Profile:
Diarrhea Planet

If there’s one band that you’ve heard of but haven’t actually heard, it’s probably Diarrhea Planet. Yes, they began as a joke. And yes, their name is shitty. But ever since they plopped out their second LP last summer, Diarrhea Planet has firmed, signifying that they’re in it for the long haul. The band is bringing their shorts-staining live set to the High Noon Saloon this Saturday night as a part of FRZN Fest, and I spoke with DP frontman Jordan Smith last week in preparation of their visit.

Diarrhea Planet emerged from the bowels of Belmont University, courtesy of then-roommates Evan Donohue and Jordan Smith. “We would always joke around about making this really annoying noise band,” said Smith. So one day, the finally did it. They called it, ‘Diarrhea Planet.’

Yet their little joke picked up steam, and fast. Smith and Donohue reeled in four more members, and the four-guitar’d band began slaying shows in the prominent and influential Nashville scene. When I asked Smith about DP’s ability to continuously spew out hooks, he claimed it was because of Nashville: “There’s this weird emphasis on hooks [in the scene], so you have a lot of bands playing really cool music that’s really catchy.” Diarrhea Planet’s music fits that mold to a T, blending the youthful lust of Japandroids with the guitar strength of Fang Island with the hooks of their pals JEFF the Brotherhood. 

DP’s first record, Loose Jewels, was a spastic half hour of punk-infused party. As fun as it sounds, however, the record isn’t really all that fun: “People didn’t pick up on the fact that the songs were bitter and angry satires about partying,” says Smith, “because it’s so positive sounding.” The songs on Jewels are short and explosive, and a pretty good indicator of just how revved up Smith was at the time. He stated: “If we’re being totally honest, Loose Jewels was written on a ton of drugs. I was always speeded out of my mind.”

Last summer the Planet released their second proper full-length, I’m Rich Beyond Your Wildest Dreams. Smith wrote the entire record sober, and it shows: there’s a greater focus on the internal, on track length and structure, and on dynamics; if I’m being honest, I’m Rich is just simply focused. Seriously, Loose Jewels looks like a floater compared to this thing.

Album standouts “Separations” and “Kids” demonstrate this focus, as they lyrically tackle relationship issues and instrumentally tackle making the listener feel as uplifted as possible. And like most tracks on I’m Rich, they leave you riled up, sweaty, and with a smile on your face. But according to Smith, it’s all “pretty mellow and subdued” compared to DP’s live show: “There’s a lot of guitar improvisation, a lot of solos getting ripped. Live is a lot more bombastic… a lot more in your face.”

Touring a mega-heavy-sweaty guitar record is hard work, though. Smith asserted that the band gets lots of sleep and vitamins, and that no one really parties that hard. “When you tour this much it’s like a job,” he claims. “Instead of going to a restaurant or an office, everyday you’re going to a new venue.”

Before Jordan and I were done talking, he offered up some advice: “You cut your teeth and develop chops.” He was referencing keeping up with other Nashville bands, but I think Diarrhea Planet has, to an extent, adopted that statement as their mantra. Over the last two years DP has matured immensely, becoming a responsible, hard touring and hard working crew in an attempt to prove that they’re more than just a big dumb party band. Saturday night isn’t going to be about Diarrhea Plant feeding their need to party; it’ll be about their quest to satisfy ours.