PARTICLE'S 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BASH

For the very first time, Los Angeles jam fanatics and funk lovers have a very special band to call their own and will come together this Saturday for a party that is shaping up to be one of the best shows of the year. Particle bring together an amazing community of people that continues to grow and the good vibes are quickly spreading across the country. The story of Particle is quite amazing. Particle’s first gig was on the San Francisco Bay Boat Cruise after the last Phish show at Shoreline Amphitheatre on October 7th, 2000. A week later, they scored their first Los Angeles gig at 14 Below in Santa Monica, soon to be followed by big shows opening up for DJ Logic and Sound Tribe Sector 9. They used their first few months to fine-tune their original blend of instrumental “space porn funk,” for the enthusiastic Los Angeles crowds and won new fans instantly. After being together for only 2 months, Particle’s guitarist Dave Simmons passed away on Dec 8th, 2000. The band was shattered by this tragedy but they knew they had to move on and keep the spirit of Dave Simons alive though music. Particle played a benefit concert for his surviving daughter Maya the following week and took the rest of the year off to rest and find a new guitarist.

By then end of January 2001, Particle was back with new guitar ace Charlie Hitchcock who brought his own blend of ripping blues and soulful funk into the mix of the ultimate “space porn” soundtrack. The transition was not an easy one for Hitchcock who came from a more rock and roll background, but he soon found his niche and Particle continued jamming into the new year opening up for bands like The Big Wu, Galactic, Deep Banana Blackout, and Dirty Dozen . Particle also played two huge after-parties this year after String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic came through Los Angeles, winning them brand new fans from different scenes. The band also had to opportunity to play at the Funkyard Festival in Long Beach where Carlos Washington from Giant People joined the band on Trumpet. As the band continued to pack clubs in Southern California, they also branched out to play in Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Nevada.

After a month-long tour in August, Particle was a well-oiled machine and were taking their jamming to brand new heights. Over Labor Day weekend, Particle had a breakthrough show in San Diego that people were raving about for weeks. Two days after the events of September 11th, Particle played a very special Benefit for the Red Cross where they had the opportunity to jam with Sam Kinninger and Eric Krasno from Soulive. On Saturday night Particle returned to San Diego at Blind Melon's for their 1-year anniversary bash. It had also been a year since Phish announced their hiatus and Particle played "First Tube" in their honor, along with two other brand new songs for the festive crowd. When the show ended, bassist Eric Gould came to the mic to tell the crowd, "Next Saturday we are going to do something very special that you don’t want to miss at club Fais Do Do in Los Angeles."

This anniversary party marks one year since Particle’s first Los Angeles gig, and will have everything you can imagine at the show. Particle will be jamming with some very special guests who are among Los Angeles’s finest musicians. A special guest DJ will also be joining in the fun and Particle will break out even more new material and brand new cover songs for the fans that have continued to support them. The party will also be a visual treat with the addition of extra video screens for Scott MacKinnnon to work his psychedelic magic. Bring your party hats, glitter, glow sticks, costumes, and most importantly your dancing shoes because this party is going to last into the wee hours of the night. This show is something the band has been looking forward to for months, and is just the beginning of bigger and better things for Particle. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 and you can listen to Barry Smolin’s radio show on 90.7 KPFK on Friday night for a taste of what is to come. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, “Long Live Space Porn Funk!!” Get ready to boogie!!

Erik Koral
JamBase SoCal Correspondent and one excited LA fan!!
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