In February, Particle debuted its current lineup during performances at Los Angeles’ Henry Fonda Theatre and San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall Theater. In addition to the new guitar tandem of Scott Metzger and Ben Combe, Particle invited a number of guests onto the stage, including Blackalicious, Joe Satriani, DJ Logic, and Doors guitarist Robby Krieger. On July 18, Particle will release a DVD of its Henry Fonda Theater performances, as well as a CD, Transformations: Live For The People, collecting highlights of both performances. This evening Particle will perform at Tuscaloosa, AL’s Jupiter Bar and Grill.

moe./Umphreys Split Squads

Umphrey’s McGee first entered moe.‘s collective consciousness at the first Bonnaroo, when Brendan Bayliss joined the Buffalo-bred quintet onstage for a version of ‘Rebubula’ (although for the record, moe. guitarist Al Schnier first sat in with UM a few weeks earlier at a late night New Orleans gig). Since then the two bands have performed together countless times, including moe.‘s recent Chicago appearance at the Aragon Ballroom. At Illinois’ Summer Camp this spring, the longtime friends will take their collaborations a step further, pairing off in two Split Squads for a late-night Sunday performance. One Squad will consist of Umphrey’s McGee’s Joel Cummins, Jake Cinninger, Andy Farag and Ryan Stasik, along with moe.‘s Vinnie Amico and Chuck Garvey. A second team will feature moe.‘s Al Schnier, Rob Derhak and Jim Laughlin, along with Umphrey’s McGee’s Brendan Bayliss and Kris Myers.