The Ghosts of Mod Christmas' Past

Here's an icy cool blast from the past. Two blasts actually, since this seems to be the kind of winter that outdoes itself.

First up is the 2007 modcast, so you can enjoy it all over again! Everything from Otis Redding to Arrah and the Ferns, High Elevations and Eux Autres to the Staple Singers. It's a great mix, perfect for any non-trad holiday outing. Get it here.

Then I've got the oft requested, Mr. Suave's Swingin' Christmas classic mix from 1999. All music, no annoying chatter! Bing, Frank, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Esquival, this one has it all. Get it here.

Enjoy.

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Chanukkah?

Jewish rockers The Leevees ask the age old question How Do You Spell Chanukkah? The band decided years ago to rock Hanukkah, partly because they couldn't understand why a Jew like Irving Berlin only wrote Christmas carols. The Leevees are sort of a Jewish alternative super group -- boasting members of other bands like Guster, The Zambonis and The Kings of France. The album, Hanukka Rocks, features what are sure to be future holiday classics like Latke Clan, At The Timeshare and Goyim Friends.

The Leevees - How Do You Spell Chanukkah?


A little bonus - Goyim Friends.

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 12

Well, here we are at day 12 and there's still no shortage of Christmas videos. Today you get The Ravonettes "Christmas Song." I've been into The Ravonettes for a few years now because I love sixties garage rock, sixties soul, and boy-girl vocal harmonies, which are all things that The Ravonettes have perfected. With a string of albums since 2002, the Danish duo did it a bit differently this year releasing four EPs, concluding just recently with Wishing You A Rave Christmas (most of which you can hear on their myspace page). One of the better Christmas releases of the past couple of seasons from an indie-type band.

This video however is not from that EP. This was their first (I think) Christmas endeavor from a couple of years back.

The Ravonettes -- Christmas Song

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 11

What says Christmas more than someone who has pledged his life to burning down shopping malls? Day 11 doesn't mean I'm running out of Christmas videos, it means I have to choose between the best of the best. And, so, here is that garage punk gadfly, the libertarian punk rocker, the sultan of psychobilly, the man who shares a name with a most disgraced president, the church of the subgenius's right reverend, Mojo Nixon. To paraphrase the Dead Milkmen: if your holiday don't have Mojo Nixon, then your Christmas could sure use some fixin.

Mojo Nixon -- Christmas Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 10

The greatest story ever told. Of course, I'm talking about that of the sibling rivalry between Snow Miser and Heat Miser as chronicled in the very best Christmas special ever, "The Year Without A Santa Claus." And no, I'm not talking about the eminently forgettable John Goodman/Delta Burke live action craptacular of a few years back. Simply put, Rankin & Bass' 1974 stop-motion animated version is the best. No comparison. Sure Charlie Brown's Christmas was cute, and Frosty's was fun, and Rudolph will always be ... well Rudolph. But the best, hands down, is "The Year Without A Santa Claus."


Interestingly, the show would seem to be ahead of its time environmentally. Although, back then --1974-- we were being warned of the looming ice-age, and now of course it's the dreaded global warming. Hell, local meteorologists can barely tell me if it's cold or warm -- usually warning of a 50% chance of rain (gee, thanks for the heads up). Anyhow, there it was 1974 and Mr. Heat Miser was boldy laying claim to being the "green" Miser brother. Maybe that was just to make us all forget he was also Mr. Heat Blister. Still suffering through Seattle's latest frigid little ice age, I have to agree with Mr. Heat Miser that "Some like it hot, but I like it really hot!"

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 9

Nothing says Mele Kalikimaka quite like some good surf music. What would Christmas be without the lounge-like, spaghetti western sounds of a great surf band? Well, it would be cold. And without warmth to boot! California north coasters, the Aqua Velvets, thankfully have remedied that. With something like a dozen releases to their credit, still my favorite is a schmaltzy old classic. O Holy Night. Something about the twang that just works with this particular Christmas classic.

Aqua Velvets - O Holy Night

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 8

Christmas lights. Punk rock Christmas Carols. The Dickies. These are a few of my favorite things. Twelve days of Christmas videos and day eight ups the ante. What can I say? Happy Holidays.

The Dickies -- Silent Night

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 7

When I first saw this video I knew I had to find a way to share it with some friends. You can't show this video (or especially the uncensored version) without a bit of setup and some context. So, I came up with this whole 12 days of videos thing to disguise the fact that I mostly just wanted to post Gunther. Ding, dong it's a Christmas song. Skanky, eurodisco. Lucky you.

Gunther - The Christmas Song (Ding Dong)

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 6

Who knew the Li'l Drummer Boy was a power popper? The Yobs knew it in '79. The Yobs are the christmasy alter ego of punkers The Boys. As far as I can tell The Yobs did mostly, or maybe even only, Christmas music. After bootlegging their own holiday material for a couple years he boys holed up in Pete Townsend's Eel Pie studios for two days in 1980 and cranked out The Yobs Christmas Album. Thier first Christmas single was Silent Night in 1978, and then this track, Rub-A-Dum-Dum, in 1979. It takes a little while to get rolling, but turns out pretty pretty good in the end as The Yobs play it pretty straight. With crunchy power pop guitars buzzing in and out, there is of course a pounding drumbeat as the drummer boy drives the whole song steadily forward. The video is a bit bizarre, making it all the more interesting.

