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Clinton "Bär" McKinnon (born December 24, 1969) is an American musician, perhaps best known for being a saxophonist in the San Francisco-based band
Mr. Bungle Mr. Bungle is an American experimental rock band formed in Eureka, California in 1985. Having gone through many incarnations throughout their career, the band is best known for music created during their most experimental era. During this time, ...
. Bär, pronounced "bear", is a childhood nickname given to him by his older sisters. In 1989, Bär joined Mr. Bungle and studied music at Humboldt State University, where he met
Trevor Dunn Trevor Roy Dunn (born January 30, 1968) is an American composer, bass guitarist, and double bassist. He came to prominence in the 1990s with the experimental band Mr. Bungle. While performing with Mr. Bungle, Dunn would dress similar to the ...
and
Trey Spruance Preston Lea "Trey" Spruance III (born August 14, 1969) is an American composer, producer, and musician who co-founded the experimental rock band Mr. Bungle. He is also leader of the multi-genre outfit Secret Chiefs 3. Originally a guitarist and ...
. His primary instrument is the saxophone, but he plays a number of other instruments, including flute, keyboards, guitar, drums, percussion, bass, and other assorted woodwinds. He was a member of Mr. Bungle from 1989 to their disbandment in 2000, and has written and performed with
Secret Chiefs 3 Secret Chiefs 3 (or SC3) is an American avant-garde group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance (of Mr. Bungle and formerly, Faith No More). Their studio recordings and tours have featured different lineups, as the group performs a wide range ...
, Dieselhed, and Humboldt County hip hop/ reggae/rock fusion band Lakota. He has also appeared on the Melt-Banana album ''
Charlie Charlie may refer to: Characters * "Charlie," the head of the Townsend Agency', from the ''Charlie's Angels'' franchise * Charlie, a character on signs for the CharlieCard, a smart card issued by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority * ...
'', on the Carl Hancock Rux album ''
Rux Revue ''Rux Revue'' is the debut album by Carl Hancock Rux, released by Sony 550 Music which operated through Sony Music's Epic Records division. The album was produced in Los Angeles by the Dust Brothers, featuring drummers Joey Waronker (formerly of R. ...
'', on the Ray's Vast Basement album ''
On the Banks of the Time On, on, or ON may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * On (band), a solo project of Ken Andrews * ''On'' (EP), a 1993 EP by Aphex Twin * ''On'' (Echobelly album), 1995 * ''On'' (Gary Glitter album), 2001 * ''On'' (Imperial Teen album), 200 ...
'', on Eyvind Kang's album ''
The Story of Iceland ''The Story of Iceland'' is an album of modern chamber music in multiple styles by violinist and multi-instrumentalist Eyvind Kang, accompanied by a large ensemble that includes guitarist Bill Frisell. Track listing #"Story of Iceland: Circle o ...
'', and on the Barefoot Hockey Goalie album ''One Part Thomas Edison''. Bär McKinnon performs around Melbourne with his band Umläut and contributes to a remote supergroup formed in 2020 by the name of High Castle Teleorkestra.


Mr. Bungle

Mr. Bungle's lead singer, Mike Patton, had by the start of the 1990s achieved success in mainstream rock and metal with his other band,
Faith No More Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before settling on the current name in July 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. Bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist/r ...
, which ultimately helped secure Mr. Bungle a record deal with Warner Bros. The group released a self-titled album (produced by
John Zorn John Zorn (born September 2, 1953) is an American composer, conductor, saxophonist, arranger and producer who "deliberately resists category". Zorn's avant-garde and experimental approaches to composition and improvisation are inclusive of jaz ...
) in 1991, followed by ''
Disco Volante The term ''Disco Volante'' (Italian for ''flying disc'' or ''flying saucer'') may refer to; * ''Disco Volante'' (Mr. Bungle album), a 1995 album by the band Mr. Bungle * ''Disco Volante'' (Lisa album), a 2009 album by singer Lisa * ''Disco Volan ...
'' in 1995. Their third record was '' California''. As a multi-instrumentalist, Bär provided a distinct style, both as a player and songwriter, most notably on ''California''. The album takes inspiration from
Burt Bacharach Burt Freeman Bacharach ( ; born May 12, 1928) is an American composer, songwriter, record producer and pianist who composed hundreds of pop songs from the late 1950s through the 1980s, many in collaboration with lyricist Hal David. A six-time Gra ...
and The Beach Boys, influences close to Bär's heart. The album allowed more freedom for all members of Mr. Bungle in the songwriting process. ''California'' blended
lounge Lounge may refer to: Architecture * Lounge, the living room of a dwelling * Lounge, a public waiting area in a hotel's lobby * Lounge, a style of commercial alcohol- bar * Airport lounge, or train lounge (e.g., AMTRAK's Acela Lounge), a premium ...
, pop, jazz,
funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African Americans in the m ...
, thrash metal, Hawaiian,
Middle Eastern The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (European ...
,
kecak ''Kecak'' (pronounced ("kechak"), alternate spellings: ''kechak'' and ''ketjak''), known in Indonesian as ''tari kecakilolahhe'', is a form of Balinese Hindu dance and music drama that was developed in the 1930s in Bali, Indonesia. Since its ...
, and
avant-garde music Avant-garde music is music that is considered to be at the forefront of innovation in its field, with the term "avant-garde" implying a critique of existing aesthetic conventions, rejection of the status quo in favor of unique or original elemen ...
. The band did five tours to support this record. For the most part, perhaps with the exception of the
Sno-Core The SnoCore Tour, occasionally typeset as Sno-Core, was an annual festival tour of the United States. It features performances by some of the most popular groups largely of the alternative rock and metal spectrum. Other than 2008 and 2016, the eve ...
2000 tour, where they were often booed, the band did have success attracting an audience. The main three members of Mr. Bungle (Patton, Spruance, and Dunn) reunited in 2020 to record a fourth album, which McKinnon did not take part in.


