Airplanes Are Better was a dynamic post-hardcore band hailing from El Paso, Texas, closely associated with notable acts such as At The Drive-In, Sparta, and The Mars Volta. The band's singular release, Power, was first made available on CD in 2001 through Restart Records, a label co-founded by Jim Ward and Paul Hinojos.

Micah Adams (guitar, vocals) often recounts that the formation of Airplanes Are Better was born out of a desire for retribution. In 1998, Phillip Tubbs (Cigarettes After Sex) initiated a band called Sid Kister with mutual friends, leaving Micah feeling overlooked for not being invited to join. Rather than retreating or pleading for inclusion, Micah chose to team up with bassist Joe Ayoub (Marked Men, Low Culture) to create a band that would surpass Sid Kister.

After developing a handful of songs with Joe, Micah invited drummer Mike Farraro to join their rehearsals. The chemistry among the trio was immediate, and Airplanes Are Better began to take shape. Throughout the summer of 1999, they dedicated themselves to crafting a unique and ambitious sound, despite knowing the project might end when Joe departed for college in Denton.

Following Joe's departure, Micah and Mike were determined to continue the momentum they had built and promptly sought a new bassist. Their search led to a chance meeting with bassist Matt Wilkson (Zechs Marquise) during a late-night gathering at the Village Inn, a local underage hangout. Matt soon joined the band, bringing with him an infectious energy and remarkable talent.

With Matt on board, Airplanes Are Better intensified their efforts, practicing eight to ten hours a day in pursuit of the same level of success achieved by their local heroes, At The Drive-In. By early fall 1999, the band was ready to perform, having transformed into a polished, high-energy act dedicated to their craft.

Their hard work quickly garnered attention, leading Jim Ward, freshly returned from a tour with At The Drive-In, to watch them perform at an outdoor show in a strip mall parking lot. Impressed by the band's passion and drive, Jim offered them a recording contract with Restart Records.

In the spring of 2000, the band entered Mike Major's Rosewood Studios to record their debut and only release, the Power EP, engineered by Mike Major and produced by Jim Ward. The three-song collection encapsulated the struggles and aspirations of the young musicians navigating a scene dominated by more established bands.

With CDs and merchandise in hand, Airplanes Are Better embarked on a self-booked tour of Texas in 2001, traveling in their beloved 1980s Econoline van, affectionately named "Chopper." Despite limited financial resources and attention, the band remained committed to their journey, performing passionately each night. Even health issues that eventually sidelined Mike Farraro from touring could not deter their resolve.

In March 2002, the trio—now consisting of Micah, Matt, and temporary drummer JC Salinas—returned to Texas to open for a SXSW showcase featuring the newly formed Sparta and the offshoot of Murder City Devils/GodheadSilo, Dead Low Tide. Following this showcase, they toured the West Coast with Sparta, performing at several prestigious venues along the I-5 corridor.

Although the experience of touring with Sparta was invigorating and presented numerous opportunities, Micah and Matt soon realized how much they missed Mike's contributions, both musically and personally. Upon returning to El Paso, they made the difficult decision to part ways with Salinas and disband Airplanes Are Better permanently.