Speaking of The Runners Four, I remember getting Apple O' about 4 years ago. It was one of those that I put in my CD player and I was like "Oh. I understand why there were 2 copies of this in the used bin." But something about the album and their sound intrigued me, and it was in my cars CD player for about 2 weeks in heavy rotation. That was it though. I enjoyed it but I didn't quite "get it." I skipped Milk Man. The Runners Four came out, and I read the glowing reviews and dug out my Apple 'O CD. It was amazing to hear those songs after not listening to them for a year. Something had changed, something had clicked, and the songs made so much more sense all of the sudden. I went out the next day and bought Runners Four. Then I shortly after that I got Milk Man. I listened to the crap out of Runners Four. Then I saw them open live for Stephen Malkmus and the Flaming Lips in Bend, OR in May '06. This was very shortly after their guitarist had quit or whatever, and the singer was playing the bass, which I guess was new for her. Anyway, it didn't matter. They rocked so fucking hard. They have a fantastic sound live. So much meaner, nastier, dirtier, bigger or whatever you want to call it, than on record. To be honest, after watching Deerhoof I was a little underwhelmed by Malkmus and the Flaming Lips. Not that they were bad, but Deerhoof was so damn good. I root for underdogs anyway, but these guys (and gal) impressed the shit out of me. Their drummer is so good. You can tell they're students of jazz, and phenomenal musicians with a much deeper grasp of music theory than their contemporaries. Their approach to writing "pop songs" is so subversive and unique, but not just for the sake of being subversive and unique. They know exactly what they are doing at all times, and the chaos is so orchestrated; they're still catchy and accessible at the same time. They are able to construct inimitable pop music, which is quite a feat. All of this to say, I fucking love Deerhoof and they are my favorite band of the last 5 years. If you have a chance to go see them live, please do not pass it up.
http://www.myspace.com/deerhoof for the tour dates. They are starting on the west coast in L.A. on Oct. 3rd and moving East from there. I can't wait for "Offend Maggie".

edit - here's a link with some music, to help keep this post from total "mindless self indulgence." they play quite a few new tunes in this live performance, and they sound great. it's streaming

if anybody knew how to get a copy in mp3 or some form that would go into my itunes and ipod, i would <3 them.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/eveningmusic/episodes/2008/07/18here's the set list -
"The Perfect Me"
"Fresh Born"
"Flowers"
"Rainbow Silhouette..."
"Spirit Ditties Of No Tone"
"Chandelier Spotlight"
"+81"
"The Great Car Tomb"
"Holy Night Fever"
"Buck & Judy"
"That Big Orange Sun..."
"This Magnificent Bird..."
"Numina"
"The Last Trumpeter Swan"
"Basket Ball Get Your..."
"The Tears & Music Of Love"
"Twin Killers"
"Dummy Discards A Heart"
"Wrong Time Capsule"