Representative Albums: "Mercy," "We Ride to Fight! The First Four Years," "Up in Them Guts"
Biography
Aggressive emocore outfit Planes Mistaken for Stars formed in Peoria, IL, originally consisting of singer/guitarist Gared O'Donnell, guitarist Matt Bellinger, bassist Aaron Wise, and drummer Mike Ricketts. Upon signing to Deep Elm, the group made its recorded debut in early 1999 on the label compilation The Moment of Truth: The Emo Diaries, Chapter Three; the label reissued a self-titled EP later that year, originally self-released in 1998. Wise was replaced by bassist Jamie Drier (who had previously played in the band Dismiss with O'Donnell and Bellinger) soon after, and following a move to Denver, CO, Planes Mistaken for Stars resurfaced on a three-way split EP with labelmates the Appleseed Cast and Race Car Riot. The more dynamic and hardcore-tinged EP Knife in the Marathon appeared in early 2000. The guys jumped to Gainesville's No Idea Records for the 2001 full-length Fuck with Fire, following up in October of 2002 with the Spearheading the Sin Movement 7". Drier exited the group the next year, and Chuck French filled his shoes on bass. With producer A.J. Mogis (Cursive, Bright Eyes) behind the controls, the harder and more explosive Up in Them Guts appeared in mid-summer 2004 and the band supported it with a lengthy tour schedule of the U.S. and Europe, hooking up with bands like Against Me!, Hot Water Music, Dillinger Escape Plan, the Ataris, and Cursive along the way. Relentless touring continued into the next year, and Planes inked a deal with Abacus Recordings in fall 2005. Soon after, Bellinger announced his departure from the band to concentrate full-time on work with Ghost Buffalo (whom he and Ricketts had been playing with on the side). French moved over to guitar to make room for new member, bassist Neil Keener. The band's delayed and highly anticipated Abacus debut, Mercy, finally arrived stores in October 2006, and they hit the road with These Arms Are Snakes soon afterward. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
The band began as an aggressive, melodic post-hardcore band in 1997, but has since abandoned the genre somewhat to an extent debated by both the band's fans and critics.
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 mini-album, Wise was replaced by Jamie Drier.[1] At this time Deep Elm released a self-titled EP which was re-released in August 1999. They also released the 7" "Fucking Fight" on Steve Aioki's Dim Mak Records later that same year.
In 1999, Planes took part in a mass migration to Denver, Colorado with more than thirteen friends. After the move, the band recorded their second release for Deep Elm, Knife In The Marathon.[1] In 2001, Planes moved over to Gainesville Florida's No Idea Records to release Fuck With Fire.[1] The next year they released a 7" titled "Spearheading the Sin Movement" and also made an appearance on Black On Black: A Tribute to 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.
In 2005, Planes completed three additional headlining tours; one in the United Kingdom, and two in the United States.
Despite rumors of the band signing with metal label Relapse Records, they announced a deal with Abacus Recordings/EMI in the fall of 2005 as well as plans to release a new record in the summer of 2006.[2] Originally scheduled for 2006-06-06, 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. The final record, titled Mercy, was released on October 3, 2006.
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 is in a project called Ghost Buffalo who currently have two records out on Denver's Suburban Home Records, and Mike Ricketts and Jamie Drier are playing together in a group called onYou in Chicago.[citation needed]
