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”

We’ve been fans of DD/MM/YYYY’s electronic-post-punk experiment for sometime now. The Canadian outfit, known for swapping instruments mid-set, embodies a sound that allows them to play seamlessly alongside just about any band at any time. As evidenced by their nearly three-month long North American tour in support of their newest LP, Black Square, the first single off of the March 17 release is “Digital Haircut”.

Scheduled for digital release on February 17th, street release on March 17th through We Are Busy Bodies (Canada) and European Release through Deleted Art shortly thereafter, Black Square is the by-product of van-confined wanderlust, inevitable maturity & a growing comfort level in the studio environment. They do not deviate too far from their origin, but there’s an inherent seriousness that may have evaded previous releases. They are inclined to explore, are open to all concepts, and are stubborn only with regards to a ‘no-style’ approach to making music. Notable inspiration comes to us from the works of Frank Zappa, Melt Banana, DADA art and video games. Anticipate an urgent set of elastic songs – dramatic & tempered by healthy doses of irreverence that make it hard to stand still.

DD/MM/YYYY – “Digital Haircut”

Black Square track listing
01. Bronzage
02. Nol Life
03. “They”
04. Infinity Skull Cube
05. My Glasses
06. Birdtown
07. Sirius
08. Lismer
09. Real Eyes
10. $50,000 Guitar Gear
11. I’m Still In The Walls
12. Digital Haircut

DD/MM/YYYY tour dates
02.02.09 – Pittsburgh, PA (Garfield Artworks)
02.03.09 – Asheville, NC (Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall)*
02.04.09 – Knoxville, TN (Pilot Light)*
02.05.09 – Memphis, TN (Hi Tone)*
02.06.09 – Denton, TX (Rubber Gloves)*
02.07.09 – Houston, TX (Meridian Red Room)*
02.08.09 – Austin, TX (Red 7)*
02.10.09 – Albuquerque, NM (Launchpad)*
02.11.09 – Tucson, AZ (Club Congress)*
02.12.09 – San Diego, CA (Casbah)**
02.13.09 – Los Angeles, CA (Spaceland)**
02.14.09 – Long Beach, CA (Alex’s Bar)**
02.15.09 – San Francisco, CA (Independent)**
02.16.09 – Portland, OR (Doug Fir Lounge)**
02.17.09 – Seattle, WA (El Corazon)**
02.18.09 – Vancouver, BC (The Biltmore Cabaret)#
02.20.09 – Calgary, AB (Broken City)#
02.21.09 – Edmonton, AB (Pawn Shop)#
02.23.09 – Winnipeg, MB (Royal Albert Hotel)#
02.24.09 – Fargo, ND (Aquarium)
02.25.09 – Minneapolis, MN (Triple Rock Social Club)
02.26.09 – Milwaukee, WI (Cactus Bar)
02.27.09 – Chicago, IL (Reggie’s)*
02.28.09 – Cleveland, OH (Grog Shop)*
03.10.09 – Pontiac, MI (Pike Room)
03.11.09 – Ypsilanti, MI (Elbow Room)
03.12.09 – Chicago, IL (Beat Kitchen)
03.13.09 – Louisville, KY (Skull Alley)
03.14.09 – Nashville, TN (The End)
03.15.09 – Memphis, TN (Hi Tone)
03.16.09 – Denton, TX (Rubber Gloves)
03.17.09 – Dallas, TX (Lounge on Elm Street)
03.18.09 – Austin, TX (Emo’s (Leafy Green SXSW Showcase)
03.19.09 – Austin, TX (SXSW)
03.20.09 – Austin, TX (SXSW)
03.21.09 – Austin, TX (SXSW)
03.22.09 – New Orleans, LA (Dragon’s Den)
03.23.09 – Pensacola, FL (Sluggos)
03.24.09 – Atlanta, GA (Lenny’s Bar)
03.25.09 – Charlotte, NC (The Milestone)
03.26.09 – Richmond, VA (Gallery 5)
03.27.09 – Washington, DC (The Red & Black)
03.28.09 – Baltimore, MD (Talking Head)
03.29.09 – Philadelphia, PA (Kung Fu Necktie)
03.30.09 – New York, NY (Mercury Lounge)
03.31.09 – Brooklyn, NY (Union Hall)
04.01.09 – Boston, MA (Middle East (Upstairs)
04.03.09 – Truro, NS (TBA)
04.04.09 – Halifax, NS (All Age’s TBA)
04.04.09 – Halifax, NS (Gus’ Pub)
04.05.09 – Charlottetown, PEI (TBA)
04.16.09 – Toronto, ON (Black Square LP Release Party @ Lee’s Palace)$
04.17.09 – Montreal, QC (Il Motore)$
04.18.09 – Quebec City, QC (Le Cercle)$
04.19.09 – Ottawa, ON (Mavericks)$
04.24.09 – Guelph, ON (Shadow)$
04.25.09 – Sudbury, ON (Adanac Ski Hill Chalet)&
04.26.09 – Sudbury, ON (The Townehouse)&

* w/Don Caballero
** w/Don Caballero, SBACH
# w/Sylvie
$ w/METZ
& w/TONNN