No matter what though, this is a project that will continue to evolve. While there are new toys out there to be invented or discovered, the God Particle can grow.

"Recently, I bought a theremin at a little music shop for $30, and I've actually dedicated most of my time lately not to playing keyboards and guitar but learning to play the theremin," Mars says, referring to the otherworldly sounding electronic instrument heard on the Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations" and a zillion low-budget sci-fi flicks. "It's not the best, but it's still playable. There's a lot that goes to it — hand motions and gestures, frequencies and modulations. It all mixes together and anyone could make noise and learn how to play one. We're also getting into making our own instruments. Stefan took a toy gun and made it into an oscillator. We're really getting into having our own instruments."

Like Marco Polio, the God Particle will play just about anywhere. Mars insists that the desire to play off the beaten path is vital. "We play any show that we can, whether it be a friend's house, out in front of our favorite store, or even street performing," he says. "With this band, we've played outside of Noir Leather already, we've street performed many times, and it's what helped us become this band. It's no-holds-barred. I've played many different places. Some shady places too. We've had some fun shows like that. That's just a part of being a musician, I guess. Getting yourself out there."

The God Particle is certainly doing that. In closing, though, we had to ask if Marco Polio & the New Vaccines is finished forever? 

"Me and Steve still live together actually," Mars says. "I wouldn't say it's totally dead. He's got his band Pupils, and we're both doing our own things right now. I still have all the music and equipment, and I think when the time is right we'll come back. I guess the best way I could describe it is that Marco Polio & the New Vaccines is taking a nap right now. I don't believe it's over, personally."

Phew.

Brett Callwood writes City Slang.

Send comments to him at latters@metrotimes.com

> Email Brett Callwood