UMLAUT

Umlaut is an experimental progressive band based out of Melbourne, Australia. It is the culmination of years of work for McKinnon. Umlaut's eclectic musical stylings reside in the same vein as McKinnon's previous bands,
Mr. Bungle Mr. Bungle is an American experimental rock band formed in Eureka, California in 1985. Having gone through many incarnations throughout their career, the band is best known for music created during their most experimental era. During this time, ...
and
Secret Chiefs 3 Secret Chiefs 3 (or SC3) is an American avant-garde group led by guitarist/composer Trey Spruance (of Mr. Bungle and formerly, Faith No More). Their studio recordings and tours have featured different lineups, as the group performs a wide range ...
—injecting an energetic and whimsical blend of pop, jazz, avant-garde metal, symphonic atmosphere, and electronica into its sound.   When Mr. Bungle officially disbanded, Bär was left with material he had written for the band, so he decided to apply it towards a solo venture.  Many of his Umlaut bandmates found him based on his prior music affiliations.  According to McKinnon: "Melbourne is a very hip place as far as music and musicians and there's no shortage of good musos, so I'm super lucky that I ended up here; it just made the most sense. Musos sought me out, perhaps on the back of Bungle's notoriety. I mean, who knew a Mr. Bungle member was living in Melbourne?" Umlaut has seen many incarnations and lineup changes through the years. The band has accompanied comedian Neil Hamburger, as well as Secret Chiefs 3, on their various tours in Australia. Band members * Bär McKinnon – tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet, keyboards, guitar, lead vocals * Angus Leslie – guitar, backing vocals, keyboards * Olaf Scott – keyboards * Hudson Whitlock – drums, percussion * Julian Langdon – bass * Shane Lieber – bass * Gareth Thompson – drums * John Myatt – bassoon * Rob McDonald – vibraphone * Pieta Hextall – bassoon Guest performers * Mike Patton – vocals ("Atlas Face" – 2009) * Matt Lieber – drums (''Umlaut'' – 2009) * Jeff Lieber – guitar (''Umlaut'' – 2009)


Albums


''Umlaut''

Release date: October 10, 2009
Label: Orchard The album's single "Atlas Face" features
Faith No More Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before settling on the current name in July 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. Bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist/r ...
frontman and fellow Mr. Bungle bandmate Mike Patton on lead vocals. Review from ''Consequence of Sound'': "Sporadic bursts of circus-themed noise. The sludgy guitar grind of heavy metal. Unpredictable blasts of horn instruments. There's no denying the influence of Mr. Bungle in every note of Umlaut's self-titled album, and how can comparisons not be drawn when the band is the musical venture of Mr. Bungle's saxophonist Clinton "Bär" McKinnon. But though it's easy to see where McKinnon is drawing from, the Australian-based Umlaut is a wholly original project that takes a proven, experimental concept and makes it all its own".


''To Your Poverty Quietly Go''

Release date: August 29, 2014
Label: Romero Records / Orchard From ''MusicTrust'': "Unlike the many other bands that seem bent on simply reveling in mad energy generated by constantly shifting and juxtaposing interludes and sections within the one 'song', there is a much higher level of compositional delicacy at play here. It's obvious that Umlaut has thought long and hard about what should and shouldn't go into the cauldron. The creation of multilayered textures on 'To Your Poverty Quietly Go' is something lacking in much of the music that gets made using a similar chop and change sensibility".


''Arunachala''

Release date: April 19, 2019
Label: Romero Records From Romero Records: "A very festive new EP from Umlaut, the brainchild of Bär McKinnon (Mr. Bungle, Secret Chiefs 3), 'Arunachala' is equal parts circus jazz, oddball pop and melancholic soundscapes. Sonny Rollins meets Brian Wilson, Pennywise the Clown and the Easter Bunny?"


