Tractorbeam, like The Perfume, is a pseudonym the Disco Biscuits perform under. Debuted on April 20th, 2007 at Ontourage in Chicago, IL Tractorbeam played instrumental versions of Disco Biscuits originals and covers until switching up their format in 2019.
It was evident that this project served as a creative spark for the band, as they played three memorable shows in 2007, following their Chicago debut. April 27th, 2007 at the Gramercy in New York and two shows at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA (06/26 and 08/30) featured creative setlists and dynamic jamming that often leaned heavy, dark, and electronic.
After appearing four times in 2007, Tractorbeam performances became somewhat rare as they played only nine times over the next eleven years:
- 10/25/08 State Theater Falls - Church, VA
- 07/18/09 Camp Bisco, ILCC - Mariaville, NY (TB vs. The Perfume)
- 09/12/09 Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
- 12/28/09 Highline Ballroom - New York, NY
- 03/26/10 Ultra Music Festival Afterparty - Miami, FL
- 09/18/10 Mishawaka Amphitheatre - Bellvue, CO
- 10/31/10 Jefferson Theater - Charlottesville, VA
- 01/23/11 Mayan Holidaze Now Sapphire Resort - Puerto Morelos, Mexico
- 01/26/14 Fox Theater, Boulder, CO
- 12/29/14 B.B. King Blue Club - New York, NY
- 09/09/16 Great North Music and Arts Fest - Minot, ME
- 07/14/18 Camp Bisco, Montage Mountain - Scranton, PA (TB vs. The Perfume Spin the Wheel)
On October 3rd and 4th 2019 at 10 Mile Music Hall in Frisco, CO the band debuted a completely new format for Tractorbeam. This iteration focuses on playing live versions of house and disco songs like Delorean Dynamite/Strandbar (Todd Terje), White Rabbit (Solomun), Fly Away (Crackazat). All four band members use laptops and are synced up through Ableton Live. Tractorbeam also played a late night show on 12/27/19 at Sony Music Hall in New York, NY.
In addition to the TB standalone shows, every Disco Biscuits show since 11/14/19 has included a Tractorbeam segment mid-second or third set.