Christmas might stink, but Polish Club are determined to make it sound incredible. The Sydney duo have announced Christmas Stinks!, a cheeky, high-energy holiday record packed with chaotic charm, beloved classics, and a few sentimental surprises to be released December 1st.
The concept album launches today with their version of Wham!’s iconic “Last Christmas”, the first of The Twenty Days of Christmas Stinks — an advent-style rollout that will see Novak and JH release 20 festive tracks in 20 days.
To mark the release, the band will host the ultimate silly season shindig, Polish Club’s Xmas Bowlo Bash, taking over Melbourne’s Thornbury Bowls Club on December 20th and Sydney’s Marrickville Bowlo on December 21st. Expect Christmas chaos, reimagined hits, and a few special guests to keep the spirit (and the beer) flowing.
The album digs deep into the seasonal canon, serving up rowdy renditions of “Feliz Navidad”, “Jingle Bell Rock”, and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, alongside Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” and a fresh take on their much-loved 2017 cover of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”.
Among the album’s more touching moments is “Ang Aking Pamasko”, a Filipino Christmas classic that sees frontman Novak duet with his mother, Eileen — a member of the celebrated 1970s group The New Minstrels — in a full-circle tribute to family, heritage, and holiday nostalgia.
“I used to be somewhat of an edge-lord holiday hater, but I’ve grown to really appreciate how the holiday period affords us a sleep in, a big belly and some genuine quality time with people you perhaps should spend more time with,” Novak admits. “I’ve also learned that if you’re sick of Christmas carols and holiday tunes, the best way to get over that is to record your own rock’n’roll versions and embrace the Christmas chaos.”
And because it wouldn’t be Christmas without some outrageous stocking stuffers, Polish Club have gone all-in on the merch table too. Fans can get their hands on Christmas Stinks! vinyl, tees, socks, stubby holders, cards, car air fresheners, whoopie cushions, and more, all designed to soundtrack and scent your season in true Polish Club fashion.
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Tickets to Polish Club’s Xmas Bowlo Bash are on sale now.
