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The Crystal Method
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The Crystal Method
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The Crystal Method is an American electronic music act formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, by Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland in 1993. They were pioneers of the big beat genre and their music has appeared in numerous TV shows, films, video games, and advertisements. Their 1997 debut studio album Vegas was certified platinum in 2007, and saw follow-ups Tweekend, Legion of Boom, Divided by Night, and The Crystal Method.

Key Information

In 2017, Ken Jordan retired from music and left the group, with Scott Kirkland adopting The Crystal Method as a solo moniker.[1]

History

[edit]

The Crystal Method originally had two members, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland. Before The Crystal Method was formed, Jordan and Kirkland started working on music while working at a grocery store. Jordan was also a local DJ in Las Vegas as well as the college radio program director at UNLV. Jordan taught Kirkland how to DJ, and when Jordan moved to Los Angeles to work for a producer, Kirkland took over his job DJing at the local club. Kirkland also moved out to Los Angeles, and they formed The Crystal Method in 1993.

While working as a production duo for a rapper, a person named Crystal would handle transportation needs. The rapper repeatedly referred to her method of transportation as "The Crystal Method." The pair adopted the name based on the layout of the three words and the sound of the name.[2]

Early days (1993–1995)

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By the early 1990s, both Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland had moved from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Jordan and Kirkland rented a house together, in La Crescenta, Glendale, California, which had a small underground shelter beneath the front lawn. Originally intending to turn the shelter into a studio, it proved to be an unrealistic idea and the duo set up a studio in their house which was located near a 210 Freeway overpass.[3] They subsequently named their studio The Bomb Shelter. They were interviewed on the front lawn of the house in the documentary Better Living Through Circuitry.

After The Bomb Shelter was built, a tape of The Crystal Method's music found its way to British DJ Justin King. King was interested in starting a record label that would showcase American electronic dance acts. Together with Steve Melrose, King formed the record label City of Angels. The first official release from the City of Angels label was The Crystal Method's "Now is the Time". The Crystal Method were signed to Outpost Recordings in 1996.

Vegas (1996–1998)

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After the band signed with Outpost, they began working on their debut album. The group's final single on the City of Angels Record Label was "Keep Hope Alive". Their next single was "Come2gether", from the Mortal Kombat: More Kombat soundtrack.

On August 26, 1997, The Crystal Method released their debut studio album, Vegas. Vegas peaked at number 92 on the Billboard 200.[4] It was certified gold by the RIAA in 1998, then platinum in 2007.[5]

The album's release was supported by its four singles ("Keep Hope Alive", "Trip Like I Do", "Busy Child", and "Comin' Back") and by the inclusion of eight of its tracks on the soundtrack for the video game N2O. The game's publisher, Fox Interactive, sponsored The Crystal Method's 1998 tour.[6] Jordan said that in live performances, "We definitely go for intensity. We're not interested in making our shows look like reality. We're interested in making the most intense and dynamic experience you've ever been through."[6]

A reworking of "Trip Like I Do", called "(Can't You) Trip Like I Do", was also included as a collaborative effort with Filter on soundtrack to the film adaptation of Spawn in 1997 and on the soundtrack of Michael Benveniste's Tedd Can chronicles.

Tweekend (1999–2002)

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In 1999, the band recorded their second studio album, Tweekend, which featured more guest artists than Vegas. The album was released in July 2001, and peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200,[4] which remains the group's highest album chart position to date.

Featured guests from the album include Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Stone Temple Pilots vocalist Scott Weiland, and others, like Doug Grean, DJ Swamp, Ryan "Ryu" Maginn, and Julie Gallios. Four singles were released from Tweekend: "Wild, Sweet and Cool", "Murder", "Blowout", "Name of the Game".

Jordan and Kirkland formerly ran a radio show called Community Service which aired Friday nights on radio station Indie 103.1, in California.[citation needed] They played music and hosted guests including Death in Vegas and Unkle.

A year after the release of Tweekend, The Crystal Method released a continuous mix album based on their radio show, titled Community Service. The album does not feature any new studio material from The Crystal Method, but is composed of remixes of bands like P.O.D., Rage Against the Machine, and Garbage, plus remixes of songs from Tweekend. Their remix of P.O.D.'s "Boom" from this album, also appeared in the video game Amplitude.

