Plankeye

Plankeye was an American Christian alternative rock band and one of Tooth & Nail Records' greatest successes during the 1990s and early 2000s. 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 Silletta 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 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 best-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 Fielding with his wife, Beth. They have released 4 albums: A self-titled album in 2005, ''The Voice of Us'' on April 14, 2009, ''Our Side Is An Ocean'' on July 9, 2013, and most recently, ''Rags of Light'' on March 29, 2019.

Members

* Eric Balmer – vocals, guitar (1992–2002)
* Luis Garcia – bass guitar, keys, vocals (1992–2002)
* Scott Silletta – vocals, guitar (1992–1998)
* Adam Ferry – drums (1992–1998)
* Shane Valdez – drums (1998, live only)
* Jeremiah Shackelford – guitar (1999, live only)
* Kevin Poush – guitar (2001)
* Louie Ruiz – drums (2001)

Discography

* ''Spill'', 1994 (Walk the Plank)
* ''Spill'', 1994 ooth & Nail* ''The Spark'', 1995 ooth & Nail* ''Commonwealth'', 1996 ooth & Nail* ''The One and Only'', 1997 ooth & Nail* ''Relocation'', 1999 EC(Review:
HM Magazine
')
* ''Strange Exchange'', 2001 EC* ''Wings to Fly'', 2002 EC

Compilations

* ''Seltzer'', 1996
* ''Never Say Dinosaur'', 1996
* ''Tooth & Nail Rock Sampler'', 1997
* ''Tooth & Nail Box Set'', 1997
* ''Happy Christmas: A BEC Holiday Collection'', 1998
* ''Seltzer 2'', 1998
* ''BEC Recordings Sampler Volume One'', 1998
* ''Propska One'', 1998
* '' Happy Christmas Vol. 2'', 1999
* ''Moms Like Us Too Vol. 1'', 1999
* ''Tooth & Nail Rock Sampler Vol. 2'', 1999
* ''Cheapskates Sampler: Softer Side'', 1999
* ''Sleighed: The Other Side of Christmas'', 2000
* ''Cheapskates Vol. 2'', 2001
* ''Simply Survival: New Music Sampler'', 2001
* ''Tooth & Nail 10th Anniversary Box Set'', 2003
* ''Cheapskates Vol. 4'', 2003
* ''Classics (Rock)'', 2004
* ''Surfonic Water Revival''

References

External links

*
* Entry on AllMusic.com
Fielding Website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Plankeye
Alternative rock groups from California
Christian rock groups from California
Musical groups from Orange County, California
Musical groups established in 1992