Dillinger Escape Plan founding member and guitarist Ben Weinman reflects on the band's history (full minute by minute guide below) as they complete their farewell world tour after 20 years pushing the boundaries of innovation in modern heavy music. He discusses how Mike Patton was the reason singer Greg Puciato joined the band, how current bandmates Greg and Billy have changed him, the meanings behind some of their most played songs (Milk Lizard, Black Bubblegum, Symptom of a Terminal Illness, One of Us Is The Killer), the very early days with a hyper devoted Chris Pennie in a basement, what original singer Dimitri thinks of their sold out finale shows, what they were looking to do when they recorded their first EP "Under The Running Board" and more.
00:00 The passage of time
00:24 The decision to end Dillinger Escape Plan
01:55 How Greg Puciato changed Ben Weinman as a songwriter and how Ben has remained the Dillinger base and Greg has maintained a constant state of evolution
04:12 Why did Ben start Dillinger Escape Plan?
06:17 The biggest risk of the early years
08:24 Dillinger is a mult-limbed beast; a different kind of animal to Nine Inch Nails
08:56 Talking to original singer Dimitri about the New York City shows
09:56 Getting attacked by gypsies on tour
12:30 The tour bus crash and a terrifying near-death experience with his family and what is next
15:46 How drummer Billy Rymer has changed the way he sees rhythm
18:07 Why there won’t be a reunion
19:58 His longtime friend Mike Patton, and how the former Dillinger Escape Plan vocalist brought singer Greg Puciato to the band
22:07 The secret stories behind the most played songs on Spotify: Milk Lizard, Black Bubblegum, Symptom of a Terminal Illness, One of Us Is The Killer
27:41 Making the “Under The Running Board” EP. He and Chris Pennie’s relationship in the studio.
33:29 Greg Puciato on living an existential and very sensory life.
34:46 Film soundtracks and Nine Inch Nails
37:11 Most artists are obsessive and compulsive; it can be a tormented existence but it can also create great music. This music has been a way to deal with life
40:27 The profound significance of Radiohead’s OK Computer
41:46 What he worked out internally by making Calculating Infinity largely on his own
44:01 David Bowie’s triumphant exit