Community Service peaked at number 160 on the Billboard 200, number five on the Top Electronic Albums chart, and number 15 on the Top Independent Albums chart.[4]

Legion of Boom (2003–2005)

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The Crystal Method performing in 2006

After the release of Community Service, The Crystal Method went back into the studio to record their third album, Legion of Boom. During the recording, they used the house as their recording studio instead of The Bomb Shelter.[citation needed]

In December 2003, the single "Born Too Slow", with vocals from John Garcia and guitar by Wes Borland was released. Legion of Boom was released on January 13, 2004, and peaked at number 36 on the Billboard 200.[4] It sold over 25,000 copies in its first week.[7] The track was also part of the soundtrack of the 2003 video game Need for Speed: Underground, used prominently in its demo.

The other single released from Legion of Boom, "Starting Over", featured vocals from Rahzel. No other singles were released but other songs, including "Weapons of Mass Distortion", "Bound Too Long" and "Realizer", appeared in various movies and TV shows. "I Know It's You" appeared in the trailer for the film Resident Evil: Extinction, and includes vocals from Milla Jovovich.

In 2005, the album was nominated for the Best Electronic/Dance Album Grammy,[8] the first year that category existed. It lost to Kish Kash by Basement Jaxx.[9]

Around this time, Jordan and Kirkland formed their own record label, called Tiny E Records.[7] Also in 2005, Jordan and Kirkland composed an original theme for the TV series Bones, which remained in use for seven seasons before Jordan and Kirkland remixed the theme which has been in use since the beginning of season 8.

In 2004, The Crystal Method collaborated with Alan Parsons, on his fourth solo album since the demise of the Alan Parsons Project, A Valid Path, on the song "We Play The Game".[citation needed]

On April 5, 2005, The Crystal Method released their sequel to Community Service, titled Community Service II, another continuous mix of electronica songs and remixes of music by artists including The Doors, Unkle, New Order and Smashing Pumpkins. The album peaked at number 31 on the Top Independent Albums chart and number 8 on the Top Electronic albums chart.[4]

A 5 track EP, Community Service II Exclusives, was released through the iTunes Store. It included one new track, "Badass", and full versions of four tracks from Community Service II. It was removed from the iTunes store not long after it was released.[7]

Drive, London, and Vegas re-release (2006–2008)

[edit]
The Crystal Method performing in 2009

The group composed and performed the score for the film London, which was released in February 2006. The soundtrack album included excerpts from the score, two Crystal Method vocal tracks—"Smoked" and "Glass Breaker", which were also released as a single—and songs by artists like Evil Nine, The Out Crowd, and The Perishers.

Shortly after the release of the London soundtrack, The Crystal Method was approached by Nike to take part in a series of music releases specifically designed to be listened to while running. The group's contribution, Drive: Nike + Original Run—the first in the series[10]—was initially released digitally, in June 2006, with the physical release following a year later. Drive peaked at number 23 on the Top Electronic Albums chart.[4] The album, a 45-minute continuous mix, starts off slow, increases in tempo, and slows at the end, following the arc of a typical distance run.[7] In 2006 the track "Robogirl" released by the duo appeared on Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNOVA.

In 2007, ten years after its original release, the group's debut album, Vegas was certified platinum by the RIAA.[5] One month later, a special edition of the album was released, with a second disc including remixes and video.

In late 2008, the group remixed their song "Now Is the Time". Where the original version featured samples of Jesse Jackson, this "Vote '08 Remix" used samples of Barack Obama, marking the presidential election.

Divided by Night (2009–2012)

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The Crystal Method performing at SXSW 2009

Following the release of Legion of Boom, The Crystal Method began construction of a new, full-sized recording studio in Los Angeles—Crystalwerks. When it was finished, they began work on their fourth studio album, Divided by Night.

On April 14, 2009, The Crystal Method released the digital single "Drown in the Now". A second single, "Black Rainbows", was released via Beatport two weeks later.

The Divided by Night tour started in Boston on May 6, and the album was released the following week. It peaked at number 38 on the Billboard 200, number two on the Top Electronic Albums chart, and number four on the Top Independent Albums chart,[4] and also granted the duo another Grammy nomination. The album features guest artists including LMFAO, Peter Hook (of New Order), Matisyahu, Meiko, Justin Warfield, Emily Haines (of Metric), and Jason Lytle.

