• 1994-

  Alex GreenwaldVocals, guitar

  Jacques BrautbarGuitar

  Darren RobinsonGuitar

  Sam FerrarBass

  Jason SchwartzmanDrums
• Schwartzman doubles as an actor, having snagged lead roles in a few movies. Most notable of these are Rushmore (1998) and Slackers (2002).
• The group formed when all the members were in their teens. They were still in their teens when Geffen Records signed them in 1996.
• Schwartzman has many famous relatives. He is the son of movie producer Jack Schwartzman (Being There, Never Say Never Again) and actress Talia Shire (yes, that Talia Shire, from The Godfather and Rocky). He is also cousins with the Coppolas. This includes everyone from director Francis Ford Coppola to actor Nicholas Cage.
• Their name comes from a 1961 science fiction movie called, The Phantom Planet. The planet's name is "Rheton" and has the ability to move into and out of galaxies to escape its enemies.
• Greenwald has been in ads for the Gap, Levi's and Incite magazine, among others. He also had a small role in the independent film Donnie Darko (2001). It's about a giant, evil, invisible bunny.
• Robinson managed the band's website - this was back when band's still did this stuff themselves.
• Brautbar is pursuing a degree of music at the University of Southern California.

Comments: 3

• Danny from Sydney, AustraliaDonnie Darko isn't about a 'giant, evil, invisible bunny', Frank, the 'giant, evil, invisible bunny' tells Donnie that the world will end, as well as other things to do. I highly reccomend this movie, it will leave you thinking for months.
• Madison from Atlanta, Gaphantom planet's music appeared on mtv2's handpicked album in 2002
• Rachel from C.wood, Canadathe theme song from THE O.C. is performed by phantom planet...california

More Songfacts:

Brass In PocketPretenders

Chrissie Hynde got the phrase "Brass In Pocket" from a Northern England slang term meaning you had some money, "brass" meaning coins.

TemptedSqueeze

The Squeeze song "Tempted" is one of their few with lead vocals by Paul Carrack, who sang the Ace song "How Long" and was in Mike + The Mechanics.

God Bless AmericaKate Smith

Irving Berlin said "God Bless America" was "not a patriotic song, but rather an expression of gratitude."

Radar LoveGolden Earring

At the end of "Radar Love," the driver dies in a crash but maintains a psychic bond with the woman he was racing to see. The song's lyricist was inspired by stories of extrasensory perception (ESP).

Wild BoysDuran Duran

Duran Duran's "Wild Boys" is based on the book of the same name by William Burroughs.

Watching The DetectivesElvis Costello

Lyrically, Elvis Costello's "Watching The Detectives" was inspired by American detective shows; musically, it was inspired by The Clash.

Editor's Picks

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.