Crystal Castles Bring It Home

It Happened Last Night

TORONTO: The cyber-punk duo spark a Hogtown grindathon.

By Chandler Levack 02.22.08 2:25 PM

Awaiting a set from local heroes Crystal Castles, fans were content to thrash out their anticipation in a sweaty cluster of keffiyahs and Kanye shades last night (Feb. 21) at Toronto's Wrongbar until the puckish duo took the stage. Frontwoman Alice Glass, looking like a black-rimmed JD Salinger heroine viciously attacked by Karen O in a dark closet, demurely vogued to the hard-edged beats of mix master Ethan Kath, who remained hunched over his Atari-pimped synthesizer (a 5200 chip is encased inside) throughout the set. Both sported his and her leathers, and emanated a mysterious resilience.

A live drummer added weighted professionalism to the frenetic burn of bangers "No Skin," "Air War," and MySpace slam-dunk "Alice Practice," as a constant pounce of strobe lights induced electric synesthesia (or maybe it was just the flash of all those photo bloggers). But it was latest single "Crimewave," off the band’s yet-to-be titled forthcoming Last Gang debut that defined their noir-slick sonic. Like an ABBA-tinged pulsation remixed with L.A. scenesters HEALTH, Crystal Castles delivered never-ending glossy noise combustions, always in search of the next Nintendo power-up.

We Asked: Crystal Castles are famously obsessed with video games. What game has caught your fancy lately?

Name: Allan Serna
Age: 20
Hometown: Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
Occupation: ESL Student
"Supermario 2… I enjoy all the bright colors."

Name:Daniel Arce
Age: 33
Hometown: Lima, Peru
Occupation: New Media Instructor
"Sim City… because it simulates a city. And I’m interested in that."

Name: Melanie Hill
Age: 19
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: Arts Management Student
"The Tetris/Dr. Mario combo. It’s old school."

Name: Joey Johnson
Age: 19
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: American Apparel Employee
"I liked the Legend of Zelda… when I was younger."

Name: Charlyn Wee
Age: 34
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: Advertising Art Director
"Rock Band. I love playing Maps by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs."

Name: Eden Cosenstein
Age: 20
Hometown: New York, NY
Occupation: Student (English)
"Super Smash Brothers. My ten year old brother just got it."

Name: Andrew Panpay
Age: 22
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: Student
"Halo 3. I am obsessed -- obsessed!"

Name: Kendra Martyn
Age: 20
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: Design Student
"I don’t play video games."

Name: Lance Ludwig
Age: 20
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Occupation: Up and coming DJ
"Online Scrabble. I’m a champion."

Name: Stephanie Cavanaugh
Age: 23
Hometown: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Occupation: Student
"Tetrisonline. I’m kind of a nerd, actually."