Phantom Planet
Encyclopedia
Phantom Planet are an American alternative rock
band from Southern California
. Formed in 1994 in Los Angeles, the band consists of Alex Greenwald
(vocals, rhythm guitar), Darren Robinson
(lead guitar), Sam Farrar
(bass guitar) and Jeff Conrad (drums). The band is best known for its track "California", which became the theme song for the Fox
TV series
, The O.C.
. While the band is often mentioned as the group that featured actor Jason Schwartzman
on drums, they have continued on in his absence and have released a number of well-received albums.
On November 25, 2008, the band announced in a blog entry on their website that they are going on "hiatus, and will not be playing any more live shows or making any new records, indefinitely." They played their last show on December 12, 2008, in Los Angeles.
called The Phantom Planet
. They decided on the name in 1994 in a Pizza Hut
. They played their first show in 1994 at The Troubadour in Hollywood, California. Most of their friends could not attend because they were still in high school.Two of the songs they played are featured on the bonus material of the Chicago, Chicagogoing, Chicagogone DVD. Among the songs performed were "My Friend Liz's Dad" (misprinted as "My Friend Liz Is Dead" on the DVD) and a cover of the Beastie Boys 1994 song "Sabotage".
While still in their teens, the group played frequently in and around the Hollywood area, finally catching the eye of Geffen Records executives. Phantom Planet signed with Geffen in 1997 and released their first effort, Phantom Planet Is Missing
in 1998
. Phantom Planet is Missing showed musical similarities to the popular band Weezer, with influences ranging from The Beach Boys
to Electric Light Orchestra
, but the album failed to gain any significant ground with either critics or fans. However, as some group members started to make appearances on both the small and large screen and the group pressed on, Phantom Planet gradually built momentum.
The Guest was released in 2002 and showcased a solid dose of poppy vocals, solid melodies, and sing-along choruses, which helped anchor Phantom Planet as a formidable indie outfit. The group's presence was also solidified by its commitment to touring. The group toured for almost 18 months both as a headliner and an opening act, and in late 2002 the band got the opportunity to open for one of their collective idols, the legendary Elvis Costello. The Guest got an extra boost when the record's notable power ballad "California" was chosen as the theme song for the Fox Network's breakout hit The O.C. As a result, the record was reissued in late 2003 with bonus tracks and a new cover, giving Phantom Planet a whole new round of exposure.
The album produced the band's breakthrough hit, "California," which became the theme song to the Fox TV series, The O.C., in August 2003. Its music video aired on MTV2 in mid 2002.
The track "Lonely Day" also features on the Smallville and Laguna Beach soundtracks.
The Guest continued the pop-rock sound the band introduced in their debut.
in 2004
marked a change in both the band's sound and lineup. Ditching their radio-friendly pop-rock, the band moved towards a garage rock
sound. Lead singer Alex Greenwald
stated that he wants the band to continue to change its sound. "I love rock 'n' roll music," Greenwald said. "I especially loved bands, like The Beatles, that changed with every single record they made. That's been our plan from the get-go. We want our records to be like experiments. We want to have fun with the music. People can hear when you're not having fun. They discover you're bored and you're boring." In the middle of recording the album, founding member and drummer Jason Schwartzman
abruptly left the band to focus on his acting career. He was replaced by Jeff Conrad, who helped record the remainder of the album. Phantom Planet was released to mixed reviews from critics. Shortly after the album's release, guitarist Jacques Brautbar
left the band to pursue a career in photography
expired, which left them searching for a new record label. Soon after this, they signed to Fueled by Ramen
, which produces bands such as Fall Out Boy
, Paramore
, Panic at the Disco, The Hush Sound
and The Academy Is...
On January 20, 2008, Phantom Planet posted a bulletin on their Myspace page that stated that the album will officially be finished by the January 24, and that the official release date would be April 15, 2008. Fueled By Ramen re-released a teaser trailer and stated that the first single from the album will be a reworking of "Do The Panic
".
In an interview with RaggedMag, Alex stated that "all bands are kind of their own cult, you know, but we want to take it to a new level. We really like the show Lost
, and even though it’s totally fiction, there’s this air of mystery that’s lacking in a lot entertainment these days. I really like mystery in things, and what a little bit of enigma brings out of people and their imaginations...a band is about community, and within itself it is a brotherhood; it’s companionship. But a band can’t be anything without the people to love it. Our goal will be to recruit and befriend as many people as possible with our message."
