2019 Christmas Stories, part one.
We’re down to two weeks to go until this year’s Xmas marathon! Here’s the first half of the Christmas Stories recorded exclusively for the 2019 edition of my 25-Hour Holiday Radio Show on 103.3 fm WPRB.
Part two will materialize here on the 17th of December!
Now more than ever, please click on the links provided to support these musicians, artists and talented individuals who were so kind to tape remarkable original pieces for the show. Follow them on Twitter! Like them on Facebook! Instagram works nicely as well! Buy their records and books!
May these works encourage you to record something for this year.
There is still time!
You can explore the complete archive of stories recorded from 2011-2019 here.
The Brixton Riot – “I Just Want A New Song For Christmas”
Combining American and English influences, New Jersey’s The Brixton Riot fuses elements of 70’s power-pop and punk, 80’s jangle-rock and 90’s indie rock into a sound that is both familiar and distinct. The Replacements, Big Star and The Jam represent only a small fraction of their influences. This is, by my count, their sixth contribution to the marathon! Wow!
50 Helens – “Dirty Beard”
50 Helens are dear members of Korean Jeans, Petrillo and OUT. All proceeds from their third holiday record (which includes songs beyond what was played during the marathon) will be donated to Planned Parenthood.
Deth Elf – “Dead on Christmas”
Why yes, Deth Elf are the pride of Lansdale, Pennsylvania.
Spiritualina – “Santa Claus Was a Bunny Rabbit (For Daniel)”
A holiday tribute to the late Daniel Johnston by Philadelphia’s Spiritualina.
B. Musikoff – “All I Want for Christmas is in a Teeth”
Lyrics for this year’s B. Musikoff tune were randomly generated on Josh Millard’s Endless Jingling site as per Jon Solomon’s request/challenge.
From the mind of Brian Musikoff, host of “MusicOn with Musikoff.”
Half Man Half Cookie – “It’s Cliched to Be Cynical at Christmas”
“Even if you don’t know the obscure British alternative band Half Man Half Biscuit, who originally wrote this song, we hope you will enjoy our take on their lyrical protest against cynicism and self-sabotaging despair.” – Half Man Half Cookie
Cookie: vocals
Michael: guitar, banjo, vocals
Jon: tavern shanty vocals
Based on original arrangements by:
Half Man Half Biscuit
The Pogues
Eric Bogle
Advance Base & Mike Adams – “Quartermaster’s Wintertime”
Bill Fox wrote “Quartermaster’s Wintertime.” The original version is on his 1998 album Transit Byzantium.
Owen Ashworth played electric piano, synthesizer & sang.
Mike Adams played guitar & sang.
All proceeds from the sale of this digital download will be donated to Wikipedia.
The ‘Mericans – “Why Can’t Christmas Be Another Month Away?”
The ‘Mericans are a Rhode Island band founded in 2001 by singer / guitarist Chris Daltry (Purple Ivy Shadows). Check out “A Merry ‘Merican Christmas,” their full collection of holiday material on their Bandcamp!
Sneeps – “Wishlist for the Melancholy”
Sneeps = a sweetheart duo giving it a try from Chicago, Illinois (and sometimes western Michigan).
Aerialist – “Yuletide”
Lary Hoffman began making music as Aerialist in 1997. Over the years the project morphed from bedroom electronic pop to synth-rock collaborations with drummers Stevie Treichel & Nikhil Ranade, to both analog and computer-based solo instrumental productions. After a long hiatus, Lary has been steadily digitally self-releasing new Aerialist music since the fall of 2015.
To the tune of Cro-Mags’ “Hard Times”!
Sebastian Petsu
A second piece in as many years by Philadelphia’s Sebastian Petsu. Great to have you back, sir.
CALISTHENICS – “Climate Change Christmas Party”
A new(ish) Brooklyn foursome, CALISTHENICS brings you “C.C.C.P.” One member was in Memorial Gore, one member I gave a mohawk to when they were in college.