Particle Confirms New Lineup, Album And Extended Tour
By Scott Bernstein Dec 26, 2013 • 8:00 am PST
Space-rocking jamtronica mainstays Particle will hit the road early in 2014 for their first extended tour in the better part of a decade. Keyboardist Steve Molitz confirmed details of the run to JamBase and also that the touring band will feature a new lineup.
A new studio album is on the way, too, all part of what the band describes in a letter to fans as “a time of revival for Particle and also a time of change.”
Joining Molitz for the 2014 tour, which begins in Fairfield, CT, on February 1, are later-era Particle guitarist Ben Combe and two new Particle members: bassist Clay Parnell and drummer Brandon Draper, respectively of Brothers Past and Quixotic among many other associations.
Molitz tells JamBase that Particle members Darren Pujalet and Eric Gould have both started families and are unavailable to tour at length, but that each will likely guest with the new Particle lineup at points during the tour.
In addition, Particle will release its first full-length studio album since 2004’s Launchpad, and is also preparing the release of various archived albums, EPs, videos and remixes.
Particle a decade ago was on their way to becoming one of the country’s marquee jambands, having gained international attention for their pulse-pounding, marathon-length concerts. The band’s growth led to collaboration with major jazz, classical and electronica players along with jam scene staples and members of the Grateful Dead and the Doors.
The years that followed, however, seemed to divide their fanbase and stall their progress. Molitz, Pujalet and Gould parted ways with classic-era Particle guitarist Charlie Hitchcock in 2005 and re-launched Particle with Combe and guitarist Scott Metzger in 2006, only to lose both guitarists in the next few years and enter a period of semi-hiatus as the members focused on other projects, including Molitz’s stints with Phil Lesh & Friends between 2004 and 2008.
In recent years, Particle’s been a sporadic presence, often with Combe again since 2010.
Check back on JamBase in January for an in-depth interview with Molitz. For now, below are Particle’s final 2013 dates, their confirmed 2014 dates and a letter from the band that’s been posted to Particle People.
2013 HOLIDAY TOUR
12.27 – Denver, CO – Donkey OTs
Genetics at 9pm, Particle at 10:30pm
12.28 – Denver, CO – The Oriental Theater
Malai Llama at 9:30pm, Particle at 11pm
12.30 – New York, NY – The Cutting Room
Late Night Phish After-Party!! Doors at 11:30pm, Particle at 12:30am -Feat. Special Surprise Musical Guests
12.31 – Kerhonkson, NY -RockNRoll Resort at The Hudson Valley Resort and Spa -New Year’s Eve Extravaganza!
2014 WINTER TOUR*:
2.1 – Fairfield, CT – Stage One
2.5 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Den
2.6 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
2.7 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
2.8 – Philadelphia, PA – North Star
2.9 – Baltimore, MD – The 8 x 10
2.11 – Virginia Beach, VA – Jewish Mother
2.12 – Winston-Salem, NC – Ziggy’s
2.13 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
2.14 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen
2.15 – Live Oak, FL – Aura Music Festival
2.17 – Oxford, MS -Proud Larry’s
2.18 – Baton Rouge, LA – The Spanish Moon
2.20 – Dallas -House of Blues Foundation Room (Free Show!)
2.21 – Austin, TX – Speakeasy
2.22 – Houston, TX – House of Blues Peacock Room
*Special guest Jon Wayne & the Pain will support the entire Spring Tour, with the exception of the Aura Music Festival on 2/15.
2014 SPRING TOUR**:
3.29 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
3.30 – Santa Cruz, CA – Moe’s Alley
4.1 – Las Vegas, NV – Hard Rock Cafe
4.3 – Los Angeles, CA – Troubadour
4.4 – Santa Barbara, CA – SoHo
4.5 – San Diego, CA – V Elements Festival
4.6 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom
4.8 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
4.10 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck
4.11 – St. Louis, MO – 2720 Cherokee
4.12 – Newport, KY – Southgate House Sanctuary
4.13 – Columbus, OH – Woodlands Tavern
4.15 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop
4.16 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe
4.17 – LaCrosse, WI – Cavalier Theater
4.18 – Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
4.19 – Madison, WI – The Majestic Theater
4.20 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
4.22 – Milwaukee, WI -Miramar Theater
4.24 – Memphis, TN -1884 Lounge
4.26 – New Orleans, LA -Howlin’ Wolf
**Freekbass will support the Winter Tour from 4/10-4/20.
Written By: Chad Berndtson
Here’s the letter Particle posted:
Particle People-
We hope this message finds you in good spirits, and that your Holiday Season has been full of wonder and joy so far. This is a very exciting time for the band and we want to share some of our plans for the New Year with you…
2014 will find Particle touring extensively from coast to coast, and the band will also be releasing its first full-length studio album since 2004’s Launchpad. In addition, we’re looking forward to releasing a number of archived albums, EPs, videos and remixes.
This is a time of revival for Particle and it is also a time of change. Bassist Eric Gould adopted a little girl from China this past May, and drummer Darren Pujalet is about to become the father of twin boys. As they embark on the journey of fatherhood, Eric and Darren will be stepping back from their full-time roles in the band. Founding member and keyboardist Steve Molitz will carry the Particle torch along with longtime guitarist Ben Combe and an exciting new rhythm section.
Although Eric and Darren won’t be touring, they’ll both still be involved in Particle whenever time permits. They will appear as featured guests on recordings, and they’ll also perform as special guests at select concerts. Eric and Darren will also both remain active in the music scene by performing with their various side projects including Game 7, Dirty Dawgs, and Pink Talking Fish.
As the band continues to evolve, we are all very happy to welcome two great friends and incredibly talented musicians to the Particle family:
Clay Parnell has been touring on the national scene since 2000, and he is best known for his roles as a founding member and bassist for Brothers Past, BioDiesel, and Kick Rocks. Clay and Particle have crossed paths many times over the years at festivals and concerts, and he and Steve have recently developed a great chemistry playing together in several bands (Everyone Orchestra, SkyDeck Allstars, Bad Puss). Clay’s signature low end sound and deep pocket grooves are the perfect match for Particle’s driving dance beats and expansive improvisation…
Brandon Draper is a multi-instrumentalist who has toured as the drummer for bands ranging from multimedia performance troupe Quixotic, to disco queen Donna Summer. When he’s not on the road, Brandon holds music faculty positions at both The University of Kansas and Kansas City Academy. Brandon first played with Particle in 2009, and since then he’s played drums with the band at a number of shows, including two appearances at the Catskill Chill Music Festival in Hancock, NY. His explosive mix of electro breakbeats and world rhythms is the perfect foundation for Particle’s high-energy dance music…
And so begins another chapter in our adventures! We’re all really looking forward to this next phase in the band’s evolution. We’ve always been the kind of band that is fueled by the energy of our fans, and we’re grateful to be a part of such an amazing live music scene that embraces invention and exploration.
Wishing you all a very Happy New Year filled with friends, family, and great music!
We can’t wait to see you all out on the road very soon…
-Particle
