THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN returned to the stage for the first time since 2017 on Saturday (June 8) for a reunion show celebrating the 25th anniversary of their 1999 debut, “Calculating Infinity”, at the No Values festival in Pomona, California.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN played “Calculating Infinity” in its entirety for the first time, with original vocalist Dimitri Minakakis joining founding guitarist Ben Weinman, bassist Liam Wilson, drummer Billy Rymer and guitarist James Love. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN also performed a cover of the DEAD KENNEDYS‘ debut single, 1979’s “California Über Alles”, with a guest appearance by DEAD KENNEDYS‘ Jello Biafra, and rendition of MINOR THREAT‘s “In My Eyes”, with Weinman‘s SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bandmate Mike Muir joining in on vocals.
When the first THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN reunion show was announced last December, Minakakis said in a statement: “It’s been a long time coming for this opportunity to perform in a project I helped create over 25 years ago. Having the chance to celebrate 25 years of ‘Calculating Infinity’ with my closest friends in life is just a dream turned real. I’m looking forward to seeing all the old faces, as well as all the new ones. THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN has always been more than just a band. We were a force of nature. This reunion show is our way of thanking the fans who have stood by us and the album we made in a small basement in NJ all those years ago.”
Wilson who shared the stage with Dimitri soon after the release of “Calculating Infinity” and continued to share the stage with Weinman until the band farewell shows in 2017 had this to say: “Amped to go party like it’s 1999 again and give this album the birthday party it deserves! These songs are still unfuckwithable and as a musician, it’s rad to have the opportunity to get back under the hood of this album and revisit my salad days, this time with more seasoning. Dimitri always had such a menacing presence and venomous voice, it’s gonna be killer to rip these songs with him up there with us!”
“Dimitri has remained one of my longest and closest friends,” added Weinman. “Even after leaving the band, his support and contributions through his work on our first albums have kept an everlasting spark in my heart for what we did together. I remember the first day we met. He was the new guy in school and I drove by him and gave him the finger. Then I reversed the car and asked him if he wanted to hang out and make a band. I said, you look like a singer dude. ” We could have never imagined what an impact that moment would have.”
He continued: “While we are all very happy with the resolve of the band in 2017 with Greg, something still feels unsaid as far as the Dimitri era of the band and with so many people talking about the album and after performing a handful of first album performances with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, it just all made sense. This needed to happen!”
Remaining “Calculating Infinity” 25th-anniversary celebration shows:
Jun. 21 – Brooklyn, New York – Brooklyn Paramount
Jun. 22 – Brooklyn, New York – Brooklyn Paramount
Jun. 23 – Brooklyn, New York – Brooklyn Paramount
Aug. 06 – Lokeren, Belgium – Lokerse Feesten
Aug. 24 – Chicago, Illinois – The Salt Shed Outdoors
In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, Puciato was asked how he felt about the announcement that Minakakis would reunite with Weinman, the group’s lone consistent member over the years, along with fellow alumni Wilson and Rymer, for several shows this year celebrating “Calculating Infinity”. He responded: “It doesn’t bother me at all. When people ask me that, as if I’m gonna be bummed, I’m, like, why would I be bummed? I’m not on the record. To me, if the band was still a band, and some of those guys, obviously [original members Brian] Benoit [rhythm guitar], [Chris] Pennie [drums] and Adam [Doll, bass] aren’t [part of the reunion shows], but if, if Dimitri and Ben were, like, ‘Hey, we wanna do some ‘Calculating Infinity’ shows, what am I gonna do? Be, like, ‘No!’ That doesn’t make any sense. I wasn’t on the record.”
Greg continued: “So, I hope they’re wildly successful with it, and I hope that it does a lot of good for them — I hope it makes them feel good personally, those two. ‘Cause, obviously, Liam and Billy were not on that record, but the ending of them before I joined, I don’t think it was — it wasn’t fulfilling. It wasn’t a fulfilling closure. It wasn’t exactly on everybody’s terms involved. So I think them being able to go back and do this and celebrate what is non-arguably a fucking genre-changing milestone record that many bands would not exist if it wasn’t for. They should play everywhere. They should come to London, they should go play festivals, they should do everything. Like I said, I’m all for it, man.”
Puciato then quipped, “Don’t play ‘Miss Machine’,” referencing THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN‘s second studio album, which marked his first recorded appearance with the band.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, renowned for their mind-bending musical compositions and legendary high-energy live shows, officially disbanded in 2017 following three unforgettable final performances at Terminal 5 in New York City. After years of unwavering fan support, an incessant barrage of reunion appeals, and numerous reissues, the band has returned, honoring the album that initiated their groundbreaking journey. With its distinctive fusion of hardcore punk, progressive metal, and jazz, which left both fans and critics in awe, “Calculating Infinity” not only defined their sound but also revolutionized the game from the outset.
For many fans, the chance to experience the sonic atomic blast of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN performing “Calculating Infinity” live with Minakakis at the helm is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This reunion show offers fans not only the chance to witness the magic that sparked the band’s meteoric rise over the past 25 years, but to experience the album that started it all performed right in front of them.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN‘s mastery of their craft is unparalleled. Their live shows are an explosive spectacle of precision and passion. This reunion show promises to be no different. Prepare for an unforgettable night as they revisit the album that defined a genre and marked the beginning of their legendary career.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN is a globally celebrated American metal powerhouse, recognized for their groundbreaking and uniquely intense contributions to the heavy music scene. “Calculating Infinity” stands as a genre-defining masterpiece, marking a pivotal moment not only for the band but for the entire genre. It landed on countless “Best Of The Year” lists the year it dropped including Best Metal Album of the Year by Revolver magazine. It was later listed among the Top 10 Metal Albums of All Time by Metal Injection. Loudwire has since placed the record third on their list of “25 Best Metalcore Albums Of All-Time” with writer Stephen Hill stating that “the influence of THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN is present at every major rock festival in the shape of any forward-thinking, heavy band and even in the current metalcore or tech-metal production line (who have aped elements of their sound in the most piss-weak and desperate way). But the fact that these bands are here at all and able to appeal to a wider audience is in no small part due to the trail blazed by “Calculating Infinity” and its utter contempt for compromise and uniformity.” In 2017 Rolling Stone called the LP “one of the greatest metal albums of all time” and despite disbanding that same year, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN‘s legacy continues to inspire musicians and fans alike.