Biography of The Dillinger Escape Plan

The hardcore punk five-piece the Dillinger Escape Plan formed in 1997 as an act against typical pop music and an aim to redefine punk. Originally starting off as a trio with guitarist Ben Weinman, vocalist Dimiitri Minakakis, and drummer Chris Pennie, the Dillinger Escape Plan began playing basements and house parties in order to get their name around. Bassist Adam Doll soon joined and the band set out to compose their own material, finally issuing the independent self-titled mini-album. Their live shows were notoriously energetic and this caught the eye of former Jesuit guitarist Brian Benoit, who was asked to join in 1998 after original guitarist John had left the band the previous year. Under the Running Board EP was issued in fall 1998, with Calculating Infinity and a tour with Mr. Bungle following in 1999. A self-titled third album appeared in summer 2000. As 2001 rolled around, the band was faced with the departure of Minakakis, forcing them to put their new material on hold while searching for a new singer. They recorded an EP with Fantomas leader Mike Patton and eventually found their replacement in Greg Puciato. ~ MacKenzie Wilson