Devin Townsend on collaboration with Mike Patton (Fan Q&A in Helsinki, Finland, 30.03.2019)

[@VictorRobotov00]

I can see any level of intimidation with Patton, but let’s face it, those two would make magic. They’d create some really cool stiff.

[@allenvrabac4827]

Dunno honestly. The ideas might be cool but production wise i wouldn't tolerate a compression-fest that Devy always does. All the respect though i've seen Dev live and he has great music and a greater musical mind, but is very 'set' in his way with production.

[@NightReaper213]

That collaboration would definitly give me a "stiff".

[@1TakoyakiStore]

The only person I know of who wasn't intimidated by Mike Patton was Buzz Osbourne.

[@ignoblesavage5559]

@@1TakoyakiStore yeah, I dont think buzz allows himself to be "intimidated," per se, by anyone. That doesn't mean there isn't a certain amount of awe involved where MP is concerned...both musically & personally. I base that on 2 things: buzz's involvement in fantomas (& MP's level of control re: composition and arrangement...buzz's acceptance of that), and then personally, the story he told about how MP stands up for his friends (it's on YT--it starts out like almost a roast or shit-talk fest, turns into, well, something else). Re: DT & MP collaborating, yrs ago I'd have said no way. But given MP's migration into more heavy material (deadcross & the new/old mr bungle material), & given DT's variety of musical interests (even electronic music), now I'd have to revise my opinion. As to how said collaboration would look & sound, I have zero idea. MP is control freaky but he HAS done collaborations. Faith No More comes to mind immediately, & mr bungle wasn't just Mike Patton--Trey & Trevor and company were, at least in the beginning, well ahead of MP musically speaking. They ALWAYS participated heavily in the composition process with mr bungle. And MP has even participated in projects where his collaborator has more control. Doubt me? JOHN ZORN. So, it can be done. And I'd be curious to hear it.

[@1TakoyakiStore]

@@ignoblesavage5559 That's an informative take. The only way I think it could fall through is if Mike Patton and Devin Townsend have differing opinions on recording. Devin has upset studio engineers in the past because of just how specific of a sound he wants from his recording methods. My knowledge of Mike Patton is more limited but I do know that he did the majority of the soundtrack for the film Crank: High Voltage which indicates he definitely knows what he's doing. So there's definitely a theoretical conflict to be had there. Should they overcome that I would expect it to be amazing, especially in light of what Devin has been able to do on Empath. It's his only album that kinda resembles the crazy genre blending of MP's Mr Bungle work.

[@leftiequixote]

It goes without saying I'm a huge Mike Patton fan but Devin Townsend is honestly one of the nicest guys in all of rock music. I will never forget him giving me a hug after I saw him play in Austin a couple years back.

[@NeinFeline]

I got a hug from him too... Felt like I was overcharged with energy 🤘🤘🤘

[@Metathronos]

I obsessed about Patton for so long and i think Devin is now my favorite musician. In general a very funny and thoughtful dude

[@momomin6814]

Patton rocks

[@_Only_Zuul]

i've met mike patton a few times and he's always been cool. i know he's got certain "way" about him. i once walked literally right into him outside my workplace as i was going in to start my shift, i was very surprised! more so because i live in australia. didn't know he was on tour at the time.

[@IamAJoe]

One of the things I love about Devin outside of his music is his kindness and energy he has. He's a good soul.

[@VividAbominations]

I fanboyed in front of Patton at a Fantomas show and said "Mike you're a God" as he walked by. He laughed and told me I should have better role models than him, and that he was Just a Man. (A Faith No More song, proving he was a God)

[@nickperson6745]

ChucknMcNuggets i think thats my fav FNM song

[@VividAbominations]

@@HendersonHinchfinch It absolutely happened, but I'm the only one thinking about the song. He was not super friendly, and said it as he walked by. Trevor Dunn was a lot more approachable.

