From ‘Launchpad’ to ‘Accelerator’ – ‘Unbelievable’ Night with Particle
Photographs by kind permission of Mike Nymania of Nymania Productions
Unbelievable.
Whether you were a grizzled Particle fan, someone with a passing knowledge, or a jamtronic virgin, last night (Thursday, October 11) at Dunedin Brewery was unbelievable. There were melted faces and blown minds parked all over the jam-packed dance floor and half as many outside the SRO house (Sardine Room Only).
Steve Molitz, the captain of this groove ship, has been redefining, honing, and upgrading this band since its reformation starting in 2010 (the band debuted in 2000). This iteration has been thrilling crowds since then. As a dedicated fan and having heard them eight times the past nine years (and three others back in 2004-05), I would tell you that last night was absolutely brilliant. Every member was on fire.
Remarkably, the band was introducing only its second-ever studio album, Accelerator; the first was 2004’s breakout smash Launchpad. This show featured eight of the new album’s nine tracks, opening with two short rockers, “Home Away from Home” and “Bravo Delta.” House sound engineer Chris Fama had the band dialed in perfectly. The other new feature was a series of four vertical panels, each about 4×8, which displayed rear-projected images programmed by one of Particle’s road crew.
After the two new tunes, Molitz announced, “We’re going to play a song we haven’t played in a long, long time. I came down to rehearsal the other day, and they were playing a song we don’t ‘know.’ So here’s ‘Road’s a Breeze (@ 3 AM)’ [from Launchpad].” And with that, they absolutely killed it. Molitz, who does much of his work (on his five or six different keyboards) on synths and organ, played some tremendous electric piano. Guitarist Mike Daum was superb, followed by a quick drum feature for Kito Bovenschulte. When Molitz re-entered on synths, Clay Parnell was huge on bass underneath.
New tune “Gusta” was more killer funk, followed by an absurdly incredible “Triple Threat” (actually a ‘short’ version at ‘only’ 14 minutes). Then, ironically, given that you couldn’t move an inch, they blasted into Midnight Star’s “No Parking (On the Dance Floor)”! Molitz and Daum provided the instructions as the crowd bobbed up and down and (slightly) right and left.
The highlight of the first set came during “Devil’s Work,” another new track. Shortly into the jam, I wrote RIGHT THERE. Poppy seconded that notion. It was that jamtronic high, where the syncopation was absolutely perfect, Parnell and Bovenschulte providing the pulse for Molitz and Daum to surf atop. They shut down the first set with one more new song. At first, Molitz announced it would be “Heist,” but they called an audible and switched to “Wire.” “Heist” was the only new song we didn’t hear.
Juanjamon grabbed the microphone to reintroduce Particle to the crowd as they took the stage for set two. “All Night” was a dark tune, with Molitz’s voice fed through a talkbox and his synths heavy vibrato/reverb. Then out spilled “Kneeknocker” (Launchpad) in all its gloriousness. During the monster jam, Molitz called Juanjamon to the stage with an (alto!?!) saxophone, and he tore off an awesome solo. Daum shredded, and Parnell just killed. Period. That stretched out to almost 20 minutes.
And now for something completely different: “Unbelievable,” the EMF hit. That really energized the place. “Star City” followed, and finally Molitz announced — at midnight — that this was their last song, the title track to Accelerator. Through another 19 minutes, they bobbed and weaved from
“Accelerator” to “Scarface Theme” and then to “Rush Rush.” Were they done? HELL, NO! “Rush Rush” segued into “Launchpad,” another 12 minutes of stunning jamtronic heaven.
As is often the case, they had given their all, and it wasn’t going to get better than that, but the familiar cry of “ONE MORE SONG” rang out through DunBrew. Particle huddled, then deliver a short but sweet cover they’ve played for more than 14 years, “Axel F” (from Beverly Hills Cop).
So seriously, Boca, Chattanooga, Indianapolis and beyond: strap yourself in. This will be a wild ride!
[ONE: Home Away from Home, Bravo Delta, Road’s a Breeze (@ 3 AM), Gustava, Triple Treat, No Parking (On the Dance Floor), Devil’s Work, Wire; TWO: All Night, Kneeknocker, Unbelievable, Star City, Accelerator > Scarface Theme > Rush Rush > Launchpad; E: Axel F]
PARTICLE ACCELERATOR FALL TOUR
10/12 Green Parrot | Key West FL
10/13 Green Parrot | Key West FL
10/14 The Funky Biscuit | Boca Raton FL w/ Guavatron, Tand
10/16 JJ’s Bohemia | Chattanooga TN
10/17 Mousetrap | Indianapolis IN
10/18 Martyrs’ | Chicago IL
10/19 Cabooze | Minneapolis MN
10/20 The Source Public House | Menasha WI
10/21 El Club | Detroit MI
10/23 Rex Theatre | Pittsburgh PA w/ lespecial
10/24 Gypsy Sally’s | Washington DC w/ lespecial
10/25 The Foundry | Philadelphia PA w/ lespecial
10/26 Wonder Bar | Asbury Park NJ
10/27 Bowery Ballroom | New York NY w/ Horizon Wireless
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