The Baskerville Hounds - Christmas Is Here

These guys came out of Ohio in the late '60s.  The non-holiday song on this 45 is actually the better of the two tracks. "Make Me Your Man" sounds like an early 'Stones b-side. "Christmas Is Here" has a little too much crooning for my taste and just barely makes the cut.

Released on Tema Records

BASKERVILLE HOUNDS - CHRISTMAS IS HERE (BUT NOT FOR LONG)


BASKERVILLE HOUNDS - MAKE ME YOUR MAN

Reigning Sound - If Christmas Can't Bring You Home

Three solid tracks from Reigning Sound and the folks at Norton Records. The two studio recordings here are great originals, with a live instrumental version of "Jingle Bell Rock" at the end.  Even if you only like Christmas tunes in December, these tracks are top-notch year round rock and roll!

Released in 2004 on Norton Records (red vinyl)

REIGNING SOUND - IF CHRISTMAS CAN'T BRING YOU HOME


REIGNING SOUND - THATS ALL I WANT


REIGNING SOUND - JINGLE BELL ROCK (LIVE)

Angel - The Christmas Song

Don't confuse them with the UK glam band that released the singles Good Time Fanny and Little Boy Blue.  This 1970's glam band from Washington DC was discovered by Gene Simmons and signed to KISS' record label Casablanca.  The A side of this 45 is "The Winter Song" which can also be found on their album White Hot. The B side is "The Christmas Song" which is actually the same song just re-recorded with more specific lyrics (instead of a "winter night" its a "christmas night", etc).  Its not exactly a stomper, but its not a bad effort.

Released in 1977 on Casablanca Records

ANGEL - THE CHRISTMAS SONG

The Dickies - Silent Night

A classic and a pretty common one since its been included on various Dickies collections and re-issues.  Numerous pressings of this 7" exist including US copies on white vinyl, US promos on white vinyl, UK pressings on white and on black vinyl, and a Holland pressing with a larger center hole.  US pressings display the title in red font (top) while the UK and Holland pressings show it in green (bottom).  All of these include "Sounds of Silence" as the B-side and were released in 1978 on A&M.

THE DICKIES - SILENT NIGHT

Groovie Ghoulies - Christmas On Mars

Lets start this off right!  This is one of my favorite Christmas 45s.  The Groovie Ghoulies never disapoint with their catchy, Ramones-like sound.  This 7" has two songs: "Christmas On Mars" and a cover of the Partridge Family's "My Christmas Card To You".  Released in 1992 on Crimson Corpse Records on red vinyl.

GROOVIE GHOULIES - CHRISTMAS ON MARS


GROOVIE GHOULIES - MY CHRISTMAS CARD TO YOU