton "Bär" McKinnon (better known as Mr. Bungle) on to match the mood!  We return back to Bizarre Fest 2000 in Germany as we take a look at "None of Them Knew They Were Robots".

NOTKTWR, for short, was lyrically written by Spruance, while he, Patton, and Keifetz wrote the music to this six minute avante-garde California classic.  Many have tried analyzing the lyrics, with speculation surrounding science vs. religion, but it's the music that really grabs your attention.  Jazz, swing, space-age pop, funk, and metal are just a few genres found in this song, with the familiar Patton growls and screams.  It's fascinating to watch how tight any performance of NOTKTWR is.  What sounds like noise is actually 'organized chaos', as each note is played the same, show after show, orchestrated like any other song (as done in equally organized and chaotic band, Fantômas).

The sound guys seem to have trouble keeping up (as seen with Bär's keyboards throughout this still-amazing rendition), and the crowd seems slightly confused.  Maybe it's all the tempo changes, or possibly the distraction of Dunn in his Swiss Miss outfit.  In any case, it doesn't take away from how the guys in Bungle all join forces and put on a hell of a show.  Enjoy six of my most favorite minutes at Bizarre Fest below.