The Crooked Stuff - Synthetic Signals
“A fusion between LCD Soundsystem and TV on the Radio.” – Aaron Axelsen, Live 105
“Like a synthy Pere Ubu.” – Kelley Stoltz, KEXP
San Francisco discopunk trio The Crooked Stuff are back with their new album, Synthetic Signals, out July 31 on The Unknown International. Eleven tracks built from synths, drums and vocals, the album moves like a dance floor and hits like a modern day panic attack. Tom Gorton (vocals), John Varn (synthesizers) and Nick DeRyss (drums) trace a full arc across three acts, from attention siege through digital alienation to hard-won presence, landing somewhere between LCD Soundsystem’s live-band physicality, TV on the Radio’s soulful yearning, and The Prodigy’s sonic intensity.
Synthetic Signals represents a culmination of the band’s live-show honed sound, their self-recorded and self-produced studio work, and the merging of all three players’ divergent music backgrounds. Gorton comes from the DC hardcore scene that’s always been encapsulated by the District’s funk and go-go sounds. Varn honed his synth playing early on through tours with Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon of Santana. Nick’s methodical drum chops have served many nights and sessions playing with Day Wave over the years.
“The feel and spectrum of the album naturally arose from everything we’ve absorbed sonically over the years. Our love of ’70s and ’80s Herbie Hancock, Bernie Worrell, Weather Report, INXS, Judas Priest, and Bad Brains, and on to ’90s Chemical Brothers, NIN, and beyond. We are what we eat and listen to, we’re truly a crooked amalgamation of it all.” – Tom Gorton, vocals
Leading up to the album, the band released their fall 2025 Darkphased EP, featuring Decimator, Black Holes and Die This Way. Two additional singles, Sci-Fi Radio and Shallow Shores, followed in April and June 2026. All five tracks are included in the album and have already gained over 2k spins on over 50 college and specialty stations nationwide, including Live 105, KEXP and 91X. Synthetic Signals has already reached #7 on the SubModern Report Albums chart, building on a Darkphased campaign that hit #10 NACC Top Adds, #4 NACC Electronic Most Added and #159 on the NACC Top 200.