"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.
. Their second studio album, MoonBabies, was released shortly after on July 29. Five years later, Quantum, their third album, was released on May 18, 2007. This lineup featured two guest appearances from jazz fusion guitarist Allan Holdsworth, with Garsed returning for overall guitar duties.
On April 18, 2009, an announcement was made on Tony MacAlpine's MySpace profile that he had rejoined the group, with a new album set to be recorded later in the year. However, he later stated in an October 2012 interview that he was no longer is a member of the group.
Planet X Discography:
2000: Universe
2002: Live from Oz (live album)
2002: MoonBabies
2007: Quantum
