Fiction Plane

Fiction Plane is an alternative rock band from London, United Kingdom. It forms in 2001, initially under the name Santa’s Boyfriend, and it remains active. The group’s line-up includes Joe Sumner, Seton Daunt, Pete Wilhoit and Dan Brown. In the band’s later configuration, Sumner handles lead vocals and bass, Daunt plays guitar, and Wilhoit plays drums; Brown is a former member and previously plays bass and keyboards.

Background and recordings

The band’s first major-label release is Everything Will Never Be OK, issued in the United States on MCA Records in 2003. The album includes the single “Hate”. Around the same period, the group receives recognition as an AOL Music “Breaker” artist. After MCA folds, Fiction Plane moves to Geffen Records.

In 2005, the band releases the four-track EP Bitter Forces and Lame Race Horses on Everybody’s Records, a Geffen imprint. In 2006 it has a brief association with Interscope Records, and Dan Brown leaves the group. Joe Sumner then takes over bass duties as the band works on Left Side of the Brain, which comes out on Bieler Bros. Records in 2007. The album features “Two Sisters” and “Death Machine” and reaches number 46 on the Billboard Heatseeker Album Chart.

Left Side of the Brain is later issued in Japan by Sideout Records with two bonus tracks, “Drink (acoustic)” and “Put On Your Shoes”. A limited tour edition follows in France through XIII Bis Records with additional bonus material, including the tracks “VIP fast”, “Coolest Kid”, “At Ease”, “Sleepwalker” and “Drink (acoustic)”, plus a video clip for “Two Sisters” and a hidden track, “The Circus Trouser Enthusiast”. “Sleepwalker” is an early version of what becomes “Anyone”, the opening track on the album.

The band’s first live DVD and CD package, Paradiso, appears in 2009 on XIII Bis Records. It is recorded at a sold-out show in Amsterdam in December 2008 and later mixed by Ash Howes and mastered by Andy Walters at Abbey Road Studios in London. The DVD includes an unedited version of the “It’s A Lie” video and a photo gallery from the tour.

In 2010, Fiction Plane completes the recording of Sparks, produced by Paul Corkett. The band’s material is described in terms of both large anthems and more eclectic songs.

Touring and live appearances

Fiction Plane tours widely across Europe, Asia and North America, and plays arenas, festivals and its own sold-out European dates. In 2005 it supports Sting on the Broken Music Tour, playing 29 shows in 25 countries. In 2007 it supports The Police on the Reunion Tour across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, playing 87 shows.

The band appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2007 in support of Left Side of the Brain and its singles. It also tours the United States with The Bravery and Your Vegas in 2008, tours the UK with The Feeling, and joins 311 and Snoop Dogg on the Summer Unity Tour in the United States. Later that year it sells out Paradiso in Amsterdam, and in 2009 it previews new songs in New York City.

Fiction Plane also plays a number of European festivals, including Paaspop, Pinkpop, Vieilles Charrues, Rock am Ring and Rock im Park, as well as Meribel Little World Festival, Benatska Festival and Sautrock.