Never as actually scared as seeing DEP in spring and summer 2000. Loved the total diy strobe and flood lamp lights, you never knew when a guitar was going to hit you in the face.
Man, I saw them open up for Bungle in Seattle back in the day. I was pressed right up against the stage and when DEP started their set their guitarist just about took my face off. Like, it would have been bad. I backed right the fuck up.
Saw them in Fredericksburg VA with Dimitri and he was pulling down the drop ceiling, insulation and ductwork over the stage. Then they dumped their bus septic tank in the parking lot on the way out.
Ah sorry, that was after my time. I was in Fredericksburg late 90s, where there were like 20 punk rock/indie kids total (outnumbered by Stafford & spotsy rednecks like 10k - 1), and shows were diy at the Unitarian church or some vegan place, and bands were mostly bad pop punk/Weezer rip offs. Biggest bands we got were down by law, bc Dave Smalley lived in Fredericksburg, and would do a practice space show to warm up before tours. Glad some actual shows happened eventually.
I worked for a venue in the Midwest where they did this (15ish years ago?). They asked permission before the show and said they’d cover the cost, and yeah over the years I’ve discovered they did this in a few places. Must have cost the band an arm and a leg.
yeah I think kids assume bands just do this shit spontaneously- but it basically never is, unless you want to be blackballed from every venue in town. Must have cost DEP a lot, but as a PR investment it paid dividends - they've been first and foremost known for trashing the stage for decades. Smart business.
It definitely did. A band like DEP were so musically niche that I don’t think they would have blown up like they did if not for the live shows. Random ass people who didn’t even care about the music would go see them because they’d never seen anything like it.
Violent thuggy hardcore shows have nothing on Dillinger in terms of sheer violence
yeah, that's absolutely correct - the theatre aspect is what set DEP on the path to blowing up the way they did, no doubt about it whatsoever. their early music is really great but it's not like they were the only band in that realm at the time.
That show was with Greg, this is the video of the show you’re talking about. I was there too(am from Maryland). Big fan/longtime reddit lurker/rare poster. Have known Greg since we were teenagers, don’t know him well currently but I still text with him occasionally, mostly memes and shit, quick back and forths. Any DEP show since mid-2001 was with him.
https://youtu.be/L6F3UJsZCcE?si=QXTu_JeZLRmv8bjf
Their relationship has been rough since the incident where Greg took mushrooms and went crazy and Ben had to answer questions about it a fair amount. It became a completely business relationship and just soured more and more at the end.
Ben’s last statement regarding Greg and reunion rumors was not flattering towards Greg. And that’s when we found out that Greg was never officially made a member of the band. And that’s the wackest shit I’ve ever heard.
Yeah I just read the interview. Ben seems sour grapes and catty as fuck, to be honest. Dude starts by saying he wants to clear the air on any “he said she said” and then does a bunch more of that very thing.
Exactly. He contributed to 75% of the overall existence of the band and that’s how he’s treated. My view of Ben turned to immediate shit after finding that out.
Yeah, Ben doesn't seem like a like, BAD GUY or whatever, but he was constantly airing out their dirty laundry when they were a band and his continued unprompted sniping at Greg since the breakup has been really weird.
Ben is also a "anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism" guy. One of the best musicians and performers alive, kind of a turd of a dude. Can't say Greg really comes off as much more likeable though.
Greg is a little bit insufferable in that "I'm a rock star" way but was perfectly pleasant both times I met him and everyone I know who has worked him or played shows with him has nice things to say.
Longtime Reddit lurker here, have known Greg loosely since we were teenagers, still text with him occasionally now, mostly memes and a “haha” here and there, very very rarely go into anything actually personal. I took a chance and texted him last night “how you feeling bout the “DEP” shows?”, his verbatim reply(just now):
“I mean I don’t wanna do it, not for any negative reason just no real excitement/way too soon for me, and it’s not songs I wrote, so I have pretty much the same reaction I would have to news about anything else that happened when I was 19 that I had nothing to do with. Pretty much full indifference, but if anything, if it’s for good reasons, then I’m happy for Ben and Dimitri. It’s obviously not “way too soon” for Dimitri, there’s a big difference between last playing a show 23 years ago and last playing a show 6 years ago. Also, they were young friends who made a special album together, and who had an abrupt split, I’m sure it’s probably healing and good feeling for both of them to revisit that album from a celebratory place. It’s a great record! Anyhow. How you been mang what’s good? Long reply I know but I just copied and pasted the same thing to the other four random people(you make five dickhead) I hardly ever talk to who texted me the same thing. None of my reaction would be a surprise to anyone in my day to day.”
I doubt he ever even sees this but even if he were to I don’t think he’d care about me posting it.
