Fiction Plane
Fiction Plane is a rock band from England. The band is fronted by Joe Sumner, the son of musician Sting. In 2001, they recorded their first demo called Swings and Roundabouts under the name Santa’s Boyfriend.
Before signing to a major record deal, they changed their name to Fiction Plane and recorded their first major label release, Everything Will Never Be OK, with MCA records. The album was released in 2002 in England and March 2003 in the United States with the single “Hate”. Shortly after the release of the album, the band was joined by Bloomington, IN drummer Pete Wilhoit. Though they received positive critical acclaim[citation needed], they were dropped by MCA in 2005.
In 2005 Fiction Plane was the support act for Sting’s Broken Music Tour. The tour took the band all over Europe playing 29 shows in 25 countries. During this tour, the band released a 4-song EP on the Geffen imprint label Everybody’s Records entitled Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses. The EP exhibited musical growth for the band and is a collector’s item on the secondary market, due to its limited pressing.
With a move from Geffen Records to Interscope Records in 2006, this four piece become a trio when bass/keyboard player Dan Brown left the band. Joe Sumner took over on bass and the band started working on a new album.
Fiction Plane supported The Police on the North American, European, Australian/New Zealand, and Asian legs of their 2007 Reunion Tour, playing 87 shows. Just prior to that tour, a new Fiction Plane album entitled Left Side of the Brain was released on Bieler Bros. Records on May 22, 2007.
The singles “Two Sisters” and “Death Machine” were released to select stations. In support of the album and the singles, Fiction Plane performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live.
On January 23, 2008, Left Side of the Brain was released in Japan through Sideout Records with two bonus tracks: “Drink (acoustic)” and “Put On Your Shoes.”
In April 2008, Left Side of the Brain was released in France through XIII BIS Records, containing five bonus tracks (“VIP (fast)”, “Coolest Kid”, “At Ease”, “Sleepwalker”, “Drink (acoustic)”) and a video clip (“Two Sisters”). Four of the bonus cuts were demos recorded in 2006 but were never used. “Sleepwalker” is an early version of what would become “Anyone,” the lead track on Left Side of the Brain.
In the spring of 2008, Fiction Plane toured America with The Bravery and Your Vegas. Fiction Plane also supported 311 and Snoop Dogg on the 2008 Summer Unity Tour in America.
In Europe, the band was featured on several high-profile music festivals, including Paaspop and PinkPop in The Netherlands, Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany, and AquaViva Canaries in Spain.
On November 10, 2008, Fiction Plane launched the video for the single “It’s A Lie” at YouTube. The video was directed by Sumner’s younger half-brother Jake, and is based on the storyline to the 1983 Tom Cruise film Risky Business. The video can be viewed here: It’s A Lie.
In December, 2008, Fiction Plane performed a largely sold-out run through Europe, culminating in selling out the 1800-capacity Paradiso in Amsterdam. The show was simultaneously broadcast at Fabchannel and is currently streaming in the site’s archive. At the same time, Fiction Plane was also the recipient of a “Fabby Award” for having their previous FabChannel performance at the Melkweg viewed over 250,000 times.
On March 23, the band releases its first-ever live DVD and CD package, simply entitled PARADISO, through XIII Bis Records. It was recorded on December 7, 2008 at the band’s sold-out performance in Amsterdam. PARADISO is offered in three packages. One set consists of a DTS Sound DVD of the show and two CDs featuring the entire audio performance. Special features on the DVD include the unedited version of the “It’s A Lie†video, and a photo gallery comprised of images taken along the band’s touring journey. The DVD will also be available separately, as will a limited edition Blu-Ray disc. PARADISO was mixed by Ash Howes and mastered by Andy Walters at Abbey Road.
Fiction Plane have licensed their third album, ‘Sparks’, to Roadrunner Records for Europe (excluding the UK), the Middle East and Africa.
‘Sparks’ was recorded in the second half of 2009, together with producer Paul Corkett (Nick Cave, Biffy Clyro, Bjork and Placebo).
The LP combines the band’s live energy and highly imaginative songwriting.
‘Sparks’, will be available in two different versions a regular version and a limited edition with three bonus tracks. Both versions are due for release on 3rd of May 2010.
Band Members:
Joe Sumner (lead vocals, guitar, bass)
Seton Daunt (guitar)
Pete Wilhoit (drums)
