Written By Debbie Bowman Photos By Missie Tong
Published: September 12, 2011
Published: September 12, 2011
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Home > Columns > Loud & Upfront in Columbus > Planet 9
Columbus rock 'n' roll band Planet 9 unveiled, set to launch fall tour
Alan Kennedy told me himself, “we’re Columbus’ best kept secret.” Planet 9 is the
working man’s drinking band. They’re signed with Jamsync Music, endorsed by
Joeker Guitars and poised to go on tour with Kill Devil Hill in October. Their self-
titled album, Planet 9, was released in July and is flying off the shelves around the
world, but vocalist and lead guitarist Kennedy; guitarist, Ron Zingaro; bassist, Rich
Wilson and drummer Geof Wilson are still looking for love from the home front.
“There are like 100 people here that come to our shows, they’re the only 100 people
who know who we are,” Kennedy said. "One of the interesting things about
Columbus is even though the bands talk a lot about how they support one another,
you won't find those guys at a Planet 9 show. And that’s cool, we do stuff that’s a lot
different than what most of those guys are in to. And then there’s the aspect of they
just don't know who we are. They don't realize that we were playing when most of
them were still in high school.”
I met up with the charming, down to earth and very modest Kennedy one afternoon
at North Market in Columbus, so we can get to know the man and the band.
Deb: Tell me how Planet 9 got started.
AK: Good question. Originally I was in another band that was pretty popular in town
called Slapped Silly. Mid-90s, ended up breakin' up, leavin' that and wasn't gonna
do it any more. And a couple of guys from that band got together and wanted to do
something, so I said, "okay," but it has to be something totally different. We got a
drummer, a friend of the band, a guy named Jason, excellent drummer. But we
couldn't find a singer. So they said, "hey Alan, why don't you sing until we find
somebody?"
Deb: So you never sang before?
AK: No, I had never been a singer. And they said you’re doing such a good job why
don't you just do it. I was like, "I dont wanna be the singer." but they said, "well, you
are now." So that’s how it happened. It was the same thing with playing lead guitar.
Deb: So have you grown into it? Are you more comfortable now or do you
still get nervous?
AK: You know, I still get nervous. I mean, I’ve been doing this for a long time. I
working man’s drinking band. They’re signed with Jamsync Music, endorsed by
Joeker Guitars and poised to go on tour with Kill Devil Hill in October. Their self-
titled album, Planet 9, was released in July and is flying off the shelves around the
world, but vocalist and lead guitarist Kennedy; guitarist, Ron Zingaro; bassist, Rich
Wilson and drummer Geof Wilson are still looking for love from the home front.
“There are like 100 people here that come to our shows, they’re the only 100 people
who know who we are,” Kennedy said. "One of the interesting things about
Columbus is even though the bands talk a lot about how they support one another,
you won't find those guys at a Planet 9 show. And that’s cool, we do stuff that’s a lot
different than what most of those guys are in to. And then there’s the aspect of they
just don't know who we are. They don't realize that we were playing when most of
them were still in high school.”
I met up with the charming, down to earth and very modest Kennedy one afternoon
at North Market in Columbus, so we can get to know the man and the band.
Deb: Tell me how Planet 9 got started.
AK: Good question. Originally I was in another band that was pretty popular in town
called Slapped Silly. Mid-90s, ended up breakin' up, leavin' that and wasn't gonna
do it any more. And a couple of guys from that band got together and wanted to do
something, so I said, "okay," but it has to be something totally different. We got a
drummer, a friend of the band, a guy named Jason, excellent drummer. But we
couldn't find a singer. So they said, "hey Alan, why don't you sing until we find
somebody?"
Deb: So you never sang before?
AK: No, I had never been a singer. And they said you’re doing such a good job why
don't you just do it. I was like, "I dont wanna be the singer." but they said, "well, you
are now." So that’s how it happened. It was the same thing with playing lead guitar.
Deb: So have you grown into it? Are you more comfortable now or do you
still get nervous?
AK: You know, I still get nervous. I mean, I’ve been doing this for a long time. I
An interview with vocalist, guitarist Alan Kennedy
| For The Fans, By The Fans. Look Beyond The Mainstream. |
Planet 9 guitarist, vocalist Alan Kennedy. Photo By Missie Tong
Deb: Who writes your songs?