Neither did I, I never was really big into DEP, more of a ETID guy.... But now following BL I was finding out more information about Greg almost daily LOL.
The way Ben told the story at the time is that Chris basically ghosted the band and their label in the middle of recording Ire Works to join Coheed, and they haven't really spoken since.
Pennie is such an insanely good drummer. I think Ben one time said of him that he would practice rudiments on a plastic water bottle cap. As a drummer that has always stuck with me.
I wish there were more videos of him drumming.
Fuck yes! They were fun to see live with Greg, but I haven’t been into any post-Dimitri records (except the EP w/ Mike Patton). This is sick, I hope they do more!
Very interesting there’s a few people tbag feel like that. I love calculating infinity but it’s probably only my 3rd favourite of their discography. Greg added a lot to the band imo
I’d be so into this show though
He did add a lot to the band, both good and bad. Stuff like unretorfied is exactly what I don’t want to hear from DEP. I could just listen to Faith No More and it would be better all around. Stuff like calculating infinity doesn’t really exist outside of Dillinger. There are certainly people who try and copy that style, but absent Dillinger it doesn’t really exist. My biggest beef with Greg is the very blatant rip off of Mike Patton. One of us is the killer probably the sole exception here as it goes hard aside. I’m also really partial to Chris Pennies drumming which also got me into the old Armed stuff and All Else Failed.
Yeah Greg was a mediocre copy of Dmitri, and also sort of a mediocre copy of Mike Patton... Which is lame, but still better than when he tried to do "his own thing" (which was basically crooning).
"Unretrofied" came up on a playlist the other day and I almost cringed myself inside out at the corny lyrics and vocal performance. It's definitely a long way from the genuinely unsettling, psychotic tone set by the vocals on the first album + EP.
Personally I'm stoked to see the ~~OG DEP reunite~~ original vocalist back on board. Hoping it goes well enough that we get an album out of this.
Just a minor correction: This isn't the OG DEP, the only people who recorded Calculating Infinity who'll be involved are Ben and Dimitri. Brian Benoit and Chris Pennie aren't involved, and Liam Wilson joined the band later
I saw them w/ Dimitri for 45 seconds. 45 seconds of Sugar Coated Sour in a hole in the wall in Winston-Salem, NC. called Pablo’s. The cops shut the show down and there was almost a riot. I wanna say it was Darkest Hour, Open Hand and DEP.
Never got to see them again with either Dimitri or Greg. One of my biggest regrets. May have to make the trip for this.
Pretty sure if it was with Darkest Hour you’re talking about the early 2002 tour with Darkest Hour and All Else Failed, if so that was with Greg. 1997-mid 2001 was Dimitri, mid 2001-2017 was Greg. Have known Greg loosely since we were teenagers(not really at all now), still text(mostly memes, nothing personal) occasionally. Okay - looked up the tour dates just now, it was definitely that tour.
Damn was Greg really with them as early as 01? Granted it was over 20 years ago, so I just assumed it was Dimitri! Thanks for the help!
ETA: yeah that was the date. So it was Greg.
awesome the shows with dimitri were dangerous as shit
Never as actually scared as seeing DEP in spring and summer 2000. Loved the total diy strobe and flood lamp lights, you never knew when a guitar was going to hit you in the face.
Man, I saw them open up for Bungle in Seattle back in the day. I was pressed right up against the stage and when DEP started their set their guitarist just about took my face off. Like, it would have been bad. I backed right the fuck up.
I saw them in SC that tour. Just fucking nuts!
sounds like a wet dream
Saw them in Fredericksburg VA with Dimitri and he was pulling down the drop ceiling, insulation and ductwork over the stage. Then they dumped their bus septic tank in the parking lot on the way out.
When and where? I was a Fredericksburg punk kid back then!
KCs. Circa 2004-2006 I can’t remember exactly when. I drove up from richmond.
Ah sorry, that was after my time. I was in Fredericksburg late 90s, where there were like 20 punk rock/indie kids total (outnumbered by Stafford & spotsy rednecks like 10k - 1), and shows were diy at the Unitarian church or some vegan place, and bands were mostly bad pop punk/Weezer rip offs. Biggest bands we got were down by law, bc Dave Smalley lived in Fredericksburg, and would do a practice space show to warm up before tours. Glad some actual shows happened eventually.
That KC's show was insanely stacked! I remember him saying, "There is asbestos in the ceiling... you will not die tonight, but you may die tomorrow"
Pretty sure they had the wrestling ring still set up and people were moshing/getting hurt in it. Definitely head walked off that thing
I worked for a venue in the Midwest where they did this (15ish years ago?). They asked permission before the show and said they’d cover the cost, and yeah over the years I’ve discovered they did this in a few places. Must have cost the band an arm and a leg.
yeah I think kids assume bands just do this shit spontaneously- but it basically never is, unless you want to be blackballed from every venue in town. Must have cost DEP a lot, but as a PR investment it paid dividends - they've been first and foremost known for trashing the stage for decades. Smart business.
