Planet Smashers
The Planet Smashers rank among North America's premier ska bands. Their repertoire of original tunes and energetic stage shows have catapulted them into the forefront of the underground music scene in Canada. A concert favorite from coast to coast, they regularly play to capacity crowds that number in the thousands. Their first three records have sold over 40,000 copies.
The band formed in Montreal, Canada in 1994. An audience favorite from the very beginning, the Planet Smashers have always emphasized a pop approach to their song writing. With super catchy horn riffs and solid melodies, the Smashers soon built up a reputation as one of the city's best live acts. After countless sold out performances around the city, the band recorded their first full-length CD in 1995. Released on Singer Matt Collyer's fledgling label STOMP RECORDS, the self titled CD was a smash success, requiring numerous repressings. With a hot CD, the Smashers embarked on their first National tour which was greeted with incredible response from fans and critics alike. While on tour in British Columbia, the band shot their first video for "Missioin Aborted" on the set of TV's X-FILES.
For their next recording, the Planet Smahsers enlisted the aid of veteran Canadian ska man Chris Murray. Known to fans everywhere as Venice Shoreline Chris, Murray has his own outstanding CD on Moon Records and has toured extensively with some of the worlds best know ska bands. He was also a founding member of the legendary Canadian ska band KING APPARATUS. With outstanding material and Murray as producer, the band's second release, 1997's "Attack of The Plaent Smashers" is a classic CD This release rose to #2 on the National Campus charts and remained there for over 2 months A second video for the song "My Decision" was released and helped solidify the Planet Smashers as one of Canada's biggest independent bands.
In early 1999, the band went back into the studio to record their CD, Life of the Party. Returning to the controls, was Chris Murray who turned out some of the best Smashers mateiral to date/. Next up for the group was a spot on the famous SNO JAM 5 tour with bands such as GOB, Chixdiggit, Satanic Surfers, Anti-Flag and AFI. This release also brought the band across the pond for their first tour of Europe. Helped by Swiss independent Leech Records, the band played through out Western Europe in both 1999 and 2000
2001 brought the release of the bands 4th full -length release "No Self Control". Produced by Steven Drake (Odds, Gord Downie, Barenaked Ladies) in both Montreal and Vancouver during the months of February and March. This release was a darker sounding CD with sarcasm, wit and irony. Upon the release of "No Self Control", the band embarked on the SNO JAM 7 tour with Good Riddance, AFI, Nicotine, Sick of it All and Death By Stereo. The band continued on a furious pace and returned to the highways of Canada for another National tour with label-mates SUBB and Swiss Rockabilly heros THE PEACOCKS. The Summer of 2001 also saw the band join the legendary Vans Warped Tour for 2 weeks. The Summer witnessed the band play countless festivals, Molsons Snow Jam, Edgefest II with Blink 182 and Millencolin and another successful tour of Europe. The band also released "No Self Control on Swiss Label Leech Records.
This year, The Planet Smashers have toured the United State twice, once with internationally reknowned touring punk festival The Vans Warped Tour, as well as Japan. They are currently on The State of The Union tour, in support of the State of The Union compilation volume 2. 2003 will bring to the band to their first tours of Australia as well as a record released on Vertical Reocrds. Look out for the Planet Smashers as they will surely be looking for you.
