The Ongoing History of New Music, episode 1068: The 29th annual Christmas show

I’ll say it right now: This is one of the weirdest shows of the year. This particular program has existed since the early 1990s with a set of specific objectives. First, we want to celebrate the season. Second, I’m keen to give voice to material that you’ll never hear on those radio stations that flip to all-Christmas formats each year. And third–and frankly, this is the best part for me–to annoy people who believe that holiday songs should only be serious and solemn or happy and sickly sweet. Nope. Not on my watch. Over the course of this program, all three criteria will be fulfilled. If you have a sensitive person anywhere near earshot, politely ask them to believe. But if you like your Christmas tracks on the alternative side–and mean that in the fullest sense of the word–you must listen.YOU ARE… Songs heard on this show:

• • August Burns Red, All I Want for Christmas is You
  • Sloppy Scales, Sweet Baby Jesus
  • Baby Schillaci, Keep the Change Ya Filthy Animals
  • Boiler Beach, Christmas By the Lake
  • Fake Shark, Foreign Christmas
  • Hotel Mira, Red & Green
  • The Rockerati, Santa Claus has Got the Sack
  • The Motorleague, Merry Christmas You Filthy Animals
  • Poor Farkwar, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
  • Pink Leather Jackets, Make Through This Christmas
  • Kalamity Kills, Jingle Bells
  • Henry Rollins, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

Eric Wilhite did his best to compile a playlist. The Ongoing History of New Music can be heard on these stations. Don’t forget that there’s a podcast version, too, in case you miss any episodes. Get them for free wherever you get your podcasts.

• • 102.1 The Edge/Toronto – Sunday night at 7pm
  • Q107/Toronto – Sunday night at 9pm
  • Live 88-5/Ottawa – Saturdays at 9am and Sundays at 6pm.
  • 107.5 Dave-FM/Kitchener – Sunday nights at 11pm
  • FM96/London – Sunday nights at 8pm
  • Power 97/Winnipeg – Sunday nights at 10am and 10pm
  • 107-3 The Edge/Calgary – Sundays at 10am and 10pm
  • Sonic 102.9/Edmonton – Sunday at 8am and 8pm
  • The Zone/Victoria – Sunday at 8am and 9pm
  • The Fox/Vancouver – Sundays at 10anm and 10pm
  • The Goat Network/Interior BC
  • Surge 105/Halifax – Sunday at 7pm
  • WAPS/WKTL The Summit/Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Youngstown – Mon-Fri at 9pm

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