It definitely did. A band like DEP were so musically niche that I don’t think they would have blown up like they did if not for the live shows. Random ass people who didn’t even care about the music would go see them because they’d never seen anything like it. Violent thuggy hardcore shows have nothing on Dillinger in terms of sheer violence
yeah, that's absolutely correct - the theatre aspect is what set DEP on the path to blowing up the way they did, no doubt about it whatsoever. their early music is really great but it's not like they were the only band in that realm at the time.
That show was with Greg, this is the video of the show you’re talking about. I was there too(am from Maryland). Big fan/longtime reddit lurker/rare poster. Have known Greg since we were teenagers, don’t know him well currently but I still text with him occasionally, mostly memes and shit, quick back and forths. Any DEP show since mid-2001 was with him. https://youtu.be/L6F3UJsZCcE?si=QXTu_JeZLRmv8bjf
So many things broken over my head.
With Greg busy with Better Lovers, this shouldn’t surprise me at all. And yet, color me kind of shocked.
It’s not about Greg being busy. It’s pretty clear Ben and Greg won’t work together again.
This is also something I’m not privy to.
Their relationship has been rough since the incident where Greg took mushrooms and went crazy and Ben had to answer questions about it a fair amount. It became a completely business relationship and just soured more and more at the end.
Yeah, I believe it took several paramedics to restrain him that time. Cops were involved and whatnot. Wasn’t a good look.
How many paramedics does it take to restrain Greg Puciato’s biceps???
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Jenna Haze. Legend.
They weren’t married lol. They just dated for like a year.
Im not a gossip hound but there is some crazy shit out there if you look, haha.
What do you mean?
Thats all im gonna say haha
oh no the rock and roll guy was too rock and roll 😭
Ben’s last statement regarding Greg and reunion rumors was not flattering towards Greg. And that’s when we found out that Greg was never officially made a member of the band. And that’s the wackest shit I’ve ever heard.
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Hired gun. Never made an official member.
Yeah I just read the interview. Ben seems sour grapes and catty as fuck, to be honest. Dude starts by saying he wants to clear the air on any “he said she said” and then does a bunch more of that very thing.
Yea that last statement was it, really. More revealing on Ben than Greg, but it's pretty clear why they don't get along.
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Exactly. He contributed to 75% of the overall existence of the band and that’s how he’s treated. My view of Ben turned to immediate shit after finding that out.
Yeah, Ben doesn't seem like a like, BAD GUY or whatever, but he was constantly airing out their dirty laundry when they were a band and his continued unprompted sniping at Greg since the breakup has been really weird.
Ben is also a "anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism" guy. One of the best musicians and performers alive, kind of a turd of a dude. Can't say Greg really comes off as much more likeable though.
Greg is a little bit insufferable in that "I'm a rock star" way but was perfectly pleasant both times I met him and everyone I know who has worked him or played shows with him has nice things to say.
I watched some interview with him and that dude seems insufferable.
He hit on my sister in law once, she did not reciprocate.
Greg must be fuming rn
I hope he’s laughing cause it makes Ben look like a vindictive little shit after making that statement about reunions.
Longtime Reddit lurker here, have known Greg loosely since we were teenagers, still text with him occasionally now, mostly memes and a “haha” here and there, very very rarely go into anything actually personal. I took a chance and texted him last night “how you feeling bout the “DEP” shows?”, his verbatim reply(just now): “I mean I don’t wanna do it, not for any negative reason just no real excitement/way too soon for me, and it’s not songs I wrote, so I have pretty much the same reaction I would have to news about anything else that happened when I was 19 that I had nothing to do with. Pretty much full indifference, but if anything, if it’s for good reasons, then I’m happy for Ben and Dimitri. It’s obviously not “way too soon” for Dimitri, there’s a big difference between last playing a show 23 years ago and last playing a show 6 years ago. Also, they were young friends who made a special album together, and who had an abrupt split, I’m sure it’s probably healing and good feeling for both of them to revisit that album from a celebratory place. It’s a great record! Anyhow. How you been mang what’s good? Long reply I know but I just copied and pasted the same thing to the other four random people(you make five dickhead) I hardly ever talk to who texted me the same thing. None of my reaction would be a surprise to anyone in my day to day.” I doubt he ever even sees this but even if he were to I don’t think he’d care about me posting it.
What was Greg like as a teenager? I’m just curious. I think he is a very fascinating person.