X Games 3D: The Movie, released in August 2009, included a number of Crystal Method songs and remixes,[11] including "Drown in the Now" and "Now Is the Time".

The Crystal Method and Ken Jordan's departure (2013–2017)

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Originally scheduled for a June, 2013, release, their eponymous fifth studio album The Crystal Method was delayed by a surgery to remove a cyst in Scott Kirkland's brain.[12] The album was released on January 14, 2014.[12]

When approximately halfway creating the next album process, Scott Kirkland received news that he had developed "what's called a benign posterior fossa arachnoid cyst that needed to be removed from my head." He explains, "It's a simple procedure as far as brain surgery goes, but they still had to cut into my skull and noodle around in there. The surgery wasn't as bad as the infection afterwards, which landed me in the ICU for ten days. Thankfully, I made it out okay. In hindsight, as weird as it sounds, I think we were able to make a better record because we came through this." Following his 2013 recovery, Scott regrouped with Ken Jordan and continued working on the album.

In late 2013, the duo were asked to compose the score and opening theme of Almost Human, a science fiction crime drama airing on Fox. The same year, two of the Crystal Method's songs, "Play for Real" and "Over It", were featured in the 2013 racing game Asphalt 8: Airborne.

In 2014, TCM's song "Single Barrel (Sling the Decks)" was featured in the film Lucy.

In early 2017, Ken Jordan decided to retire from music, and left The Crystal Method; however, Scott Kirkland continues to produce and play shows under the moniker as a solo project.[1]

In 2017, Scott as The Crystal Method went on tour with Tool, and collaborated with Tool bass player Justin Chancellor on a side project called Bandwidth.[13]

The Trip Home (2018)

[edit]

On July 17, 2018, Scott Kirkland announced the next Crystal Method album was titled The Trip Home and would be released on September 28, 2018. Kirkland also announced the first single, "Holy Arp", would be released on July 27, 2018.[14]

On July 20, 2018, Kirkland announced a North American tour to support the new album.[citation needed]

On September 7, 2018, Kirkland announced the second single "There's a Difference" featuring Franky Perez, which released the same day.[15]

On November 26, 2018, Kirkland and Jean-Michel Jarre announced that they would be collaborating on a track on Jean-Michel Jarre's next electronica album.[16]

The Trip Out (2022)

[edit]

On February 18, 2022, The Crystal Method announced a follow-up album to The Trip Home titled The Trip Out while simultaneously releasing their first single "Post Punk" featuring DJ Hyper and Iggy Pop.[17]

The second single "Watch Me Now" featuring Koda & VAAAL debuted April 11, live on NBC's American Song Contest, and would later go on to be featured in the soundtrack for MLB The Show 23. The album was released on Ultra Records on April 15, 2022.[18]

Discography

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Main article: The Crystal Method discography

Studio albums

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The Crystal Method

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The Crystal Method is an American electronic music act formed in 1993 in , , by producers Scott Kirkland and Ken Jordan, renowned for pioneering —a high-energy fusion of breakbeats, synths, rock, and hip-hop elements—in the U.S. scene. Their breakthrough came with the 1997 debut album Vegas, which blended aggressive rhythms and cinematic samples to achieve platinum certification and introduce their sound to mainstream audiences alongside contemporaries like . Following Jordan's retirement in 2017, Kirkland has led the project as a solo endeavor, maintaining its legacy through innovative productions and media soundtracks. The duo's early work, including singles like "Busy Child" from Vegas, propelled them into the spotlight, with tracks featured in films, video games such as Need for Speed: Underground ("Born Too Slow"), and TV shows, solidifying their role in shaping pre-Y2K electronic culture. Subsequent albums expanded their palette: (2001) incorporated guest vocalists and live instrumentation for a more eclectic vibe, while Legion of Boom (2004) earned a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album in the category's inaugural year. Divided By Night (2009) secured another nomination, blending influences with their signature intensity. Later releases, including the self-titled The Crystal Method (2014), The Trip Home (2018), and The Trip Out (2022), reflect Kirkland's evolution toward cinematic and collaborations with artists like . Throughout their career, The Crystal Method has influenced electronic music's crossover into popular media, with remixes and scores for projects like the documentary Hired Gun (2017) and contributions to soundtracks for films such as London (2005). Their discography, spanning seven studio albums, underscores a commitment to high-octane, genre-blending production that has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase in the EDM community.

