Fiction Plane’s first major label release, Everything Will Never Be OK, with MCA Records, was released in the US in March 2003 with the single "Hate". Shortly after the album’s release, Bloomington, IN drummer Pete Wilhoit joined the band.
In spite of positive critical acclaim for the group, including being named a ‘Breaker’ Artist by AOL Music in March of 2003, MCA folded and the band moved over to Geffen records. In 2005 the band released a 4-song EP entitled Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses on the Geffen imprint label Everybody's Records.
In 2006, Fiction Plane made a brief move to Interscope Records and parted ways with founding member and bass/keyboard player Dan Brown[. Joe Sumner took over on bass and the band started working on a new album, Left Side of the Brain, which was released on Bieler Bros. Records on May 22, 2007. Behind the success of the singles "Two Sisters" (a popular single in France, Belgium and Holland) and "Death Machine" the album rose all the way to #46 on the Billboard Heatseeker Album Chart.
On January 23, 2008, Left Side of the Brain was released in Japan through Sideout Records with two bonus tracks: "Drink (acoustic)" and "Put On Your Shoes."
In April 2008, a limited tour edition of Left Side of the Brain was re-released in France through XIII Bis Records, containing five bonus tracks "VIP fast", "Coolest Kid", "At Ease", "Sleepwalker", "Drink (acoustic)"), a video clip ("Two Sisters"), and a hidden track, "The Circus Trouser Enthusiast". Four of the bonus cuts were unused demos recorded in 2006. "Sleepwalker" is an early version of what would become "Anyone," the official album’s first track.
On March 23, 2009, the band released its first-ever live DVD and CD package, simply entitled Paradiso, through XIII Bis Records. It was recorded on December 7, 2008 at the band’s sold-out performance in Amsterdam and then mixed by Ash Howes and mastered by Andy Walters at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London. Special features on the DVD include the unedited version of the “It’s A Lie” video, and a photo gallery of images taken along the band’s touring journey.
In February 2010, Fiction Plane completed the recording of their latest studio album, Sparks, which has an initial European release slated for May 3rd, 2010 on Roadrunner Records. The UK and US album releases are set to follow in the Fall. Produced by Paul Corkett, whose collaborations also include artists the likes of Nick Cave, Bjork and Placebo, Sparks is said to include both large anthems and eclectic tracks.
Fiction Plane has performed before hundreds of thousands in arenas and festivals all across Europe, Asia and North America, and have headlined their own largely sold out European tour.
In 2005, Fiction Plane was the support act for Sting's Broken Music Tour, which took the band all over Europe playing 29 shows in 25 countries.
Fiction Plane was then hired to support The Police on the North American, European, Australian/New Zealand, and Asian legs of their 2007 Reunion Tour, playing 87 shows.
In support of the album Left Side of the Brain and the singles "Two Sisters" and "Death Machine" Fiction Plane performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2007.
In the Spring of 2008, Fiction Plane toured America with The Bravery and Your Vegas. The band also toured the UK in March supporting The Feeling and supported 311 and Snoop Dogg on the 2008 Summer Unity Tour in the US.
In December, 2008, Fiction Plane performed a largely sold-out run through Europe, culminating in selling out the legendary Paradiso in Amsterdam.
On February 27, 2009, Fiction Plane previewed five brand new songs at a concert at Arlene's Grocery in New York City. The song titles were "Telephone Unknown," "Humanoid," "Denied," "Zero," and "Contagious." “Humanoid” and “Zero” are both currently featured in the track listing for their upcoming studio album Sparks.
Fiction Plane has also been featured on several high-profile European music festivals, including Paaspop and Pinkpop in The Netherlands, The Vieilles Charrues in France, Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany.
In support of their new album Sparks, Fiction Plane recently revealed that they will be performing this summer at a number of major European rock festivals including the Meribel Little World Festival, the Benatska Festival in the Czech Republic and Sautrock in Austria.
