Existential discopunk for the people! The Crooked Stuff transmits a hybrid, body-moving, synthesizer-driven sound that’s been cross-pollinated and grown at the sonic crossroads of ’70s funk, ’80s punk and new wave, ’90s alternative, and ’00s electronic dance music. At the core, the music is fueled by a blend of introspective searching and life-affirming, extroverted blasts that aim to shock audiences into their own inspired moments of living forward and free. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the trio (vocals, synths & drums) was born from the unique mash-up of founding members Tom G. (vocals) and John Varn (synths) and their diverse musical backgrounds. Tom’s roots trace back to the Washington, D.C., hardcore punk and new wave scene, which was also intertwined with the district’s heavy go-go and soul sounds. Varn grew up in the Bay Area music scene, surrounded by and mentored by its legendary psychedelic rock and funk players. Together, the two have created a full-spectrum sound experience that continually morphs and blends their wide-ranging influences and polar-opposite backgrounds. Fans say The Crooked Stuff’s complex sonic formula consistently delivers an undeniable, energizing live-show reaction. One called it “like INXS injected into The Prodigy.” Another said, “It’s somewhere between Gorillaz, Daft Punk, and TV on the Radio.” Someone else described it as “Johnny Rotten hijacking LCD Soundsystem and throwing Herbie Hancock on synths.” All agreed—they were feeling it! The Crooked Stuff... arise, release, be free!

EBM/INDUSTRIAL/BODY MUSIC

Mutual Shock is the solo project of Seattle-based musician Dan Powers. Drawing on post-punk, synthpop, synthwave, and the cold wave revival of artists like Black Marble and Molchat Doma, Mutual Shock melds analog synths and drum machines with dreamy, melancholic hooks. 2024 saw the release of debut EP Stimulus Progression, exemplified by the pulsating, metronomic beats of tracks "Inheritance" and "Getaway,." followed by a full-length album, Nervous Systems, released in 2025, expanding his sonic palette with industrial and film score influences.