Prior to forming Xiu Xiu, named after the Japanese film “Xiu Xiu: The Sent Down Girl”, in 2002, Jamie Stewart played in the San Jose band Ten in the Swear Jar. Fellow member Cory McCullough also made the move upon Ten is the Swear Jar’s disbandment, and the pair were joined by Yvonne Chen and Lauren Andrews who completed the lineup. Aiming to replicated the lack of resolution and hope represented in the namesake film, Xiu Xiu's initial output was epitomised by programmed drums and instruments including the harmonium, mandolin, and gongs.
Aiming to raise their profile, the band appeared on a number of compilations before releasing their debut, full-length album “Knife Play” in 2002. Drawing comparisons to the Cure’s Robert Smith, the band subsequently issued a split 10” with Deerhoof which was well-received by critics. Later in 2002 Xiu Xiu issued the EP “Chapel of the Chimes”, which was recorded concurrently with their sophomore album “A Promise”, a despair-ridden album depicting Stewart’s personal trauma. The compilation album “Fag Patrol”, which combines previously unreleased material with a number of covers including the Smiths, arrived in 2003.
Serving up their most listenable album to date for the uninitiated, “Fabulous Muscles” appeared in early 2004 and boosted the group’s popularity past avant-garde circles. The studio album “La Forêt” followed in 2005, before the group collaborated with producer Greg Saunier on their fifth full-length album “The Air Force” in 2006. Featuring Michael Gira on the track “Under Pressure”, Xiu Xiu’s “Women as Lovers” proved another accessible album for fans which saw the arrival of member Angela Seo.
The pop-exposed album, “God, I Hate Myself”, hit the shelves in 2011, followed by the politically-charged “Always” in 2013. Later in 2013 Xiu Xiu collaborated with Oxbow’s Eugen S. Robinson to craft the self-titled Sal Mineo album, after which Stewart was inspired to produced a Nina Simone cover album, entitled “Nina”. Dubbed the group’s darkest album to date, “Angel Guts: Red Classroom”, which lends its name from an Japanese art-porn film, was issued in January 2014.
In May, 2014, Xiu Xiu (pronounced shoe shoe) performed live at Birthdays in London. Illuminated by an eerie red light, the band put the experiment in experimental punk. It felt more like watching performance art than a music show.
Haunting and indiscernible vocals from Jamie Stewart flow on top of a synth beat as the vocalist uses a single drum stick on a cymbal. Next to him is a female drummer and only other bandmate, Angela Seo, whose movements are exaggerated enough to be copied from a child's toy. This mysterious and hypnotic performance feels organic and completely unplanned. The vocalist seems entranced as he sings and the crowd stays silent.
Hints of Robert Smith and Trent Reznor radiate from Stewart and Seo. The band members stop playing and all that's left is the echoes of the cymbals as the crowd cheers. When the two piece band stops playing, you realize you've been feeling like an outsider watching something very personal and intimate.
Xiu Xiu released an album in December 2013, called Nina and most recently, Angel Guts: Red Classroom, in February 2014. Angel Guts has been receiving high praise from critics and fans. Xiu Xiu continues to play internationally.
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