When describing the new record, Alex said that "the next record is a concept record. If The Beatles
had Sgt. Pepper's and The Rolling Stones
had Their Satanic Majesties Request, we have our “Leader.” We’re concocting it, but at the same time we’re following it."
In the same interview, bassist Sam Farrar
descibed the new logo. Which is a circular graphic of piano keys that seem to morph into a shirt sleeve with a hand emerging from the cuff. He said, "The idea is that we’re going to sell a lot of these sweatshirts and all the kids will show up in them so the entire audience looks just like us." Alex followed this up by saying that "The "Leader" is the hand. He is the hand that plays the notes we sing to. It’s in the beginning stages still; we’re just chipping away at the stone."
The new song "Leader", is about Alex's fictional or metaphorical experience with a cult. For the definitive recording of the song, Phantom Planet brought in children from Kenter Canyon Elementary School to sing the chorus, the video for which can be seen on their YouTube
site.
The album, titled Raise the Dead
, was released as scheduled on April 15, 2008.
Phantom Planet has announced that they will be playing their last show ever December 12 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. The group performed this first live all ages show in the same place in 1994.
In their 15 years together the group released four albums: Raise the Dead
, The Guest
, Is Missing
, and Phantom Planet
.
Read the full statement from their website after the break:
-alex, darren, jeff and sam.
They played their last show on December 12, 2008, in Los Angeles. Alex mentioned numerous times during their last show that the band was, in fact, going on a hiatus, not breaking up.
Former drummer Jason Schwartzman makes a cheeky reference to this hiatus in his song "Drummer" from the Coconut Records album Davy (released January 2009). The lyrics state "I was a drummer in a band that you've heard of / I was a drummer in a band that just broke up / Isn't that the way it goes?"
Guitarist Darren Robinson posted this message on his personal Myspace page telling fans that they are not broken up:
"We have NOT broken up. We are on an indefinite hiatus. That means we don't know when we'll regroup. But we are NOT broken up. I swear to you it's not just a polite way of saying we have broken up. Got it?"
, Maroon 5
. Operation Aloha's self-titled, fourth full-length album
was released on May 12, 2009. It was recorded over a period of 30 days in Maui, Hawaii.
Darren went tour with the band Miniature Tigers
in January, February and March 2009. He is now a member of Southern California surf band The Californian
, whose current lineup was formed in Summer of 2009 by singer/songwriter John Graney. The band includes John Graney(vocals), himself (guitar and vocals), Jonathan Price (guitar Keys and vocals), Wendy Wang (bass and vocals) , Mike Hopkins (drums).
Greenwald has recently co-produced and appeared on ex - Panic! At The Disco
members, Ryan Ross
and Jon Walker's new band, The Young Veins
debut record, Take A Vacation!.
He has also produced a few tracks on the band The Like
's new album.
More recently, Greenwald recorded with Mark Ronson & the Business Intl
, playing on Guitar, Keyboards and singing on the album.
Augustana's self-titled, fourth full-length album
was released on April 26, 2011. The album's lead single, "Steal Your Heart", was planned for a radio release on February 14 in order to coincide with Valentine's Day
, but was released early on the 8th of February on AOL Music. The album was produced by Sam Farrar. He also co-produced Gomez
' Whatever's On Your Mind.
, Sting, Elvis Costello
, Incubus
, Guided by Voices
, blink-182
, The Zombies
, The Hives
, Sloan
, American Hi-Fi
, Maroon 5
, Ludacris
, Panic at the Disco, The Rocket Summer
and Paramore
.
Phantom Planet has appeared on the television programs Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
, performing "So I Fall Again", and they have also appeared on American Dreams, playing British rock band The Zombies.
They have appeared in the 2005 remake Bad News Bears
, playing a band called The Bloodfarts.
In 2005, they covered the CSNY track "Our House" for the movie The Chumscrubber
.
Phantom Planet also performed a cover of Jackson Browne
's "Somebody's Baby" for Not Another Teen Movie
. "Big Brat" was also introduced in the soundtrack to the video game Driv3r
and featured as a "Hip Clipz" on the website of Curly Grrlz Skateboards.
Alex Greenwald, the band's vocalist, sang a fusion jazz cover of Radiohead
's "Just
" for the 2006 compilation Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads
.
Sam Farrar also contributed to the Hanson
album, Underneath, on the song Lost Without Each Other.
