Particle at The Cabooze in Minneapolis

Particle moves Minneapolis with new tunes

The Los Angeles based electro-rock jamband Particle hit The Cabooze in Minneapolis with two sets heavy on their upcoming (currently untitled) 2014 release. Keyboardist Steve Molitz is the only remaining original member, but the new lineup consisting of bassist Clay Parnell (Brothers Past), drummer Brandon Draper (Quixotic), and long-time guitarist Ben Combe combined forces as though they’d been together for many years. It sounded like lasers.

Particle used to be known for playing only instrumentals, but to my surprise, some of the best songs played this night had vocals including the upbeat “I’m Awake” which drummer Brandon Draper sang. The second set started with a bass-heavy cover of Radiohead’s “The National Anthem”. It was great and accented wonderfully by local native Wil Simon who is currently on tour with the band as lighting director.

Steve Molitz was quick point out how nice it was to be back at The Cabooze after not playing in Minneapolis for several years. The crowd made up mostly of young and middle-aged hippies, ravers, and average folk, soaked it up while they could. Particle put on a solid and very danceable two set performance. I can say that, even though now realizing the days of me thoroughly enjoying such music seem to be fading fast in the rear view mirror.

Particle

Freekbass