The Dillinger Escape Plan

The Dillinger Escape Plan, mathcore band hailing from Morris Plains, New Jersey, have often been credited as being one of the originators of the metal core scene. The band, whose current members consists of guitarist Ben Weinman, vocalist Greg Puciato, bassist Liam Wilson, guitarist Jeff Tuttle, and drummer Billy Rymer, has delivered some of the most intense rock performances for well over a decade.

Originating in 1997, the band was formerly made up of other members such as Chris Pennie, Dimitri Minakakis, and Adam Doll. Weinman, the current guitarist, has been with the group since it’s early days. During this time period, the Dillinger Escape Plan gained a reputation in the hardcore punk scene for their often intense and violent performances. These wild performances caught the attention of a record executive at Relapse Records, and immediately offered the band a contract. Following the offer, the band released an EP titled “Under the Running Board” in 1998.

After the release of their EP, the band completed their first studio album, “Calculating Infinity,” which gained positive reviews and would go on to be considered a landmark of avante-garde metal. During this time, the band lost members Adam Doll to a serious injury, and John Fulton due to creative differences. Jeff Wood would eventually replace Doll, even though Doll would still be credited with all his contributions to the album. The group’s work also caught the attention of Mike Patton, former vocalist of the group Faith No More, and offered the band go on tour with his group, Mr. Bungle. After several months of being part of events such as the Warped tour and March Metal Meltdown, Wood moved on to work on his own project, which lead to bassist Liam Wilson taking over his place. In 2000, the band parted ways with Minakakis.

With no vocalist, the group went on a nationwide search to find the next lead singer. That problem would be answered in 2001 when they met vocalist, Greg Puciato, who was offered a job by the band after two practices. Puciato made his first public appearance with the band at the 2001 CMJ Music Festival in New York City. Soon after, Puciato and the band recorded songs for the Black Flag tribute album, as well as a cover of “My Michelle” for the Guns N’ Roses tribute album, “Bring You To Your Knees.”

In 2004, the band released their first full-length studio album under Puciata titled “Miss Machine,” which was met with favorable reviews. The album peaked at number two on the Top Heatseakers charts. Following the release, the band embarked on a two-year tour, where they found themselves headlining their own tours and also opening up for groups such as SlipKnot and System of a Down.

After the release of their EP “Plagiarism,” and opening for groups such as AFI and Coheed & Cambria, the group completed and released their follow-up album, “Ire Works, in late 2007. The album became a commercial success and was featured on many music critics’ Top Ten Lists, making it the band’s most successful album. The band performed made an appearance on NBC’s Late Night With Conan O’Brien, and even had their song, Milk Lizard, featured on an episode of CBS’ CSI: NY.

In late 2009, the band confirmed that they had started their own label, Party Smasher, Inc. The band’s first studio album on their new label, Option Paralysis, was released in 2010 followed by a short North American tour, and performing in this summer’s Warped Tour.

In our exclusive interview with the band’s guitarist, Ben Weinman discusses topics such as life on tour, the differences from today and ten years ago, what makes them original, and many more!