In 2008, Raise the Dead was featured in an episode of the second season of Gossip Girl
.
In 2009, Phantom Planet will be featured on Josh Schwartz
new show 'Rockville, CA.'
Their music has been heard frequently on television, most notably "California," as the theme song for the popular TV show "The OC," and the songs "Do the Panic" and "Dropped" in various commercials. Greenwald made an impact on the British music scene in early 2008 by featuring on Mark Ronson
's cover of the Radiohead
song "Just
".
Former members
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band from Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. Formed in 1994 in Los Angeles, the band consists of Alex Greenwald
Alex Greenwald
Alexander Greenwald is an American musician, actor, and more recently a record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of the Californian rock band, Phantom Planet, which is on indefinite hiatus according to a blog posting on the band's official website.-Life and career:Greenwald was born in...
(vocals, rhythm guitar), Darren Robinson
Darren Robinson (musician)
Darren Robinson is an American guitarist and background singer in the Californian band, Phantom Planet. He helped form the band during his teenage years with the lead singer Alex Greenwald, and ex-band member Jason Schwartzman, in 1994...
(lead guitar), Sam Farrar
Sam Farrar
Sam Farrar is the bass guitar player for American rock 'n roll band Phantom Planet. The band is now on an indefinite hiatus. His father John Farrar was in the Shadows and also carved a successful songwriting career, penning many of Olivia Newton-John's big hits. His mother, Pat Carroll, was a...
(bass guitar) and Jeff Conrad (drums). The band is best known for its track "California", which became the theme song for the Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
TV series
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
, The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
. While the band is often mentioned as the group that featured actor Jason Schwartzman
Jason Schwartzman
Jason Francesco Schwartzman is an American actor and musician. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Hollywood films Rushmore, Spun, I Heart Huckabees, Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, The Darjeeling Limited, Funny People, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World...
on drums, they have continued on in his absence and have released a number of well-received albums.
On November 25, 2008, the band announced in a blog entry on their website that they are going on "hiatus, and will not be playing any more live shows or making any new records, indefinitely." They played their last show on December 12, 2008, in Los Angeles.
Early years (1994–1998)
Phantom Planet is named after a 1961 B-movieB-movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
called The Phantom Planet
The Phantom Planet
The Phantom Planet is a science fiction film directed by William Marshall.Footage from the film was used in a 2010 advertising campaign for La Quinta Inns and Suites, an American hotel chain...
. They decided on the name in 1994 in a Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
. They played their first show in 1994 at The Troubadour in Hollywood, California. Most of their friends could not attend because they were still in high school.Two of the songs they played are featured on the bonus material of the Chicago, Chicagogoing, Chicagogone DVD. Among the songs performed were "My Friend Liz's Dad" (misprinted as "My Friend Liz Is Dead" on the DVD) and a cover of the Beastie Boys 1994 song "Sabotage".
While still in their teens, the group played frequently in and around the Hollywood area, finally catching the eye of Geffen Records executives. Phantom Planet signed with Geffen in 1997 and released their first effort, Phantom Planet Is Missing
Phantom Planet Is Missing
-Trivia:* The song "Sleep Machine" is about Alex Greenwald's television.* The Song "So I Fall Again" appears on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch The radio single...
in 1998
1998 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1998.-Events:*January 28 – "Weird Al" Yankovic gets LASIK surgery to cure his myopia...
. Phantom Planet is Missing showed musical similarities to the popular band Weezer, with influences ranging from The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys are an American rock band, formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California. The group was initially composed of brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Managed by the Wilsons' father Murry, The Beach Boys signed to Capitol Records in 1962...
to Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
, but the album failed to gain any significant ground with either critics or fans. However, as some group members started to make appearances on both the small and large screen and the group pressed on, Phantom Planet gradually built momentum.
The Guest (2002-2003)
Shortly thereafter Geffen Records folded into Universal as part of a major record industry merger, and within a few years Phantom Planet had signed with Epic Records. Charlotte Froom, the daughter of famed producer Mitchell Froom—who had worked with Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney—caught the band's show just at the time when the group was looking for a producer to record their second effort. Excited by the group's music, the young Froom approached her father to produce the group, and after meeting with Phantom Planet, he agreed. Froom also brought in engineer Tchad Blake, who had worked with Pearl Jam and Sheryl Crow, to work on the record.The Guest was released in 2002 and showcased a solid dose of poppy vocals, solid melodies, and sing-along choruses, which helped anchor Phantom Planet as a formidable indie outfit. The group's presence was also solidified by its commitment to touring. The group toured for almost 18 months both as a headliner and an opening act, and in late 2002 the band got the opportunity to open for one of their collective idols, the legendary Elvis Costello. The Guest got an extra boost when the record's notable power ballad "California" was chosen as the theme song for the Fox Network's breakout hit The O.C. As a result, the record was reissued in late 2003 with bonus tracks and a new cover, giving Phantom Planet a whole new round of exposure.
