Mr. Suave's 3rd Annual Christmas Modcast Extravaganza

Well, it is Christmas time even if it doesn't really seem like it around Suave HQ. Usually I'm fully into the Christmas spirit by this time of the season, but this year just hasn't done it for me. As will be evidenced by the somewhat ho-ho-humbug attitude of this year's annual Christmas modcast extravaganza. Back to share his despair is Ken from The Shingles. I issued a challenge for him to find better Christmas tracks than I could in several categories including power pop, soul, exotica, jazz and so on. The resulting picks make for a very eclectic show. Hopefully that will be enjoyable for an after dinner moment of relaxation.

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While you're relaxing you might want to enjoy one of our Christmas cocktails. Mine is the Christmas cooler whille Ken favored a hotter drink.

Christmas Cooler
2 parts gin (Hendricks works nicely adding a bit of cool sweetness)
1 part peppermint schnapps
Add to ice in a hi-ball glass, top it off with 7-Up.

Volcano House Hot Buttered Rum (the recipe for which comes courtesy of Rumdood.com)
1.5 oz Rum
.75 oz Sugar
.75 oz Lemon Juice
.25 oz Maraschino
Hot Black Tea
Butter
Place juice, sugar, maraschino, and rum into a pre-heated mug. Add hot tea. Stir and then float the butter. Garnish with lemon peel and cloves.

Enjoy the drinks. Enjoy the show. I'll be back next year with a look back at the best albums of 2011.

Osaka Popstar - The Christmas That Almost Wasn't
Farrah - Santa Don't Go
Solomon Burke - Presents For Christmas
James Brown - Go Power At Christmas Time
Trade Winds - New York's A Lonely Town
Claudine Longet - I Don't Intend To Spend Christmas Without You
Combustible Edison - Christmastime Is Here
Arthur Lyman - Mary's Boy Child
Chet Baker - Winter Wonderland
Kenny Burrell - My Favorite Things
Jamie Cullum - Next Year, Baby
Mel Torme - It Happened In Sun Valley
Darlene Love - Christmas Time For The Jews
Rigby - #Christmas Time
The Jetz - Father Christmas
The Risk - There Ain't No Sanity Clause

Pointed Sticks -- Power Pop Santa

A Double Blast of Christmas Past-- Christmas Modcasts from 2010 & 2008

Christmas is just around the corner, soon to be followed by New Years. I can hardly wait to get out of 2011 and into 2012. Anyhow, here are a couple of mod rockin' Christmas shows from years bygone.

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Modcast #184: Mr. Suave's Mod Rockin' Christmas (2010)

Merry Christmas from Suave HQ. Five days and counting until Christmas, and Mr. Suave's 3rd Annual Swingin' Christmas Extravaganza coming up on Christmas Eve.

In the meantime you'll just have to content yourself with this little show right here. These are not your grandfather's Christmas songs, from Jimmy Severe and His Blue Christmas Boys to The Eels and The Cuban Mistletoe Crisis this hodgepodge of slightly different but cool yule sounds. And there's a few new tracks as well, most notably from Fitz & The Tantrums and The Diplomats of Solid Sound.

If you're looking to have a more punk rawk type Christmas be sure to check out Jimmy Severe's Punk Rock Advent Calendar. Originals and classics, all done in a great '79 punk style.

Jimmy Severe & His Blue Christmas Boys -- Christmas Dream (2009)
The Diplomats Of Solid Sound -- Let It Snow (2010)
Fitz & The Tantrums -- Santa Stole My Lady (2010)
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings -- Ain't No Chimney's In The Projects (2008)
Pointed Sticks -- Power Pop Santa (2008)
The Riptides -- I Can't Have A Merry Christmas (2009)
The Eels -- Christmas Is Going To The Dogs (2000)
Swag -- Everyday Is Christmas (2000)
Parallax Project -- All I Want For Christmas (Is A Chance) (2008)
Julian Casablancas -- I Wish It Was Christmas Today (2009)
The Cuban Misteltoe Crisis -- It's Christmas Time At The Airport Bar (2010)

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Fitz & The Tantrums -- Santa Stole My Lady

Pointed Sticks -- Power Pop Santa

Mr. Suave's 2008 Christmas Modcast (2008)

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.

• 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, leave a comment, or search for Rob Suave on Facebook. Or, you can kick it old school and send me an e-mail to rob@mistersuave.com. download

Modcast #219: Power Chords, Harmonies and Mistletoe

Welcome to the mod world, where this week the powerchords really are running wild. Lots of power pop from the mod revival/Britpunk era of the late 70s and early 80s, as well as a few other cool tracks.