[@mole6740]

Omg

[@MetaCitizen]

I super nervously met Devin in Spokane Washington when I was pretty young and I asked if I could shake his hand and he totally gave me a good handshake and when I told him he was my favorite producer, and he seemed genuinely flattered. Its so weird to hear him describe his own version of that situation with another one of my favorite musicians.

[@mickmcmick8247]

Funny, cause when I met Mike Patton, he was super receptive and really awesome to me. I met him by the sound board at Mr Bungle show in Montreal 1999. I was there early and he almost seemed surprised and super happy that I started talking to him. Very cool experience for me. I met Alice Cooper once.... long story and again, super impactful. Devy would be the final touch on my top three rock heroes. Been a massive fan since the Vai album.

[@spy-v-spy1848]

Love the guy met him twice & he was a dick both times. Still love & respect the guy, but one of the biggest reasons I have avoided meeting my heroes. You just don't want to tarnish that & let's face it they can never live up to what we think of them...except Dio cause he was always the best.

[@deanbasham946]

Every time I listen to Dev & Mike I think of what this collaboration would be like! Just listened to Album of The Year and got wondering again. Thanks for this! Gutted but an understandable answer & reason 🤘😊🤘

[@sashatagger3858]

Devin is essentially the Canadian Patton. Just look at how their work ethic mirrors each other, pumping out content on an almost monthly basis!

[@EthnHayabusa]

I admire artists that can spend time with obsessive fans, while being kind and engaging. I am a nobody musician, and dealing with people after shows is always a very fatiguing experience. Everyone means well, some of us just aren’t all that sociable with strangers. I have seen guys like Steve Vai, John Petrucci, et cetera, put up with unbelievably rude, demanding fans with no self awareness. Can’t be easy dealing with all of that aggressive attention day after day.

[@hendrixgeorge6189]

I dont know why but it seems Mike intimidates every person(musician) he meets

[@knifeprtyyyy]

Because Patton is the GOAT and people get weird in the presence of greatness

[@lemuelkrause6297]

Except Sparks

[@robd3529]

I wish more big time musos had this level of humility for their fans

[@EyeBlinked]

Great video, great to see he’s so open and genuine.

[@TrulyStucker]

yes the dude is a legend, really..

[@trakfactri]

Patton and Townsend are both like "musicians' musicians" who musicians really like, but are kinda like cult figures with larger audiences. Their music almost seems like a commentary on music that makes you want to think about it instead of turning off your brain. So there are a lot of fans of both cult artists but their music is very different.

[@rustyshackelford4503]

Patton is and will likely be the most formidable vocalist in rock/metal/whatever for the foreseeable future, but these comments don’t surprise me. Every interview I’ve watched of him he seems super salty. He’s one of those artists I honestly wouldn’t even bother approaching. Love to see him perform live though. I’d be hesitant to approach Devin actually knowing how forward he has been about being uncomfortable talking with people. I totally get that.

[@benbleed]

Dave & Mike are huge, but not half the musician & amazing fucking human being you are Devin.

[@user-oy7gz5bf2h]

Only met Devin once. It was after a SYL show in a small club in the early 2000s. He was very polite and made a point to go in the crowd. I have a picture with the guy. Taken with a camera... Different times. Also met Mike once. He was cool with the fans. But I can totally imagine how crappy he might make someone feel if he's not interested.

[@jbbya6040]

He's so tough on himself.

[@1TakoyakiStore]

Knowing this now I would be more receptive to meeting Devin in person. As just another fan in a sea of fans I feel like they've got better things to do than humble a nobody's request for social time or attention such as myself. I almost saw Devin once in the early 10's. If he comes around again I'm definitely gonna see him play.

[@alchemist1111]

Grotus! LOL! So happy to hear him mention that. He’s right too, we stood at the front of the stage looking at all their pedals and asking them about the baritone guitars and they were cool as can be. In some box somewhere I may still have a t shirt with a big and simple green G on it that I bought that night.

[@genaroguerrero9228]

that coff at 2:31 is so surround

[@marcus.thoren]

cough*

[@rustyshackleford891]

Watched this in headphones and that cough literally made me jump lol.

