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 Siletta and drummer Adam Ferry left Plankeye to form the short-lived pop-punk band Fanmail. Siletta later formed a record label called “Vanishing Point Records” with a lineup including his new band “The Franchise”. 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 greatest-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. |
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