The band's members are:
Joe Sumner (lead vocals, bass)
Seton Daunt (guitar)
Pete Wilhoit (drums)
Former members:
Dan Brown (bass, keyboards) - until 2006
Olly Taylor (drums) - until 2003
Death Machine
Fiction Plane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you're not the boss you're just a whore
you keep your shoes so clean
fuck you and your death machine
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
we're shipping out we're standing tall
eight of every ten of us will fall
fuck you and your death machine
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
explosive obstacles fill the fucking hospitals
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
I'm as young today as the day i was born
you call me a knight
but I'm only a pawn
in the grand scheme of things
I'm an ape on a string
but I will pull my master down with me
hey you
with your suits and your jewels
what you gonna force me to do tonight
hey you
a black boy shining your shoes
what you gonna force me to do tonight
you keep your shoes so clean
fuck you and your death machine
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
explosive obstacles fill the fucking hospitals
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
I don't take orders sight unseen
fuck you and your death machine
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
explosive obstacles fill the fucking hospitals
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
The lyrics of Fiction Plane's song Death Machine are a commentary on the futility, destruction and senselessness of war. In the first verse, the lyrics are directed towards those who are in positions of power, specifically leaders who are eager to send young men and women to battle. The use of the words "whore" and "death machine" highlights the idea that these leaders are willing to sacrifice lives for their own gain, whether it is for personal or political reasons. The line "you keep your shoes so clean" suggests the detachment and indifference of these leaders towards the harsh reality of war. However, the singer refuses to fight anymore, implying a rejection of the glorification of war and the futility of dying for a political or ideological cause.
The second verse portrays the harsh and brutal reality of war, where "eight of every ten of us will fall" and the "explosive obstacles fill the f***ing hospitals." The lyrics indicate that the impact of war on civilian populations is enormous, as those who are not directly involved in the conflict suffer the consequences.
The final verse highlights the power dynamics that exist within society. The singer is critical of those who hold power and their ability to force others to do their bidding. The reference to a "black boy shining your shoes" draws attention to the racial and class inequality that existed at the time the song was written. However, the singer makes it clear that he will not be forced into fighting anymore.
Overall, the lyrics of Death Machine are a powerful political statement against war, the influence of leaders and the exploitation of those who are less fortunate.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't look so smug when we're at war
Do not have a sense of superiority during a war.
you're not the boss you're just a whore
You are not the leader, but a pawn.
you keep your shoes so clean
You are overly concerned with trivial matters.
fuck you and your death machine
You are responsible for creating weapons of death.
oh I ain't gonna fight no more
I refuse to engage in any more violence.
we're shipping out we're standing tall
We are proudly heading out to fight.
eight of every ten of us will fall
Most of us will not return alive.
I don't take orders sight unseen
I will not blindly follow orders.
explosive obstacles fill the fucking hospitals
The aftermath of war creates dangerous situations for civilians.
I'm as young today as the day I was born
No matter the age, the consequences of war are detrimental.
you call me a knight but I'm only a pawn
I am given a valiant title, but in reality, I am just a small piece in a large scheme.
in the grand scheme of things I'm an ape on a string
I have a small role in a larger, uncontrollable system.
but I will pull my master down with me
My small act of rebellion will have a greater impact.
hey you with your suits and your jewels
Addressing those in power.
what you gonna force me to do tonight
Asking for accountability.
hey you a black boy shining your shoes
Addressing racial inequality and stereotypes.
Contributed by Jasmine O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark Harc
Great song!
Sven Jansen
Brutal tune!
Nya
Marvelous
StringSam
there two sisters as well as this song has a lot of swing in it.....the guitaring is kinda like the ones we get to hear on a beach :P
yorick snorrick
This is the son of sting from the years 70 80 this is good music
tinfoilhatter
@Sven Jansen thanks, haha! i knew that! i was there! i remember it was about 1979 when the police first album hit the charts, at first they sounded like poseurs, but by their third album in 1981, i was sixteen and they were the coolest rock band since the beatles! only xtc , or the fixx have surpassed the police , in terms of coolness or sheer bad-assery!
Sven Jansen
@tinfoilhatter Sting from The Police, most noticed in the 70s and 80s.
tinfoilhatter
from what? from what years?