Old Music Tuesdays: The Dillinger Escape Plan

I can’t believe I haven’t yet written an Old Music Tuesdays post on one of my favorite heavy metal bands: The Dillinger Escape Plan. And they’re from New Jersey, like me! I’ve decided to kick off the new year by correcting that oversight.

The Dillinger Escape Plan’s music is a little bit hard to classify, which is great because it means they’re doing something unique. They’re mostly metal, and a lot of the riffs are very cacophonous to the untrained ear. (That’s because the band is experimenting with speed, time signatures, and distortion in ways that a lot of bands won’t touch.) There are also elements of jazz, mathcore, prog rock, punk, industrial, and even classical music in their songs. If you’re into heavy music, you probably already know them. For the few who don’t, give them a listen. They’re not for everyone, but once you’re on board, you’ll love them.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t on board with them right away. When they formed in 1997, I was mostly into punk rock and grunge. I knew of the band because my best friend was dating the drummer’s sister. (The original drummer, Chris Pennie, went on to join and leave Coheed and Cambria after leaving Dillinger.) I went to go see them perform in 1999 with a girl from my art school. I enjoyed the pit, but I didn’t really get the music.

I finally “got it” in 2003. I had become the Mike Patton fanboy than I remain to this day, and I learned that he had taken over vocal duties on a Dillinger EP. (I’ve included my favorite song from that EP at the end of this post.) I bought the CD and was blown away. It’s only three original songs and a cover, but worth a listen. It’s simultaneously heavy and abrasive while being beautiful and technical. (Of course, there’s also the obligatory Mike Patton weirdness thrown in for good measure.)

I was excited for the follow-up full length album, but was disappointed to learn that Patton’s involvement was a one-shot deal. My disappointment was unfounded, though, as the new vocalist (Greg Puciato) stepped in to his frontman duties with great skill and passion. Puciato is more of a metal vocalist than Patton. Patton is a lot more eclectic in his vocal delivery and choice of music projects. (In hindsight, I should have known that there was no way he could’ve stayed with the band.)

I’ve seen the band perform once more, in 2010, but would definitely like to see them again. Their live show is absolutely insane. (I got to see them with Animals As Leaders in Pomona, California.)

With Puciato, The Dillinger Escape Plan has released four full length albums and an EP of cover songs, to date. They’re all worth checking out if you’ve got the taste for some controlled chaos. My favorite album is 2010’s Option Paralysis, and I’ve shared the first song off of that record. I think it’s a great example of the band’s use of transitions between lightning quick thrash noise and a more mainstream rock sound (starting at 1:55). (Don’t let the video give you a seizure, though.)

I also really like the lyrics, though admittedly they are a bit of a downer with a pretty hopeless message. (It’s about inevitability and futility.) I really like the lyric “What did you expect from us? We’re murderers! Murderers and rapists and liars and thieves! You should never put your trust in any of us…” Puciato’s delivery is perfect.

In addition to The Dillinger Escape Plan, Greg Puciato is in a supergroup with Max Cavalera (Soulfly) and Troy Sanders (Mastodon). They released a CD last year under the moniker Killer Be Killed. (Check it out.) There’s going to be another supergroup album featuring DEP and Mastodon called Giraffe Tongue Orchestra. This time, it’s Ben Weinman (DEP’s guitarist) and Brent Hinds (Mastodon’s vocalist/guitarist). Juliette Lewis (yes, Mallory Knox) is on vocals. It’s definitely the album I’m most anticipating this year.

Enjoy the music and buy the CD by clicking the Amazon link. As always, thanks for reading! Please share this post if you care to support this site.

Lyrics

Wash it down the drain
Down the drain
Wash your smile down

Wash it down the drain please
Like animals destined for fuel or observance
Our role is clear never stray far from the path

Everything has an end

But what am I supposed to say?
Oh sorry I guess I forgot
You think you could tell me again?
Please?
I don’t remember
What am I supposed to think?
What am I supposed to feel?

There’s no feeling in this place
The echoes of the past speak louder
Than any voice I hear right now
Don’t you ever try to be
More than you were destined for
Or anything worth fighting for
There’s no feeling in this place
There’s no feeling in this place
Feeling in this place

What did you expect?
That we would never leave home?
That we would never leave?
What did you expect?
That we would never leave home?
That we would never leave?
That we would never leave?
That we would never leave?
That we would never leave?
What did you expect from us?
We’re murderers!

Murderers and rapists and liars and thieves!
You should never put your trust in any of us
There is nothing to gain from this interference
Don’t you ever try to be
More than you were destined for
Or anything worth fighting for
There’s no feeling in this place
The past speaks louder than anything I hear right now

Here’s a bonus song from the Irony is a Dead Scene EP, featuring (my man-crush) Mike Patton on vocals.

Lyrics

Do you remember where you were on that day?
A day of life sentences and x-rays
My name was on that birthday cake

[Chinga]
Your mother, your father, your brother, and the thing under the covers
Your lover, the others, the leeches, and the serpents and the suckers
Your mother, your father, the babies and the nurses and the doctors
Your lover, the others, the waiting room, the gurney and the druggers
Your mother, your father, the comas and the way the spirits hover
Your lover, the others, I thought I wasn’t smart enough to suffer

Speaking pig latin
Kiss me goodnight
Dreaming white satin
Kiss me goodnight

Freedom—tying your legs down
Freedom—fucking your brains out
Freedom—blowing the candles out
Freedom—waving to the crowd

And I hate long goodbyes anyway…

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