Formation and early career

Origins and formation (1993–1995)

Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland first met in late 1989 while working at a in southeast , where they bonded over their mutual passion for electronic music, particularly and genres. Both aspiring DJs and producers, they began collaborating informally in the early , experimenting with beats and samples in makeshift setups amid the burgeoning scene in . By 1993, they formalized their partnership as a production duo, drawing inspiration from the West Coast electronic underground. Their band name, The Method, originated from a friend named Crystal who frequently provided rides to their early gigs and parties, though it has often been misinterpreted as a nod to methamphetamine . Seeking better opportunities in the expanding electronic music landscape, Jordan relocated to in 1993 to work as a recording engineer, with Kirkland following shortly thereafter to join him. The move to [L.A.](/page/L(a) offered access to superior studio facilities and a vibrant club scene, allowing the duo to refine their sound in a more professional environment. In , they immersed themselves in the local culture, honing tracks that blended breakbeats with rock and hip-hop elements, influenced by contemporaries like . In 1994, The Crystal Method signed with the independent label City of Angels Records, founded by Steve Melrose and Justin King, after submitting a promising demo. This partnership marked their entry into professional releases, with the label's inaugural single being the duo's "," issued in 1994. The track, characterized by its pulsating breakbeats and energetic drops, signified their initial foray into the genre and helped establish their presence in the electronic music community.

Initial releases and influences

The duo's next release, "Keep Hope Alive," came in 1995, still on City of Angels Records. This single further developed their high-energy style and gained traction in underground circles, bridging their early work toward the sound that would define their debut album. Their influences stemmed from the Las Vegas and rave scenes, incorporating elements of and . Key inspirations included synth-heavy rock acts like and Depeche Mode's album , as well as New Order, pioneers, and DJs such as . They also drew from producers like and Arthur Baker, while admiring emerging UK contemporaries like and .

Members

Core duo and collaborators

The Crystal Method was founded in 1993 by Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, both hailing from , where they met while working at a local grocery store and bonded over their shared interest in electronic music. Jordan, born and raised in , began his career as a DJ and program director at the college radio station KUNV, before relocating to in 1990 to work as a recording engineer. He taught Kirkland the art of DJing, and when Jordan moved to LA, Kirkland followed suit, taking over Jordan's DJ residency at a local club. As the band's co-founder until his retirement from music in 2017, Jordan focused on melodic elements, often incorporating analog synthesizers like the and Jupiter 8 to create rich, low-end sounds that added emotional depth to their tracks. He also handled much of the live mixing, developing performance versions of songs using synchronization and click tracks to ensure seamless transitions during shows, emphasizing the duo's commitment to dynamic, technology-driven presentations. Scott Kirkland, the other co-founder, complemented Jordan's contributions with his expertise in sampling and beat construction, serving as the primary songwriter and driving the band's rhythmic foundation. Kirkland's approach drew from hip-hop and influences, where he layered samples—such as those from or unconventional sources like vacuum cleaners—over heavy, cinematic beats to craft the propulsive energy central to their sound. After Jordan's departure in 2017, Kirkland adopted The Crystal Method as a solo moniker, continuing to produce and perform while maintaining the project's collaborative spirit. His background in Las Vegas club DJing evolved into a production style that prioritized groove and texture, making him the anchor for the band's evolution into more experimental territories. The duo frequently collaborated with recurring guest artists to infuse rock and vocal elements into their electronic framework, treating them as natural extensions of the band to enhance both studio recordings and live performances. Guitarist of contributed searing riffs to multiple tracks, including co-writing and playing on "Name of the Game" from the 2001 album , where his unconventional guitar effects blended seamlessly with the duo's beats during sessions that emphasized mutual experimentation. Actress and singer provided haunting vocals for "I Know It's You" on the 2004 album Legion of Boom, adding a cinematic vulnerability that aligned with the track's atmospheric build, recorded in a process that highlighted her input on phrasing to match the electronic pulses. Filter frontman participated in remixes and joint efforts, notably on the 1997 remix of Filter's "(Can't You) Trip Like I Do," which integrated The Crystal Method's breakbeats with Patrick's industrial edge, and they toured together on the 1999 to capture that hybrid live energy. The band's approach to these guests emphasized personal connections and genre-blending synergy, viewing them as vital extensions that amplified the live show's intensity while enriching studio processes. Collaborations often arose organically through shared tours or mutual admiration, such as inviting artists like Morello or Patrick into sessions to improvise over pre-built beats, fostering a sense of communal creation that translated to high-energy performances where guests joined onstage to bridge electronic and rock worlds. This method allowed The Crystal Method to push beyond solo production, incorporating diverse inputs—like Patrick’s raw vocals or Jovovich’s emotive delivery—to create tracks that felt alive and adaptable for both recorded releases and dynamic tours.

