Caralee McElroy and Jamie Stewart of Xiu Xiu, Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, April 12, 2008

I love Xiu Xiu so much and have written so extensively about them here that I'm almost spent when it comes to pimping them. Dear readers, trust -- they are mind-blowing multi-instrumentalists who create unreal tapestries of sound, with lyrics so brutal and honest you won't know what to do with yourself.

Bonuses: watching Ches Smith hit the skins will make you cry. Caralee McElroy is the nicest person you'll ever meet. Jamie Stewart gargles with beer.

Their show was $12. What are you waiting for?