Influences
Band History
Together the four guys who make up Atom Smashers N’ the Charged Particles — Robby Cooper, Lee Ott, Jon Simpson and Jason Freeman, all of Cedar Rapids — offer something rarely seen nowadays: a show that is different every time they get on stage.
With more than 40 percent of their show focused on “feel and improv,” audiences are guaranteed not to see the same show twice.
Trust me, I’ve seen them multiple times. What’s even better is that I was fortunate enough to catch up with these guys and got the chance to sit down with them to ask a few questions.
Here’s what’s going on inside the atom.
What is the biggest challenge you face as a band?
Jon: Developing a fanbase and booking shows with bars and venues would have to be our biggest challenge. But, that is starting to change. We got a lot of stuff booked or in the works now. The second year of the Atom Smashers and the Charged Particles will be much different than the first.
What is your ultimate goal as a band?
Jason: If we all could just be professional musicians, you know just make our living off of playing, that would be great.
Jon: The long term goal is to do exactly what you said. But we’ve got building (to do) and that’s the bottom line. I guess the short term goal is to build a following and see if we’re actually capable of what he’s talking about.
Robby: I think out of all the ultimate goals, just getting together, making tunes, that’s really the ultimate goal. If we’re doing that, I think the other things will kind of fall into place.
How would you describe the overall attitude of your band?
Lee: We are dead serious about making this happen, but all of us are pretty goofy indivually.
day
May 24
