“Punk Rock Christmas” 2017. Cleopatra Records. 2021 reissue on limited edition clear green vinyl. A comp of some newer and traditional Christmas songs by some newer and traditional punk bands. I’m partial to traditional (punk bands that is, I’m not a big fan of most Christmas tunes, old or new) so my favorites on Punk Rock Christmas are the OG groups. The Godfather Iggy Pop saunters, slinks and winks his way through “White Christmas” in the most over-the-top schmalzy way imaginable and goth-punks 45 Grave dark up “The Snow Miser Song” to make Christmas feel downright evil. Four first wave British punk bands play some really good renditions of old and new: Slaughter and the Dogs take on “Run Rudolph Run,” The Vibrators play “Merry Xmas Everybody,” UK Subs absolutely kill on “Hey Santa Claus!” (“Santa Claus you cunt/Where’s my fucking bike/I’ve unwrapped all this other junk/There’s nothing what I like”) and The Members shred “Silent Night/Hallelujah Chorus” in the very best way (“Hallelujah, hallelujah, oi! oi! oi!”). 80’s California hardcore punks Battalion of Saints add Motörhead speed to “Jingle Bells,” which is awesome and makes that tired carol palatable. I’m not crazy about the nu-punk/ska bands Christmas covers (ie Reel Big Fish’s ska’d up “Little Drummer Boy” — though I really hate that Christmas carol so the lack of lyrics, the inclusion of horns and a poppin’ beat are an improvement –  and Smash Mouth’s “Snoopy’s Christmas” – why are Smash Mouth even on this comp?!). As much as I’d like to like Anti-Nowhere League’s (UK street punks from the early 80’s) rendition of “Let It Snow,” it’s pretty bad.