MIKE PATTON Opens Up About His Mental Health Struggles

Faith No More and Mr. Bungle cancelled a ton of tour dates in both 2021 and 2022 after vocalist Mike Patton backed out of live performances, citing ongoing mental health issues. Of course the rock and metal community was concerned about Patton's wellbeing and wishes him all the best in his recovery. Now in an interview with Rolling Stone, Patton has opened up about his issues saying he was "basically diagnosed [as] having agoraphobia."

"It’s still going on — but it’s better. [Pauses]. It’s easy to blame it on the pandemic. But I’ll be honest, man: At the beginning of the pandemic, I was like, 'This is fucking great. I can stay home and record." I’ve got a home studio. So I was like, 'Yeah, what’s the big deal?" And then something clicked, and I became completely isolated and almost antisocial [and] afraid of people.

"That sort of anxiety, or whatever you want to call it, led to other issues, which I choose not to discuss. But I got some professionals helping me, and now I’m feeling better and getting closer to diving back in. Towards the end of the year, I’ll be doing my first shows in, like, two years, which is the longest time since I started doing this, that I’ve been out of the game."

Patton and Dead Cross just announced a new album II, which he said he recorded from home about a year ago. As for his relationship with his Faith No More bandmates after pulling out of touring right before the first rehearsal, Patton said "[it's been] radio silence [with them]. [Laughs]. I don’t know. We may reschedule stuff; we may not. I’ll just leave it at that. It’s a little confusing and complicated. So if we do, we do. If we don’t, that’s cool, too." Again, we wish Patton all the best and hope to see him on stage whenever he's ready to do so.