I was lucky enough to have a chance to interview my old friend Dean Hoth, who is the lead singer of power pop trio The Eddies. We talked not just about what the band is up to, but more importantly to discuss a new Christmas compilation that is the perfect gift for any and all power pop loving mods out there. Powerchords, Harmonies and Mistletoe, which was just releaased last month by Twist Records and the first pressing has already been sold out. Now hear from Dean about how the album came together, what other mod comps are currently being developed and even hear a few of the songs from the CD.

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Ordinary Boys -- Run This Town (2011)
Mr. Suave's Reviews You Can Use: Power Chords, Harmonies and Mistletoe (an interview with Dean Hoth of The Eddies)
Little Murders -- Christmas (All Over The World)
Yeh Yeh -- To All Who Cant Attend
The Shambles -- Warm This Winter
The Decibels -- Angles We Have Heard On High
Last Stand -- Just A Number (1981)
The new Romans -- Loving Touch (1980)
The Mods -- If You Got To Go (1980)
The Rivvits -- The Girl Next Door (1978)
Tweed -- I Need You (1979)
999 -- Fun Thing (1980)
Acid House Kings -- Windshield (2011)
Sambassadeur -- Days (2010)
Pelle Carlberg -- I Love You, You Imbicile (2007)
Jimmy Cliff -- Ruby Soho (2011)


Ordinary Boys -- Life Will Be The Death Of Me



Sambassadeur -- I can try

Mr. Suave's Reviews You Can Use: Title Tracks

The Title Tracks have produced a nice bit of sixties power pop, seventies punk, eighties mod revival, and nineties indie pop. Those are the common threads that run throughout this release. One of the finer power pop records released this year. If this doesn't make a lot of best of lists after Christmas I'll be surprised.

Mr. Suave's Reviews You Can Use: Title Tracks by mistersuave

Modcast #218: The Mods Are Alright

Welcome to Mr. Suave's mod mod world. If eclectic is your thing then you're in for a treat. From the psychadelic garage rock of Trolley to the very swirly power pop from the aptly named Swirl 360 to the Protones a 90s act that channels 70s power pop pretty damn well, then this week's show is a grabbag of goodies. It's kinda like busting open a mod pinata and suddenly there's all this candy for your ears.

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Trolley -- I Woke Up (2011)
The Orange Peels -- 2020 (2009)
Jack Oblivian -- Girl On The Beach (2011)
Swirl 360 -- Hey Now Now (1998)
The Laynes -- I'm Lost (2011)
Jarvis Humby -- Ain't No Friend Of Mine (2004)
Protones -- The Right Time (To Be In Love) (1998)
The Riots -- Sell Out (2010)
The Oranges -- Love You (2006)
The Shamrock -- The Mods Are Alright (2004)
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings -- What If We All Stopped Paying Taxes? (2011)

The Laynes -- We Got Time



Jarvis Humby - Vampyros Hetros

On Black Friday It's Blur - To The End

Looks like we made it to the end.

Peaches and Herb Struttin' their Stuff in '68

When did these kid split up and then get reunited?

Peaches & Herb - Two Little Kids

Modcast #217: Now With More Fiber!

How much fiber do you need in your diet? Who the hell cares. What you do need a daily dose of is some cool music and this week's modcast fits the bill. A few sharp blasts from the past, as well as a some more contemporary sounds, all making for a well-rounded show.

It starts with a single helping of Sugar Stems, a band I really should have played before now. Including members of the late great all-girl garage rock combo The Flips and The Jetty Boys, the Sugar Stems have a pretty pitch perfect take on sixties influenced power pop. You get a lot of protein power out of Sick Rose -- both old and new, The Candyskins and The Blades. For the main course there's a review of Title Tracks fantastic 2011 release In Blank. You can round it all out with some sweet treats from Sweden, The Tangerines. Who wouldn't want a meal like this everyday?

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Sugar Stems -- Cry Baby
Sick Rose -- Before You Go
Sick Rose -- I Want Love
The Mallrats -- I'd Be Impressed
The Vaccines -- Post Break Up Sex
The Candyskins -- Tired of Being Happy
Mighty Mighty -- Everybody Knows The Monkey
The Blades -- Hot For you
Mr. Suaves Reviews You Can Use: The Title Tracks
Title Tracks -- Shaking Hands
Robbers on High Street -- Shout To The Top
Everything But The Girl -- Each and Everyone
Stone Foundation -- Holy Blue
The Tangerines -- Rock N Roll Girl

Stone Foundation -- Holy Blue


Everything But The Girl -- Don't Leave Me Behind