Video: Mr. Bungle Cover Van Halen’s “Loss of Control”

“Loss of Control” is a rare bird amongst Van Halen songs in that it hardly sounds like Van Halen at all; the track, which appeared on the band’s third album, Women and Children First (1980), is a straight up thrash ripper complete with palm-muted chugs. So it makes perfect sense that it’s the song Mr. Bungle selected to pay tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen at their livestream concert last year shortly after his death. That performance is now available for worldwide viewing pleasure.

Extra cool: now having thrash vets Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo in the band to tackle this one. Double-extra cool: hearing Mike Patton channel his inner David Lee Roth. What a delight!

Explains Bungle co-guitarist and leader Trey Spruance of the cover:

“Mr. Bungle tried to play this song in the ’90s and we scrapped it because we sucked at it. I think it worked this time for a lot of reasons. My own is that, thanks to the new Raging Wrathera, I’ve had to re-approach the guitar like I did when I was 13 and 14. It was all about Eddie Van Halen for me back then, so circling back at this moment felt really natural. Those riffs and lead parts at least are super fun! I’m just glad Scott took the palm-mute breaks. Jesus!”

Scott Ian adds:

“I generally don’t get nervous about learning someone else’s riffs. When it’s an EVH riff it’s a whole different story! I was terrified! With ‘Loss of Control’ I did my best to just hold on and go for the ride. What a riff!!! As a fan I’d have to say it’s a PERFECT SONG for Mr. Bungle to cover. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did getting to play it.”

Mr. Bungle’s Halloween 2020 streaming special, The Night They Came Home, will be immortalized for your purchase on June 11 via Ipecac Recordings; pre-order here. Patton will perform with both Mr. Bungle AND Faith No More at Riot Fest (Chicago) in September.