It definitely hasn’t been an easy road for British indie rock band People in Planes.

However, after going through three band names, three record labels, three albums, a new band member – and after seeing their latest album undergo four producers and seven studios before its completion – the group from Wales is slowly seeing the path to success.

Starting out as Robots in the Sky in 2000 and then Tetra Splendour in 2001, the five-man band – consisting of Gareth Jones (vocals), Peter Roberts (guitar), Kris Blight (bass), John Maloney (drums) and Ian Russell (keyboard) – went through its fair share of growing pains, with legal repercussions, record label mishaps, and a search for the right musical sound.

“When we were Robots in the Sky, it was a bit difficult because of the legal issues with it and with other bands having the same name,” Jones told andPOP. “So we thought why not just come up with a new name. Then we went through Tetra Splendour, which was another step to start us off, but there was still too much baggage.”

In 2005, the band pulled a third title switch, while also adding a new musician to the group with Russell on the keyboard.

“We got a fifth band member, and then we recorded a new album,” said Jones. “So it was either to keep Tetra Splendour and the baggage and all with that record deal, or take a new path with a new name. So we did it, and we came up with a new concept and brainstormed like 50 names, and People in Planes was born.”

And with the new image, the band attracted three things: a new record deal with Wind-Up Records, a new album with As Far as the Eye Can See, and some good old fashioned excitement.

“We were just having a great time, getting drunk, partying,” Jones said about their arrival in New York City to find a record deal. “But all the record labels, all the wining and dining happened so quickly, and then suddenly were doing showcases for labels, or maybe in some sky scraper talking to the CEO of some company.”

“We’d been together for so many years,” added Roberts. “So getting even a glimpse of anything like that was amazing. We were just having some good times really, because it was the first time we had ever been abroad as a band.”

In September, the group released their second and latest album with Wind-Up Records, Beyond the Horizon.

But like the band’s history so far, the album also underwent its own soul searching before finally wrapping up. The production required four producers – Doves/Massive Attack producer Dan Austin, Our Lady Peace frontman Raine Maida, Queens Of The Stone Age collaborators Eleven, and Panic At The Disco producer Matt Squire – as well as seven studios while going back and forth from the US to the UK.

“It was a little long winded obviously, but it turned out really well,” said Roberts. “We didn’t want to go with big name producers who did a lot of big indie rock albums, firstly because we thought the motivation to make a great record wouldn’t really be there, and also the cost was ridiculous, but it was definitely a lot of hard work, and trying to get the sound right, but it’s been good.”

The album ranked at No. 21 for U.S. heat seekers, with their most popular singles being “Last Man Standing” and “Pretty Buildings.”

“Those are definitely some of the songs which grab our fans, but I’m sure each of us had our own favorites while recording,” said Jones. “I think it was probably the later ones for me, because singing wise, I felt better.”

And coming off a recent tour with The Toadies, PIP was able to show off their latest work all across America.

“It was awesome, definitely one of our greatest moments,” said Roberts. “It was definitely the longest for us, probably around three months, all over America, a bit of stuff around here in Canada, Montreal, Vancouver, but also had some awesome shows in New York, Chicago and Seattle.”

Now, the band is literally looking “beyond the horizon,” having announced that they’ll take their album on tour to the UK in 2009. But as they continue their streak of success, the group still strives to find the right combination of elements to take the band to the next level and stand out from the rest of the crowd in this ever so bustling industry.

“I think that sometimes you have a good gig, but then the next night a not-so-good gig, so it’s all about consistency,” said Roberts. “You have to figure out how to give the same energy and same sound every night. I think that’s an important issue that we gotta keep up.”






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