Plankeye

Plankeye was a Christian alternative rock band and one of Tooth & Nail Records' greatest successes during the 90's and early 2000's. Plankeye's style could be defined as melodic post-grunge combined with indie and alternative elements. Their first few albums also incorporated a fair amount of punk rock elements, but this aspect faded when original singer Scott Stiletta left the band.

History

In 1994, Plankeye released "Spill", their first album, which was able to garner enough sales to catch the interest of Tooth and Nail Records. "Spill" was re-released on Tooth and Nail, as Plankeye went into the studio again to record a slightly less aggressive album, "The Spark". In 1996, Plankeye released "Commonwealth", which introduced a more polished and mature sound. Over the course of the next year, the group toured constantly, opening for the Newsboys. In November 1997, the group released their best selling album, "The One & Only". To promote this album, Plankeye headlined "The One & Only Tour", featuring opening act, the Insyderz. One year later, lead singer Scott Silletta and drummer Adam Ferry left Plankeye. Adam Ferry left to become a youth pastor and Scott Silletta left to form the short-lived pop-punk band Fanmail. Silletta later formed a record label called "Vanishing Point Records" with a lineup including his new band "The Franchise". He also created his own recording studio called [http://www.scottsilletta.com Orange Crush Studio] located in Orange, California.

In 1999, Balmer and Garcia released "Relocation" on a new record label, BEC Recordings. This album featured Plankeye's heartfelt single, "Goodbye". Some wondered if this song was subtly referencing Scott and Adam's departure from the band, something which Eric and Luis refuted.

In 2001, Plankeye's song, "When It Comes", was chosen by MP3.com to be included on their radio show 'The Download'. Plankeye beat out 12,000 or so other Alternative bands on MP3.com to get on the show.

In spring of 2001, Kevin Poush and Louie Ruiz joined Plankeye to record Plankeye's most experimental album to date, "Strange Exchange". In 2002, Poush and Ruiz left the band, and Balmer and Garcia recorded "Wings to Fly", a greatest-of compilation which also had 6 new songs including a re-recording of "Bicycle", from "Commonwealth".

After Plankeye broke up, Eric Balmer formed a band called [http://www.purevolume.com/fielding Fielding] with his wife, Beth.Fielding released an album in 2005 which was self titled. They are currently still recording and Eric Balmer has a solo album in the works set to be out in 2008.

Members

*Eric Balmer... Vocals, Guitar (1992-2002)
*Luis Garcia... Bass, Keys, Vocals (1992-2002)
*Scott Silletta... Vocals, Guitar (1992-1998)
*Adam Ferry... Drums (1992-1998)
*Kevin Poush... Guitar (2001)
*Louie Ruiz... Drums (2001)

Discography

*Wings To Fly, 2002 [BEC]
*Strange Exchange, 2001 [BEC]
*Relocation, 1999 [BEC] (Review: " [http://web.archive.org/web/20010717025343/www.hmmagazine.com/issue78/78AlbumReviews.htm HM Magazine] "cite journal |last=Mengden |first=Ben |year=1999 |month=July/August |title=Album Reviews: Plankeye "relocation" |journal=HM Magazine |id=ISSN|1066-6923 |issue=78 |pages= |accessdate=2007-04-24]
*The One and Only, 1997 [Tooth & Nail]
*Commonwealth, 1996 [Tooth & Nail]
*The Spark, 1995 [Tooth & Nail]
*The Spark (1st printing w/ different color cover), 1996 [Tooth & Nail]
*Spill, 1994 [Tooth & Nail]
*Spill, 1994 (Walk the Plank)

Compilations

*Classics (Rock), 2004

*Cheapskates Vol. 4, 2003

*Tooth & Nail 10th Anniversary Box Set, 2003

*Simply Survival: New Music Sampler, 2001

*Cheapskates Vol. 2, 2001

*Sleighed: The Other Side Of Christmas, 2000

*Cheapskates Sampler: Softer Side, 1999

*Tooth & Nail Rock Sampler Vol. 2, 1999

*Moms Like Us Too Vol. 1, 1999

*Happy Christmas Vol. 2, 1999

*Propska One, 1998

*BEC Recordings Sampler Volume One, 1998

*Seltzer 2, 1998

*Happy Christmas: A BEC Holiday Collection, 1998

*Tooth & Nail Box Set, 1997

*Tooth & Nail Rock Sampler, 1997

*Never Say Dinosaur, 1996

*Seltzer, 1996

References

External links

* [http://www.christianmusic.org/cmp/plankeye/index2.shtml Official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/plankeyerocks Unofficial page on MySpace]
* [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE57F1EDC4BAA7720F6BD1D65EA9B47C628FE70CFBE3B126F63FDFB187C910866F871C2B1CFF0B674B666A8E02CA45A099FCBEC5CFFD86C3F389D8EDB&sql=11:he8j1vdozz9a Entry on AllMusic.com]