Cleopatra Records breathe new life into one of the most chaotic and charming holiday punk compilations around with the reissued CD edition of Punk Rock Christmas. First released in 2015, the collection pulls together a wildly eclectic lineup of punk legends, ska heroes, alt-rock outcasts, and iconic misfits, all throwing gasoline on classic Christmas tunes and seasonal anthems.
This reissue isn’t just nostalgia. It reminds you how much fun punk can be when it refuses to take anything seriously. The tracklist swings from snarling, rough-edged chaos to tongue-in-cheek celebration: The Suicide Machines rip through “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” The Vibrators bring grit to “Merry Xmas Everybody,” and UK Subs blast “Hey Santa Claus!” with pure attitude. There’s ska swagger courtesy of Reel Big Fish on “Little Drummer Boy,” while Iggy Pop croons an absolutely unhinged version of “White Christmas.”
It keeps going with curveballs and cult-favorite takes. Unwritten Law wrap emotion around “Please Come Home For Christmas,” Anti-Nowhere League tear through “Let It Snow,” Battalion of Saints speed-crash through “Jingle Bells,” and Smash Mouth of all bands deliver a chaotic “Snoopy’s Christmas.” It’s messy, funny, surprisingly heartfelt in places, and absolutely loud in all the right ways.
The ongoing popularity of this release even spawned sequels like Punk Rock Christmas 2, turning the concept into a proper punk holiday tradition. If you hate polished Christmas albums, roll your eyes at choir sweetness, or just want something louder to soundtrack December, this reissue serves exactly what you need: attitude, distortion, and a festive middle finger wrapped up with tinsel.