Lineup changes

In 2017, co-founder Ken Jordan retired from music to pursue other interests, including environmental in . Scott Kirkland continued the project as a solo act under The Crystal Method name, incorporating new collaborators such as on tracks from the 2022 album The Trip Out. As of November 2025, Kirkland remains the sole active member, with occasional guest appearances and no further lineup changes reported.

Musical style

Big beat foundations

Big beat, a genre that The Crystal Method helped pioneer in the United States, emerged in the as a fusion of breakbeats, hip-hop samples, and rock guitar elements, typically operating at tempos between 120 and 140 BPM to drive its energetic, dancefloor-oriented pulse. This style blended the syncopated rhythms of hip-hop breakbeats—often sourced from 1970s , , and hip-hop records—with the aggressive riffing of rock guitars and the pulsating drive of electronic influences like , creating a sound that bridged underground and mainstream accessibility. The Crystal Method's signature sound within featured aggressive drops that built tension through layered synths and the raw scratch of vinyl effects, evoking a gritty, urban edge reminiscent of hip-hop while maintaining high-energy electronic propulsion. Their tracks emphasized distorted synth basslines and sound effects that added cinematic depth, drawing from rock's verse-chorus structures to craft pop-infused electronic anthems suitable for both clubs and soundtracks. Alongside acts like and , The Crystal Method played a pivotal role in pioneering in the U.S. by infusing energy with hip-hop's sampling ethos and rock's intensity, helping propel the genre from niche scenes into mainstream popularity during the late 1990s. This innovation popularized the style's ability to merge disparate influences, making it a staple for high-impact media placements and live performances. Technically, their productions relied on heavy compression to achieve punchy, robust mixes that amplified the impact of drum elements, often incorporating iconic samples like the for its versatile, rolling foundation. This approach ensured a dense, aggressive sonic profile where layered breaks and synths cut through with clarity, defining the genre's hallmark thickness and drive.

Evolution and production techniques

The Crystal Method's production techniques originated in the mid-1990s with a reliance on analog hardware and sampling, utilizing synthesizers such as the , ESQ-1, and Emu Emax to craft the dense, layered soundscapes of their debut album Vegas (1997), which featured up to seven digital tracks and 30 tracks sequenced via devices like the Alesis MMT-8. As digital tools advanced in the early , the duo transitioned to computer-based recording, initially employing software for multitrack capture while retaining hardware for core sounds, marking a gradual shift from outboard gear to integrated digital workflows. By the mid-2000s, particularly following the release of Legion of Boom (2004), The Crystal Method fully embraced digital plugins and DAWs, adopting for both studio composition and portable production on laptops, which enabled more flexible beat programming with tools like the FXpansion Geist plugin for drum patterns and effects triggering. This evolution allowed for precise sound manipulation, incorporating soft synths such as DCAM alongside analog holdovers like the and for bass and leads, reducing the need for extensive physical patching while preserving organic textures. In the 2010s, their sound incorporated elements of (IDM) through intricate, glitchy rhythms and via wobbling basslines and drops, as evident in tracks like "Over It" (2013) from the self-titled , reflecting a move toward more experimental electronic structures with fewer rock-infused guitar riffs compared to earlier works like Tweekend (2001). This period emphasized plugin-based processing, such as Acustica Audio's Gainstation for and oeksound's Soothe 2 for control, to achieve mid-tempo (around 100 bpm) grids in that blended foundations with contemporary electronic subgenres. For live performances, the group evolved from traditional DJ sets in the 1990s—focused on vinyl scratching and sequencer playback—to laptop-centric setups by the 2010s, using 9 with controllers like the APC40 for real-time , effects triggering, and simulating full band dynamics through layered stems and modular analog synth integrations for spontaneous modulation. Following Ken Jordan's departure in 2017, Scott Kirkland shifted toward solo production emphasizing cinematic textures, scoring the documentary Hired Gun (2017) and composing original music for the sci-fi film Singularity (2017), while contributing the theme for the 3Below: (2018), utilizing expansive synth layers and ambient processing to evoke narrative depth in visual media. This cinematic focus continued into subsequent releases, such as The Trip Out (2023), which delved deeper into hip-hop, , and influences while maintaining experimental elements.

