Episode 339 - Christmas Show with Radio Ronin!

·1 hr 29 min·5 clips

A ska punk band from Moscow, Russia, kicks off Gregg's Christmas show with a medley of Ramones and Feliz Navidad.

Gregg opens the Christmas episode by introducing the format of showcasing independent bands and encouraging listener support through purchases, merch, and live shows. He is joined by Radio Ronin co-hosts Kimmy Chunga, Chandler Smith, and Josh Hansen for a festive discussion. The first song played is by Suspense Hero Syndicate, a ska punk band from Moscow that blends Ramones' 'Merry Christmas, I Don't Want to Fight Tonight' with 'Feliz Navidad'. The guests then share their current Christmas music playlists: Josh has a curated '100 Minutes of Christmas' list, Chandler listens to Rat Pack crooners, and Chunga explores full albums from artists like Fat Cat Swingers and Johnny Mathis. Next, Gregg plays 'Bring My Baby Back for Christmas' by Glam Skanks, an all-female rock band from Los Angeles. The conversation shifts to Christmas songs people love but others hate, with defenses of Wham's 'Last Christmas', Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmas Time', and Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You'. Gregg continues with songs from bands like Stellar Cart, A Change of Pace, For All Those Sleeping, and Dwarves, each tied to guest preferences. He highlights ska bands like Ska Souls UK and Millington, the latter covering 'Snow Miser'. Personal stories emerge, such as Chunga and Gregg's radio remote at Blick and Staff's toys where they played Brian Setzer Orchestra instead of the station feed. The episode delves into deep connections with Bowling for Soup, including babysitting, a framed email, and their independent success. Gregg plays Brian Setzer's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' and closes with We the Kings' version of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'. Throughout, he provides band origins, album details, and where to find their music online.

As heard by us

A warm Christmas mixtape where mall-punk nostalgia gives way to a softer We the Kings close.

Greg's Guide to New Music frames its Christmas episode as a loose, affectionate mixtape, moving through the 12 Songs of Christmas while making a plainspoken case for backing the bands behind them.

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Why you'd press play

You get a Christmas episode that starts with Panda Claus, hits early-2010s mall-punk power chords, then eases into We the Kings doing a chill holiday cover.

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