AK: I do. Well, 90 percent, I do. Musically in the past
we’ve had some collaboration, but lyrically I write
everything. Except one song on the album, a song
called “I want it all,” it was actually kinda written about
me. Our other guitar player, Ron, wrote it and basically
it’s about me. Which is kinda awkward singing a song
about myself. And then we do a cover of Aretha
Franklin’s "Chain of Fools" on the album. A couple of
ladies from Columbus came in and did background
vocals on it. Abbey Huwer and Julie Neal, Ed Means got
us in touch with both of these ladies and they did some
killer background tracks. They did a really nice job.
Made me look bad, I had to really work to keep up.
Deb: Where did you record the album?
AK: Fish Tank Audio with Jack Campitelli. It’s a little
studio out in Baltimore. Really nice equipment and he
does a really nice job. We couldn't be happier.
Deb: Your CD just came out in July.
AK: The official date was July 26.
Deb: And it’s doing really well over seas?
AK: Yeah! We’ve already sold 300 copies in Sweden.
AK: I do. Well, 90 percent, I do. Musically in the past
we’ve had some collaboration, but lyrically I write
everything. Except one song on the album, a song
called “I want it all,” it was actually kinda written about
me. Our other guitar player, Ron, wrote it and basically
it’s about me. Which is kinda awkward singing a song
about myself. And then we do a cover of Aretha
Franklin’s "Chain of Fools" on the album. A couple of
ladies from Columbus came in and did background
vocals on it. Abbey Huwer and Julie Neal, Ed Means got
us in touch with both of these ladies and they did some
killer background tracks. They did a really nice job.
Made me look bad, I had to really work to keep up.
Deb: Where did you record the album?
AK: Fish Tank Audio with Jack Campitelli. It’s a little
studio out in Baltimore. Really nice equipment and he
does a really nice job. We couldn't be happier.
Deb: Your CD just came out in July.
AK: The official date was July 26.
Deb: And it’s doing really well over seas?
AK: Yeah! We’ve already sold 300 copies in Sweden.
actually get stage fright really bad. When I first started I would close my eyes. And I would get picked on a lot 'cause I would sing and keep my eyes
closed. Playing guitar, singing, with my eyes closed and I would get picked on about it. But with my eyes closed I couldn't see everybody that was
staring at me. It’s funny now.
Deb: Do you still sing with your eyes closed?
AK: Most of the time. Yeah, it’s a habit now.
Deb: What do you like better about this band than your last band?
AK: I like this version, of this band, better than anything I’ve ever done. Because we’re just friends. And it’s fun. We have a new drummer [Geof
Wilson], he’s 19, going on 20. He’ll actually turn 20 while we’re on tour. He’s our bass player’s [Rich Wilson] son. He joined us going on two years
now. Since he joined us there is a different energy level. A different feel to us as people--not so much that the music is different, but it just put a
different life into each one of us. We gotta step up our game! You know I’m forty years old, when your drummers 20 you gotta bring it!
closed. Playing guitar, singing, with my eyes closed and I would get picked on about it. But with my eyes closed I couldn't see everybody that was
staring at me. It’s funny now.
Deb: Do you still sing with your eyes closed?
AK: Most of the time. Yeah, it’s a habit now.
Deb: What do you like better about this band than your last band?
AK: I like this version, of this band, better than anything I’ve ever done. Because we’re just friends. And it’s fun. We have a new drummer [Geof
Wilson], he’s 19, going on 20. He’ll actually turn 20 while we’re on tour. He’s our bass player’s [Rich Wilson] son. He joined us going on two years
now. Since he joined us there is a different energy level. A different feel to us as people--not so much that the music is different, but it just put a
different life into each one of us. We gotta step up our game! You know I’m forty years old, when your drummers 20 you gotta bring it!
Planet 9 drummer Geof Wilson. Photo By Missie Tong
I just found out this morning in an email that it is now available in the U.K. And they are playing
it on NI Rocks, which is a radio station out of Belfast. And we’ve been selling copies in France. I got a box of 50 the other day, and they were gone the
day I got the box. I put it on Facebook that I got them and sold them all that day. They were gone. We seem to be doing well in New Castle,
Pennsylvania. Ron’s from Pennsylvania and we have a really good fan base over there. Amazon sold out of them the first week. Borders Books sold
out of it.
Deb: Were you shocked how well it’s done?
AK: Yeah, like we said, nobody knows us here, but we’re getting the whole underground buzz going.
Deb: Where do you play around town?
