King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime was pre-released as a limited-edition two-record vinyl album, limited to 100,000 copies, two weeks before the album went on general sale. (This seems to be the norm with many new releases these days, funny how things come full circle.) I got this piece when I worked at an independent music store in 1995 from a label rep who knew I was a huge fan of the band.
In good condition this record sells today for around $400.00, but wait, there’s more . . .
King for a Day… Fool for a Lifetime is the fifth studio album by Faith No More, released in 1995. The album showcased a greater variety than the band’s usual heavy metal leanings. and contained a number of shifting genres, including jazz-funk in “Evidence”, the country rock of “Take This Bottle”, or the gospel-influenced “Just a Man”This is the only Faith No More album to feature guitarist Trey Spruance, who was also a member of Mr. Bungle with Mike Patton.
A chance encounter . . .
In 2001 Mike Patton was touring with the Tomahawk, which is a supergroup of sorts featuring ex-The Jesus Lizard guitar player Duane Denison, ex-Helmet drummer John Stanier (currently playing with Battles), and Melvins/Cows bass player Kevin Rutmanis.
Mike Patton - Tomahawk at La Zona Rosa, Austin TX 2001
I did not have tickets to the show but drove past the venue in the afternoon with the LP above in my car. As luck would have it Mike Patton was outside before soundcheck. I stopped my car, ran over and asked if he would sign my record. He happily obliged and then he asked if I was coming to the show. I told him I didn’t have tickets as it had been sold out for weeks. He went inside the club, brought out the guest list and wrote my name down plus one. Seriously one of the coolest moments of my music obsessed life.
Now keep in mind, Mike Patton does not autograph too many things. He signature is very tiny for some reason as you can see below:
Another interesting thing I found while researching for this post are the actual critics reviews from 1995. Who got it right, and who was out of their mind?
Entertainment Weekly gave the album a grade of C- and called it an “archaic progressive-rock fusion, oddly out of step with the times”
Michael Snyder of the San Francisco Chronicle (the band’s hometown), called it “an utter triumph”, adding that it was “enigmatic, sarcastic, provocative and incisive”.
New York Magazine described the album as “baroquely, nightmarishly weird”, praising Mike Patton’s vocals.
What do you think? Are you a Faith No More fan? What about Mike Patton? Share your thoughts below in the comments section and thanks for reading.
