Tag: punk rock

Posted on

Teen Mortgage “Below the Christmas Tree” (2025)

Roadrunner Records
Buy: Bandcamp (not there yet?) | 7Digital (MP3/FLAC) | Apple Music

Christmas Underground, as badass as I obviously am — I eat glass for breakfast — is not exactly overflowing with punk rock Christmas songs. I’m probably more likely to write about some twee band from Antwerp than a punk outfit from Washington, D.C.

Often, punk rock Christmas songs fall into the Blink-182 lane — and while I know that’s many folks’ jam, it just isn’t mine. I like punk rock that leans toward its cousin, garage rock — the kind with lo-fi production and fuzzy guitars, like Idaho Green or Stephan and Johnny.

Well, add a new name to that list, because this new song by Washington, D.C.’s Teen Mortgage is fucking fantastic. “Below the Christmas Tree” piles angular guitar riffs over a driving, fuzzy bassline — straight to the heart of this lowly Christmas blogger.

The music will hook you, but the lyrics will reel you in. A satirical anti-war song, it leaves you sitting in the simple decadence of a Christmas at the end of the world. World War III is upon us, and we’re moments away from destruction — so I got you a pair of turtle doves.

Well, open up your gifts now
Before they get turned into dust
Just forget all of those mushroom clouds
Becoming proper humongous.

Fucking hell. This song better remain satirical and not literal. I like the groove either way I guess…

Bottom Line: Absolutely stellar punk rock Christmas. If all punk rock songs were like this, I would run a punk rock Christmas music blog.

LISTEN

Posted on

Skegss “December” (2022)

Loma Vista
Buy: Bandcamp | Apple Music | Amazon.uk MP3

Sneaky. Releasing this song as a b-side in February of 2022, Australian punks Skegss are many things to me at the moment. Their song, “December,” is an extremely recent find; the first post of the 2024 holiday season; perhaps the first song I can say will be on my 20th annual Christmas mix. The song is so good, and with 7K+ streams on Soundcloud, I just assumed that it had been picked up by Christmas A Gogo or Von Pip, but alas… it looks to have snuck by them as well. The whole plan with this site was to have more stuff like this handed to me on a silver platter… but 12 years now and I’m beginning to think I was mistaken.

How about we talk a little about the song? Are you a fan of the Sleepwalkers Christmas EP? (Well, you should be). Have you been dreaming of a chill Christmas song that might have been sung by Julian Casablancas of the Strokes? Put that idea in your head and press play. Then stroll around thinking about how great it will sound on your Christmas mix. Maybe get yourself a treat and sit on a bench. Yeah. Deep breaths. Christmas comes for us all.

Bottom Line: A killer debut track for the 2024 season dug up from the early months of 2022. Welcome to the new year, you’re going to like this one.

LISTEN

Posted on

Nadal a 10 bandes (vol. 2) (2021)

Discos Pinya
Buy: Bandcamp

I don’t know Spanish, nor do I know Catalan. However, I will never shy away from a great sound or Google Translate. The second volume of Barcelona punk label Discos Pinya‘s Nadal a 10 bandes (vol. 2) is a perfect example of this. There are some great songs on here, all in the punk, hardcore, ska genres. A few songs really stood out to me, most especially Les Salvatges‘ “Fins que rebentem,” a reworking of the classic Bobby Freeman song from 1958, “Do You Wanna Dance,” into a Catalan punk Christmas jam about eating way too much at the holidays. On first listen, that song alone is worth me picking up the cassette they are offering (they also have a volume 1!).

I also really, really loved “Està tot molt mal” by Meconio, where they sound like they are having the most fun possible singing about some real heavy shit. Google translate this song – it is a left-wing punk rock anthem with some jingle bells tacked on. Want to sneak some politics onto your mix without your relatives realizing it? Done! Here’s a taste of the end:

It’s all very bad
they keep raping (and killing) us
and abortion
it is still illegal

It’s all very bad
and we’re up to our pussy
but with the guitar
we will continue to make songs

Vidal Soler‘s “Curset de nadales” also stood out, a meta song about writing a song, but while warning you not to let the songs or the season drag you into the consumerist trap. Incredibly short and awesome, they get what they need to say done in a minute and a sneeze. Truly fantastic.

This compilation hits more frequently than most, and at name-your-own-price on Bandcamp, is as close to a sure thing as you can get. Throw them some money and pick out your own favorites, why don’t you?

Bottom Line: The best punk compilation I’m come across in a good while, this record has some mix-worthy stuff for sure.

