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Monday, November 24, 2025

The Planes and the massive proggy 90's alt rock pummels against gentle indie vocals of "Cliff Diver"

 

"I took a dive today / Into the abyss / You said, “How, could you walk away from this?”


The massive proggy 90's alt rock pummels against gentle indie vocals of "Cliff Diver" by Brooklyn's (by way of Massachusetts) The Planes, absolutely kills and can certainly induce such heavy head banging as to strain a neck or two. "Cliff Diver" comes out of the gate hot and noisy but, again, eschew the screamo vocal style in favor of mellower  tones and I love the juxtaposing of ultra metal against softer vocals in the vein of 90's alt rock outfits like HUM or Smashing Pumpkins or Failure and it absolutely works to draw you into the fray.

Front man, singer-songwriter, guitarist Stephen Otto Perry who founded The Planes  with a loose collection of friends in 2009 says this about "Cliff Diver":

"When I read Screaming Females called it quits, I grabbed my Les Paul and wrote this song. It's a little bit of an oddball for The Planes, but we dig it and hope you do too. It's about living life to it's fullest and accepting the consequences. It's life-affirming for a time when many of us are depressed and feeling defeated."

I first saw Screaming Females in 2011 and many times since and I think that Marissa Paternoster, Jarrett Dougherty and King Mike would be honored to hear that they were the inspiration for this song and I bet they love it too. 

LINER NOTES (excerpted / bracketed): 

[(The Planes) released their first full-length album in 2011, and since then have chugged along with a rotating cast of characters to release five more albums, four EPs, and a handful of singles. Through sporadic gigging, half-hearted DIY promo, and the kind words of a few bloggers, DJs, and playlisters, The Planes have built a small global fanbase, from London to New London. Their current lineup includes drummer Josh “The Hitman” Inman, guitarist Patrick “The Hitman” Porter, and bassist Mike “The Hitman” Petzinger.] 

"Ciff Diver" does kill, plus I like the fact that it just runs with Perry delivering ruminations on diving head first into live no matter what happens. The song without a chorus (love this too) is from the band's latest EP "Motel for Lightning Bug".

LYRICS

I took a dive today
Into the abyss
You said, “How,
could you walk away from this?”

It seems impossible
To survive the fall
But I try to keep my impact small
Don’t we all?

If life is so beautiful
Why take the risk?
‘Cause there’s nothing worse
Than a life not lived

If I hit the rocks today
Have a drink in my name
And in lieu of roses on my grave
Pick a memory to save
And embrace the chance for change
‘Cause nothing stays the same
Anyway


-Robb Donker Curtius




The Chicken Wheel will take you to the AP Go Fund Me- and any amount is so appreciated!




THE FACTS AS WE KNOW THEM 


https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PStmPDXCwKLVAyVI60D1u

https://soundcloud.com/hailtheplanes

https://theplanesnyc.bandcamp.com/album/motel-for-lightning-bug

https://www.facebook.com/ThePlanesNYC

https://bandnada.com/b/theplanes



The Planes were founded in 2009 in a dilapidated Brooklyn apartment by Massachusetts-born songwriter Stephen Otto Perry and a loose collection of friends. Soon a regular lineup was formed and the band began playing local shows in venues that are now all banks, condos, or overpriced restaurants. They released their first full-length album in 2011, and since then have chugged along with a rotating cast of characters to release five more albums, four EPs, and a handful of singles. Through sporadic gigging, half-hearted DIY promo, and the kind words of a few bloggers, DJs, and playlisters, The Planes have built a small global fanbase, from London to New London. Their current lineup includes drummer Josh “The Hitman” Inman, guitarist Patrick “The Hitman” Porter, and bassist Mike “The Hitman” Petzinger.

Known for guitar-first indie pop with hummable melodies and rock-lock-able riffs, The Planes have never tried to chase a bandwagon or climb the scenester ladder. Instead, the band continues to add to an already impressive catalog that contains everything from emotionally vulnerable ballads to high-energy punk. Their newest release, Motel for Lightning Bug, continues in this tradition.



The Planes, Stephen Otto Perry, indie rock , alt rock , psychedelic rock, progressive rock, shoegaze, heavy alt rock, mellow vocals, new EP "Motel for Lightning Bug", "Cliff Diver". Brooklyn,

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