Planes Mistaken for Stars (also known as Planes or PMFS) was a post-hardcore band formed in Peoria, Illinois in 1997. They released music on Deep Elm Records, No Idea Records and Abacus Recordings.
They began as an aggressive, melodic post-hardcore band, but has since abandoned the genre somewhat to an extent debated by both the band's fans and critics.
Lead singer and guitarist Gared O'Donnell started the band with guitarist Matt Bellinger, bassist Aaron Wise, and drummer Mike Ricketts. Shortly after the band self-released a self-titled EP, Wise was replaced by Jamie Drier. At this time Deep Elm offered to repackage and distribute the EP which was re-released in the spring of '99.
In 2000, Planes took part in a mass migration to Denver, Colorado with more than fifteen friends. After the move, the band recorded their second release for Deep Elm, Knife In The Marathon. In 2001, Planes moved over to Gainesville Florida's No Idea Records to release Fuck With Fire. The next year they released a 7" titled Spearheading the Sin Movement and also made an appearance on Black On Black: A Tribute to Black Flag.
In 2003, Planes saw its second line up change. Jamie Drier left the band and was replaced by Chuck French. Chuck played his first show with Planes on November 2, 2003.
Later that year, Planes recorded Up in Them Guts with A.J. Mogis, whose most notable work is with Saddle Creek artists Bright Eyes and The Faint. Up in Them Guts was released in the summer of 2004 on No Idea Records. To promote the record, the band took on one of the lengthiest tour schedules of their career, covering the United States and Europe with a bands such as The Ataris, Cursive, Against Me!, Dillinger Escape Plan, Hot Water Music and High on Fire on six separate, and very diverse tours. They also made festival appearances at Skate And Surf Fest, Strhess Fest, and Hellfest.
In 2005, Planes completed three additional headlining tours; one in the United Kingdom, and two in the United States.
Despite rumors of the band signing with metal label Relapse Records, they announced a deal with Abacus Recordings/EMI in the fall of 2005 as well as plans to release a new record in the summer of 2006. Originally scheduled for 2006-06-06, the record had been pushed back in order to accommodate the schedule of the producer they chose to work with, Matt Bayles, who has worked with bands such as Mastodon and Isis. The final record, titled Mercy, was released on October 3, 2006.
In July 2007, Planes Mistaken for Stars announced that they had broken up. They performed their final concert on February 16, 2008 at the Marquis Theater in Denver. Chuck French and Neil Keener are together in a group called Git Some, while Gared O'Donnell is in a project titled Hawks and Doves.
