The Dillinger Escape Plan pour l'album "Ire Works"

1. Hi this sam from thrashocore, a French Metal webzine, how are you ?

I'm ok. Busy but good.


2. First of all, I've got a question that I've been gnawing on for years, how did you come up with the name of the band ?

10 years ago we started writing songs. A friend was putting on a show and asked if we wanted to play. We said ok. He asked what our name was and we didn't have one. This other friend of ours was watching a documentary on John Dillinger and said “how about The Dillinger Escape Plan” and we said ok.


3. We're getting closer and closer from the release of "Ire Works", how do you feel ?

I already feel extremely happy about the record. Even though people haven't heard it I know we achieved what we were looking to achieve. Hopefully people will like it but we are happy about the record regardless.


4. You released an digital EP, How did you choose the tracks to cover on "Plagiarism", and why did you choose to release it only on the internet ?

Those were just songs we were playing around with either live or at practice. We decided to record them for fun and our label put them out as an Itunes release just so there was something new out there while we were touring.


5. Just before the recording of Ire Works, you had to undergo the departure of Chris Pennie and Brian Benoit : do you feel "cursed" as a band ?

Yes we do feel cursed. I would crack an egg over my head and kiss a chicken if I thought it would help. In the meantime we just have the rocky attitude. It's not how many times you get knocked down but how many times you get back up again.


6. Have you ever considered splitting up ?

I consider it all the time. I just take it day by day. I have no idea how long this band will last.


7. Do you feel DEP is by nature an unstable band ? How do you feel these departures will influence the future music of DEP ?

It's sad to see all these changes but it's also become a part of what we are. I feel like I started this band 10 years ago and now I just brain wash new people to come in and turn them into this monster hahahahah. Musically I was always the main song writer so there is no reason why we can't continue with the old and embrace the new.


8. How did the recording go as far as this third album is concerned?

It was difficult working with a new drummer because we had to very quickly assimilate him into the process. It was really rewarding though and we worked harder then we ever have on a record.


9. From what I've heard "Ire Works" seems way more accessible (and by that I don't mean more commercial), did you write it in that purpose ?

There was no bigger picture to make this record more accessible but I think we are just getting better at writing records that flow as a complete body of work. I also think that the listeners ears are starting to become more adaptable to this kind of music then when we were started.


10. How do you think your hardcore fans will react when they'll hear the album ? Did you prepare yourself for some "sell-out" bashing ?

I think for the most part the kids who only liked us because we are noisy and fast are gone. They left us a long time ago. We are an eclectic band and diversity and artistic freedom has always been more important to us then anything. Our real fans love that about us. Everyone else can suck my dick.


11. About the title, is there a meaning for "Ire Works" ? (I didn't know if "Works" was used as a verb or noun, which makes completely different meanings.)

Ire works has to do with the anger and frustration that goes into writing a dillinger record. We are normal people with normal problems but living in the condition that we live in enhance those frustrations and that is what keeps this band real.


12. Since you write highly technical, fast music, when you write it, who do you think of first : you or the audience ?

We just try and make sure we feel it. If we don't feel it nobody will. You can't please everyone so worrying about what someone wants to hear is a dead end street.


13. Being a musician myself, I can't really comprehend how you do come up with those insane riffs. How does the composition process usually work?

Probably the same as any other band. I just come up with an idea on the guitar or a drums and work it out with the guys. Then I will record what we have and sit back and listen and try and think what else it needs to be complete. Sometimes I program ideas on the computer which helps organize my thoughts.


14. My first reaction when I saw the cover (which I really like but nobody cares) of Ire Works was : "Pink Floyd" which your music doesn't really sound like. Who designed the cover and is there a meaning to it ?

Yeah I think it is pretty much a Pink Floyd rip off. I like it. Nice and clean and sterile. Different' then any of our other records. Our friend Shelby who used to play in a band called Frodus designed it.


15. I have the impression that there's a growing insertion of electronics in your music, is that a conscious evolution, and how did you bring it in the general chaos of your music ?

I work on sound design and programming a lot. I love it. I probably do that stuff more then I play guitar. Most of the electronics on this record were created when I was at home after having surgery on my shoulder. I was pretty much closed up in my room with all the lights off for a week and I only had the use of one hand so that is what I did.


16. On the electronic side of the album, I thought a lot about the last Nine Inch Nails album, for the electronically-stretched saturated parts, were there any electronic bands that influenced you (besides NIN which you know since you covered "Wish") ?

Yeah NIN has been a huge influence but bands like Aphex Twin and Square Pusher have always been the future to me. Bands like that have not only influenced the electronic nature of our music but the organic as well.

17. Who are your influences as a player ? Is there another non-musical artist that strongly influenced you ?

Not really.


18. Are there any themes to this album ?

The idea that we are living in a time now that technology is starting for the first time to influence how we are as humans has been interesting to me. For a long time we have trying to make computers more human. Digital more real. Now I see people learning how to be people from things like Youtube and myspace. Peoples email and phones are becoming extensions of themselves. I think the future is going to be how these computers can influence how we do things organically. That is what we tried to do with this record.


19. I was sorry to see that the European tour with Meshuggah didn't happen, I was really looking forward to see it, have we a chance to see that happening in the future ?

We have always wanted to do it. They are a difficult band to lock down. They don't tour much.


20. Is there a tour planned for the release of this new album?

Yes we will be touring everywhere we can.

21. You have already played in France. How did the French audience respond to your music? What did you think of the public?

France has been one of the most responsive countries for us. France has really be supportive of our evolution .


22. I don't know if you're aware of it (and really why shouldn't you be…) but there's a growing French chaotic hardcore scene, with bands like Comity, Shoemaker Levy 9 ? Do you know any of it and what do you think about it?

I don't follow a lot of heavy music and in general, unfortunately, the US isn't exposed to much music from overseas. I have heard a few of these bands and have noticed that for the most part, the French bands seem to be much more antistatic and open to experimentation. I like that.


23. If you do, What do you do for a living apart from the band, and what are the other members do ?

I manage the band and have done some other music consulting. Greg is homeless and Liam works at his cousins insurance company sometimes.


24. If you could organize your own metal festival, which bands would be invited?

Fuck I don't know. I don't listen to Much Metal. I would have to get back to you on that one.


25. What are you listening to these days? Any good metal / non metal albums to recommend?

I have been listening to a lot of soundtrack music. A lot of Han Zimmer. A lot of old Napalm Death lately too.


26. Is there any question you'd wish an interviewer would ask you ?

Not really. hahah


27. Last words are yours!

Thanks for your interest and I look forward to paying France again. We love it.