Career highlights

Breakthrough with Vegas (1996–1998)

The Crystal Method recorded their debut album Vegas over the course of 1996 and 1997 in Los Angeles-area studios, including The Bomb Shelter in . The duo, Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, focused on crafting a high-energy sound through extensive sampling and layering, drawing from hip-hop, rock, and electronic influences to create tracks suited for the burgeoning U.S. rave scene. Key compositions like "Busy Child" incorporated vocal samples from Eric B. & Rakim's "Juice (Know the Ledge)," delivering a pulsating rhythm that became emblematic of the album's drive. Similarly, "Vapor Trail" featured breaks sampled from James Brown's "Funky President (People It's Bad)," blending grooves with aggressive synths to heighten the track's propulsive feel. Released on August 26, 1997, via Outpost Recordings, Vegas marked the duo's entry into the mainstream electronic landscape. The album debuted modestly but climbed to a peak of number 92 on the chart, reflecting growing interest in American-produced amid the boom. Promotion efforts included early live tours to build buzz, with the band performing as openers on select dates, such as alongside during late 1997 shows at venues like Maritime Hall in . The music video for "Busy Child," directed by and Eli Bonerz, gained traction on , including appearances on programs like Fashionably Loud, helping to expose the track's cinematic intensity to a wider audience beyond underground raves. Critically, Vegas was lauded for its energetic fusion, which injected West Coast flair into the genre and significantly influenced U.S. culture by bridging club sounds with rock aggression. Outlets praised its seismic grooves and innovative production, positioning the album as a cornerstone for American acts seeking broader appeal. Over time, its enduring impact was underscored by RIAA certification in , signifying sales exceeding one million units and affirming its role in popularizing the style.

Mainstream success and Tweekend (1999–2004)

Following the success of their debut album Vegas, which peaked at No. 92 on the , The Crystal Method entered a period of heightened visibility in the electronic music scene during the late and early . Building momentum from extensive touring and remixes, the duo—Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland—began recording their second album, , around 1999, incorporating a range of guest collaborators to expand their sound with rock and hip-hop influences. Notable contributors included guitarist , who provided guitar on tracks like "Roll It Up," and vocalist , featured on "You Know It's Hard" (also known as "Murder"). Tweekend was released on July 31, 2001, via Outpost Recordings and , marking a commercial breakthrough for as it debuted at No. 32 on the chart. The album's harder-edged beats and eclectic features helped solidify their mainstream appeal, with promotional singles like "Blowout" and "Name of the Game" (featuring rapper Ryu) receiving club and alternative radio rotation. The duo's momentum continued with their third album, Legion of Boom, recorded amid growing industry recognition and released on January 13, 2004, by V2 Records. It peaked at No. 36 on the , selling approximately 25,000 copies in its debut week. The lead single, "Born Too Slow," featured vocals by Kyuss singer John Garcia and became a standout hit, bolstered by its directed by filmmaker , which aired on and expanded the duo's audience through and electronic radio play. The album earned a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the in 2005, highlighting its impact in blending breakbeats with live instrumentation. During this era, The Crystal Method intensified their live presence, headlining tours that often shared bills with acts like , including joint performances that showcased their energetic sets alongside similar electronic pioneers. They also made notable festival appearances, such as at the 2004 Music and Arts Festival, where they performed in the Sahara Tent on May 2, drawing crowds with high-energy visuals and tracks from Legion of Boom.

