# Mike Patton > American singer **Wikidata**: [Q316878](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316878) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Patton) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mike-patton ## Summary Mike Patton is an American singer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist renowned for his extraordinary vocal range and genre-defying work across alternative metal, experimental rock, jazz fusion, and avant-garde music. Best known as the lead vocalist of Faith No More and Mr. Bungle, he has become one of the most influential and versatile vocalists in modern music, collaborating across numerous projects including Fantômas, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom, and Dead Cross, while also establishing the independent label Ipecac Recordings in 1999. ## Biography - **Born**: January 27, 1968 - **Nationality**: American (United States) - **Citizenship**: United States - **Education**: California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) - **Known for**: Pioneering experimental music across multiple genres with unprecedented vocal technique; leading Faith No More to critical acclaim; founding Ipecac Recordings - **Employer(s)**: Ipecac Recordings (founder), Warner Music Group, Tzadik Records, Slash Records - **Field(s)**: Music (singer, composer, producer, guitarist), voice acting ## Contributions Mike Patton's contributions span multiple musical domains and include: **Bands Founded/Joined:** - **Faith No More**: Joined as vocalist in 1989, contributing to albums including "The Real Thing" (1989) and "Angel Dust" (1992) - **Mr. Bungle**: Co-founded in 1985, released self-titled debut (1991), "Disco Volante" (1995), and "California" (1999) - **Fantômas**: Founded in 1998, released "Fantômas" (1999), "Director's Cut" (2001), "Millennium Monsterwork" (2002), "Delìrio Crazato" (2006) - **Tomahawk**: Formed in 1999, released "Tomahawk" (2001), "Oddfellows" (2013) - **Peeping Tom**: Formed in 2000, released self-titled debut (2006) - **Dead Cross**: Joined as vocalist in 2015, released self-titled debut (2017), "The Devil's Pleasures" (2022) - **Lovage**: Collaborated on album "Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady" (2001) **Solo Albums:** - **Adult Themes for Voice** (1996): Debut solo album - **Pranzo Oltranzista** (1997): Second solo studio album - **Mondo Cane** (2010): Covers album **Record Label:** - **Ipecac Recordings**: Co-founded with Greg Werckman in April 1999; American record label based in California **Film/Visual Media Contributions:** - Provided voice work for various characters in films, animation, video games, and other media (voice actor - 33 related entities) ## FAQs **What bands has Mike Patton been associated with?** Mike Patton has been associated with multiple notable bands including Faith No More (since 1989), Mr. Bungle (co-founded 1985), Fantômas (1998), Tomahawk (1999), Peeping Tom (2000), Dead Cross (2015), and Lovage. **What musical genres does Mike Patton work in?** Mike Patton works across numerous genres including alternative metal, avant-garde metal, funk metal, rap metal, experimental rock, jazz fusion, alternative rock, avant-garde music, and art pop. **What is Ipecac Recordings?** Ipecac Recordings is an American record label founded by Mike Patton and Greg Werckman in April 1999, headquartered in California. The label has released works from various artists across multiple genres. **What is Mike Patton's educational background?** Mike Patton attended California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University), located in Arcata, California. **What are Mike Patton's most notable solo albums?** Mike Patton's notable solo albums include "Adult Themes for Voice" (1996), "Pranzo Oltranzista" (1997), and "Mondo Cane" (2010), a covers album. **What instruments does Mike Patton play?** Mike Patton is a vocalist, guitarist, and composer. He has demonstrated proficiency across multiple instruments throughout his career. ## Why They Matter Mike Patton matters as one of the most technically accomplished and versatile vocalists in contemporary music history. His ability to seamlessly transition between extreme metal vocals, jazz improvisation, and melodic singing has redefined what a vocalist can achieve. As the frontman of Faith No More, he helped pioneer the alternative metal genre and influenced countless musicians who followed. His work with Mr. Bungle established him as a boundary-pushing experimentalist, while his numerous side projects demonstrate an insatiable curiosity for musical exploration. His founding of Ipecac Recordings provided an alternative pathway for artists seeking creative freedom outside major label constraints, contributing to the independent music ecosystem. Patton's influence extends beyond performance into production and curation, with his label serving as a home for innovative artists across diverse genres. His willingness to collaborate across genre boundaries—from metal to jazz to pop—has created a template for artistic versatility that many musicians cite as inspirational. Without Patton's contributions, the landscape of experimental and alternative music would be significantly diminished, and the boundaries between metal, jazz, and avant-garde would remain more firmly separated. ## Notable For - **Vocal Range**: Known for extraordinary vocal technique spanning extreme metal growls to jazz-influenced crooning - **Genre Innovation**: Pioneered fusion of metal, jazz, experimental, and avant-garde music - **Label Founding**: Co-founded Ipecac Recordings (1999), a respected independent label - **Band Leadership**: Frontman of Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom, and Dead Cross - **Discography**: Over 30 studio albums across various projects since 1985 - **Collaborations**: Worked with artists across diverse genres including John Zorn, Melvins, and numerous others - **Production Work**: Produced and contributed to albums across multiple projects - **Film/Game Voice Work**: Provided voice work for various media projects - **Work Period**: Active since 1985, demonstrating sustained artistic output across nearly four decades ## Body ### Early Life and Education Mike Patton was born on January 27, 1968, in the United