AK: We’ve played a place in Pataskala called Ziggys. We’ve played the Alrosa. I’ve opened for, in the ten years this band has existed, I’ve opened for
everybody from Janey Lane and Warrant, WASP last year with Dirty Side Down, and Rick [Cautella] has us come up to the Alrosa and open when
bands like that come in. We do a lot of stuff with American Dog. Steve [Theado] from American Dog actually did a guest spot on the CD. He played
guitar on one of the songs. He’s an amazing guitar player. It’s like taking a lesson every time I get to see him play.
Deb: Are you guys influenced by local music?
AK: Yeeeaah...yes to a point. but maybe not necessarily in the fashion you may think. Obviously Steve [from American Dog] was a huge influence on
me. He’s ferocious. He just plays with such ferocity that I just watch him like I’m taking a guitar lesson. It really is. And then you know a lot of the
bands that were here when I was a kid. I would sneak in the Alrosa under age. I would go see bands like Desperately Seeking Fusion and I would go
see The Godz. We were 17, trying to get in to see The Godz. And Rosie of course. And then bands that maybe people wouldn't remember now,
bands like Nasty Action. There was a band we’d go to see all the time, Saint August, I loved those guys. Those guys were great! I loved their covers,
'cause they could take stuff and make it their own. And that’s what we do. When we do covers we try to make it our own. And I got that from bands
like Mad Moxy and Shock Tu and Saint August and those bands--'cause when they did a cover, it was theirs. And there are a lot of bands out here
now, a lot that I like. And then there's some bands that I take influence from, but in the fashion of what I don't want to do.
Deb: What do you absolutely not want to do?
AK: I don't want to be like everybody else. That’s my biggest thing. I don't want to sound like everybody else. I don't wanna sound like Korn. I don't
wanna sound like Sixx AM. I don't want that. Not that there are bands here that do. I don't want to say that there are bands that purposely sound like
anybody. But, you know, take it and make yours. I love them all. I go to see them, everybody from Noise Auction and Sever to XFactor1. I’ve been out
to see them all.
day I got the box. I put it on Facebook that I got them and sold them all that day. They were gone. We seem to be doing well in New Castle,
Pennsylvania. Ron’s from Pennsylvania and we have a really good fan base over there. Amazon sold out of them the first week. Borders Books sold
out of it.
Deb: Were you shocked how well it’s done?
AK: Yeah, like we said, nobody knows us here, but we’re getting the whole underground buzz going.
Deb: Where do you play around town?
AK: We’ve played a place in Pataskala called Ziggys. We’ve played the Alrosa. I’ve opened for, in the ten years this band has existed, I’ve opened for
everybody from Janey Lane and Warrant, WASP last year with Dirty Side Down, and Rick [Cautella] has us come up to the Alrosa and open when
bands like that come in. We do a lot of stuff with American Dog. Steve [Theado] from American Dog actually did a guest spot on the CD. He played
guitar on one of the songs. He’s an amazing guitar player. It’s like taking a lesson every time I get to see him play.
Deb: Are you guys influenced by local music?
AK: Yeeeaah...yes to a point. but maybe not necessarily in the fashion you may think. Obviously Steve [from American Dog] was a huge influence on
me. He’s ferocious. He just plays with such ferocity that I just watch him like I’m taking a guitar lesson. It really is. And then you know a lot of the
bands that were here when I was a kid. I would sneak in the Alrosa under age. I would go see bands like Desperately Seeking Fusion and I would go
see The Godz. We were 17, trying to get in to see The Godz. And Rosie of course. And then bands that maybe people wouldn't remember now,
bands like Nasty Action. There was a band we’d go to see all the time, Saint August, I loved those guys. Those guys were great! I loved their covers,
'cause they could take stuff and make it their own. And that’s what we do. When we do covers we try to make it our own. And I got that from bands
like Mad Moxy and Shock Tu and Saint August and those bands--'cause when they did a cover, it was theirs. And there are a lot of bands out here
now, a lot that I like. And then there's some bands that I take influence from, but in the fashion of what I don't want to do.
Deb: What do you absolutely not want to do?
AK: I don't want to be like everybody else. That’s my biggest thing. I don't want to sound like everybody else. I don't wanna sound like Korn. I don't
wanna sound like Sixx AM. I don't want that. Not that there are bands here that do. I don't want to say that there are bands that purposely sound like
anybody. But, you know, take it and make yours. I love them all. I go to see them, everybody from Noise Auction and Sever to XFactor1. I’ve been out
to see them all.
Deb: What’s your favorite song on the album?
AK: Wow, I don't know.
Deb: I really like "The Velvet Glove." What’s the
story behind that?
