Yup, we did it. We were able to find two new Crystal bands in consecutive weeks. Last week it was the Euro-dance Kitsune product Crystal Fighters, this week it’s Vancouver’s psychedelic-punk-pioneers Twin Crystals. But don’t be scared off by the name.

Like every good “crystal” band, they have a synth-aesthetic, but the stereotypes stop there. They add a bit of the synth-punk made famous by bands like The Death Set or Team Robespierre to a dissodent backdrop of psychedelic fusion more akin to fellow Canadians DD/MM/YYYY. Featuring members of Modern Creatures, they are part of a burgeoning Vancouver punk scene that includes bands like Shearing Pinx, Nu Sensae and the Defektors, yet embody more of a universal sound that would also go over well with the bong tokers (hey, it’s Vancouver) and the dance kids in addition to the punks. That’s marketability baby!

Their self-titled LP was recently released on Needs More Ram Records and is getting critical praise abound, while their split 10-inch with Night Wounds is quite possibly one of the coolest vinyl releases we’ve seen (they were cut on acetate blanks from 1941). This track, “Two Girls”, actually comes from their Separated Birth EP. We recommend them all.

Twin Crystals – “Two Girls”

Keeping with our Crystal theme today, here’s the newest video from Brooklyn’s Crystal Stilts, who remain one of our favorite bands of the recent garage revival. Where some have gone for total punk, while others have gone psych, and we can’t forget the pop, the Stilts seamlessly can blend them all for a mixture you can still groove to without any of the guilt.

Crystal Stilts – “Love Is A Wave”

Bringing a progressive agglomeration of Basque-influenced folk, electronic synthetic beats and unparalleled vocals to the forefront of European music through their infamous live shows and rigorous tour schedule, the East London-based five-some of fury Crystal Fighters are absolutely killing it.

With their first single official “Xtatic Truth”, released on Parisian powerhouse, Kitsune, last week, the band is gearing up for more brain busting to come, especially with the release of their first full length later this year. Last year, the group gained fame with their Internet smash “I Love London”, voted in Mixmag’s Top 100 Records for 2008 — the only unreleased single in the top 100 — and with a stellar session at Radio 1 Live Session for Rob da Bank. If these tracks don’t make you want to rip your shirt off and dive into a sweaty sea of beautiful people and glistening gems, I don’t know what will.

Crystal Fighters – “Xtatic Truth”

Crystal Fighters – “I Love London” [via Pinglewood]

By Sarah Zellweger