Quick Facts
Biography
Ethan Kath (born Claudio Paolo Palmieri 25 December 1982) is the songwriter and producer of Crystal Castles.
Rolling Stone Magazine named Crystal Castles the #1 Icons of 20 Years of Lollapalooza. Ethan Kath and his band Crystal Castles received the John Peel Award For Innovation at the 2011 NME Awards. His debut album with the band Crystal Castles was included in NME's "Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade" list at #39.
History
Kath was born to Italian parents in Toronto, Ontario. Prior to Crystal Castles, Kath played different instruments in many bands. Aged 15 he played drums in Jakarta, an anarchist-hardcore band. Later, he was the bassist in a garage-metal band called Kill Cheerleader. He was also in a 2-piece folk band which ended in tragedy with the death of his friend and band mate, Pino Placentile. All Crystal Castles albums are dedicated to Pino Placentile.
Crystal Castles are known for the elusiveness of their off-stage lives and identities. Kath is routinely photographed wearing hoodies which obscure some or all of his face and has gone by a number of different aliases over the years.