Article by: Wendy Podmenik Darugar
Photos by: Glenn Woodell and Wendy Podmenik Darugar

VIRGINIA BEACH – Mysterious Particle People descended upon Shaka’s on a chilly Sunday night in Virginia Beach to lose themselves in the neon groove of the Master Ship. Original founding member and keyboardist/vocalist, Steve Molitz, has been at the helm of the Particle spaceship since year 2000 and he has a lengthy, impressive resume that includes recording and performing with such music luminaries as Phil Lesh, Robby Krieger, Rich Robinson, and The Allman Brothers.

The evening’s show was opened by DrFameus, a one-man electronic music project by drummer Allen Aucoin, who also is a member of Philadelphia’s electronica band, The Disco Biscuits. Aucoin played a short yet energizing set onstage and engaged the audience in a relentless dance rhythm in preparation for Particle’s arrival on Shaka’s stage.

Aucoin does double duty on this tour, as not only is he playing the opening set, but he is also drumming for Particle. Molitz and Aucoin are accompanied by Ben Combe (guitar/vocals), and Clay Parnell (bass/vocals). Dubbed “The Accelerator Tour”, it’s last night to perform is October 23rd however fans can look forward to Particle’s progress on two full-length studio albums and some select studio singles in the near future.

Particle’s sound is a jammy, flowing combination of electronica, funk, and rock – an incessant trippy dance beat that has been dubbed “livetronica” and “space porn”. The night’s set list included such favorites as “E-Pro”, “The Elevator”, “Organ Chords”, and “London Forces”. As the evening progressed, Steve Molitz danced behind his keyboards with just as much enthusiasm as the audience and the Particle People immersed themselves in the beat.

Check out http://particlepeople.com/ for updates on new releases and upcoming concerts by Particle. Final tour dates are 10/22 in New Haven, CT and 10/23 in Providence, RI.