Phantom Planet are: Alex Greenwald on vocals, Sam Farrar on bass, Darren Robinson and Jeff Conrad, who replaced original drummer Jason Schwartzman after he left to continue pursuing his acting career.
They played their first show ever in 1995 at The Dragonfly in Hollywood. Most of their friends couldn't attend because they were still in high school, while the Dragonfly only serves customers that are 21 and over. Two of the songs they played are featured on the bonus material of the Chicago, Chicagogoing, Chicagogone DVD. Among the songs performed were "My Friend Liz's Dad" (misprinted as "My Friend Liz Is Dead on the DVD), and a cover of the Beastie Boys' 1994 song "Sabotage".
Phantom Planet has appeared on the televison programs "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", Performing So I Fall Again, and "American Dreams", playing British rock band The Zombies. They have appeared in the remake of the feature film The Bad News Bears, playing a band called The Bloodfarts. In 2005 they covered the CSNY track, Our House for the movie The Chumscrubber.
The band is named after the theme song of a 1961 b-movie called The Phantom Planet. They decided on the name in 1994 in a Pizza Hut.
The band has opened for many well-known artists, including Sting, Elvis Costello, Incubus, Guided By Voices, The Hives, American Hi-Fi, Maroon 5, and even Ludacris.
Lead singer and song writer Alex Greenwald became a popular model and the familiar face of many commercials for clothing retailer Gap. Greenwald also played a sociopath in the 2001 film Donnie Darko. Bassist Sam Farrar is the son of John Farrar, the singer/songwriter known best for notable songs from the movie Grease ("You're the One That I Want" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You") and other hits sung by Olivia Newton-John.
Ex-drummer Jason Schwartzman is the son of actress Talia Shire, brother of Rooney singer Robert Schwartzman and nephew of famed director Francis Ford Coppola. Schwartzman is now an acclaimed actor. He starred in Rushmore, I Heart Huckabees, Shopgirl, Roman Coppola's CQ, Bewitched, and appeared in his cousin Sofia Coppola's film Marie-Antoinette.
The band released their fourth and most recent album in April 2008 called Raise the Dead.
They announced, on November 25th, 2008, that they are on an indefinite hiatus.
On November 4, 2011, an official Phantom Planet reunion Twitter account was created which stated they would be reuniting in 2012. Since then, they have held their first practice in 3 years. In late January 2012, Phantom Planet announced their first reunion show, June 13, at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. On January 31, they announced the addition of a second Troubadour show to be played June 14, 2012. Former member of the band, Jacques Brautbar, joined them for songs at the June 13th show.
Also on January 31, guitarist Darren Robinson hinted at a Phantom Planet tour with the following Facebook status update: "Preparing for June shows for 5 months, in a huge positive way." No tour was announced.
In Augusts of 2013, the band, under Alex Greenwald & Phriends, performed a new song titled Balisong, which ended up being on Greenwald's solo album. This performance did not have bassist Sam Farrar because he was touring with Maroon 5. He was replaced by Jamiroquai bassist Stuart Zender.
A Phantom Planet Instagram account was created on January 19, 2019, indicating that the band could be reforming. Additionally, band members posted the logo on their personal social media accounts. It was confirmed that the band played a small secret private show January 19, 2019, at No Name on Fairfax in Los Angeles.
On March 18, 2019, the band officially announced "Hiatus. Over." They announced their first "public" show in over 7 years at Hanson's "Hop Jam" Music and Beer Festival in Tulsa, OK on May 19, 2019. Before that event, they scheduled three shows across Southern California.
Do the Panic
Phantom Planet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black clouds are upon us
And it's doomsday on the other side of town.
That boy survived a severed head
When most would just give up for dead,
So I said: "Al B. don't get so upset."
We all get scared of sticking out our necks
It's expected!
So panic...
It's time to lose control!
Turn off your radio!
You're gonna feel alright!
Let's do the panic tonight!
This place is turning upside down,
And shaking all of our change out,
And Charlotte's tossing her hair to the hounds
But it's her head they want on the wall
Right next to the screeching owl,
And I don't like this party
Or the sound
Of people walking across you when you're down.
And that's it!
So panic.
It's time to lose control!
Turn up your radio!
Yeah you can bring your friends!
So we all do the panic again!
Phantom Planet's song "Do the Panic" is a quirky and upbeat tune that provides commentary on the end of the world and the chaos that ensues. The lyrics suggest that everyone is in trouble, as black clouds are upon us, and doomsday is happening on the other side of town. Despite this, the singer notes that one boy survived a severed head, suggesting that we should all be strong like him and not give up. The singer also tells Al B. not to get so upset, implying that we all get scared sometimes and that it's normal to stick out our necks. The chorus of the song encourages listeners to panic, lose control, turn off their radios, and do the panic tonight.
As the song progresses, the singer describes the chaos that is happening, with the place turning upside down and people's heads being wanted on walls. He notes that he doesn't like this party or the sound of people walking across you when you're down. Despite the chaos, the singer encourages listeners to panic again and turn up their radios.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the chaos and destruction that can happen in times of crisis, but it also encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy the moment. It suggests that while the world may be ending, we should still find joy in the midst of the chaos and not give up.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess we're all in trouble, huh?
The situation seems dire and uncertain for all of us, doesn't it?
Black clouds are upon us
There is a sense of impending doom or danger that is looming over us.
