HO HO WHO: West London’s Chubby and the Gang are one of the most critically acclaimed punk bands (pub bands?) of the past few years, popping up on any number of recent year end lists that don’t usually include bands indebted to the Stranglers or the 4-Skins. Chubby and the Gang have released two albums and an EP in three years including 2022’s excellent Labour of Love.
SLAY BELLS: Stateside fans were disappointed this past summer when the Gang canceled their U.S. tour just weeks before it was scheduled to begin, which included multiple showcases at the Pitchfork Music Festival. Although we missed the opportunity to see Chubby in the flesh, the band are releasing a two-song EP just in time for the holidays titled Chubby and the Gang Presents: A Christmas Extravaganza, out today, Dec. 14, on Partisan Records.
OI! TO THE WORLD: There is something of a tradition of holiday-inspired punk songs, though the coupling holiday cheer and a historically angsty musical subculture can make uncomfortable bedfellows. A brief history: There’s the Vandals song that No Doubt made famous; a stone-cold Ramones classic; The Pogues, of course; and whatever Bad Religion were going for on its Christmas album a few years ago. Chubby’s “Violent Night (A Christmas Tale)” finds itself within the sonic tradition set by the Business’ saucy cover of “Step Into Christmas” (originally penned by Elton John and Bernie Taupin) and Peter and the Test Tube Babies’ “I’m Getting Pissed for Christmas.”
SEASON’S BEATINGS: The lads are feeling undeniably frisky on “Violent Night (A Christmas Tale).” After an umpteenth lager, our heroes are taking the piss down at the pub before their committed visit to Grandma’s in the morning. A driving glam rock beat propels this yuletide rager in what might be the only holiday tune in recent memory that could double as a football chant. Frontperson Charlie Manning-Walker’s sparse lyrics find a spiritual kinship with the aforementioned “A Fairytale of New York,” a sour reverie from two aged miscreants forced to face one another while languishing in a holding cell. “Violent Night (A Christmas Tale)” can be interpreted as the sound of those same lovelorn characters 20 years earlier—all furious, alcohol-fueled energy, but not yet imbued with world-weary wisdom.
CHEER FACTOR: 7/10 This song is going to construct a jarring transition from whatever downbeat crooner preceded it on your holiday mix. But Christmas isn’t all sugar plums and it’s nice to have a seasonal jam for those who aren’t yet ready to sit cozy by the fire or learn from their mistakes.
