When I was in High School, I would hear stories of a man who as legend had it once drank his own urine from a stinky boot during a show; A man who was known to recklessly climb shifty stage backdrops and riggings - all while belting out some of the most intoxicating and influential vocals in rock history. Thus is the legend of Mike Patton... or at least that’s the way I’ve known it. The voice behind legendary acts such as Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Fantomas, as well as numerous side projects and oddball collaborations, Patton has once again surprised us all. Mondo Cane, which almost literally translates from Italian to “the world has gone to the dogs”, collects various selections from a short run of exclusive shows throughout Europe in which Patton performed covers of various 60s Italian pop songs backed by a massive orchestra and live band; At first listen, Mondo Cane confused me. It was definitely Mike Patton’s voice, but he wasn’t singing in English and I had no idea what was going on... Then the second track ‘Che Notte’ came on and my mood changed... The track was upbeat, almost jazzy. All of a sudden, I’m driving down a long country road somewhere in northern Italy; there’s a town up ahead. Rounding the sharp cobblestone turns in my speedy Alfa Spider, I drive straight towards the town’s piazza; Top down, scarf blowing in the wind, half-burned cigarette barely hanging from my bottom lip, I raise my hand politely to an old man on the corner with a gesture only an Italian could pull off: ‘Buon giorno, signore! Come stai?’ He flips me off. What the crap? Suddenly I’m back in the woods with my lovely girlfriend and my annoying cat... no Alfa Romeo, no fancy scarf, no air of brazen machismo... no rude old man. Just a beat up pick-up, an old band hoodie and a brand new shiny copy of Mike Patton’s Mondo Cane on the table. Man, I need a vacation.
By Itay K