[@Beelzebub-x9f]

Imagine Mike Patton,Mike Portnoy and Devin Townsend get Grotus back together

[@askedkedeldeif]

What a cool, genuine freaking dude man.

[@princessstomper8068]

Love it! I was totally that kid, and people were almost always nice to me. It fascinated me, too - watching Radiohead become popular because Jonny and Colin would mingle before and after every gig - just spend a few minutes chatting with people, building up that loyalty. Thom, who hated that stuff, just didn't take part: leave it to the extraverts. It worked out very well for them. It must be so much harder if you're a solo artist (or very prominent 'face' of the band) - you can't just send out the bass player to take on that emotional labour.

[@MooseyFate100]

Yo, but imagine Mike Patton singing "Underneath the Waves" by SYL

[@jasongreenfield1099]

Queensryche (with the exception of Geoff Tate) were awesome with the fans. Geoff wasn't nasty, just very quick, all business. Moby is very quiet and reserved. Peter Murphy from Bauhaus was another really great musician to meet.

[@davaughan100]

GROTUS!

[@Oddstories]

Because too many fans suck. I heard many times he is a douchebag in person, but I honestly don't blame him. Some fans just say the most stupid shit. Now amplify that by a million... Every single day. You are going to lose your cool really fast. Devin nailed it completely. Patton is one of my favorite artists since 88... But you can't go slobbering over the dude and act like a insane fan. He's just a man who has talent and got noticed in the music world.

[@user-oy7gz5bf2h]

Funny, I don't thing I ever thought of those two together. Both were a huge influence on me growing up.

[@War624]

0:24-0:30 Devin telling the truth.

[@kylek7748]

Holy shit that would be a true clash of the titans. That'd be 2 of my top 4 favorite front men of all time collabing

[@nefertitimalaty2284]

What are the 2 other ones?

[@kylek7748]

@@nefertitimalaty2284 Thom yorke and Maynard james keenan

[@jravell]

I, myself, think that the Thomas Dolby of Metal should do something with Thomas Dolby.

[@JoshuaSpades]

I asked Devin about 8 years ago if he would want to do a collaboration with Mike Patton and what direction he'd go in and he said "Absolutely, alien symphonies." I've heard off multiple people Mike could be a dick earlier in his career but he was really cool when I met him in 2010.

[@Metal-Possum]

There's no denying they're both excellent vocalists, but I'll always mention Devin Townsend when somebody wants to make the rather tired comment that Mike Patton has an unbeatable range. I still think after all these years that Devin gets too much credit for his guitar playing, and never enough credit for his singing.

[@robertovergaravergara5997]

Patton is god

[@PanasonicTooth]

Trick question, Lemmy is god.

[@robertovergaravergara5997]

@@PanasonicTooth lemy is king of metal

[@booshting3520]

I bet if Patton and Townsend teamed up they could destroy the Beiber

[@mikehemens9359]

Or Townsend do a ting with Biebs and leave Patton in the dust.

[@nicoleinrainbows]

GRÖTÜS LOVE

[@JS-tm1gq]

He should do a collaboration with Steve Vai...

[@Botrytis18]

Oh snap!

[@erakattack]

regarding that bit about "Punishers", what does he mean? I didn't quite understand..

[@phredbull]

That it's like a punishment for artists to still have to engage with persistent fans, hours after the show, when they'd rather just be relaxing alone in the bus or at the hotel.

[@erakattack]

@@phredbull oh gotcha

[@Taniacanseeya]

I think Patton is going through something, at the moment. Saw him play last yr. He had gained a bunch of weight & seemed just pissed, overall. Think he pays a lot of attention to what goes on politically nowadays, & it’s causing him loads of stress & anxiety.

[@silverdragon710]

he specifically stated he's antipolitical

[@Oddstories]

It's called, "getting old"

[@mikehemens9359]

What? Getting fat and jaded? -dont believe the hype.

[@ADXART888]

Can you imagine????

