Not many fans get to become the singer of one of their favorite bands. Henry Rollins did it when he joined Black Flag in 1981, and 20 years later Greg Puciato (whose ferocious onstage persona and notorious offstage outspokenness have also won him comparisons to Rollins) followed suit, replacing Dimitri Minakakis as the frontman of groundbreaking New Jersey extremists the Dillinger Escape Plan. As Puciato's favorite new band prepares to release its first DVD (due in April) and begin work on its highly anticipated follow-up to 2004's Miss Machine (Relapse), the singer found time to share a few of his other loves—and hates.
FAVORITE FOOD TO EAT ON TOUR
HOT DOGS
You can't eat just one, and you know what's cool? They come out in the same shape they went in!
LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT HAVING A VEGAN (BASSIST LIAM WILSON) IN THE BAND
THE SMELLS
That kid has not only ferocious gas but ferocious body odor. Anytime we have visitors on the bus, they're always like, "What the fuck is that smell?!"
FAVORITE MOVIE CHARACTER
DARTH VADER
C'mon, it doesn't get cooler than Darth Vader.
FAVORITE AUTHOR
YUKIO MISHIMA
He was this revolutionary Japanese writer up for a few Nobel prizes. He held this big public speech [in 1970], and at the end he disemboweled himself in front of everyone. Then his best friend cut his head off. If you wanna read some crazy shit, find The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With the Sea and Spring Snow.
LEAST FAVORITE BANDMATE TATTOO
GUITARIST BRIAN BENOIT'S "SICK TRIBAL"
He got it when he was a kid, before it was horribly lame to have a tribal tattoo. He's not into Soulfly or anything. But now, since it's on his calf, he won't wear shorts even if it's the hottest day ever. I didn't know why for years…then I saw the tattoo.
LEAST FAVORITE POP ACT
BLACK EYED PEAS
When they first came out, they were trying to cast themselves as this socially conscious, intellectual rap act, but as soon as they saw little dollar signs in front them, they just forgot that. Their song "The Hump," "The Lumps," whatever, is the worst song ever made. I think all the rappers who are shooting at one another should just shoot them.
FAVORITE POP PERFORMER
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
People who say they like old Michael Jackson shit but don't like that last Justin Timberlake album are tripping. It's just good music.
FAVORITE LIVING CREATURE
PET BEAGLE FLASH
When I come home after months of being on tour, he knows me, he follows me around, he's my dog. He doesn't bitch like a girlfriend: "Oh, you've been fucking gone two months, when you comin' home?!" He's just sweet, man, like, "Hey, let's go for a walk." If that was all it took to keep girls happy—come home for a couple days, take 'em for a walk, throw 'em a fuckin' steak bone—life would be much easier.
FAVORITE SUPERHERO
SUPERMAN
What would you rather have? A bat suit and some gadgets or the ability to fly and shoot lasers out of your eyeballs? You know what I mean? That dude wins. You have to wear a gay suit, but that's the only downside.
LEAST FAVORITE HOLIDAY
VALENTINE'S DAY
I'm just not a fan of feeling obligated to do nice things for people.
FAVORITE HOLIDAY
THANKSGIVING
It's a celebration of eating. It's just about being with your family and eating tons of food.
FAVORITE WAY TO STAY IN SHAPE WHILE ON THE ROAD
PLAYING SHOWS
When I'm home, I work out all the time. I've been doing it since I was 15 years old. But when we're on tour, our shows are so intense, just playing every night keeps me from turning into a piece of shit.