States. He pursued higher education at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (formerly known as Humboldt State University), located in Arcata, California. This institution, founded in 1913 and named after explorer Alexander von Humboldt, provided the educational foundation for Patton's eventual career in music. The university, part of the California State University system, enrolled approximately 6,612 students as of 2020 and maintains a reputation for arts and sciences programs. ### Career Beginnings and Breakthrough Patton's professional music career began in 1985 when he co-founded Mr. Bungle, an American experimental rock band. This project immediately demonstrated his willingness to challenge musical conventions, blending elements of experimental rock, metal, and avant-garde music. Mr. Bungle released their self-titled debut album in 1991 on Warner Music Group's Slash Records label, followed by "Disco Volante" in 1995 and "California" in 1999. His breakthrough to wider recognition came in 1989 when he joined Faith No More as vocalist, replacing Chuck Mosley. This American rock band, founded in 1983, achieved significant commercial success with Patton at the helm. Their album "The Real Thing" (1989) featured the hit single "Epic" and demonstrated Patton's powerful vocal abilities. The subsequent album "Angel Dust" (1992) further cemented their reputation for blending alternative metal with experimental elements. ### Major Projects and Collaborations Throughout his career, Patton has maintained an extraordinarily prolific output across numerous projects: **Fantômas**: Founded in 1998, this American band from California released a series of concept albums including "Fantômas" (1999), "Director's Cut" (2001)—a collection of film soundtrack covers—"Millennium Monsterwork" (2002), and "Delìrio Crazato" (2006). The project showcased Patton's theatrical approach to vocal performance. **Tomahawk**: Formed in 1999, this rock band released their self-titled debut in 2001 and "Oddfellows" (2013), featuring contributions from members of other notable acts. **Peeping Tom**: Established in 2000, this project released the album "Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady" (2001), featuring collaborations with various artists. **Dead Cross**: Patton joined this American crossover thrash band in 2015, releasing their self-titled debut in 2017 and "The Devil's Pleasures" (2022). **Lovage**: Collaborated on the album "Music to Make Love to Your Old Lady" (2001), featuring a blend of hip-hop, rock, and experimental elements. ### Solo Work Patton's solo career demonstrates his versatility beyond band projects: - **Adult Themes for Voice** (1996): His debut solo album, featuring experimental vocal compositions - **Pranzo Oltranzista** (1997): Second solo studio album continuing his experimental approach - **Mondo Cane** (2010): A covers album demonstrating his interpretive abilities ### Record Label and Business Ventures In April 1999, Patton co-founded Ipecac Recordings with Greg Werckman. This American record label, headquartered in California, has become known for releasing works from innovative artists across multiple genres. The label operates independently, providing artists with creative freedom outside major label constraints. Ipecac Recordings has released albums from numerous notable artists, contributing significantly to the independent music landscape. ### Musical Style and Influence Patton's vocal technique has been widely recognized as exceptional, encompassing an extraordinary range from extreme metal growls and screams to melodic singing and jazz-influenced crooning. His work spans numerous genres including alternative metal, avant-garde metal, funk metal, rap metal, experimental rock, jazz fusion, alternative rock, avant-garde music, and art pop. His influence on subsequent generations of vocalists and musicians has been substantial, with many artists citing his versatility and technical prowess as inspirational. Patton's approach—treating the voice as a fully expressive instrument capable of infinite variation—has expanded the possibilities for vocal performance in rock and metal music. ### Discography Overview Across his various projects, Patton has contributed to over 30 studio albums since beginning his career in 1985. His work with Faith No More includes multiple albums, while his solo output and work with Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom, Dead Cross, and Lovage represent a substantial body of work demonstrating sustained artistic productivity across nearly four decades. ### Additional Work: Voice Acting Beyond his music career, Patton has worked as a voice actor, providing voice-overs for characters in films, animation, video games, and other media. This aspect of his career, while less prominent than his musical work, demonstrates his versatility as a performer and his willingness to apply his vocal talents across different creative domains. ### Legacy and Impact Mike Patton's impact on contemporary music cannot be overstated. He has helped define what is possible for vocalists in rock and metal contexts, demonstrating that technical excellence and genre flexibility are not mutually exclusive. His work with Faith No More helped establish alternative metal as a viable commercial and artistic genre, while his experimental projects have pushed the boundaries of what rock music can encompass. The establishment of Ipecac Recordings provided an alternative model for artist-owned labels in the independent music community. His sustained output across multiple decades demonstrates both artistic longevity and consistent innovation. Patton's influence extends to numerous musicians who have followed, many of whom cite his example as foundational to their own approach to vocal performance and genre experimentation. ## References 1. BnF authorities 2. Integrated Authority File 3. datos.bne.es 4. Montreux Jazz Festival Database 5. International Standard Name Identifier 6. MusicBrainz 7. Virtual International Authority File 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. BBC Things 10. Discogs 11. Quora 12. The Movie Database 13. [Mike Patton (7 Character Images) - Behind The Voice Actors](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Mike-Patton/)