The Crystal Method Webster Hall October 25th 2008 Written by Kristen Salem Photographed by Che Stipanovich

The Crystal Method, electronic duo Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, have been fixtures on the dance music scene for more than a decade. Front running pioneers of big-beat electronica; their peers include the Chemical Brothers, the Prodigy, Fatboy Slim and other predominantly UK-based acts. But born and bred in Las Vegas and having put to practice their music in underground clubs in Los Angeles during the start of their career, this duo is undeniably American. And lately, in addition to putting the finishing touches on their yet-untitled fourth studio album, they are in the midst off a 30-city weekend club tour throughout the U.S. to test the waters with their new sound.

October 25th saw them at Webster Hall, greeted by fans with cheers and vigor that might have been comparable to a gig in the height of the 90’s rave scene, albeit now with tighter pants.

The DJ set is ions away from a traditional set-list. But this factor seemed to fill Webster hall with a sense of anticipation that was potent. Each new beat contained accomplished buildup and sounded increasingly better than the last. The improvisational aspect allowed Jordan and Kirkland to feed off of the crowd, making the entire set feel like a symbiotic relationship between DJ and dancer.

This is good DJing.

The mix of ages was noteworthy, as well as the mix of those who came on their own or with groups of friends. Some were glow-stick-clad and didn’t stop dancing for the entire three hours. Others were more subdued and looked as though they came for a taster, not a full-on rave experience. But all the same to be wowed by the seasoned twosome, whose 1997 hit ‘Busy Child’ is synonymous with everything from car commercials to video games to big-budget action sequences in blockbuster films. Their inadvertent ability to sense what the crowd wanted before the crowd themselves knew was a testament to what makes a good electronic-music act.

The lighting was phenomenal, as it needs to be in this musical genre. The two went hand in hand, creating an experience of not one but two senses.
Kirkland and Jordan look like guys who spent a lot of time in their mothers’ basements watching Star Wars and playing Tetris. But their seemingly geeky exterior didn’t fool the audience. The boys from Vegas rocked and they rocked hard.