"When I started Planet X, I had one goal: to start the sickest instrumental band in the world. I wanted to find musicians that played their instruments so fiercely, it would strike fear in the hearts of other musicians when they played," declares the group's founder Derek Sherinian.
After Derek Sherinian left Dream Theater, he immediately began recording his first solo album, Planet X. Not believing he would ever be a solo artist, Magna Carta Records enticed him to begin a solo career, but little did he know he was beginning to form a band named appropriately- Planet X. Sherinian recruited Australian master drummer Virgil Donati and the two hit it off immediately. They wrote the “Atlantis” trilogy during their very first jam session.
The debut self-titled Planet X album, was released in 1999, they were aided by featured guitarist Brett Garsed and bassist Tony Franklin. Sherinian and Donati knew they were on to something and they brought in guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine to the Planet X fold- their side project just turned into a full-fledged band. The trio was ready to record their first album as an official band. and `Universe' was released in 2000' They toured the first two years of existence, performing in Australia, Japan, Europe, and America in 2001 and creating a strong following in Bulgaria.
`MoonBabies,' co-produced and mixed by veteran rock drummer Simon Phillips is a huge fusion of rock, jazz and metal. is "MoonBabies". in 2002.
In 2002, the band played their final show in Melbourne, Australia, with Dixie Dregs/Steve Morse bassist- Dave LaRue. They recorded their live album- `Live From Oz,' The album was released- on April 23rd.
Though Planet X is still a band, Sherinian has been busy with solo projects bringing some of the most famous and talented of musicians. `Inertia', his second solo album, was a compilation with simon Phillips and included musician friends: Steve Lukather (Toto), Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society), bassist Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm) and violinist Jerry Goodman (Mahavishnu Orchestra).
For 'Black Utopia,' Sherinian’s third solo record, (released in 2003), Derek brought in legendary guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen – with whom Sherinian toured in 2001 – and Al DiMeola. Three tracks were co-written by drummer-turned-guitarist Brian Tichy, who Sherinian met during a gig on the road with Billy Idol in 2002.
Derek has been releasing released one album per year, always alternating his solo albums with those of his Planet X, but in 2004, he released the solo album- `Mythology, ' which he has been working on since `Black Utopia' came out. His boyhood guitarist idol- Allan Holdsworth was one of the guest guitarists on the album.
So is Planet X a thing of the past? No! Derek and Virgil have started to write the new album, with hints that Allan Holdsworth might provide guitar work and a tour as well. We will see.
Planet X Discography:
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Planet X - Universe [2000]
01 - Clonus
02 - Her Animal
03 - Dog Boots
04 - Bitch
05 - King Of The Universe
06 - Inside Black
07 - Europa
08 - Warfinger
09 - Chocolate
10 - Pods Of Trance
11 - 2116
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Planet X - Live From Oz [2002]
01 - Ignotus Per Ignotium
02 - Inside Black
03 - Dog Boots
04 - Atlantis : Apocalypse 1470 BC
05 - Atlantis : Sea of Antiquity
06 - Atlantis : Lost Island
07 - Derek Sherinian Solo
08 - Warfinger
09 - Virgil Donati Solo
10 - Warfinger Reprise
11 - Tony MacAlpine Solo
12 - Her Animal
13 - Europa
14 - Pods Of Trance
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Planet X - Moonbabies [2002]
01 - MoonBabies
02 - The Noble Savage
03 - Ataraxia
04 - 70 VIR
05 - Micronesia
06 - Interlude In Milan
07 - Digital Vertigo
08 - Ground Zero
09 - Midnight Bell
10 - Ignotum Per Ignotius