The album produced the band's breakthrough hit, "California," which became the theme song to the Fox TV series, The O.C., in August 2003. Its music video aired on MTV2 in mid 2002.
The track "Lonely Day" also features on the Smallville and Laguna Beach soundtracks.
The Guest continued the pop-rock sound the band introduced in their debut.
Phantom Planet's self titled (2004)
The band's eponymous third albumPhantom Planet (album)
-Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, guitar*Sam Farrar – Bass guitar, Backing vocals*Jacques Brautbar – Rhythm guitar*Darren Robinson – Lead guitar*Jason Schwartzman – DrumsAdditional musicians...
in 2004
2004 in music
See also:* 2004 in music Record labels established in 2004-January:*January 1**The Vienna New Year's Concert is conducted by Riccardo Muti.**Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol....
marked a change in both the band's sound and lineup. Ditching their radio-friendly pop-rock, the band moved towards a garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
sound. Lead singer Alex Greenwald
Alex Greenwald
Alexander Greenwald is an American musician, actor, and more recently a record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of the Californian rock band, Phantom Planet, which is on indefinite hiatus according to a blog posting on the band's official website.-Life and career:Greenwald was born in...
stated that he wants the band to continue to change its sound. "I love rock 'n' roll music," Greenwald said. "I especially loved bands, like The Beatles, that changed with every single record they made. That's been our plan from the get-go. We want our records to be like experiments. We want to have fun with the music. People can hear when you're not having fun. They discover you're bored and you're boring." In the middle of recording the album, founding member and drummer Jason Schwartzman
Jason Schwartzman
Jason Francesco Schwartzman is an American actor and musician. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Hollywood films Rushmore, Spun, I Heart Huckabees, Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, The Darjeeling Limited, Funny People, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World...
abruptly left the band to focus on his acting career. He was replaced by Jeff Conrad, who helped record the remainder of the album. Phantom Planet was released to mixed reviews from critics. Shortly after the album's release, guitarist Jacques Brautbar
Jacques Brautbar
Jacques Brautbar is an American photographer, producer, writer and guitarist, formerly of rock band Phantom Planet. He left the band in 2004, after their self-titled third album, to pursue a career in photography...
left the band to pursue a career in photography
Raise the Dead and the last tour (2007-2008)
Early on in the recording process Phantom Planet's contract with Epic RecordsEpic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
expired, which left them searching for a new record label. Soon after this, they signed to Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
, which produces bands such as Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
, Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
, Panic at the Disco, The Hush Sound
The Hush Sound
The Hush Sound was an indie quartet originating in DuPage County, Illinois, United States. Initially named "The Hush," the band later changed their name to "The Hush Sound" due to the discovery of a rapper with the same name...
and The Academy Is...
The Academy Is...
The Academy Is... was an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2003. Before dispersing, they were signed by the Decaydance imprint of the Fueled by Ramen label. They were originally known as "The Academy", but added the "Is..." in 2004 to avoid legal complications with other...
On January 20, 2008, Phantom Planet posted a bulletin on their Myspace page that stated that the album will officially be finished by the January 24, and that the official release date would be April 15, 2008. Fueled By Ramen re-released a teaser trailer and stated that the first single from the album will be a reworking of "Do The Panic
Do the Panic
"Do the Panic" is a song by the band Phantom Planet, first released in 2004 on their album Phantom Planet: Negatives. In March 2008, the song was re-released with different lyrics on their album Raise the Dead and also as a single...
".
In an interview with RaggedMag, Alex stated that "all bands are kind of their own cult, you know, but we want to take it to a new level. We really like the show Lost
Lost (TV series)
Lost is an American television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004 to May 23, 2010, consisting of six seasons. Lost is a drama series that follows the survivors of the crash of a commercial passenger jet flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, on a mysterious tropical island...