LISTEN

Posted on

A Very Cherry Christmas E.P. 2020 (2020)

Cherryade Records
Buy: Bandcamp

2020 has seen the hiatus of some of our most beloved, underground Christmas traditions – most notably to this humble blogger – the storied Fowler VW and Blackwatch compilation. Things were looking grim all around, yet in spite of the obvious COVID obstacles, one indie-Christmas tradition found a way to make it happen. A Very Cherry Christmas was staring down a 15th edition this year, and while that release is pushed to next year, we are pleased to receive a scaled-back release with their very first digital EP, A Very Cherry Christmas E.P. 2020. These six songs are gathered together for the benefit of the Music Venue Trust, an organization whose goal is to help struggling grass-roots live music venues, and there is plenty of indie-pop holiday goodness to be had. For those who have delighted in jangly guitars, poppy electronic beats and off-center subject matter, look no further. There is a debut (Jane and John, a lockdown creation); indie-pop-holiday royalty (The Hannah Barberas – who also have ANOTHER holiday EP out today!); otherworldly inspiration (the Spanish-language “Navidad Interstelar”); pissed-off punk elves (“ELF RIOT!”); a cover of indie-Christmas legends Helen Love (by newcomers Little Ways); and what could be a theme song to slowly developing genre in its own right (“Surfin’ Santa”). Bite size and tasty, this has a little bit for everyone.

For further indie Christmas fun – AVCC compiler Gareth Jones also has a 3-hour Christmas radio show, full of new Indie/Alternative Christmas songs plus an interview with David Gedge of The Wedding Present. Check it out on Mixcloud!

Bottom Line: Goonies Indiepop Christmas never die!

LISTEN

Posted on

Gypsy Charms “It‘s Mother Fuckin‘ Christmas” (2013)

nollaig

Brown Bear Records
Buy: Free!

Brown Bear Records released three largely DIY/punk/experimental Christmas comps between 2013-2015, and as with any DIY Christmas release, the quality can have pretty dramatic swings from song to song. That said, there is a LOT to go through when you look at all 3 releases, 66 songs in total, and I thought I’d put a big ‘ol spotlight on the best of the best, this deliciously-titled track by  Chicago’s Gypsy Charms, “It’s Mother Fuckin’ Christmas.” A punk rock track, delivered with attitude and ramshackle, profane glee, this song is brilliant and less than a minute. Yes, I see the 1:40 next to the track title… but believe me, this thing really begins at 0:50. They kick some ass, then get out of the way, which is a sure fire way to win a fight.

Bottom Line: This is expertly crafted punk rock Christmas.

LISTEN

Posted on

la-goons – Krampus EP (2017)

la-goons - Krampus EP

Self Released
Buy: Bandcamp (NYOP)

Illinois’ la-goons have dropped a tight, two-track single that is absolutely worth your time. The garage/punk energy of “Krampus” and “(Mid)westy” have a understated quality that I haven’t quite heard all season. Each song has a midwestern bitterness that is given some levity by the fast beat and lo-fi production. Or more simply, it’s a punk rock aesthetic – some angry shit that puts a smile on your face. Truly enjoyed both tracks, and I think you might too.

Bottom Line: These Illinois goons strike a win for those who hate the cold, which is everyone at some point, no matter how much you like snow.

LISTEN

Posted on

Delicious Clam Records presents Delicious Christmas (2014)

Delicious Clam Christmas

Delicious Clam Records
Buy: Bandcamp

Delicious Clam Records‘ first release is Delicious Christmas, a 6-track (largely) Christmas compilation benefitting the Sheffield homeless teenager charity Roundabout.

Best Friends totally knocked it out of the park last year with their original, “When Christmas Comes.” Hopefully starting a tradition that will continue for many more years, they offer yet another Christmas song, a cover of Macca’s “Wonderful Christmastime.” Yes, I know. Truly awful song. So, what does one do with a turd, but dress it up in new clothes and make you believe that its a Baby Ruth. Best Friends have succeeded in convincing me that I just stepped in chocolate – I dig it. They have an attitude that exudes from their music that I enjoy enough for me to probably like a version of Little Drummer Boy, should they attempt that awful song. 

Pjaro’s cover of East 17’s “Stay Another Day” isn’t really a Christmas cover… it’s a Christmas #1 cover. So… I’m not really going to talk about it.

Radical Boy‘s cover of Shakin’ Stevens’ “Merry Christmas Everyone” mixes it up enough with a punk rock edge. To start, I do dig this song – and they do make it their own. I would have done without the hardcore cookie monster growl at the end… for me, it makes the song funny, and I suppose I wasn’t looking for funny.

Pet Rock‘s cover of “Walking in the Air” from The Snowman is one of the more rocking versions I’ve heard. I wasn’t expecting to hear any crunchy guitars on this track, and there they were. Certainly the only version of “Walking in the Air” that you might want to put on a more rocking-out Christmas mix.

“Have a Very Misfits Christmas” is a deceptive title for a cover of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Its a solid, punk rock version of the oft-covered classic. The only thing holding it down is the fact that so many people cover this song.

Avida Dollars‘ “I Am The Christmas Ghost” is the only original on this release, and it is quite an interesting tune. What other Christmas song do you know that has “hide all your nazi gold” in the lyrics. It starts slow, then turns into an old school Oi! punk/hardcore song. I wish I could make out more of the lyrics, because what I can make out has me intruiged.

Bottom Line: For a punk rock Christmas release, pretty damn strong. It’s only £2 and benefits homeless kids – I’d say that’s a bargain. 4.2/5

LISTEN