AK: (laughs) Actually, I wrote it about my current
girlfriend. It was just when we first started dating and
the whole new sexual tension and all of that stuff. It’s
kinda naughty a little bit maybe and little bit dirty. Kinda
sums me up in a lot of ways. In the grand scheme of
things, that’s probably my favorite one on the album.
That one and I like "40 Days" a lot. Kinda the whole
'what comes around goes around.' I’m really fond of
that one. But you know I got to the point when we were
working on them that I was sick of every one of them. I
didn't want to hear any of them again. Jack and I would
spend hours and hours working on them and I was
like, "Oh my God." So, I didn't listen to it for probably
three months. And then my son broke them out and
was listening on the computer and I was like, "you
know what? That’s actually not that bad." The things I
thought were horrible and I didn't like about it turned out
to sound pretty good.
AK: Wow, I don't know.
Deb: I really like "The Velvet Glove." What’s the
story behind that?
AK: (laughs) Actually, I wrote it about my current
girlfriend. It was just when we first started dating and
the whole new sexual tension and all of that stuff. It’s
kinda naughty a little bit maybe and little bit dirty. Kinda
sums me up in a lot of ways. In the grand scheme of
things, that’s probably my favorite one on the album.
That one and I like "40 Days" a lot. Kinda the whole
'what comes around goes around.' I’m really fond of
that one. But you know I got to the point when we were
working on them that I was sick of every one of them. I
didn't want to hear any of them again. Jack and I would
spend hours and hours working on them and I was
like, "Oh my God." So, I didn't listen to it for probably
three months. And then my son broke them out and
was listening on the computer and I was like, "you
know what? That’s actually not that bad." The things I
thought were horrible and I didn't like about it turned out
to sound pretty good.
Planet 9's Alan Kennedy with guitarist Ron Zingaro. Photo By Missie Tong
Deb: Tell me about your guitar endorsements.
AK: That’s cool!
Deb: How’d that happen?
AK: I really don't know! I was sitting at home and I got a phone call from Bill Chavis, the owner of Jamsync, and he was like, "check your email and
call me back." So, I open my email and there’s an endorsement offer from Joeker Guitars and I went to their website to check them out. Bill had
already set it up. "They’re gonna do an official press release. They’ll send me out to NAM." They also gave my other guitar player, my partner Ron,
they gave him one too. So they gave us both deals. I got a free guitar and it’s nice. It’s a mahogany body, maple back. They design it custom,
whatever I want done is what they made. And I get taken to NAM and work the NAM show and hang out at the Joeker booth. Rub elbows with people
that are real musicians instead of, you know, me. (laughs) It’s pretty cool. It’s exciting. We’re negotiating with an amp company. And we’ll do this tour
and we’ll have a Dee Drums' drumset, because Vinnie Appice [from Kill Devil Hill] is endorsed by Dee Drums.
Deb: So tell me about the tour!
AK: That’s cool.
Deb: Yeah, you guys got all kinds of cool stuff goin' on!
AK: Yes! One thing after another! Kill Devil Hill which is Rex Brown [bassist] from Pantera and Vinnie Appice from Black Sabbath and Dio, is their
drummer. The guitar player [Mark Zavon] was in WASP for a while and the singer [Jason "Dewey" Bragg] was actually one of Black Label Society’s
techs. He’s the singer. So it’s kinda like a super group. They’re in the studio right now working on an album. And we are going to go out on the road
with them. We leave Oct. 1 and we’ll be in Clifton, N.J. I think on Oct. 2 with Texas Hippy Coalition, Kill Devil Hill and ourselves. And I think there will
be a couple of local bands on the bill as well. We leave there and we’ll go to Morgantown, W. Va. and Reading, Pa. And then we have North Carolina
and South Carolina. And then out to Texas. Then Louisiana and Jackson, Miss. And then we leave Jackson and we’re coming to Columbus. We’ll be
here on Oct. 28. We do Kent, Ohio Oct. 27 then we’re here [in Columbus] Oct. 28. And then we’re in Covington, Ky. Oct. 29. Then we go to Des
Moines, Iowa; Celina, Kan.; Lincoln, Neb. and then Cape something in Missouri. Hopefully I’ll have it figured out when I get there!
The show in Columbus is at Slapsy Maxies, which should be interesting. It’s kind of a small venue and with the local Pantera fan base it might be
really slammed, it will be fun. We’re gonna be out 40 days--we’ll do 22 shows in 40 days.
AK: That’s cool!
Deb: How’d that happen?
