WTF Is Wrong With XIU XIU?

OK... so let me preface this by saying that I really like Xiu Xiu but I think there may be something a little effed up in their brains, but also know that I am totally allright with all of this and think it's pretty awesome except for one thing... And I will get to that one thing in a second.

You may recall a few months ago Xiu Xiu's new album Dear God I Hate Myself was available for purchase in a limited edition vinyl set that included a t-shirt saying "Xiu Xiu for life" written in human blood. That's pretty weird, and it's also pretty weird that they send out a message saying that there wasn't going to be as many shirts available because it was taking way more human blood to make the shirts than they initially thought, you know, normal fashion design problem, happens all the time. Must have used REALLY absorbent t-shirts. Well fast forward to an email I just got from the band...

During this tour, Xiu Xiu will be giving away a special package (one per show) containing a Xiu Xiu comb and sticker pack to the first person at every show who brings them a lock of their hair taped to a card with their name on it. When they return home from tour, they’ll make a video lighting each lock of hair on fire while saying the persons name and inhaling the smoke.


WTF? WHAT THE FUCK? Why the shit would you inhale someones burning hair smoke? Jesus Christ that is just wrong! I am OK with human blood t-shirts, collecting locks of peoples hair and just about any other weird shit crazy fucked up rock starts think of but inhaling the smoke of burnt hair is "crossing the line" of acceptable behavior. I am pretty stoked to see the video though. I will prob throw up in my mouth a little but that's cool right?

Xiu Xiu previously on ElectricMustache

Video: Xiu Xiu "This Too Shall Pass Away (For Freddy)"

Here is Xiu Xiu with another totally normal video for another totally sane song from the plainly named album Dear God, I Hate Myself. I think Normal Rockewell did a painting of Xiu Xiu once as the perfect example of just some normal Americana.

Photos: Xiu Xiu & Noveller @ The Sail Inn 3/15/2010

So scheduling prevented me from making it to both Xiu Xiu and You Say Party! We Say Die! last night but Xiu Xiu was fucking amazing so I am OK with how things played out. They are about the most intense couple of people I have ever seen in person. Check out more pictures of Xiu Xiu and opener Noveller who was also great but in a much more relaxed sort of way... after the break and more on FLICKR

Photos Shawn Anderson ELECTRICSHOTS.COM

Tonight In Phoenix: Xiu Xiu @ Sail Inn OR You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Rhythm Room

I am going to try to do both... I think I have time... I think I do... wish me luck!

New Music Tuesday: Joanna Newsom, Xiu Xiu, Shearwater, Phantogram & Past Lives

Damn fine day to be a person that enjoys new music. Corncopia of albums I doubt you even have enough money to buy they all. I am not saying you are poor, just frugal. If you were only able to buy like 3 or 4 (because of alleged money problems) I would recommend Joanna Newsom's TRIPLE album Have One On Me, Xiu Xiu's Dear God, I Hate Myself, Shearwater's The Golden Archipelago, and Phantogram's Eyelid Movies.Now you are obviously an adult or at least a savvy enough child to be reading such a high class music blog so by all means click on some of the other albums below (after break) and check their sounds out on Amazons thoughtfully provided 30 second clips, and make some decisions for yourself for once in your life. (Run on sentence and insults provided courtesy of our sponsor Amazon.com)

Video: Xiu Xiu "Gray Death"

Another great video from Xiu Xiu who also happen to have a new album out today called Dear God, I Hate Myself. If you were one of the lucky ones to order the special edition vinyl with the tshirt made out of real blood please do send me some pictures. I was thinking of ordering one of those shirts but when it came in the mail it would have been made out of real blood AND real vomit... my vomit, because a shirt made out of real blood is fucking gross.

Xiu Xiu Coming to Tempe

A few weeks ago when Xiu Xiu announced their upcoming tour I was pretty disappointed that they were not coming to the Valley of the Sun. Alternatively when I heard the news that they have in fact added a stop in Tempe at the Sail Inn on March 15th I have become very excited! I love their new album Dear God, I Hate Myself that comes out on Feb 23rd. Tickets to the show are only $12 and you can get them HERE

mp3: Xiu Xiu "Dear God, I Hate Myself"

Here is another great track from Xiu Xiu's forthcoming(?) album Dear God, I Hate Myself that comes out on Feb 23rd the song is the title track. You can listen THEN download it, you can download it THEN listen to it, the only thing you shouldn't do it download it and NOT listen to it. That would be a waste of time and valuable hard drive space.

mp3: Xiu Xiu "Gray Death"

Jaime Stewart (Former Ghosts) at the Trunk Space 2009

I never really listened to Xiu Xiu before Jaime Stewart's side project Former Ghosts (Fleurs)came out last year. But I listened to that album so hard and I have been listening to Dear God, I Hate Myself even harder for the last couple of days. I didn't have an mp3 to post till this morning but it was worth the wait , you know because it's hella boss. They are doing some pretty interesting stuff with the release next month, like including shirts that say "Xiu Xiu For Life" in real blood plus handmade chocolates and stickers. There are only 21 bloody shirts so you probably won't get one of those but that is probably a good thing, ya weirdo.


Xiu Xiu - "Gray Death"