While many people take to Crystal Antlers quickly and enthusiastically, it took me seeing them multiple times before I appreciated them. Luckily, they open a surprisingly high percentage of Los Angeles indie shows (with diverse artists from No Age to The Big Pink), so I was given much opportunity to warm up to the band. And boy, did I, thanks to a gentleman named Damian Edwards. Much like that guy in The Mighty Mighty Bosstones who just dances around, Edwards is only barely (if at all) important to Crystal Antlers sound. But live, he steals the show, with his spazzy dancing, enthusiastic whaling on various percussion tools and overall demeanor. You could easily wonder if he is part of the band or just a fan who jumped on stage one night and never left. It’s easy to get behind a band that breeds at least one dude that enthusiastic about their music.

So, we can all get excited about the new Crystal Antlers 7″, which features two new cuts from the 6-piece. Little Sister/Dead Horses will be released on March 9th in a very limited edition red vinyl run (500 printed). If you are not drooling over the future collectors’ album, perhaps free downloads are more your speed. Luckily, Crystal Antlers have made the two cuts available for anyone who wants ‘em. If you enjoyed their much heralded debut EP or the full-length Tentacles, this should tide you over until they complete their new record, which they are currently writing in Mexico. Though no American tour dates are currently scheduled outside of SXSW, the band will make it across the pond for a headlining tour in the coming months.

Buy/download Little Sister/Dead Horses 7″ here. Tour dates below.

Crystal Antlers 2010 Tour Dates:
03/18 – Austin, TX @ Trailer Space (Videothing – SXSW)
03/19 – Austin, TX @ Emo’s Annex (Woxy – SXSW)
03/20 – Austin, TX @ MWTX (6th and San Marcos – SXSW)
03/20 – Austin, TX @ Red 7 (Fucked up & Friends Party – SXSW)
03/28 – Lausanne, CH @ Le Romandie
03/30 – Cologne, DE @ Gebaude 9
03/31 – Hamburg, DE @ Molotow
04/01 – Malmo, SE @ Debaser
04/02 – Stockholm, SE @ Debaser Medis
04/03 – Oslo, NO @ Garage
04/04 – Gothenburg, SE @Parken
04/05 – Copenhagen, DK @ Loppen
04/07 – Berlin, DE @ Festsaal Kreuzberg *
04/08 – Leipzig, DE @ Nato *
04/09 – Hannover, DE @ Glocksee *
04/10 – Rotterdam, NL @ Motel Mozaique Fest
04/12 – Brussels, BE @ Domino Fest (AB Club)
04/13 – Paris, FR @ Point Ephemere
04/15 – Rome, IT @ Circolo Degli Artisti *
04/16 – Bologna, IT -@ Il Covo *
04/17 – Milan, IT @ La Casa Milan 139 *
04/20 – Porto, PT @ Plano B *
04/21 – Lisbon, PT @ ZDB *
04/22 – Madrid, ES @ Moby Dick *
04/23 – Valencia, ES @ La3 Club *
04/24 – Barcelona, ES @ Nitsa Club *
04/26 – London, UK @ Cargo
04/27 – Manchester, UK @ Sound Control
04/28 – Dublin, IE @ Whelan’s
04/29 – Cork, IE @ Cyprus Avenue
04/30 – Glasgow, UK @ Nice & Sleazy
05/01 – Newcastle, UK @ The Cluny 2
05/02 – Leeds, UK @ Live In Leeds Festival (Burdenell Social Club)
05/03 – Cambridge, UK @ The Portland Arms
05/05 – Birmingham, UK @ The Rainbow
05/06 – Liverpool, UK @ The Masque

* = w/ Times New Vikings