''Kintsugi''

Release date: October 31, 2019
Label: Romero Records From Romero Records: "Just six months after their Easter-themed EP 'Arunachala', more new music from Umlaut... and this time it's Halloween! Meditative and charmingly addictive forays into experimental pop from the mind of Mr. Bungle saxman Bär McKinnon, with some help from Melbourne legend Angus Leslie (Sex on Toast). 'Kintsugi' is more of a vocal affair than Umlaut's previous releases, think Bungle with a bit of Beach Boys, Beatles and Badalamenti."


High Castle Teleorkestra

High Castle Teleorkestra (HCT) is a remote music ensemble formed during the pandemic of 2020. The group name is a reference to the work of science fiction writer
Philip K. Dick Philip Kindred Dick (December 16, 1928March 2, 1982), often referred to by his initials PKD, was an American science fiction writer. He wrote 44 novels and about 121 short stories, most of which appeared in science fiction magazines during his l ...
. Ensemble members have played in various bands, such as Estradasphere,  Mr. Bungle, Farmer's Market, Umlaut, Probosci, I.S.S., Don Salsa, Secret Chiefs 3, and others, earning the status of "supergroup" for the avant-guard genre.


Discography


Mr. Bungle

* '' Goddammit I Love America!'' (demo – 1988) * '' OU818'' (demo – 1989) * ''
Mr. Bungle Mr. Bungle is an American experimental rock band formed in Eureka, California in 1985. Having gone through many incarnations throughout their career, the band is best known for music created during their most experimental era. During this time, ...
'' (1991) * ''
Disco Volante The term ''Disco Volante'' (Italian for ''flying disc'' or ''flying saucer'') may refer to; * ''Disco Volante'' (Mr. Bungle album), a 1995 album by the band Mr. Bungle * ''Disco Volante'' (Lisa album), a 2009 album by singer Lisa * ''Disco Volan ...
'' (1995) * '' California'' (1999)


Secret Chiefs 3

* '' First Grand Constitution and Bylaws'' (1996, remastered in 2000) * ''
Hurqalya (Second Grand Constitution and Bylaws) ''Hurqalya (Second Grand Constitution And Bylaws)'' is the second studio album by American experimental rock band Secret Chiefs 3, released on April 28, 1998 by Amarillo Records. Release history In 2000, Web of Mimicry remastered and reissued ...
'' (1998, remastered in 2000) * ''Eyes of Flesh, Eyes of Flame'' (live album – 1999) * ''
Book M ''Book M'' is the third studio album by Secret Chiefs 3, released on 11 September 2001 by Web of Mimicry. According to a post the band made on Facebook, "Our distributor’s release date was September 18. Our label’s release date was Sept. 11. O ...
'' (2001)


Umlaut

* ''Umlaut'' (2009) * ''To Your Poverty Quietly Go'' (2014) * ''Arunachala'' (2019)


High Castle Teleorkestra

* "Ich Bin's / The Days of Blue Jeans" (Deluxe single – 2020) * "Valisystem A / Klawpeels: Mission Checkup" (Deluxe single – 2021)


Guest appearances

* Ray's Vast Basement – ''
On the Banks of the Time On, on, or ON may refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * On (band), a solo project of Ken Andrews * ''On'' (EP), a 1993 EP by Aphex Twin * ''On'' (Echobelly album), 1995 * ''On'' (Gary Glitter album), 2001 * ''On'' (Imperial Teen album), 200 ...
'' (1998) * Carl Hancock Rux – ''
Rux Revue ''Rux Revue'' is the debut album by Carl Hancock Rux, released by Sony 550 Music which operated through Sony Music's Epic Records division. The album was produced in Los Angeles by the Dust Brothers, featuring drummers Joey Waronker (formerly of R. ...
'' (1998) * Melt-Banana – ''
Charlie Charlie may refer to: Characters * "Charlie," the head of the Townsend Agency', from the ''Charlie's Angels'' franchise * Charlie, a character on signs for the CharlieCard, a smart card issued by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority * ...
'' (1998) (with Mr. Bungle) * Eyvind Kang – ''
The Story of Iceland ''The Story of Iceland'' is an album of modern chamber music in multiple styles by violinist and multi-instrumentalist Eyvind Kang, accompanied by a large ensemble that includes guitarist Bill Frisell. Track listing #"Story of Iceland: Circle o ...
'' zadik(2000) * Barefoot Hockey Goalie – '' One Part Thomas Edison'' * Rhymes, Rituals & Rhythms – ''Lakota'' (1994) * The Ribbon Device – ''Saturation Day'' (2006) * Glasfrosch – " If You Go Far Enough into The Sky You'll Come Out Underwater" (2011) * Twelve Foot Ninja – ''
Silent Machine ''Silent Machine'' is the debut studio album by the Australia, Australian alternative metal band Twelve Foot Ninja. It was released through Volkanik Music on November 13, 2012. Track listing Personnel * Kin Etik – lead vocals * Steve "Stev ...
'' (2012)


References


External links


High Castle Teleorkestra official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:McKinnon, Clinton Living people California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt alumni American male singers American male saxophonists American experimental musicians Singers from California Mr. Bungle members 1969 births 21st-century American saxophonists 21st-century American male musicians