As far as supergroups go, Electron packs some punch. The Philadelphia project is comprised of Marc Brownstein (bass) and Aron Magner (keys) of the Disco Biscuits, with Lotus drummer Mike Greenfield and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead guitarist Tom Hamilton. The result Friday night at the Fox Theater in Boulder was an exploratory evening of dance music.
The night opened with a set from progressive jammers Yamn, who will be accompanying Electron throughout their four-night Colorado run. It was the first show with band featuring Bryan LeFever on drums (Technicolor Tone Factory), who confidently stepped into the role behind the guitar harmonies of Taylor Fredrick and Brian Hamilton. Highlights included the rare drum and bass of “Ricochet,” and a take of the Van Halen classic “Jump.”
Though Electron has become known for their cover sets, including a Pink Floyd experience just last week on Jam Cruise, Friday’s show comprised mostly original material written by Brownstein. Jeremy Salken of Big Gigantic joined the band on drums for the Grateful Dead’s “Shakedown Street,” but aside from a few teases (Talking Heads’ “Life During Wartime” comes to mind) there was little imitation.
Instead, the show became an outlet for experimentation for four musicians with an affinity for just that. There were sloppy moments, botched transitions, and times when Hamilton’s psychedelic guitar licks drifted out of reach from the rest of the band. But there were also moments of clarity and cohesion where it was quite obvious the four members had stumbled upon something never before heard.
Electron will stick around the state through the weekend, playing Saturday at the Gothic Theater in Denver, followed by two nights at the Barkley Ballroom in Frisco, Jan. 17 and 18.
Set I
- Little Lai >
- This is your time >
- |x| Humu >
- A Wonderful Day
- Shakedown Street (w/ Jeremy Salken)
Set II
- Confrontation >
- Rock Candy >
- Miracles >
- Confrontation
- Shelby Rose
- E: Soul is Shaking
