(By Joe Kukura)

The 2008 Olympics kick off tonight, and SFist is all over it! We mean, like, really disgustingly all over it -- as in, people are going to be talking behind our backs. Because every day during Olympic competition, we'll be getting our horndog on and featuring arousing photographs of the sexiest, most fuckable Bay Area natives competing that day. Well, every day except tomorrow. Because there will be football to discuss.

Very few actual games are being played today, just the inevitably god-awful opening ceremonies from Beijing National Stadium. (Bob Costas calls it "The Bird's Nest". We call it "The Stridex Pad".) But we love us some Olympic porn so we're starting today with that magically delicious stud to the left, Ben Wildman-Tobriner.

Ben's a 23-year-old San Francisco native and a Stanford grad. He even went to Lick-Wilmerding High School! We'd lick his wilmerding any day. Ben will be getting off the blocks and causing quite the splash in the 400-meter relay swim Sunday, and the 50-meter freestyle swim this Thursday and Friday. Get set to get wet!

Thursday, popscene brings another great act to San Francisco, The Sessions. Hailing from Vancouver, these guys remind us of the Killers, the Bravery, and These Electric Lives. Friday, BAGeL RADIO presents San Francisco's own indie-rock band, Love is Chemicals. Not only a BAGeL RADIO party, it's also Love is Chemicals' CD release party. You can't go wrong with that combination.

The concert that we 100% recommend: Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile at The Independent. Chris Thile is a genius. Absolute genius. We were so upset that Nickel Creek called it quits and ended their farewell tour with Fiona Apple. (What a terrible idea!) It looks like he has redeemed himself, though. There will be two shows, one at 7pm and the other at 10pm. Punch Brother's new CD comes out February 26th.

Check the jump for full show listings...

Each Tuesday we will feature new music that should (or whatever) be on your radar.

Other CD's being released today:
1. Nancy LaMott - Ask Me Again
2. Morrissey - Greatest Hits*
3. Carrie Newcomer - The Geography of Light
4. Michael Jackson - Thriller 25th Anniversary Edition
5. Simple Plan - Self Titled
6. Widespread Panic - Free Somehow
7. The Puppini Sisters - The Rise & Fall of Ruby Woo*

We recommend*
Image courtesy of amazon.com

Wednesday, there is the sold-out Ingrid Michaelson show that had to be moved from Cafe du Nord to Slim's because apparently everyone is into "librarian chic" right now. Though it's sold-out, you can still find tickets on craigslist; the prices aren't too inflated, yet. We missed the beginning of Michaelson's set at the Fillmore when she opened for Matt Nathanson but we loved what we heard. She's quite endearing, not to mention very talented.

Last week we introduced you to The Lovemakers, from Oakland. They continue their Thursday night residency at Cafe du Nord. The Frail, an indie-electronica duo from San Francisco, are opening this week's set. We are totally, 100% digging their vibe. If you are tired of waiting for The Postal Service to release a new record, then look no further - check out The Frail's EP entitled, "Count on This." They are planning on having another EP out around mid-March. These guys are the shit.

Friday, there is quite a variety of local bands playing ranging from Rykarda Parasol to Sean Hayes. There's even Maldroid playing at Rickshaw Stop; we've definitely recommended them before several times. This weekend's party will be at popscene where Palo Alto natives, The Donnas will be rocking out to their new music from their seventh studio album, "Bitchin'." These girls are definitely bitchin'.

Saturday, you can hang out at Hotel Utah with Newton Faulkner. He was just nominated as "British's Male Solo Artist" for the Brit Awards 2008. Opening for him, is another California native, Jesca Hoop, a very interesting singer/songwriter who just released her debut album, "Kismet."

There is so much to do in this town. We are on overload.

Take the jump for the full listings...