The Yobs - Rub-A-Dum-Dum

Mr. Suave's 2008 Christmas Modcast

It's time for the annual Christmas Modcast. This year's show is a cozy little combination of songs that go well with hot chocolate and peppermint schnapse. I've got a few seasonal surprises for you this year from The Shambles, The Wondermints, The Yobs, Girl Trouble and more. I'm sure you've all got a bunch of online shopping to do and I've got loads of Christmas cocktails to shake up, so on with the show.

Listen now

• Remington Super 60 -- Here Comes Christmas
  
  
• The Backsliders -- That's How We Do Christmas
  
  
• Girl Trouble -- Christmas Here We Come
  
  
• The DB's -- Holiday Spirit
  
  
• The Wombats -- Is it Christmas?
  
  
• The Shambles -- Warm This Winter
  
  
• The Wondermints -- Ski Party
  
  
• Dressy Bessy -- All The Right Reasons
  
  
• The Yobs -- Rub-A-Dum-Dum
  
  
• Young Fresh Fellows - A Little Town of Bethlehem
  
  
• The Chubbies -- There's Nothing I Want More For Christmas
  
  
• The Andersons -- A Million Dollars For Christmas

Got questions? Want to bitch about something? There are a few options, you can search me out atMyspace, or search for Rob Suave on Facebook. Or, you can kick it old school and send me an e-mail to rob@mistersuave.com.

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 5

On the 5th day of Christmas Videos I give to you The Monkees buying a Christmas Tree. (I know, I know, not exactly five golden rings, but you've heard about the economy right?)

the 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 4

We're four days in and it's time for a bit of swingin', loungy, holiday goodness. Normally, Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine sets my irony meter spinning annoyingly out of control. I mean, how many lounge versions of Blackhole Sun does the world really need? (Especially since Steve & Eydie already did the quintessential version) But, an all original Christmas song is a whole different matter. Enter Christmas in Las Vegas from his 2006 release Silent Nightclub. Always one to break new music marketing ground, Dick sponsored a Youtube contest for people to create videos for the song. This one, with illustrations by Bruce Snow, is my favorite. It compliments the song, rather than overshadowing it. So, enjoy, while you roll-e-o beneath the mistletoe.

Richard Cheese & Lounge Against the Machine - Christmas in Las Vegas

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 3

There are some cool, some funny, some interesting Christmas related videos out there, so I thought I'd start highlighting a few of my favorites. On each of the next 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve I'm going to highlight a different video. Enjoy.

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Everyone enjoys a punk rock Christmas. Don't they? Christmas music doesn't get much better than this. The song was a godsend for Ramones fans. Appearing on the otherwise sub-par Braindrain album in '89, it saved the album from being complete worthless and otherwise unlistenable. Interestingly, it even made NPR's eclectic list this year of Christmas hits not to be missed.

The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 2

There are some cool, some funny, some interesting Christmas related videos out there, so I thought I'd start highlighting a few of my favorites. On each of the next 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve I'm going to highlight a different video. Enjoy.

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This is the forthcoming new single and video from hip, mod-friendly, Britpopsters, The Wombats (due for release on Monday). It has an anthemic quality to it that I dig, complete with holiday horns and sleigh bells (suitably understated). Sadly though I don't think the video really does the song itself justice.

The Wombats - Is This Christmas?

The 12 Days of Christmas Videos: Day 1

There are some cool, some funny, some interesting Christmas related videos out there, so I thought I'd start highlighting a few of my favorites. On each of the next 12 days leading up to Christmas Eve I'm going to highlight a different video. Enjoy.

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Okay, I'm going to start with something funny. It is after all a time to be full of good cheer. By now everyone has probably heard a few of radio DJ Bob Rivers' Twisted Christmas Carols. Rivers is the Weird Al of Christmas, a sort of Matt Stone & Trey Parker for the holidays. His first foray into holiday shenanigans was in the 80s when he released his first Christmas parody CD. On the backs of such songs as "Wreck the Malls," "Wish You Weren't Living With Us," and "The Twelve Pains of Christmas" he shockingly racked up over a million sales. Since then he's produced four more parody CDs with lots of classic comedy like "I Am Santa Claus" (to the tune of Iron Man), "It's the Most Fattening Time of the Year", "There's A Santa Who Looks A Lot Like Elvis," and the classic "Walkin' 'Round in Women's Underwear." To get my 12 Days of Christmas Videos kicked off I thought it only appropriate to go back to Bob's beginnings. And let's be honest, this pretty much sums up how Christmas actually is.

The Twelve Pains of Christmas.

Modcast #111: All New To You

Welcome to Mr. Suave's Mod Mod World.

2008 has seen a ton of cool music released, so this week I'm highlight a bunch of brand new stuff. Hopefully you will discover something new to you.

The Postmarks -- 7-11
The Perms -- Give Me All Your Lovin'
Deleted Waveform Gatherings -- Even A Black Cat
Julie Ocean -- Bright Idea
Locksley -- Hello Tomo (Pavey's Song)
The Lodger -- The Good Old Days
Mick Hucknall -- I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treat Me)
The Bamboos featuring Megan Washington -- King Of The Rodeo
Parov Stelar -- Libella Swing
The Bicycles -- Roland

Questions? Requests? Are you in a mod band? Were you in a band a way back when? Spread the love and send me some MP3s and I'll work them into a future show. E-mail me at mailto:rob@mistersauve.com.





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Bonus Videos

Parov Stelar -- Love




Julie Ocean - Ten Lonely Words