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Tuesday 19 December 2017

19 December 2017 - the Christmas special

Unforeseen circumstances kept me off these last two weeks. And as it's the last Tuesday before the festivities, it's time for this year's bunch of alternative Christmas records.

Kim Wilde vs Lawnmower Deth - F U Kristmas
Lawnmower Deth were around in the late-eighties/early-nineties and their most significant contribution to rock's rich tapestry was a thrash cover of Kim Wilde's Kids In America. Having reformed, here they team up with Ms Wilde for their festive offering.

Porridge Radio - O Christmas
The last of Art Is Hard's Postcard Club, the Brightonians got the nod to provide a festive close. Next year, the label have a different promotion to push their artists out there.

Modern Day Dukes - Merry Merry Merry Merry Merry Merry Christmas
The Yorkshire rockers with their 2014 song which they describe as "A f---ing stupid christmas record'.

Zach Schmidt - I'm Drunk Again This Christmas
Nashville singer with a slice of country Christmas. This is on a compilation LP from Bloodshot Records, The 13 Days Of Christmas.

Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer - The Saddest Christmas Advert
Mr B is the alter ego of Jim Burke, once of rap crew Collapsed Lung. Since 2007, he's been the chap hop superstar and in 2015, the inevitable christmas album appeared, the imaginatively titled The Mr B Christmas Album, from where this is taken.

Niagara Balls - Don't Be A Dick At Christmas
No really, don't. That's the advice of the Belfast band on their 2014 festive offering.

The Manhattan Love Suicides - Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
The Leeds band with a their cover of the 1979 novelty record by Elmo & Patsy from last year.

The Primitives - You Trashed My Christmas
Who would do such a thing? This from five years ago on the compilation A Christmas Gift For You From Elefant Records.

The Immediate - The Stars Shine Brightly At Christmas
A new one from the Mold band whose LP Manbuoy made a large impression this year.

Piskie Sits - Christmas Eve (Die Hard, Home Alone, Elf)
Last year's offering from the Wakefield band on home-town label Philophobia.

Pure Phase Ensemble 6 - Blue Christmas
A 12-piece collective from the UK and Poland.

Sir Robert Orange Peel - Is God More Important Than The Queen?
The enigmatic producer with a track from the EP Plates Of Meat.

Feral Five - I Want U
"A feminist song about cutting out the crap from Christmas"  they say, omitting to add that it's bloody good.

BEAK> - (Merry Christmas) Face The Future
Geoff Barrow's side-project with their new single, proceeds from which are all going to mental health charities.

Nelson Can - On Christmas Night
The Danish three-piece with a very Scandinavian look at Christmas. It stays dark for long periods, but the solstice which falls just before Christmas signals the lengthening daylight hours.

Nat Lyon - Secular Winter Song (2017)
Yet another version of the song Lyon makes every year. Still not bored of hearing it's Grandaddy-esque sound.

Half Man Half Biscuit - All I Want For Christmas Is A Dulka Prague Away Kit
And, as is traditional, we close with the Biscuit classic. That officially opens Christmas as far as I'm concerned. Have a good one and we'll do all this again in 2018.

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Merry christmas, y'all