Shazam Playlist… Crystal Fighters
Crystal Fighters are undoubtedly one of the most conceptually original bands to emerge from British shores in recent years. Their sound mashes erratic electronic sounds with traditional Spanish folk music to create a surprisingly palatable result and, on their latest single ‘At Home’, something that has impressive pop leanings. During a short interview the band’s lead singer Sebastian dropped a few interesting factoids about the group. The fact that the group take their name and chief inspiration by an unfinished book written by one of the band’s grandfather is pretty cool. As is the fact that the Txalaparta, a xylophone type instrument that seems to underpin a lot of the group’s most catchy riffs, was originally made from beams in cider factories.
The group also revealed a love of some seriously eclectic odd-ball music. From Frank Zappa to Spanish proto-punk, below Seb reveals five tracks that are currently getting heavy rotation on the Crystal Fighters’ tour van.
Golpes Bajos – Fiesta de los Maniquies
“Early 80s gothic punk megastars Golpes Bajos deliver a brilliant slice of moody dance pop here with ‘Fiesta De Los Maniquies’ (‘Party Of The Mannequins’)”.
Vocoder – What Happens Now
“Spanish electro pop meets Italo Disco – with incredible results and supermarket video”.
Frank Zappa – City of Tiny Lines (Live in NYC)
“Genius – the way he brings completely different genres together in a way no one else would even think to really influences us”.
Las Vulpes – Me Gusta Ser Una Zorra
“First all female Spanish punk band – put one single together and that was the end of them. Beautiful attitude you can really feel, regardless of language or sex”.
Eskorbuto – Historia Triste
“Originally from the Basque country, but went on to be one of the most influential punk bands in all of Spain and Latin America. Came out of the post Franco Spanish punk explosion”.
