IN CONVERSATION: BEN WEINMAN FROM THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN
Interview by John Howarth
Following an 8 year hiatus, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN return to Australia in August for a very limited number of live shows to commemorate their groundbreaking album Calculating Infinity and so much more.
When REVOLVER, which is by every metric the world’s top heavy rock magazine, ran a comprehensive survey of music fans and critics, in search of the 5 Greatest Live Band Of All Time, the results were decisive, clear and overwhelming. Beating the likes of Metallica, Iron Maiden, Tool and Pantera to the summit was THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN at Number One! Which was no surprise to anyone who has seen them live.
“1. Dillinger Escape Plan: When it comes to irreverent, no-holds-barred onstage antics, none did it better, or more boldly, than spazzcore innovators Dillinger Escape Plan. Throwing sanity, restraint, common sense and the band members’ own personal safety to the wind, the quintet approached each show as its own unique, arcane ritual, baptizing audiences with blood, sweat and chaos. No one ever left a Dillinger show without a memory — and possibly even a scar — to treasure for life, and a story to shock, astound and horrify disbelieving friends and family with. DEP bid fans farewell at the end of 2017, as possibly the world’s last truly dangerous rock band.”
Guitarist Ben Weinman chats about the Australian Tour and more!
This reunion marks the first time The Dillinger Escape Plan has played live in Australia since 2017’s ‘final ever tour.’ What sparked the decision to return now — and why was Calculating Infinity the catalyst?
‘’Honestly, we weren’t planning to come back. When we said those were our final shows in 2017, we meant it. We were exhausted—in every way. But over the years, Calculating Infinity never really left us. People kept bringing it up. That record became more than just a debut—it was a warning shot, a manifesto. And as the 25th anniversary started creeping up, it hit us: this thing deserves to be honoured on stage, with the people who were there at the start. And who knows how much longer we’ll be physically capable of pulling off a set like that? So we said, “F**k it. Let’s do it the right way, with the right people.”
Revolver Magazine recently named you the "Greatest Live Band of All Time," ahead of legends like Metallica, Iron Maiden, Tool and Pantera. How does it feel to receive that kind of recognition and do you feel pressure to perform to that standard?
‘’It’s surreal and a little absurd, to be honest. Those bands were gods to us growing up. To even be in the same conversation feels like a prank. But if people think we earned that reputation, it’s because we were never playing at the crowd—we were throwing ourselves into the void every night. There’s no choreography, no safety net. Just chaos, conviction, and a total disregard for self-preservation. Pressure? Sure. But that’s always been there. We thrive on it. If we’re going out there, it’s all or nothing.’’
Fans and critics alike have called Dillinger’s shows legendary — chaotic, unhinged, unforgettable. How do you prepare mentally and physically to deliver that kind of intensity?
‘’It’s not something you rehearse. You can’t plan for what we do—you just prepare your body to survive it. These days, I’ve got to warm up my hands a bit more, get my head straight. Back then, we just showed up and wrecked ourselves. Sort of the same even now, but mentally, it’s always been about reaching that place where you don’t give a shit about anything except the moment. You shut the world out and let instinct take over. The show starts, and it’s a war zone—for us and for the crowd. That’s what people remember. The risk. The sweat. The danger.’’
Revisiting Calculating Infinity in a live setting after all these years — how has your perspective on the album changed since its release, both musically and emotionally?
‘’Back then, we were just trying to burn everything down. We wanted to piss people off, confuse them, challenge what heavy music could be. And looking back, I’m kind of shocked by how far we took it. The songs are insane. Pure chaos. But there’s a logic buried in the madness that I’m appreciating more now. Emotionally, it’s different too. That album came from a place of frustration, of being outsiders. Now, playing it again, it feels like taking control of something raw that once controlled us. It’s still intense, but the intensity hits in a deeper way now.’’
In a scene that’s constantly evolving, what do you think The Dillinger Escape Plan gave to heavy music that hadn’t been done before — and do you think anyone has picked up where you left off?
‘’We didn’t follow a blueprint. We burned the blueprint. Everyone was trying to sound tight, clean, follow trends—and we wanted to sound like a building collapsing on itself. No polish, just violence and precision in the same breath. I think what we brought to the table was a sense that anything could happen at any moment. Not just musically, but physically—on stage, in the crowd, in the air. And sure, some bands have carried the torch in their own way, but Dillinger wasn’t just a sound—it was a mindset. That’s harder to copy than riffs’’
Can you take us back to that first comeback show in Brooklyn with Dimitri what was it like stepping on stage together again after so many years and what does it mean to do this tour with Dimitri back in the lineup?
‘’That show was pure adrenaline and nerves. We hadn’t shared a stage with Dimitri in over 20 years, and none of us knew how it was going to go. But the second we launched into that first track, it felt like time folded in on itself. All the years, all the noise, all the struggle—it came rushing back. Dimitri was the original spark. We built this thing from the ground up together. Doing this tour with him isn’t just nostalgia—it’s reclaiming that original fire and giving it one last, furious send-off.’’
Looking back at Calculating Infinity, what do you think it was about that record that changed the landscape of heavy music — and what does it mean to you personally, 25 years later?
‘’That album didn’t ask for permission. It punched you in the face and then dragged you through a maze. No choruses, no hooks, no safe spots. It was designed to disorient. And I think that’s why it stuck. It made people rethink what was possible. Personally, it was the record that gave me a voice in a scene that didn’t have space for weirdos like us. 25 years later, it’s like looking at an old scar—it hurt like hell at the time, but now it’s a mark you wear with pride. It means survival. It means we mattered.’’
You have had a great run of tours in Australia over the years. What are some of your fondest memories?
‘’Australia’s always been wild. The shows are intense, the people are passionate, and there’s this raw energy in the air every time we’ve played there. I remember jumping off stages into total mayhem, meeting fans who drove 10 hours just to scream every word. We did some of our best damage at festivals like Soundwave, but even the club gigs were out of control. And it’s not just the shows—there’s a vibe in Australia that makes you feel welcome. Like you’re not just passing through. You’re part of something.’’
What can your extremely devoted Australian fans expect from this last ever Australian tour?
‘’They can expect the real thing—no gimmicks, no soft reunion vibes. We’re bringing Calculating Infinity to life the way it was meant to be experienced: full-speed, unrelenting, dangerous. We’re not here to play it safe. We’re here to remind people why this band earned its reputation. If you’ve been waiting to see this version of Dillinger—or if you’ve seen it and want one last taste—you’re not going to leave disappointed. This is the last time we’re bringing this beast down under. Make it count.’’
For those who have before witnessed THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN live, we already know that you will be there. For those who have not, life has given you a second chance. Grasp it with gratitude!
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN’s complexity and intensity continue to influence bands across the spectrum of extreme music. Whether you're a longtime fan who lived through the album’s original chaos, or a new listener discovering its genius for the first time, these shows represent a rare alignment of history and hunger.
This isn't just a band revisiting old material—it's a living document of innovation, delivered with the same fire that lit it 25 years ago.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of that history.
DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN August 2025 Australian Tour Dates
Sunday 10th August PERTH, Metropolis Fremantle
Tuesday 12th August ADELAIDE, The Gov
Wednesday 13th August MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre – SOLD OUT
Thursday 14th August MELBOURNE, Northcote Theatre – New Show
Saturday 16th August SYDNEY, The Enmore
Sunday 17th August BRISBANE, The Tivoli
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FROM: https://thephoenix.au/the-dillinger-escape-plan/
