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NEWS

Artist Spotlight:
Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan

Ben Weinman, a founding member of The Dillinger Escape Plan, is respected on many levels that go far beyond his brilliant guitar playing. Born in 1975 in New Jersey, Ben received his degree in psychology, and then went on to continue his university studies even after graduating. In 1997, Weinman connected with members of a Jersey-based hardcore punk band called Arcane, and recorded a demo titled “The Dillinger Escape Plan”. Shortly afterward, the band changed its name, and they took off on a club tour of the northeast. The intensity of their performances, along with a level of musical complexity uncharacteristic of most punk bands, quickly garnered some well-deserved recognition for the young musicians. Ben became the principle songwriter and coproducer of much of the bandʼs music.

Hard Work and Success

Like most successful bands, The Dillinger Escape Plan gained fans and national awareness through the hard work of touring, but also via the innovative songwriting andproduction techniques that Weinman brought to the band. In 1999, they released their debut full-length album, Calculating Infinity, which has since become a landmark albumin the world of avant-garde metal. Also like many bands, The Dillinger Escape Plan had some bumps in the road, which in their case involved injuries to band members, and a series of lineup changes that had them doing their subsequent recording effort without a lead singer. However, in 2004, they released another full-length album, Miss Machine, to favorable reviews, and it made the Billboard charts.

2007 saw the release of their third full-length album, Ire Works, another critical and commercial success. Getting recognition for his playing, in 2008 Ben was named one of the 50 fastest guitarists of all time by Guitar World magazine. The following year, their fourth album, Option Paralysis, was released on the bandʼs own label. Touring as a headliner with bands such as Animals as Leaders and Iwrestledabearonce, DEP was recognized by Revolver Magazine as the “Best Underground Band”. The Dillinger Escape Plan has continued touring and working on new music since then.

Ben and ESP

Ben has been a long-time player of ESP, most notably turning to his LTD MH-1000NT and his LTD H-1001 guitars, while also playing the ESP M-1 and ESP Horizon from time to time. In a recent interview, Ben was asked why he opted to use LTD models both in the studio and on the road. His reply? “The truth is that there were certain times where the LTD just sounded better. Theyʼre really great, sturdy guitars.” Whichever of our guitars Ben chooses to play, weʼre happy to have him and hisinnovative style help show off the power of LTD and ESP.

MAY

May 28: The Halo Methodʼs Debut to Premier for Free at espguitars.com

APRIL

Bassist Marco Mendoza Joins the ESP Family

MARCH

Frank Bello Clinics at Guitar Center!

FEBRUARY '13

Artist Spotlight: Rocco Prestia - Tower of Power

Frank Bello Clinic In Australia

Artist Spotlight: Gerard DiSalvo

JANUARY '13

Our 2013 NAMM Show Diary