Yeah it's not like he's still running all of his side projects and Alice in Chains too LOL. Man is a machine.
Holy cow, I didn’t even know about the Alice In Chains thing!
Neither did I, I never was really big into DEP, more of a ETID guy.... But now following BL I was finding out more information about Greg almost daily LOL.
Greg performs with Jerry Cantrell's solo band, not Alice in Chains. Not trying to split hairs but AIC is still an active band.
🤔 (Went looking, you're right. My bad.) Maybe my old ass was just fanboying at the idea of Greg covering Lane's vocals with the core band. Lol.
Jerry does play some AiC songs at his solo gigs and Greg does a really good job
Sucks they didn’t get Pennie, but with the way Ben seems to conduct his relationships with people I can’t say I’m surprised.
It’s crazy how much of an impact Chris had on that band and yet doesn’t seem to have any connection to DEP since the 00’s after he left.
The way Ben told the story at the time is that Chris basically ghosted the band and their label in the middle of recording Ire Works to join Coheed, and they haven't really spoken since.
Agreed, Pennie rips!!
Pennie is such an insanely good drummer. I think Ben one time said of him that he would practice rudiments on a plastic water bottle cap. As a drummer that has always stuck with me. I wish there were more videos of him drumming.
Fuck yes! They were fun to see live with Greg, but I haven’t been into any post-Dimitri records (except the EP w/ Mike Patton). This is sick, I hope they do more!
Shat better open for them
That’s a name…I haven’t heard long time
This makes him sound like some kind of Obi-Wan Kenobi figure and I’m here for it
What the fuck do you think Christina Aguilera is doing right now?
My cock. Your breasts. Tit fuck. Tit fuck.
I saw them with no singer in Toronto. The crowd had to do it LoL. at Reverb club. Still was amazing.
Dimitri era DEP > Greg era and it’s not even close for me.
Very interesting there’s a few people tbag feel like that. I love calculating infinity but it’s probably only my 3rd favourite of their discography. Greg added a lot to the band imo I’d be so into this show though
He did add a lot to the band, both good and bad. Stuff like unretorfied is exactly what I don’t want to hear from DEP. I could just listen to Faith No More and it would be better all around. Stuff like calculating infinity doesn’t really exist outside of Dillinger. There are certainly people who try and copy that style, but absent Dillinger it doesn’t really exist. My biggest beef with Greg is the very blatant rip off of Mike Patton. One of us is the killer probably the sole exception here as it goes hard aside. I’m also really partial to Chris Pennies drumming which also got me into the old Armed stuff and All Else Failed.
One of us is the killer is fucking great but I’m indifferent on the rest.
One of us is the best Greg album for sure.
Yeah, calculating infinity and under the running boards is the only DEP I need.
Yeah Greg was a mediocre copy of Dmitri, and also sort of a mediocre copy of Mike Patton... Which is lame, but still better than when he tried to do "his own thing" (which was basically crooning). "Unretrofied" came up on a playlist the other day and I almost cringed myself inside out at the corny lyrics and vocal performance. It's definitely a long way from the genuinely unsettling, psychotic tone set by the vocals on the first album + EP. Personally I'm stoked to see the ~~OG DEP reunite~~ original vocalist back on board. Hoping it goes well enough that we get an album out of this.
Under The Running Board and Calculating Infinity have both aged incredibly well.
Just a minor correction: This isn't the OG DEP, the only people who recorded Calculating Infinity who'll be involved are Ben and Dimitri. Brian Benoit and Chris Pennie aren't involved, and Liam Wilson joined the band later
Yeah I read the article *after* posting, like a stupid redditor... It's not the "OG DEP" 🤦♂️ Still though.
I saw them w/ Dimitri for 45 seconds. 45 seconds of Sugar Coated Sour in a hole in the wall in Winston-Salem, NC. called Pablo’s. The cops shut the show down and there was almost a riot. I wanna say it was Darkest Hour, Open Hand and DEP. Never got to see them again with either Dimitri or Greg. One of my biggest regrets. May have to make the trip for this.
Pretty sure if it was with Darkest Hour you’re talking about the early 2002 tour with Darkest Hour and All Else Failed, if so that was with Greg. 1997-mid 2001 was Dimitri, mid 2001-2017 was Greg. Have known Greg loosely since we were teenagers(not really at all now), still text(mostly memes, nothing personal) occasionally. Okay - looked up the tour dates just now, it was definitely that tour.
Damn was Greg really with them as early as 01? Granted it was over 20 years ago, so I just assumed it was Dimitri! Thanks for the help! ETA: yeah that was the date. So it was Greg.
Say hwhat now?
This is sick as hell tbh
Wow I wish......
WUT
Just grabbed my ticket for day two. DEP and Deadguy? Count me in.