Phantom Planet

Phantom Planet formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1994, consisting of Alex Greenwald (vocals, rhythm guitar), Darren Robinson (lead guitar), Sam Farrar (bass guitar), and Andrew Parker (drums). The band was named after a 1961 B-movie, “The Phantom Planet.” Early in their career, the group frequently performed in Hollywood, leading to a contract with Geffen Records in 1997. Their debut album, “Phantom Planet Is Missing,” was released in 1998, followed by the single “So I Fall Again” in September 1998 which was also used to promote the soundtrack for “Sabrina the Teenage Witch: The Album.”

In the early 2000s, Phantom Planet signed with Epic Records. Their second album, “The Guest,” was released in 2002. This album notably featured the track “California,” which became the theme song for the popular Fox Network series “The O.C.”, leading to significant exposure for the band. In 2004, the band released their self-titled third album, which marked a shift in their musical direction towards a garage rock sound. During the recording of this album, founding drummer Jason Schwartzman left the band to pursue acting and was replaced by Jeff Conrad. Guitarist Jacques Brautbar also departed after the album’s release. The band continued their career with the release of “Raise the Dead” in 2008 through Fueled by Ramen, before announcing a hiatus later that year.

The band reunited in 2011 for a series of shows, and again in 2019, officially announcing the end of their hiatus. In May 2019, they released “Balisong,” their first new music in eleven years. Phantom Planet released their fifth studio album, “Devastator,” in 2020. Over their career, Phantom Planet has shared stages with notable artists such as Guns N’ Roses, Sting, and Elvis Costello. Members have also pursued individual projects, including Alex Greenwald’s solo album “Yo” and Sam Farrar’s involvement with Maroon 5 as an additional touring member and eventually an official member.