Diarrhea Planet

Diarrhea Planet is a rock and roll band from Nashville, United States, active from 2009. The group forms in 2009 and develops a six-piece lineup built around multiple guitars, bass and drums. Its members are Evan Bird, Emmett Miller, Mike Boyle, Jordan Smith, Brent Toler and Casey J Weissbuch.

Sound and style

The band’s music is associated with punk, power pop, noise rock and garage rock. Its sound is defined by heavy riffing, prominent guitar lead work, vocal hooks and harmonies, and a live approach that centres on volume and energy. The group is described as combining classic rock and roll, punk and heavy metal elements with sing-along choruses and dense guitar arrangements.

Early history

The band begins in spring 2009 with drummer Casey, guitarist Jordan Smith and guitarist Evan P. Donohue. Later that year it expands by adding Mike Boyle on bass and Brent Toler on a third guitar. In summer 2010, Evan P. Donohue leaves and is replaced by Evan Bird and Emmett Miller, creating the line-up that becomes the band’s most established formation.

Releases and labels

Diarrhea Planet self-releases the five-song EP Aloha in November 2009. The release gains attention online after being shared through a Mediafire link and collects more than 10,000 downloads before the link is removed early the following year. The EP later receives a first physical release on 7-inch vinyl through Philadelphia label Evil Weevil in spring 2011.

That same summer the band signs to Nashville label Infinity Cat Recordings and releases the 7-inch Yama-Uba as part of the label’s Econoline series. The band later issues its full-length album Loose Jewels on Infinity Cat Recordings.

Live activity and touring

Diarrhea Planet plays frequent local shows in venues including basements, warehouses, frat bars and dorm rooms, and it also tours extensively on the East Coast in support of its releases. The group opens for acts including Wavves, Fucked Up, Jeff the Brotherhood, Andrew Jackson Jihad, Defiance, OH, Jacuzzi Boys, The Spits and The Coathangers.

Related labels and context

Infinity Cat Recordings is identified as the home of Jeff the Brotherhood, Heavy Cream, Natural Child and Pujol, among others. Diarrhea Planet’s recorded output and touring are closely tied to that Nashville independent scene.