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)