Plankeye

Plankeye was an indie rock band which began in 1990 and ended in 2002. Each CD by Plankeye revealed an evolution of one of Tooth and Nail Records' greatest successes of that time. What started as a post-grunge band evolved into power pop which eventually grew into an indie rock/alternative hybrid. Although the band never quite reached the fame of other indie bands of their era, Plankeye was often noted for their melodic hooks and poetic lyrics.

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 more 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 second and best selling album, The One & Only. One year later, the band split up as Scott Siletta and Adam Ferry went on to form the short-lived punk band Fanmail. In 1999, Balmer and Garcia released Relocation, Plankeye's fifth album. Some wondered if the melancholy song "Goodbye" was subtly referencing Scott and Adam's departure from the band, something which Eric and Luis denied.

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 Luis 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 greatest-of compilation which also had 6 new songs including a re-recording of "Bicicle", from Commonwealth.

After Plankeye broke up, Eric Balmer formed a band called Fielding (http://www.purevolume.com/fielding) with his wife, Beth.

Band Members:

Eric Balmer... Lead Vocals, Guitar (1990-2002) Luis Garcia... Bass, keys (1990-2002) Kevin Poush... Guitar (2001) Luis Ruiz... Drums (2001) Scott Siletta... Vocals, Guitar (1990-1998) Adam Ferry... Drums (1990-1998)

Artist Discography

Wings To Fly, 2002 [BEC] Strange Exchange, 2001 [BEC] Relocation, 1999 [BEC] The One and Only, 1997 [Tooth & Nail] Commonwealth, 1996 [Tooth & Nail] The Spark, 1995 [Tooth & Nail] Spill, 1994 [Tooth & Nail] Spill, 1994 (Walk the Plank)

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

Collector's Items

The Spark (1st printing w/ different color cover), 1996 [Tooth & Nail]