Mid-career explorations (2005–2012)

Following the mainstream success of Tweekend, The Crystal Method entered a transitional phase marked by side projects, reissues, and a shift toward independent production, allowing the duo to explore diverse creative outlets beyond traditional album cycles. In 2006, they released Drive: Nike + Original Run, a 45-minute electronica album designed to accompany a full workout run, featuring original tracks that blend breakbeat rhythms with motivational builds from warm-up to cool-down. Produced under their Tiny E Records imprint, the project highlighted their ability to adapt big beat foundations to functional music, incorporating seamless transitions akin to a DJ set. That same year, the duo contributed significantly to the soundtrack for the film London, directed by Hunter Richards, providing nine original recordings including vocal tracks like "Smoked" and "Glass Breaker," alongside score excerpts that infused the thriller's narrative with pulsating electronic tension. To capitalize on enduring fan interest, Outpost Recordings reissued Vegas in as a 10th Anniversary Edition, remastered with a bonus disc of newly commissioned remixes by artists such as BT, The Crystal Method themselves, and Hybrid, expanding the original's 14 tracks into a 20-song set that preserved its raw, sample-heavy energy while updating it for contemporary listeners. This edition underscored the album's lasting impact, as cumulative sales reached one million units, earning platinum certification from the RIAA that year. The re-release bridged their early catalog with ongoing explorations, reinforcing Vegas as a cornerstone of American . Culminating this period, Divided by Night arrived on May 12, 2009, via Tiny E Records, marking their first full studio album in five years and peaking at number 38 on the chart. The record embraced a broader sonic palette, incorporating rock-infused electronics and guest vocalists such as of New Order on "Dirty Thirty," reggae artist on the lead single "Drown in the Now," and rapper of on "Kling to the Wreckage," alongside contributions from and The Heavy. These collaborations infused the album's 11 tracks with diverse textures, from gritty basslines to anthemic choruses, while maintaining the duo's signature layered production. For their efforts, Divided by Night received a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the in 2010, recognizing its innovative fusion of genres. Supporting the album, The Crystal Method embarked on an extensive tour in 2009, including U.S. dates at venues like the in and in New York, as well as international stops at festivals such as Sziget in and Kazantip in , where they delivered high-energy live sets blending new material with classics. Their music also gained visibility in media, with tracks like "Weapons of Mass Distortion" featured in Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) and "Sine Language" (featuring ) appearing in Need for Speed: Nitro (2009), embedding their sound in gaming culture during this era of reduced album output as they navigated independent label dynamics.

Self-titled era and Jordan's departure (2013–2017)

Following the exploratory phase of their mid-career work, The Crystal Method returned to a more streamlined electronic sound with their fifth studio album, simply titled The Crystal Method, released on January 14, 2014, by Tiny E Records. The album featured collaborations with vocalists such as on "Holy Roller," on "Over It," and on "Storm the Castle," blending rhythms with rock-infused elements and reflective themes drawn from the duo's personal experiences, including Scott Kirkland's recovery from brain surgery that delayed production. A track like "Storm the Castle" incorporated a tribute to New Order's through a doubleneck bass riff, highlighting the duo's nod to influences amid their electronic core. Overall, the record marked a introspective pivot, with Kirkland describing it as a return to the raw energy of their early days while incorporating matured production techniques. The recording process for the self-titled album was marked by challenges, including health issues, which contributed to a period of turbulence for the duo as they navigated creative differences and personal strains. These tensions persisted into the years following the release, ultimately leading to Ken Jordan's announcement of his from the music industry in 2017, effectively dissolving the core duo after over two decades together. Jordan's decision shifted the project's direction toward solo vision, allowing for a reevaluation of the band's future without the collaborative dynamic that defined their sound. Commercially, the album achieved moderate success, peaking outside the top 100 on the but resonating with electronic music fans through streaming and live performances, as evidenced by its presence on platforms like where it garnered attention for its guest features and polished production. This reception underscored a shift from mainstream peaks earlier in their career to a more niche, dedicated audience, aligning with Kirkland's emphasis on artistic evolution over chart dominance. To mark the end of the duo era, The Crystal Method embarked on a final tour together in 2017, including key dates such as September 23 at Union Transfer in and November 24 at the Tower Theatre in , where they performed selections from the self-titled album alongside classics like "Busy Child." These shows served as a farewell to fans, blending high-energy sets with emotional reflections on their partnership, before stepped away entirely.