And it's doomsday on the other side of town.
The situation is even worse in another part of town and it adds to the overall sense of chaos and fear.
That boy survived a severed head
There is someone who has overcome a serious and dangerous situation, which highlights the strength and resilience of some people.
When most would just give up for dead,
In the face of such danger or adversity, many would simply lose hope and give up.
So I said: "Al B. don't get so upset."
Trying to reassure someone who is feeling anxious or worried, by telling them not to get too upset about the situation.
We all get scared of sticking out our necks
In situations where there is potential danger, people are naturally afraid of exposing themselves or taking risks.
It's expected!
This fear of danger or risk is a natural and expected reaction that most people have.
So panic...
Despite the fear and anxiety, the situation calls for action and urgency to address the problems and dangers.
It's time to lose control!
The situation demands that people let go of their inhibitions or reservations, and act with urgency and intensity.
Turn off your radio!
Shut out the external noise and distractions that might interfere with addressing the problems at hand.
You're gonna feel alright!
Taking action and facing the challenges can be reassuring and even empowering in the face of uncertainty and fear.
Let's do the panic tonight!
Embracing the urgency and intensity of the moment by taking coordinated and committed action to address the threats and dangers around us.
This place is turning upside down,
The environment or situation is undergoing extreme changes, creating more chaos and uncertainty.
And shaking all of our change out,
The situation is unsettling and disorienting, causing people to feel vulnerable and unmoored.
And Charlotte's tossing her hair to the hounds
One person is behaving recklessly or carelessly, either ignoring the danger or trying to make light of it.
But it's her head they want on the wall
This reckless behavior is putting this person in even greater danger, as others are actively seeking to harm or exploit them.
Right next to the screeching owl,
The danger is palpable and even menacing, as indicated by the ominous and disturbing presence of the owl.
And I don't like this party
The situation or environment is unpleasant, uncomfortable or even dangerous, causing discomfort or distress.
Or the sound
The situation is so bad that even the sounds (or noises) around us are annoying or unbearable.
Of people walking across you when you're down.
Being vulnerable or exposed in this situation also means that people can take advantage of you or treat you badly, adding to the overall sense of insecurity and danger.
So panic.
Despite the challenges and dangers, it's important to embrace the urgency and intensity of the moment by taking coordinated and committed action to address the threats and challenges around us.
Turn up your radio!
Now that we're committed to taking action, we can also turn up the volume to enhance our energy and intensity.
Yeah you can bring your friends!
The more people we have committed to dealing with the situation, the better our chances of success and survival.
So we all do the panic again!
Continuing to stay focused, energized and committed to addressing the challenges and dangers around us, in the hopes of overcoming them and restoring some sense of normalcy and safety.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Alexander Greenwald, Jason Schwartzmann
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
· ðłąną ·
(Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo-bee-doo
Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo)
I guess we're all in trouble, huh?
Black clouds are upon us
And it's doomsday on the other side of town
That boy survived a severed head
When most would just give up for dead
So I said: "Al B. don't get so upset."
We all get scared of sticking out our necks
It's expected
So panic
(Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo-bee-doo
So panic
Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo)
It's time to lose control!
(Come on, come on)
Turn off your radio!
(Come on, come on)
You're gonna feel alright!
Let's do the panic tonight!
(Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo-bee-doo
Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo)
This place is turning upside down,
And shaking all of our change out,
And Charlotte's tossing her hair to the hounds -
But it's her head they want on the wall
Right next to the screeching owl,
And I don't like this party
Or the sound
Of people walking across you when you're down
And that's it
So panic
(Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo-bee-doo
Its satanic
Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo)
It's time to lose control!
(Come on, come on)
Turn up your radio!
(Come on, come on)
Yeah you can bring your friends!
So we all do the panic again!
Put your left foot in
Now put your other left foot in
Are you having trouble getting it down?
(Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo-bee-doo
Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo)
It's time to lose control!
(Come on, come on)
Turn off your radio!
(Come on, come on)
You're gonna feel alright!
Let's do the panic tonight!
It's time to lose control!
(Come on, come on)
Turn up your radio!
(Come on, come on)
Yeah you can bring your friends!
So we all do the panic again!
(Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo-bee-doo
Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo)
Well come on
(Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo-bee-doo
Bop bop bop
Bop bop sha-doo)
Eleanor Black
Phantom Planet is amazing, they really need more recognition! 14 years as a band, and yet, they've never headlined! So unfair! I think they're better live than on the CD, you can hear the passion in Alex's voice, and he goes ALL OUT! Love him!
Martín Naranjo
Phantom Planet is very underated
Connor McIntosh
They don't know what they missing bruv
mint girl
in all honesty one of the most underrated bands ever.
Maurice B.
I only had the melody of California in the back of my head since it´s release.
Never really got into their other songs.
So glad I get into it now.
On a sidenote: how crazy is it that YouTube has already become this huge time capsule? Like this song is 12 years old and has been longer than half of my life on this platform. It´s quite insane and really gives you a glimpse into the future, when people in 2100 still get to watch this vid and read our dumb comments.
Shoutout to my grandchildren, I guess!
DreaminMachine
This song is great with the overall mood it brings and it's rythym.
Canuckdude22
Who else thought their headphones were going out during the intro?
jhonatan gomez
Same
Sir Skullz
Mine actually did :/
DJLEGOSTAR
Me 😆 (ouch)