, and even though it’s totally fiction, there’s this air of mystery that’s lacking in a lot entertainment these days. I really like mystery in things, and what a little bit of enigma brings out of people and their imaginations...a band is about community, and within itself it is a brotherhood; it’s companionship. But a band can’t be anything without the people to love it. Our goal will be to recruit and befriend as many people as possible with our message."
When describing the new record, Alex said that "the next record is a concept record. If The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
had Sgt. Pepper's and The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
had Their Satanic Majesties Request, we have our “Leader.” We’re concocting it, but at the same time we’re following it."
In the same interview, bassist Sam Farrar
Sam Farrar
Sam Farrar is the bass guitar player for American rock 'n roll band Phantom Planet. The band is now on an indefinite hiatus. His father John Farrar was in the Shadows and also carved a successful songwriting career, penning many of Olivia Newton-John's big hits. His mother, Pat Carroll, was a...
descibed the new logo. Which is a circular graphic of piano keys that seem to morph into a shirt sleeve with a hand emerging from the cuff. He said, "The idea is that we’re going to sell a lot of these sweatshirts and all the kids will show up in them so the entire audience looks just like us." Alex followed this up by saying that "The "Leader" is the hand. He is the hand that plays the notes we sing to. It’s in the beginning stages still; we’re just chipping away at the stone."
The new song "Leader", is about Alex's fictional or metaphorical experience with a cult. For the definitive recording of the song, Phantom Planet brought in children from Kenter Canyon Elementary School to sing the chorus, the video for which can be seen on their YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
site.
The album, titled Raise the Dead
Raise the Dead
-Singles:The second single is "Dropped". The video, directed by Eric Wareheim, was released in December 2008. The song was featured in the season opener of season two of Chuck -Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, rhythm guitar...
, was released as scheduled on April 15, 2008.
Phantom Planet has announced that they will be playing their last show ever December 12 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. The group performed this first live all ages show in the same place in 1994.
In their 15 years together the group released four albums: Raise the Dead
Raise the Dead
-Singles:The second single is "Dropped". The video, directed by Eric Wareheim, was released in December 2008. The song was featured in the season opener of season two of Chuck -Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, rhythm guitar...
, The Guest
The Guest (album)
-Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards*Sam Farrar – Bass guitar, Backing vocals*Jacques Brautbar – Rhythm guitar*Darren Robinson – Lead guitar*Jason Schwartzman – DrumsAdditional musicians...
, Is Missing
Phantom Planet Is Missing
-Trivia:* The song "Sleep Machine" is about Alex Greenwald's television.* The Song "So I Fall Again" appears on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch The radio single...
, and Phantom Planet
Phantom Planet (album)
-Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, guitar*Sam Farrar – Bass guitar, Backing vocals*Jacques Brautbar – Rhythm guitar*Darren Robinson – Lead guitar*Jason Schwartzman – DrumsAdditional musicians...
.
Read the full statement from their website after the break:
-alex, darren, jeff and sam.
Indefinite hiatus (2008)
On November 25, 2008, the band announced in a blog entry on their website that they are going on "hiatus, and will not be playing any more live shows or making any new records, indefinitely."They played their last show on December 12, 2008, in Los Angeles. Alex mentioned numerous times during their last show that the band was, in fact, going on a hiatus, not breaking up.
Former drummer Jason Schwartzman makes a cheeky reference to this hiatus in his song "Drummer" from the Coconut Records album Davy (released January 2009). The lyrics state "I was a drummer in a band that you've heard of / I was a drummer in a band that just broke up / Isn't that the way it goes?"
Guitarist Darren Robinson posted this message on his personal Myspace page telling fans that they are not broken up:
"We have NOT broken up. We are on an indefinite hiatus. That means we don't know when we'll regroup. But we are NOT broken up. I swear to you it's not just a polite way of saying we have broken up. Got it?"
Post–Phantom Planet projects (2009-2011)
In September 2009 Alex Greenwald has officially announced the tracks for his solo record. He posted the track listing and a CD mockup to his Twitter account. While Sam Farrar joined in a band called Operation Aloha with members of GomezGomez (band)
Gomez are an English indie rock band from Southport, comprising Ian Ball , Paul "Blackie" Blackburn , Tom Gray , Ben Ottewell and Olly Peacock . The band is distinguished for having three singers and four songwriters, employing traditional and electronic instruments...
, Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
. Operation Aloha's self-titled, fourth full-length album
Operation Aloha (album)
Operation Aloha is an album released by a supergroup of 14 musicians of the same name. It was recorded over a period of 30 days in Maui, Hawaii.-Track listing:...
was released on May 12, 2009. It was recorded over a period of 30 days in Maui, Hawaii.
Darren went tour with the band Miniature Tigers
Miniature Tigers
Miniature Tigers is an Indie rock band with elements of indie pop based in Brooklyn, NY. The band is made up of frontman-guitarist Charlie Brand, Rick Schaier on drums and vocals, Algernon Quashie on guitar, keyboard....
in January, February and March 2009. He is now a member of Southern California surf band The Californian
The Californian
The Californian can refer to:*The Californian , Monterey newspaper moved to San Francisco*The Californian , San Francisco Bay Area-based literary newspaper...
, whose current lineup was formed in Summer of 2009 by singer/songwriter John Graney. The band includes John Graney(vocals), himself (guitar and vocals), Jonathan Price (guitar Keys and vocals), Wendy Wang (bass and vocals) , Mike Hopkins (drums).
Greenwald has recently co-produced and appeared on ex - Panic! At The Disco
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is an American alternative rock duo, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Since its split, the band's line-up includes Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith . Former members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the group in 2009...
members, Ryan Ross
Ryan Ross
George Ryan Ross III is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter most known for his work as the lead guitarist, backup vocalist and main songwriter for the band Panic! at the Disco, before his departure from the band in 2009...
and Jon Walker's new band, The Young Veins
The Young Veins
The Young Veins is a rock band from Echo Park, California. The band is composed of Ryan Ross and Jon Walker, two former members of the Las Vegas band Panic! at the Disco, along with bassist Andy Soukal, drummer Nick Murray and keyboardist Nick White.-History:...
debut record, Take A Vacation!.
He has also produced a few tracks on the band The Like
The Like
The Like is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California. The current members are Elizabeth "Z" Berg , Tennessee Thomas , Laena Geronimo , and Annie Monroe...
's new album.
More recently, Greenwald recorded with Mark Ronson & the Business Intl
Mark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
, playing on Guitar, Keyboards and singing on the album.
Augustana's self-titled, fourth full-length album
Augustana (album)
Augustana is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Augustana, released on April 26, 2011 on Epic Records.The album's lead single, "Steal Your Heart", was planned for a radio release on February 14 in order to coincide with Valentine's Day, but was released early on February 8 via AOL...
was released on April 26, 2011. The album's lead single, "Steal Your Heart", was planned for a radio release on February 14 in order to coincide with Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
, but was released early on the 8th of February on AOL Music. The album was produced by Sam Farrar. He also co-produced Gomez
Gomez (band)
Gomez are an English indie rock band from Southport, comprising Ian Ball , Paul "Blackie" Blackburn , Tom Gray , Ben Ottewell and Olly Peacock . The band is distinguished for having three singers and four songwriters, employing traditional and electronic instruments...
' Whatever's On Your Mind.
In popular culture
The band has opened for many well-known artists, including Guns N' RosesGuns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
, Sting, Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
, Incubus
Incubus (band)
Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppell;...
, Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices
Guided by Voices is an American indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Beginning with the band's formation in 1983, it made frequent personnel changes but always maintained the presence of principal songwriter Robert Pollard...
, blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
, The Zombies
The Zombies
The Zombies are an English rock band, formed in 1961 in St Albans and led by Rod Argent, on piano and keyboards, and vocalist Colin Blunstone. The group scored a UK and US hit in 1964 with "She's Not There"...
, The Hives
The Hives
The Hives are a Swedish garage rock band that first garnered attention in the early 2000s as a prominent group of the garage rock revival. Their mainstream success came with the release of the "greatest hits" album Your New Favourite Band, featuring their most well-known song "Hate to Say I Told...
, Sloan
Sloan (band)
Sloan is a Toronto-based alternative rock quartet from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Throughout their 20-year tenure Sloan has released 10 LPs , two EPs, a live album, a "best of" collection and no less than thirty singles...
, American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi
American Hi-Fi is an American pop punk band from Los Angeles, California, which originally hailed from Boston, Massachusetts. The band consists of vocalist Stacy Jones, guitarist Jamie Arentzen, bassist Drew Parsons, and drummer Brian Nolan...
, Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
, Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Panic at the Disco, The Rocket Summer
The Rocket Summer
The Rocket Summer is the solo-project of Bryce Avary who is based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Avary is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, and producer. He writes and produces every song on his records, and plays every instrument on them....
and Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
.
