Mike Patton: Vocals, etc. (Mr.Bungle, Peeping Tom, Tomahawk, ex-Faith No More, various solo projects)
Buzz "King Buzzo" "El Hombre" Osborne: Guitar, etc. (Melvins)
Dave Lombardo: Percussion (Grip Inc., ex-Slayer)
Trevor Dunn: Bass (Mr. Bungle, various jazz projects, collaborations with John Zorn and others)
Fantômas is the brainchild of Mike Patton. The name comes from a series of pre World War 1 French crime thriller novels. The character Fantômas is an anti-hero who commits the most apalling crimes.Fantômas is anyone and no one, everywhere and nowhere, waging an implacable war against the bourgeois society in which he moves. The Lord of Terror!
The music can only be described as unique. From subtle and precise to brutal and explosive. It is influenced equally by hardcore/death metal, cartoon music and film soundtracks. It is made up of tiny cells of music that move like frames in a comic strip. It is certainly an amalgamation of the bands from which the members come without sounding very much like any one of them.
We do not know exactly what direction this band will go in. The band released their self-titled first album on Ipecac Recordings (co-owned by Mike Patton) in the spring of 1999. They have successfully toured around the world in front of confused but mostly happy crowds. They are planning on recording 2 new records in 2001. The first of these, "The Director's Cut," is a collection of soundtrack covers. It is scheduled for release in July 2001. They are hoping to release another CD in late 2001 or early 2002. Look for more worldwide touring too!
While certainly not expecting to become "the next big thing," the band feels that a good portion of the music listening public is ready for something challenging and unique.
