One of rock & roll's most well-known and well-respected bands, The Dillinger Escape Plan has carved a seriously-large fan base over their long-running career.
After being pegged by hopeful fans to perform at next summer's Soundwave Festival, the latest announcement of an east-coast tour throughout August seems to put paid to those rumours, while also cheering up fans with a promise of getting up close and personal with some of contemporary music's most innovative creators.
Here, Ben Weinman – lead guitarist and only remaining member of the original line-up – talks new music, old music, and creating things that you love.
You’re coming to Australia at the end of August. When was the last time you were here?
We were here for Soundwave Festival two summers ago.
The band’s sound has, for a long time, been categorised as mathcore because of your use of syncopated or unusual time signatures. How would you describe Dillinger’s sound?
I'd say it's aggressive fusion without the limitations of traditional Western music expectation.
Your last record, ‘One Of Us Is The Killer’, came out in 2013. Are there plans for a new record?
Yes. We plan on going in the studio this autumn.
You guys are originally from New Jersey, but where are you currently based? Have you noticed any changes in sound as you guys change location or setting?
I still live in the same town I was born in, so no I haven't noticed any change.
As the only remaining original member of the band, has it been interesting to watch the progression of the band and its creative output?
Of course. I think it has for all the guys. Most of them have been in the band for longer than most bands have existed and they were fans of the band before that.
I really wanted to talk about your launch last year of Party Smasher Inc, which is based on cool philosophies regarding self-made creatives and the promotion of these creatives by other creatives. Why did you think this was something that needed to be put out there?
I feel that while the internet creates an easy platform for artists to get exposure and create without boundaries, it also often removes any sense of quality control. It's our job, as consumers, to make the effort and find trusted sources of information. Even more importantly perhaps, it's our job as creatives to limit the time we spend chasing after dead ends that don't inspire us to create responsibly. Basically for the right reasons.
How has Party Smasher been received?
Amazing. Party Smasher Inc is a gang. It's been unbelievable how many successful people in the creative world have stepped up and asked me how they can be involved. The amount of Party Smasher Inc tattoos out there alone tells me we are doing something right. Really exciting.
As a well-established musician, how do you attempt to strike a balance between creating something you are totally invested in and also dealing with the corporate-minded side of the music business?
That's a great question. It's hard. But the business of art is something I love. But what you have to realise is that I'm interested in selling truth. If I believe in it I want it out there and the business is a part of that. I'm not interested in selling what I do. I'm interested in selling why I do it.
Anything else you’d like to say about the Australian tour or upcoming music?
That we can not wait to play in your country. It really feels like home to us. Thanks so much for your interest and see some of you guys in August.
Written by Eva Phillips
The Dillinger Escape Plan Tour Dates
Fri 28 Aug - Prince Band Room (Melbourne)Sat 29 Aug - Max Watts (Sydney)
Sun 30 Aug - Max Watts (Brisbane)