Phantom Planet has appeared on the television programs Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (TV series)
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch is an American sitcom based on the Archie comic book series of the same name.The show stars Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina Spellman, a teenager with magical powers, who lives with her aunts Hilda and Zelda , and their magical talking cat Salem...
, performing "So I Fall Again", and they have also appeared on American Dreams, playing British rock band The Zombies.
They have appeared in the 2005 remake Bad News Bears
Bad News Bears (2005 film)
Bad News Bears is the 2005 remake of the 1976 comedy film The Bad News Bears, produced by Paramount Pictures. It is directed by Richard Linklater and stars Billy Bob Thornton, Greg Kinnear, Marcia Gay Harden, and Sammi Kane Kraft...
, playing a band called The Bloodfarts.
In 2005, they covered the CSNY track "Our House" for the movie The Chumscrubber
The Chumscrubber
The Chumscrubber is a 2005 dark comedy film directed by Arie Posin and written by Posin and Zac Stanford, starring an ensemble cast. The film focuses on the lack of communication between teenagers and their parents, and the prevalence of prescription drugs in American society...
.
Phantom Planet also performed a cover of Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne
Jackson Browne is an American singer-songwriter and musician who has sold over 17 million albums in the United States alone....
's "Somebody's Baby" for Not Another Teen Movie
Not Another Teen Movie
Not Another Teen Movie is a 2001 American comedy film directed by Joel Gallen, released on December 14, 2001 by Columbia Pictures. It is a parody of teen movies which have accumulated in Hollywood over the last few decades...
. "Big Brat" was also introduced in the soundtrack to the video game Driv3r
Driv3r
Driv3r, more commonly known as Driver 3 , is a racing, shooting, and adventure video game. It is the third installment in the popular Driver series and was developed by Reflections Interactive and published by Atari. Driv3r was released in North America for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox on June 21, 2004...
and featured as a "Hip Clipz" on the website of Curly Grrlz Skateboards.
Alex Greenwald, the band's vocalist, sang a fusion jazz cover of Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
's "Just
Just (song)
"Just" is a single by English alternative rock band Radiohead, released in 1995. It is the seventh track on their 1995 album The Bends. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke wrote the song about a narcissistic friend of his, which on closer inspection is showcased by the imagery in the lyrics - a parallel...
" for the 2006 compilation Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads
Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads
Exit Music: Songs with Radio Heads is a tribute album to British band Radiohead released in 2006 on Rapster Records and Barely Breaking Even Records...
.
Sam Farrar also contributed to the Hanson
Hanson (band)
Hanson are an American pop rock band formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by brothers Isaac , Taylor , and Zac Hanson . They are best known for the 1997 hit song "MMMBop" from their major label debut album Middle of Nowhere, which earned three Grammy nominations...
album, Underneath, on the song Lost Without Each Other.
In 2008, Raise the Dead was featured in an episode of the second season of Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl is an American young adult novel series written by Cecily von Ziegesar and published by Little, Brown and Company, a subsidiary of the Hachette Group. The series revolves around the lives and romances of the privileged teenagers at the Constance Billard School for Girls, an elite...
.
In 2009, Phantom Planet will be featured on Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
-Film school at USC:In 1995, Schwartz realized his boyhood dream of attending film school to study screen and television writing at the University of Southern California...
new show 'Rockville, CA.'
Their music has been heard frequently on television, most notably "California," as the theme song for the popular TV show "The OC," and the songs "Do the Panic" and "Dropped" in various commercials. Greenwald made an impact on the British music scene in early 2008 by featuring on Mark Ronson
Mark Ronson
Mark Daniel Ronson is an English DJ, guitarist, music producer, artist and co-founder of Allido Records. He currently works with his band under the music alias of Mark Ronson & The Business Intl....
's cover of the Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
song "Just
Just (song)
"Just" is a single by English alternative rock band Radiohead, released in 1995. It is the seventh track on their 1995 album The Bends. Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke wrote the song about a narcissistic friend of his, which on closer inspection is showcased by the imagery in the lyrics - a parallel...
".
Band members
Current members- Alex GreenwaldAlex GreenwaldAlexander Greenwald is an American musician, actor, and more recently a record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of the Californian rock band, Phantom Planet, which is on indefinite hiatus according to a blog posting on the band's official website.-Life and career:Greenwald was born in...
— lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (1994–present) - Sam FarrarSam FarrarSam Farrar is the bass guitar player for American rock 'n roll band Phantom Planet. The band is now on an indefinite hiatus. His father John Farrar was in the Shadows and also carved a successful songwriting career, penning many of Olivia Newton-John's big hits. His mother, Pat Carroll, was a...
— bass guitar, backing vocals (1994–present) - Darren RobinsonDarren Robinson (musician)Darren Robinson is an American guitarist and background singer in the Californian band, Phantom Planet. He helped form the band during his teenage years with the lead singer Alex Greenwald, and ex-band member Jason Schwartzman, in 1994...
— guitar, backing vocals (1994–present) - Jeff Conrad — drums (2004–present)
Former members
- Jacques BrautbarJacques BrautbarJacques Brautbar is an American photographer, producer, writer and guitarist, formerly of rock band Phantom Planet. He left the band in 2004, after their self-titled third album, to pursue a career in photography...
— guitar, vocals (1994–2004) - Jason SchwartzmanJason SchwartzmanJason Francesco Schwartzman is an American actor and musician. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the Hollywood films Rushmore, Spun, I Heart Huckabees, Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, The Darjeeling Limited, Funny People, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World...
— drums (1994–2003)
Studio albums
- Phantom Planet Is MissingPhantom Planet Is Missing-Trivia:* The song "Sleep Machine" is about Alex Greenwald's television.* The Song "So I Fall Again" appears on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch The radio single...
(1998) - The GuestThe Guest (album)-Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards*Sam Farrar – Bass guitar, Backing vocals*Jacques Brautbar – Rhythm guitar*Darren Robinson – Lead guitar*Jason Schwartzman – DrumsAdditional musicians...
(2002) - Phantom PlanetPhantom Planet (album)-Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, guitar*Sam Farrar – Bass guitar, Backing vocals*Jacques Brautbar – Rhythm guitar*Darren Robinson – Lead guitar*Jason Schwartzman – DrumsAdditional musicians...
(2004) - Raise the DeadRaise the Dead-Singles:The second single is "Dropped". The video, directed by Eric Wareheim, was released in December 2008. The song was featured in the season opener of season two of Chuck -Musicians:Phantom Planet*Alex Greenwald – lead vocals, rhythm guitar...
(2008)
Trivia
- Alex GreenwaldAlex GreenwaldAlexander Greenwald is an American musician, actor, and more recently a record producer. He is best known as the lead singer of the Californian rock band, Phantom Planet, which is on indefinite hiatus according to a blog posting on the band's official website.-Life and career:Greenwald was born in...
became a popular model and the familiar face of many commercials for clothing retailer The Gap. Greenwald also played Seth Devlin in the 2001 film Donnie DarkoDonnie DarkoDonnie Darko is a 2001 American psychological thriller film written and directed by Richard Kelly and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Noah Wyle, Jena Malone, and Mary McDonnell...
. - Bassist Sam FarrarSam FarrarSam Farrar is the bass guitar player for American rock 'n roll band Phantom Planet. The band is now on an indefinite hiatus. His father John Farrar was in the Shadows and also carved a successful songwriting career, penning many of Olivia Newton-John's big hits. His mother, Pat Carroll, was a...
is the son of John FarrarJohn FarrarJohn Farrar is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs....
, the singer/songwriter known best for notable songs from the movie GreaseGrease (film)Grease is a 1978 American musical film directed by Randal Kleiser and based on Warren Casey's and Jim Jacobs's 1971 musical of the same name about two lovers in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway...
and other hits sung by Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
. - The band's favorite sunglasses are Ray-Ban Wayfarers.
- The band has also performed the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical)The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the French novel Le Fantôme de l'Opéra by Gaston Leroux.The music was composed by Lloyd Webber, and most lyrics were written by Charles Hart, with additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe. Alan Jay Lerner was an early collaborator,...
live in concert. - The band provided voice-overVoice-overVoice-over is a production technique where a voice which is not part of the narrative is used in a radio, television production, filmmaking, theatre, or other presentations...
s in the movie Being John MalkovichBeing John MalkovichBeing John Malkovich is a 1999 American black comedy-fantasy film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. It stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, and John Malkovich, who plays a fictional version of himself...
. - Vocalist Alex Greenwald has a solo project.
- Schwartzman's solo music project is called Coconut Records.