AK: I really don't know! I was sitting at home and I got a phone call from Bill Chavis, the owner of Jamsync, and he was like, "check your email and
call me back." So, I open my email and there’s an endorsement offer from Joeker Guitars and I went to their website to check them out. Bill had
already set it up. "They’re gonna do an official press release. They’ll send me out to NAM." They also gave my other guitar player, my partner Ron,
they gave him one too. So they gave us both deals. I got a free guitar and it’s nice. It’s a mahogany body, maple back. They design it custom,
whatever I want done is what they made. And I get taken to NAM and work the NAM show and hang out at the Joeker booth. Rub elbows with people
that are real musicians instead of, you know, me. (laughs) It’s pretty cool. It’s exciting. We’re negotiating with an amp company. And we’ll do this tour
and we’ll have a Dee Drums' drumset, because Vinnie Appice [from Kill Devil Hill] is endorsed by Dee Drums.
Deb: So tell me about the tour!
AK: That’s cool.
Deb: Yeah, you guys got all kinds of cool stuff goin' on!
AK: Yes! One thing after another! Kill Devil Hill which is Rex Brown [bassist] from Pantera and Vinnie Appice from Black Sabbath and Dio, is their
drummer. The guitar player [Mark Zavon] was in WASP for a while and the singer [Jason "Dewey" Bragg] was actually one of Black Label Society’s
techs. He’s the singer. So it’s kinda like a super group. They’re in the studio right now working on an album. And we are going to go out on the road
with them. We leave Oct. 1 and we’ll be in Clifton, N.J. I think on Oct. 2 with Texas Hippy Coalition, Kill Devil Hill and ourselves. And I think there will
be a couple of local bands on the bill as well. We leave there and we’ll go to Morgantown, W. Va. and Reading, Pa. And then we have North Carolina
and South Carolina. And then out to Texas. Then Louisiana and Jackson, Miss. And then we leave Jackson and we’re coming to Columbus. We’ll be
here on Oct. 28. We do Kent, Ohio Oct. 27 then we’re here [in Columbus] Oct. 28. And then we’re in Covington, Ky. Oct. 29. Then we go to Des
Moines, Iowa; Celina, Kan.; Lincoln, Neb. and then Cape something in Missouri. Hopefully I’ll have it figured out when I get there!
The show in Columbus is at Slapsy Maxies, which should be interesting. It’s kind of a small venue and with the local Pantera fan base it might be
really slammed, it will be fun. We’re gonna be out 40 days--we’ll do 22 shows in 40 days.
Deb: Got any plans for after the tour?
AK: Rest! There have been some rumblings of going
to Europe the summer of 2012. I know we were told to
get passports. We’ll see. It depends on the record
company really.
Deb: Is there anything else you want people to
know about your band?
AK: We’re a good time. I was told at one time that the
days of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll were gone. And I
was kinda depressed. That sucks you know? But it’s
cool now, the cycle has come back around. It’s just
fun. It’s just drinking, rowdy, it’s when you wanna have
a good time. When you leave be sweaty and tired, not
necessarily bruised and bloody and have a broken
nose, but if you just want to go out and have a really
good time that’s what we do. We’re kind of a blue
collar rock band and we do well in blue collar towns.
I’m a jeans, t-shirt, work boots kind of guy and that’s
who we are.
Check out Planet 9 on Facebook and on the band's
website at planet9band.com. The rest of the world
already has their eye on them, get out and show these
guys some local love!
AK: Rest! There have been some rumblings of going
to Europe the summer of 2012. I know we were told to
get passports. We’ll see. It depends on the record
company really.
Deb: Is there anything else you want people to
know about your band?
AK: We’re a good time. I was told at one time that the
days of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll were gone. And I
was kinda depressed. That sucks you know? But it’s
cool now, the cycle has come back around. It’s just
fun. It’s just drinking, rowdy, it’s when you wanna have
a good time. When you leave be sweaty and tired, not
necessarily bruised and bloody and have a broken
nose, but if you just want to go out and have a really
good time that’s what we do. We’re kind of a blue
collar rock band and we do well in blue collar towns.
I’m a jeans, t-shirt, work boots kind of guy and that’s
who we are.
Check out Planet 9 on Facebook and on the band's
website at planet9band.com. The rest of the world
already has their eye on them, get out and show these
guys some local love!
Ron Zingaro, bassist Rich Wilson and Alan Kennedy of Planet 9. Photo By Missie Tong
Rich Wilson of Planet 9. Photo By Missie Tong
Ron Zingaro of Planet 9. Photo By Missie Tong