Planes Mistaken for Stars

Planes Mistaken for Stars is a post-hardcore band formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1997. They released music on Deep Elm Records, Dim Mak Records, No Idea Records and Abacus Recordings.

History

Formation (1997–1999)

The band began as an aggressive, melodic post-hardcore band in 1997. Lead singer and guitarist Gared O'Donnell started the band with guitarist Matt Bellinger, bassist Aaron Wise and drummer Mike Ricketts.^[1] Shortly after the band self-released a self-titled EP in 1998, Wise was replaced by Jamie Drier.^[1] Deep Elm later reissued the EP in August 1999. They also released the 7" single "Fucking Fight" on Steve Aoki's Dim Mak Records later that same year.

Intermediate years (1999–2006)

In 1999, Planes Mistaken for Stars moved to Denver, Colorado. After the move, the band recorded their second release for Deep Elm, Knife In The Marathon.^[1] In 2001, the band signed to Gainesville, Florida's No Idea Records to release Fuck with Fire.^[1] The next year they released an EP titled Spearheading the Sin Movement and also made an appearance on Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag, a tribute to the hardcore punk band Black Flag.

In 2003, Planes saw its second line up change. Jamie Drier left the band and was replaced by Chuck French. Chuck played his first show with Planes on November 2, 2003.

Later that year, Planes recorded Up in Them Guts with A. J. Mogis, whose most notable work is with Saddle Creek artists Bright Eyes and The Faint. Up in Them Guts was released in 2004 on No Idea. To promote the record, the band took on one of the lengthiest tour schedules of their career, covering the United States and Europe with a bands such as The Ataris, Cursive, Against Me!, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hot Water Music and High on Fire on six separate tours.^[2] They also made festival appearances at Skate And Surf Fest, Strhess Fest, and Hellfest. In 2005, Planes completed three additional headlining tours; one in the United Kingdom, and two in the United States.

In early 2006, Planes' original guitarist Matt Bellinger parted ways with the band to pursue other musical endeavors starting with Ghost Buffalo and Il Cattivo. Despite rumors of the band signing with metal label Relapse Records, they announced a deal with Abacus Recordings/Century Media Records in late-2005 and planned to release a new record mid-2006.^[2] Originally scheduled for a June 6, 2006 (6/6/6) release, the record had been pushed back in order to accommodate the schedule of the producer they chose to work with, Matt Bayles, who has worked with bands such as Mastodon and Isis. What would be their final record, Mercy, was released on October 3, 2006.

Dissolution (2007–2008)

In July 2007, Planes Mistaken for Stars announced that they had broken up. They performed their final concert on February 16, 2008 at the Marquis Theater in Denver. Chuck French and Neil Keener are together in a group called Git Some, Keener is also in a drone band called Bull of Heaven with composer Clayton Counts, Gared O'Donnell is in a project titled Hawks and Doves, Matt Bellinger was in a project called Ghost Buffalo who had two records out on Denver's Suburban Home Records and is currently in a rock band called Il Cattivo, and Mike Ricketts and Jamie Drier are playing together in a group called onYou in Chicago.

Reunion (2010–present)

Starting in 2010, Planes Mistaken for Stars began to sporadically play shows and go on tour, starting with Fest 9 in Gainesville, Florida.^[3] Planes Mistaken for Stars toured the US East Coast in mid-2012,^[4] and the US West Coast in mid-2014.^[5]

Following a series of cryptic online videos with testimonials from Brann Dailor (Mastodon), Ryan Patterson (Coliseum), Nate Newton (Converge, Old Man Gloom) and Jeremy Bolm (Touché Amoré), the indie label Deathwish Inc. announced it would reissue Planes Mistaken for Stars' 2006 final album Mercy on July 14, 2015, which would be followed by a short promotional East Coast US tour.^[6][7] Along with the announcement of the reissue, the band also revealed they had been "quietly and persistently working on new music" for a near future release also on Deathwish.^[6][7]

Members

Current

• Gared O'Donnell – guitar, vocals (1997–2008, 2010–present)
• Mike Ricketts – drums (1997–2008, 2010–present)
• Chuck French – guitar (2003–2008, 2010–present)
• Neil Keener – bass (2004–2008, 2010–present)

Former

• Aaron Wise – bass (1997–1998)
• Matt Bellinger – guitar, vocals (1997–2006)
• Jamie Drier – bass (1998–2003)

Discography

Studio albums

• Fuck with Fire (2001, No Idea)
• Up in Them Guts (2004, No Idea)
• Mercy (2006, Abacus)

Compilation albums

• We Ride to Fight! (The First Four Years) (2007)

Singles, EPs

• Planes Mistaken for Stars (1998, self-released)
• Planes Mistaken for Stars / Appleseed Cast / Race Car Riot (1999, Deep Elm)
• "Fucking Fight" (1999, Dim Mak)
• Knife in the Marathon (2000, Deep Elm)
• Spearheading the Sin Movement (2002, No Idea)

Compilation appearances

• Black on Black: A Tribute to Black Flag (2002, Initial)

References