Lollapalooza is just around the corner, so Consequence of Sound will be giving you the heads up on this year’s lineup, highlighting a variety of acts we think you need to know about. You’ve most likely heard a few (if not most) of them by now, but maybe a few more paragraphs, videos, and songs will convince you to stop by their stage come set-time…

It’s kind of sad to think that HEALTH‘s best known release is only half theirs. Nigh three years ago, the Los Angeles-based four-piece released a semi-remix/semi-collaboration version of their song “Crimewave” with Crystal Castles. While the track is the perfect dance-inducer, it fits a separate niche from the rest of the group’s material. One must only compare that “Crimewave” with the one on the group’s debut to find the differences. Where the CC version is funky and constant, the HEALTH version is tribal and angular, even crushing.

Discover: HEALTH

From their 2007 self-titled effort on, HEALTH has established its own unique sound: from the zoothorns (microphones filtered through god knows how many pedals) to the extra tom in front of the sickeningly powerful drum kit, the bass that sounds nothing like a bass to the haunting, near-whispered vocals. While this may sound like more of the usual freak-noise-mumbo-jumbo out there, it all comes together as a slick, entirely comprehensible package.

“Triceratops” is easily the best track on the first album (one of the best of 2007 if not a larger time-frame), a bone-bruiser that rampages with the mania of a pack of said dinosaurs. “Are you broken, are you leaving, is your blood red, are you breathing?” vocalist Jake Duzsik intones a few times before the needling guitars and thunderclap drums fall out in favor of a wordless moan from multiple voices. Epic, swirling tones and thumping toms fade out the track, a receding storm of noise.

That album led to a show leading into 2008′s Pitchfork Music Festival at Chicago’s Hideout. The gig was one of the sweatiest, rowdiest, most crowded I’ve ever seen. Bassist John Famiglietti’s swagger and howl took center stage, while drummer B.J. Miller and multi-instrumentalist Jupiter Keyes provided impressive, substantial bases from which Duzsik could monotone and scream.

Before heading out as a support act for industrial legends Nine Inch Nails, the group released a remix album called HEALTH//DISCO which featured, among other re-envisions, the Crystal Castles’ hit “Crimewave”. The sound didn’t always get rave reviews from NIN fans, but it’s safe to say the tour earned a few new fans. A year later, the group released Get Color, a strong sophomore effort featuring a newer, tighter sound.

But, to get a better idea of the band’s unique sense of humor/aesthetic, take a look at this MySpace journal entry regarding the group’s Willy Wonka Golden Ticket-esque release of Get Color. Prizes ranged from breakfast in bed to a poster signed in blood to a package of childhood photos. Though, sadly, some of those wacky gifts have gone unclaimed.

“We just went to Magic Mountain with the grand prize winner,” explains Famiglietti. “We’ll have a video up on YouTube shortly. We’ve done most of ‘em though, like blood autographs and stuff like that.”

There’ve been more shenanigans involving the ol’ MySpace page, though. Recently, the group put up examples of HEALTH-related tattoos. The response was larger than even they imagined. “We’ve only had some photos sent our way, but they look amazing,” Famiglietti says. “I think some chickened out.” That’s not all, however. In addition to the wacky internet memes, the group made some time to swim with dolphins, which Famiglietti adds, “When a dolphin jizzes it’s like a fucking shotgun blast.” Lovely image.

Regardless, the music is what’s important here, and I’m not just saying that because I didn’t win a bag of Keyes’ cat’s hair (seriously). “In Heat” opens Get Color with the same tooth-chattering waves of distorted synth and guitar noise. Lead single “Die Slow” stutters its way into an immense groove. Fun fact: The video to that track was recently removed from YouTube, due to some sexual content, prompting the band to release an edited version in which a giant orange square is placed over the “racy” material. The band was a little disappointed by that, though. “What irks me is that the ‘Die Slow’ video was flagged for sexual writhing and not the blood,” Famiglietti argues. “But the “We Are Water” video, which has a stabbed ball sack and some beheading, was not even flagged.” What gives?

So, if you like your music danceable, but with an edge, HEALTH is the band for you. Everything comes together in a tangled mess of groovy fun. No napkins, necessary. Plus, they go on early enough, which should avoid any nail biting conflicts in your schedule. Famiglietti’s, too. Much like you, he plans to check out the rest of the festival come Sunday. Who’s he psyched for? Famiglietti only had one suggestion: “Cypress Hill!”

Laugh riot.

Be sure to pick up HEALTH’s latest effort, DISCO2, out now via Lovepump United.