[@ct5625]

I met a band I really loved in Oxford UK (Rocco DeLuca and the Burden) many years ago and it was the most awkward and forced situation I've ever experienced. That put me off ever doing it again. I've had the opportunity to meet several, from Skin of Skunk Anansie, Benji from Skindred, KatieJane Garside of Daisy Chainsaw and Queenadreena, but I really don't feel comfortable with the whole idea of it. It would be different if you're just at a pub or something and you happen to see them, you can just say hello and that you appreciate what they create, but the idea of lining up to be one of a hundred they feel obliged to meet just makes me cringe.

[@Beelzebub-x9f]

Mike would do a project with you

[@SewerAnimal]

General Patton. -and heavy devi do song with Tom Waits in c part in song. I buy it a nickel coin.

[@kennysoriginalmusicchannel5916]

I thought he collaborated with Mike on the song "middle aged man." Maybe not.

[@mikehemens9359]

Basically, "no, fuck mike Patton" but in Canadian.

[@123612100]

Patton and Grohl probably feel like idiots now. Eh who am I kidding they probably either don't remember Devin or don't care. Maybe instead of asking Devin if he will ever collaborate with Mike ask Mike if he'll ever collaborate with Devin.

[@Hid4ri]

Maybe Dave, but i dont think Mike gives a crap. Dave Grohl has matured and become an amazing person where Mike Patton is one of the best singers in the world, but he will always be a dick, because he enjoys treating people badly. Every person that i know who has met Mike had a bad experience.

[@juanvaldez5422]

@@Hid4ri really? He's that big a dick?

[@WellFedProductions]

HIDARI I’ve met him a bunch of times and he’s always been super nice...

[@Hid4ri]

Well Fed Productions then you are the first person I have shared a conversation space with that has said that. Don’t get me wrong though I think the guy musically is awesome. He is a rock god. But he is a dick.. 99% of the time.

[@shawushkafromhattusa5529]

@@Hid4ri Not true. I met him twice, once with FNM and later with Dead Cross. He’s always been nice and funny. The second time I met him in Amsterdam and he even remembered we've met somewhere before. And he kissed my hand goodbye. (sorry for my english, it's not my mother tongue)

[@bwaka9178]

Grotus is a very weird band I'm surprised they ever had an audience

[@nobodyspecial5318]

Grotus fucking rule

[@joaquimpattonpuig3326]

Donde esta mike??

[@isukatgeetar15]

I don't know how I feel about a Patton/Townsend collab. If this were 15 years ago and a SYL/Patton collab would've occurred, that would've been fucking awesome. I think that would've been a collab to end all collabs. But from the stuff I've heard, Patton seems to be well past his prime songwriting wise. While Dev is still managing to churn out damn good music.

[@allenvrabac4827]

They have different approach to projects.

[@momomin6814]

ILMAO You clearly don't listen or read Patton's lyrics currently

[@csantana1971]

i didnt get what happened to Mike Patton? Was he rude? MP is the weirdest of all...

[@princessstomper8068]

He doesn't say but the implication is that he was a bit offhand. I hear good things about Mike Patton generally so he was probably having an off day.

[@mikehemens9359]

I checked out a thing he did "head" something. Feckin sounded alot like "civil war" a minute or so in so I decided I'm not a fan. Dude is popular tho!

[@destroyerofstupid7073]

Why would anyone get upset about being snubbed about Dave gay touch grohl. Makes awful music riding the coast tails of nirvana which sucked ass.

[@jonnydavies6968]

I have a book with a great quote from Dev in it. While he professes that "Angel Dust" is his favourite FNM album, he admits that it "sounds like shit. Never liked the sound of it, never will". Man after my own heart. It's difficult living with this dichotomy. I don't know whether it's the mix, the mastering or the EQ, but Angel Dust does sound pretty shit. Mike Bordin's drums are worst! Sound like a flat pancake. The guitars are just so dry and non-present. However, it is my favourite FNM album too. Go figure.