On Andy Adler: John Varvatos Star USA suit, Robert James shirt, Dior Homme tie, Ben Sherman boots.

On Frankie Rose:
Miu Miu dress,
Rock & Republic
belt, Giles
and Brother
earrings, Sonia
Rykiel shoes.

On JB Townsend: Robert James jacket, Dirty English pants, artist’s own glasses and boots.

On Brad Hargett: French Connection suit, Volcom vest, Dior Homme shirt, Gordon Rush boots.

Crystal stilts

Given their predilection for dark, clanging reverb and vampiric crooning, it’s no surprise Crystal Stilts cofounders Brad Hargett and JB Townsend felt out of place in their native south Florida. “If you’re not into techno or rap-metal,” says Hargett, “Palm Beach County is a very lame spot to live.”

New York has been a better fit. Now abetted by bassist Andy Adler (drummer Frankie Rose joined last spring), singer Hargett and guitarist Townsend transformed their early drone jams into the tense songcraft of their 2008 full-length, Alight of Night (Slumberland), an album of sepulchral melodies and midnight moods that won favorable, if irksome, comparisons with Joy Division and the Jesus and Mary Chain. “If you don’t make chirpy music, people always bring up the same bands,” says Hargett, who cites Bo Diddley as a touchstone. Adler is miffed for other reasons: “Why hasn’t anyone caught our Chick Corea references?”

The quartet’s live act is a less mirthful soft spot—their devotion to playing the songs straight has been mistaken for apathy. But Hargett found solace in a recent slam: “Someone said that I was a soulless energy vacuum onstage.” He smiles. “I think that sounds pretty awesome!”

MUSIC STUFF! ON SPIN.COM! NO KIDDING! / MARCH 2009 55