First up, if you’ve been chatting to me over the last few weeks, you’ll have heard me go on and on about BigBadSad. I bloody love ‘em, and big things are coming from them in 2024. Venus De Milo is what I’ve gone with, but you’re gonna want to explore their Spotify page after first listen. They’re playing unofficial ZineUK HQ The Amersham Arms next month, see ya down the front? Following that, the first of a few Mike Leigh-esque kitchen sink-synth (Kitchen synth?) Misery Prize’s Twitzerland - sounding like Cabbage at their best with added disco.
Then we have Big Special with DESPERATE BREAKFAST, which you might have seen us raving about on our socials recently. Lyrics that give us a musical Mise-en-scène of the apathy of the British worker routine. It’s proper punk too. Talking of punk… The Red Stains’ Jump the Met gives us the lovable bastard child of Shampoo and Kathleen Hanna, conceived in a disco laundromat.
Up next is the latest from Vice Squad ‘If I Knew What I Know Now (Sara Carter Remix)’, which I almost substituted for one of their epic Christmas songs (like this). Beki Bondage is the ultimate OG UK punk frontwoman, and I’m willing to fight anyone who disagrees. Vice Squad still sounds as fresh and exciting as they did in 1979 - and Beki somehow hasn’t aged a day. Next is Noah and The Loners, with ‘Hell of a Day’ which wouldn’t have been out of place on a stage with Vice Squad. They may be youngun’s, but the kids are alright - Even Steve Lamacq thinks so.
KILL, THE ICON! With You’re Just An Average White Band, calling out the bullshit in the industry, over a catchy synth loop, it’s going to be stuck in your head as you carve the turkey this Christmas. Talking of catchy though, we also have The Heat Inc.’s ‘Draw Blood for Proof’ with guitars, smooth vocals and an unapologetic US punk influence - especially on the chorus.
I’ve unapologetically pushing a synthy Xmas on you even further with LA’s Peppermint Pumpkin’s Midnight Climax. Now, as bias as I may be since singer Seth Styles hosted me so well in The States recently - their stuff stands on its own. Dressed up with glam rock tinsel, it’s one for the goths and it’s really, really dark and groovy.
Followed by Teenage Sequence, who I discovered quite by accident recently, and ‘All This Art’. A no holds barred commentary on racism in the music industry, Dischord Records - yet somehow still beautifully disco-rock, you’ll be swaying despite yourself, and it won’t be because you’ve cracked open the Baileys early.
What would a playlist be without a #RubyBlueRecommended band? Our Robin Hood in Fishnets didn’t disappoint with recommending The Howlers’ El Dorado. It’s giving bluesy rock n roll with an exaggerated swagger - sort of like a shot of whisky in audio form.
An oldie but a goodie, and the only all out Christmas song on our list is ZineUK Friend and Fave Dexy’s Xmas Lights, powerful choruses, warm guitars, it is the Christmas No. 1 that never was.
A mood change as you wind down after the Xmas shopping. Anna Wolf’s Mother is a stunning addition to the playlist (Caff wrote in depth about it here). If there ever was a voice that encapsulated snowy, mulled December nights, it is Anna’s that’s equal parts haunting and mesmerising.
An honourable inclusion to the end of the playlist is The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York, which - with the passing of Shane MacGowan will take on an extra special meaning for most of us this year. The very first note of this song brings Xmas into focus for most of us. Somehow a Christmas song and also the wrenched soul bearing of an often overlooked Irish poet. There will be a raised glass to Shane, and Kirsty from all at TheZineUK this year.
