Fiction Plane's Joe Sumner at the West Hollywood House of Blues
Photo: MTV News

WEST HOLLYWOOD, California — "We're cool, we're different," Fiction Plane's Joe Sumner sang at Tuesday's kickoff of the MTV You Hear It First Tour, unknowingly providing the perfect description of the outing.

And judging by the performances, the bands on the House of Blues bill, which also included Kenna and the Exies, are certainly different — from each other and from the flavors currently controlling rock radio. Adding to the uniqueness of the rock edition of the tour (Bubba Sparxxx and Common are headlining an urban version) is that there's not yet a legitimate hit between the three acts.

Fiction Plane opened their set channeling heavy Nirvana influences into a decidedly British rock foundation — like Bush, but with the garage rock wail and curious coolness of the Strokes.

After opening with the title track to their debut, Everything Will Never Be OK, the foursome put a surprisingly romantic twist on the cynical "Hate."

Frontman Joe Sumner makes nothing of being Sting's son (see "Fiction Plane Sulk, Sneer And Mope — Who The Heck Is Sting?"), but it's hard to forget live. Even the way he frames his mouth around the microphone with his hands at his sides is reminiscent of his dad. And when he melodically sings intense lines other artists would scream, it recalls one of the charms of the Police's more rocking tunes.

	"Kenna Leaves The Shadows Of Fred Durst, Neptunes For His Own Spotlight". Related Artists Kenna The Exies Fiction Plane ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1474033/20030716/kenna.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1474033/20030716/kenna.jhtml 16 Jul 2003 06:10:00 EDT Anthony Hamilton, Jin, Exies, Fiction Plane also onboard for two-part trek. By Robert Mancini Common Photo: MCA Common and Bubba Sparxxx are teaming up with up-and-comers Kenna, Anthony Hamilton, Jin, the Exies and Fiction Plane to take the emerging artist showcase You Hear It First on the road. The artists, most of whom have been featured as part of MTV News' weekly new-artist series, have signed on for the first MTV You Hear It First Tour. The trek's rock leg — featuring sets from Kenna, the Exies and Fiction Plane — will kick off July 15 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. An urban leg — featuring Bubba Sparxxx, Common, Anthony Hamilton and Jin — gets rolling on July 27 in New York. Since its launch in early 2000, the YHIF franchise has spotlighted a steady stream of artists who were relatively unknown at the time, including Sean Paul, T.A.T.U., the Vines, Ms. Dynamite, Rooney, the Mooney Suzuki, the Distillers and others. Bubba Sparxxx, the Exies, Fiction Plane, Anthony Hamilton and Jin are all YHIF alums. Here's how the MTV You Hear It First Tour breaks down: Kenna, the Exies and Fiction Plane 7/15 - West Hollywood, CA @ House of Blues 7/18 - Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues 7/21 - Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues Common, Anthony Hamilton, Bubba Sparxxx and Jin 7/27 - New York, NY @ B.B. Kings 7/28 - Washington, DC @ 930 Club 7/29 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadaro 7/30 - Boston, MA @ Roxy Related Artists Common Bubba Sparxxx Kenna Anthony Hamilton Jin ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473277/20030625/common.jhtml News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1473277/20030625/common.jhtml 25 Jun 2003 03:43:00 EDT Related Artists Fiction Plane ]]> http://www.mtv.com/news/yhif/fiction_plane/ News Article http://www.mtv.com/news/yhif/fiction_plane/ 22 Apr 2003 05:17:00 EDT You Hear It First Tour Related Artists Kenna Fiction Plane The Exies ]]> Photos http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1474020 http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1474020 16 Jul 2003 05:22:00 EDT Fiction Plane: You Hear It First Photo Gallery Related Artists Fiction Plane ]]> Photos http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1471429 http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1471429 22 Apr 2003 02:57:47 EDT Fiction Plane Photos Related Artists Fiction Plane ]]> Photos http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1470618 http://www.mtv.com/photos/?fid=1470618 18 Mar 2003 02:13:51 EST