Recent albums and tours (2018–present)

Following Ken Jordan's departure in 2017, Scott Kirkland produced The Trip Home as The Crystal Method's sixth studio album, released on September 28, 2018, via Tiny E Records. The album featured singles "Holy Arp," released July 27, 2018, and the title track "The Trip Home," blending , breaks, and Kirkland's signature dynamic synths across 12 tracks. Kirkland followed with The Trip Out, the seventh studio album, released April 15, 2022, on Ultra Records, comprising eight tracks that expanded the project's big beat roots with guest collaborations. Key features included "Watch Me Now" with Koda and VAAAL, and "Post Punk" featuring Iggy Pop and Hyper, the latter incorporating punk-infused electronic elements. "Watch Me Now" was selected for the soundtrack of the video game MLB The Show 23, highlighting the track's high-energy appeal in mainstream media. From 2023 to 2025, The Crystal Method issued targeted remixes and singles, maintaining momentum through collaborative electronic productions. In April 2023, a remix of "Mushroom Realization" (originally with Anitek) by Ленин Ордонез was released as an EP, emphasizing extended dub and atmospheric builds. New singles emerged from The Trip Out sessions, including "Act Right" featuring Billy Dean Thomas and VAAAL in 2023, and "House Broken" with Naz Tokio, both showcasing vocal-driven breaks and industrial edges. In May 2025, The Crystal Method contributed to the remix EP for Molchat Doma's Belaya Polosa, delivering a co-production with Future Funk Squad that infused post-punk with trance-like synths, released via Sacred Bones Records. Live activities intensified with international tours, starting with a five-date Australian run in March 2024, including stops at Metro Theatre in and The Triffid in , celebrating the project's enduring electronic legacy. In July 2025, a co-headlining North American tour with was announced, marking their first joint outing in over 20 years and spanning fall dates like October 19 at in . Additional 2025 engagements included a DJ collaboration with through fall shows, such as November 1 at Variety Playhouse in , blending classic with influences.

Discography

Studio albums

The Crystal Method's debut studio album, Vegas, was released on August 26, 1997, by Outpost Recordings. It peaked at number 92 on the chart. The album was certified by the RIAA in 1998 for 500,000 units shipped, and later achieved platinum status on August 13, 2007, for exceeding 1 million units, with total sales surpassing 1 million copies in the United States. Their second album, , arrived on July 31, 2001, via and marked the duo's highest-charting release, reaching number 32 on the . Legion of Boom, released January 13, 2004, on V2 Records, peaked at number 36 on the and received a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the . The fourth studio album, Divided by Night, came out on May 12, 2009, through Tiny E Records, debuting at number 38 on the and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dance Album at the . The self-titled fifth album, The Crystal Method, was issued on January 14, 2014, by Tiny E Records, receiving modest commercial reception and peaking at number 3 on the Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart. In 2018, Scott Kirkland released The Trip Home on September 28 via Crystal Method Records, which reached number 2 on the Dance/Electronic Album Sales chart. The seventh album, The Trip Out, followed on April 15, 2022, also on Crystal Method Records, continuing the project's focus on electronic experimentation without notable mainstream chart peaks.

Singles, EPs, and remixes

The Crystal Method's debut EP, , was released in 1995 through the City of Angels label, featuring the title track alongside "Caffeine" and marking their initial foray into the scene with a limited pressing that garnered underground attention in electronic music circles. The EP did not chart prominently but laid the groundwork for their subsequent releases. Among their notable singles, "Born Too Slow," released in 2001 to promote the album , peaked at number 3 on the US Dance Club Songs chart and number 76 on the UK Singles Chart, blending rock influences with electronic beats. Similarly, "Drown in the Now" (featuring ), issued in 2009 from Divided by Night, peaked at number 9 on the US Dance/Electronic Singles Sales chart, showcasing their evolving fusion of hip-hop and . The duo has also produced several remix projects, beginning with in 1998, a remix album compiling reworks of tracks from their debut Vegas by artists including and , released via Outpost Recordings to explore collaborative interpretations of their sound. In 2006, they followed with Drive: Nike + Original Run, a promotional album for Nike featuring selections from Legion of Boom and other tracks, issued through Tiny E Records and emphasizing their production versatility. More recent non-album releases include the single "Watch Me Now" (featuring Koda and VAAAL) in 2022, a high-energy track released independently that highlighted their continued activity in electronic music. "Act Right" (featuring Billy Dean Thomas), dropped in 2023, further demonstrated their modern bass-heavy style. In 2023, they contributed the "Post Punk (Rewired)" for a collaborative , reinterpreting original material with updated production elements. Additionally, the "Belaya Polosa " emerged in early 2025, a fresh take on a track from their catalog, released via digital platforms to engage contemporary audiences.

References

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