Ten years ago there was a hole left in the musical landscape. Planes Mistaken For Stars released their furious album, ‘Mercy’, and shortly after that decided it was time to end a decade of whiskey-soaked, genre-defying rock ‘n’ roll. While they have played a few reunion shows over the years, the idea of new music from the Denver-based band seemed like a pipe dream. That is, until now.
“Maybe we needed time to get our heads clear and hearts wrecked enough to get back in our dark little groove,” says vocalist/guitarist, Gared O’ Donnell, speaking of the inspiration behind their long-awaited comeback album, ‘Prey’. Despite the darkness that surrounded its birth, O’Donnell adds, “It feels good, though. It’s been a long time coming.”
To really understand Planes Mistaken For Stars, you need to go back to 1998, when the band released their first EP. They were part of the initial Deep Elm Records movement, predominantly made up of light, emo-driven rock bands. Planes had more grit to them from the start, solidified by their ‘Knife In The Marathon’ EP a couple of years later.
“Holy Shit, that was close to twenty years ago,” laughs O’Donnell, when asked if he thought they would still be such a relevant force today. “At the time I was just holding on for dear life; learning, living, losing, winning. I’m not sure I thought too far ahead. I will say I had, in the back of my mind, hoped that the tunes we served would hold up. Some have, some haven’t but I believe at the end of the night our general aesthetic and ideals have held up tight. That makes me proud.”
As the years progressed, their sound morphed into a dystopian blitz of down-tuned sludge and noise. Each record was filled with piss and vinegar grit, carving out an idea that would be impossible to replicate by a lesser band. ‘Prey’ is just as ugly as it’s predecessor, and picks up elements of their melodic side along the way.
When discussing the approach to writing their fifth full length, and what their mindset was, O’Donnell simply says, “Truth. To be true to the stories and heart behind each tune.” He’s not wrong. ‘Prey’ is vintage Planes Mistaken For Stars. In a world where bands come back and rehash old ideas that ultimately fall flat, O’Donnell admits they “tried not to be afraid trying new approaches.”
Much like the Planes Mistaken For Stars of old, ‘Prey’ straddles the lines of ambiguity and direct aggression, lyrically. O’Donnell says the album tackles “Anxiety, infidelity, love, addiction, heartache, mortality, and morality,” opening up further about the narrative of the record. He adds that regardless of the ten-year gap between albums, things fell into place pretty quickly. “We’re salty dogs. Musically it was like riding a bike; living together I suppose was a bit trickier.”
Since the release of ‘Mercy’, the members of Planes Mistaken For Stars have grown in various ways as people. However they are still the unhinged, explosive force they always were. “Change, while not always for the better, is necessary to evolve,” continues O’Donnell, adding, “Yes, some things have changed, but much is beautifully the same.”
One thing that certainly isn’t the same as during the bands initial run is the way in which an audience hears music. That’s a whole different ball game to a decade ago, and within a second, people can judge someone’s art on any number of platforms. This doesn’t seem to faze O’Donnell in the slightest, despite the overwhelmingly positive reaction to ‘Prey’. “ I try not to get to close to the chill or the fire of presumption,” he states. “I hope to serve the songs and spirits well.”
While anyone would understate their own legacy, there’s no denying that Planes Mistaken For Stars have one. When asked if they felt they had something to live up to or prove, or if the intention was to just come out and raise hell like the old days, O’Donnell laughs and says, “definitely the latter, I’ll let my kids worry about the legacy. I hope I don’t let them down.
“I think each record holds a place in time, a picture of the past, and a snapshot,” he continues, looking back over the band’s back catalogue, and where ‘Prey’ sits within the Planes Mistaken For Stars story. “If you want to think about your clumsy twenty-something self, listen to the self-titled. If you want to see how your late thirties might turn out or if you are in your thirties and need a shoulder to lean on, listen to the new record.”
Owing to the cult-like status that Planes Mistaken For Stars have built up over the years, there will no doubt be an emotional attachment to ‘Prey’ for many. O’Donnell explains that he does “hope it catches new ears,” and ultimately there is a message to be found within the album of “Solace, solidarity, and home. No good heart is alone.”
Looking ahead to the future of the band now that ‘Prey’ has been unleashed upon the world, the ambition of Planes Mistaken For Stars is still as humble as ever. “Doing what is right for the record and our friendships and integrity,” says O’Donnell, when asked if this will signal a return to being a full time band. As we wrap things up, he concludes by saying that they will “keep doing this until it doesn’t feel right”, and offers a brief message to those of us in the UK as the question is put to him if we can expect to see them on our shores once again. The answer he gives is simple; “You can bet your ass.”
‘Prey’ is available now via Deathwish Inc.