The Planes were founded in 2009 in a dilapidated Brooklyn apartment by Massachusetts-born songwriter Stephen Otto Perry and a loose collection of friends. Soon, a regular lineup was formed, and the band began playing local shows in venues that are now all banks, condos, or overpriced restaurants. They released their first full-length album in 2011 and, since then, have chugged along with a rotating cast of characters, releasing five more albums, four EPs, and a handful of singles. Through sporadic gigging, half-hearted DIY promo, and the kind words of a few bloggers, DJs, and playlisters,
The Planes have built a small global fanbase, from London to New London. Their current lineup includes drummer Josh “The Hitman” Inman, guitarist Patrick “The Hitman” Porter, and bassist Mike “The Hitman” Petzinger. Their new EP, Motel for Lightning Bug, is available now.
“Cliff Diver” is a hidden gem on The Planes’ recently released EP, and only begins to scratch the surface of the intricate ways this band toes the line between tradition and lofty visions, with explosive psychedelia that grabs your soul as soon as you hit play, and distant yet palpable vocals that carry the lushness of shoegaze. This familiarity is quickly cut in half by raw guitar riffs. The acrobatic guitar work acts as the star of the show on “Cliff Diver,” with the warping melodies driving the animated feeling you get as you press play. While the guitar work is impressive, it is far from the only reason this song is becoming a favorite from Motel for Lighting Bug. It is the psychedelic atmosphere created when those guitars collide with the thudding drums, and the way that arrangement performs an ethereal dance with vocals while staying rooted in the realities explored in the lyrics. “Cliff Diver” is just part of the reason The Planes’ latest project is a proper introduction to this ever-evolving band.
“‘Cliff Diver’ is an affirmation of life of sorts. Something that I think I needed to help myself manage these times. I wrote the song when I heard Screaming Females broke up; Marissa Paternoster is one of the few people who have inspired me to play kinda heavy guitar riffs,” explains Perry. “I feel like this song is an oddball in our catalog, but it fits perfectly on this EP.”
