CMU Playlists

Playlist: Dillinger Escape Plan

By | Published on Saturday 20 March 2010

Formed in 1997, The Dillinger Escape Plan progressed quickly to the forefront of the US hardcore scene with their debut album, ‘Calculating Infinity’, in 1999, soon getting a reputation for particularly intense live shows. In 2001, vocalist Dimitri Minakakis left the group, to be later replaced by Greg Puciato, though the band recorded an EP, ‘Irony Is A Dead Scene’, with Faith No More frontman Mike Patton on vocals between albums.

The band really made their mark with second album ‘Miss Machine’, which saw the band’s sound develop to an even more distinct style, and the follow-up, ‘Ire Works’, which garnered high critical acclaim.

Next week, the band release their fourth album, ‘Option Paralysis’, the first to be put out via their own label Party Smasher, in conjunction with French indie Season Of Mist. To celebrate, we asked bassist Liam Wilson to compile his top ten tracks for us. After you’ve listened to it, see if you can spot the influence of any of these artists in the DEP’s own music. It’ll be fun.

LIAM WILSON’S TEN
Click here to listen to Liam’s playlist in Spotify, and then read on to find out more about his selections.

01 Blonde Redhead – Misery Is A Butterfly
This band’s symmetry, visually and aurally, has always arrested my attention. They have this subtle complexity; well layered and lush, yet still catchy, emotional and pop-sensible.

02 Tower Of Power – What Is Hip?

This track is funky as funk, the soundtrack to my life… I swear!

03 Stevie Wonder – Don’t You Worry ‘Bout A Thing

I get my good advice straight from Stevie.

04 Jeff Buckley – Grace

Can you say: “SUSTAIN?” I want this song played at my funeral, nuff said.

05 Charles Mingus – Goodbye Pork Pie Hat

This instrumental song just conjures up so much cinematic imagery, andstirs up some unspoken emotion in a way most songs (with lyrics) just can’t.

06 Jaco Pastorius – Portrait Of Tracy

Another example of an inspiring and unorthodox instrumental with more lyrical content than most overly poetic love songs, written by the dude who really opened up the doors for me and many other bass players.

07 Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough

I don’t understand why ‘Thriller’ had all that synth bass all over it when tracks like this, from ‘Off The Wall’, are undeniably more excitable – Louis Johnson sneaking those bass fills in like a thief in the night… so classy!

08 Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now

I had to pick at least one Queen song for my top ten songs, but which one? There has always been something about this song that makes me feel like Mr Fahrenheit, words fall short. Long live the King!

09 Beethoven/Rudolf Serkin – Moonlight Sonate

One ‘song’ in three movements. Easily one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever composed, and played by one of the best pianists ever to have lived.

10 Tom Waits – Lonely

I love Tom Waits, something about this song has always touched me more than the rest. The nakedness and simplicity, his voice, those lyrics… timeless!



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