Particle 2/6/14 Higher Ground, Burlington VT

The nearly empty Higher Ground Lounge Venue filled up quickly before the band Particle, came on. The opening band, Jon Wayne and The Pain performed a great reggae style jam-dub opening set and got the crowd feeling light on their feet. The band of three have an enveloping, impressive sound for only a bassist, drummer and guitarist. Their music fills the room with the force of a six piece band. 

Higher Ground was buzzing with people talking and getting ready for Particle to come on. John Wayne and The Pain had set the mood right. I talked to a few people there who, had came from far away like myself to see the show. The majority of the concert goers I asked if they had seen Particle before said, no. I believe there may have been a number of people enlightened through tonights show. Particle plays with the utmost energy and blasts out the funky jam-tronica with a consistency. You can get addicted to this little known band very quickly by just checking out one show. If you cant make it to a show check out their recordings on nugs.net. 

Particle took the stage with the friendly but aggressive presence that makes their band so dynamic. To start off the night, a new instrumental song was debuted, that is yet to be named. It consists of deep organ chords and heavy bass lines. The band asked the crowd after the song, for suggestions on names for the new song. The consensus seemed to be "Probation".. The show then took off even deeper into jam-tronica space territory. The deep funk ripped through London Forces> Red Orchestra and the crowd never stopped dancing for second. One of my favorite moments of the night transpired next. The band covered the song "E-Pro by Beck". The cover was dark and grungy but with funk overtones, Particle delivered and great homage to this classic jam. 

After the dark grungy funk cover, the band shifted paces into Triple Threat, a light bouncing funky jam song that leaves plenty of room for improvised jamming. Triple Threat lead to some guest action; Particle called for Jon Wayne, the lead singer/ guitarist for Jon Wayne and The Pain to join them onstage. Jon Wayne busted out some Sublime reminiscent rhymes over an instrumental jam that Particle laid down. The reggae feel was a good fit with the light funk style of Particle.

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The nearing the end of the show, the dancing got even heavier as the band got deeper into jam space than I had ever expected. The DC>Metropolis> National Anthem and closing out the first set with an version of Elevator that made you wonder why you haven't seen this band more often? Particle threw down an electric show with energy comparable to Umphrey's Mcgee. Particle bid the fans good night with an encore of I'm Awake, Silver Lining. The song was a light jam, more vocal than the average Particle song, and it was a great way to end an amazing night.