There’s a reason you don’t often see the “bored-bassist” look on the faces of our valley’s musicians—and that reason is the leadership of Dan Dillinger, who has been moving, jumping and kicking all over Coachella Valley stages and beyond for more than a decade now. He performs with punk-rockers The Sweat Act (facebook.com/TheSweatAct) and the more-alternative collective Black Water Gospel (facebook.com/BlackWaterGospel). Dillinger is the latest to take The Lucky 13; here are his responses.
What was the first concert you attended?
I went to the Orange Show in San Bernardino to see Good Riddance, Dead Kennedys and Strung Out. I’ve still got the stub. I’ll never forget the bruises. So much fun.
What was the first album you owned?
When I was 4 years old, my baby sitter gave me a Young MC tape and a Kris Kross tape. I loved those tapes, ha ha. But the first albums I bought (together) with my own money were Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill and Green Day’s Dookie when I was in the fifth-grade.
What bands are you listening to right now?
In the car, I’ve had Bracket’s Requiem on repeat for about three weeks, but my go-to just about any other time has been both the “Angsty Pants” playlist I put together compiling all the skate punk bands I’ve been into for the past 20-ish years; and the “Behind BARS” playlist, compiling a handful of hip-hop tracks I can’t get enough of. There’s too much radness to choose just one thing at a time.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I get it all. Just because I don’t like it, that doesn’t mean I don’t get it. If it makes you feel something, then that’s all that matters. I listen to plenty that others don’t like. That doesn’t make what I’m into good or bad. It just makes it my thing. Same for anyone else’s interests. So what’s not to get?
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
I’d take a kick to the junk to see The Dillinger Escape Plan just one more time. That’s probably one of the most satisfying bands I’ve ever seen.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
No music is a guilty pleasure.
What’s your favorite music venue?
Hard choice. The El Rey and The Wiltern have been a couple of my tops, but … I’m less concerned with the venue and more interested in who I’m going to see.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Sometimes a knife right through your heart is exactly what you need. Sometimes the things that you’re ashamed of make you who you’re supposed to be,” “Tapestry,” Protest the Hero.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Everything I love has molded my life. I am the music I love.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Gene Simmons: “What’s it like knowing you’ve had sex with pretty much everyone’s moms?” Ha ha ha. No, seriously, I have no idea.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
Dynamite Hack, “Laughter.” Because, damn, I had fun. Smile for me.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
A Wilhelm Scream, Ruiner.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Whatever song makes you feel the best you can, right now. Listen to it loud and proud. Scream it. Get on that vibe.