Phantom Planet is a frequently evolving four-piece alternative music band based out of Southern California that achieved fame for its track California, which has gone on to become the theme song for the popular Fox TV series, The O.C.. Phantom Planet also performed a cover of Jackson Browne's Somebody's Baby for Not Another Teen Movie. "Big Brat" was also introduced in the video game soundtrack, Driv3r (Driver 3). Their first record is a surf-rock collection of tunes reminiscent of The Beach Boys. Their second is classic rock harkening to U2 and Blur. Their third and most recent album is an amalgam of sounds, described by the band members as "a fight between" bands such as Fugazi, The Who, The Cure, The Flaming Lips, and The Clash.
They played their first show ever in 1995 at The Dragonfly in Hollywood. Most of their friends couldn't attend because they were still in high school, while the Dragonfly only serves customers that are 21 and over. Two of the songs they played are featured on the bonus material of the Chicago, Chicagogoing, Chicagogone DVD. Among the songs performed were "My Friend Liz...
| years active | 1994-present |
| origin | Southern California |
| country | United States |
| music genre | Indie rock Pop underground |
| current members | Alex Greenwald Sam Farrar Darren Robinson (musician) |
| past members | Jason Schwartzman Jacques Brautbar |
| website | Official site |