The Bands that Stole X-Mas Out of Print CD: Christmas songs from local bands 1998

So the kids were demanding Christmas music in the car yesterday, so I put this on and made it about halfway through the second song before a bleeped out F word happened and I had to change it… but it made me wonder if this was on youtube yet. Nope. So here you go- all Sacramento bands doing either their own Christmas composition or a cover of a Christmas classic. I am tagging all of the band members who I am friends with- feel free to tag others.

1              –The Decibels    White Christmas               1:58

2              –Okra Pickles     Get Some Santa Claus     3:22

3              –Magnolia Thunderfinger             Deadbeat X-Mas              3:19

4              –The Brodys       Frosty The Snowman      2:22

5              –Hung (3)            T’was The Night Before Christmas             4:33

6              –Pocket Change (4)         Happy Christmas (War Is Over)  3:09

7              –Universal Groove          I Wanna Be A Reindeer  3:49

8              –Frank Jordan    Long Night          3:38

9              –Hurt (8)              The Grinch Who Stole Christmas               2:53

10           –Willknots           I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus             2:46

11           –Firepie               Christmas Folly  4:10

12           –Kozlo Swicky    Phil The Dentist 3:24

13           –Kaya    Silent Night         3:04

14           –Luckie Strike    My X-Mas           1:58

15           –Trunk  Blue Christmas  2:02

16           –Playground      Merry Christmas               1:51

17           –Solarface           Father Christmas              4:03

18           –Far       Do They Know It’s Christmas Featuring – Chino Moreno, Grady Avenell  4:54

 

Audio

Playground- Unreleased Demo Late 90’s xfer from band archive cassette Sacramento Davis Punk

I got buried with projects over here and missed posting some of these tapes that I digitized a while back.
This first one comes from Matt Mason of Playground. The band recorded a demo that has never seen the light of day, until now. Thanks for letting me get this posted for you!
Tracklist on J-card image

Recorded by: ? Studio
Transfer: Shayne Stacy
Equipment used: Nakamichi Dragon and M-Audio Audiophile 2496 card

Audio Demo

Playground- 6th Annual Davis Muscians Co-Op, Vets Mem Aud, Davis 1996

Here is Playground’s set from the Davis co-op. Jerry Drawhorn filmed this (thanks Jerry) and made short clips of a few songs by each band. This is all of Playground’s set that was filmed. I was not in Sacramento when these guys were active, so I am so thankful that this footage exists! Thanks Jerry and Robert Toren

Recorded by: Jerry Drawhorn

 

Live Concert Video

Playground- No Angel Demo 1996ish xfer from Master Cassette

Here’s another gem from Brian McKenna’s endless box of stuff. I compared these tracks with the official release on the band’s bandcamp page, and they sound like totally different versions. They are a different mix at minimum. Great band, bummed I never got to see them.

Transfer by: Shayne Stacy
Equipment used: Nakamichi Dragon- Audiophile 2496 card- sony soundforge

Audio Demo

Playground- Press Club, Sacramento Ca. December 94 xfer from band archive VHS enhanced Davis punk

Matt Mason from Playground reached out to me last week and let me know that he had some more good stuff to share. Here is the first one- a full show from December of 1994 that is believed to be from Press Club. I wasn’t around Sac in 94, but that backdrop doesn’t look familiar to me. Can someone (Jay Onyskyn maybe) confirm or deny?
This is not too bad of quality for 1994. The audio is not great but listenable. The video was clean enough to let me brighten it and noise reduce it enough to bring our finer detail. Thanks Matt!

Recorded by: the band on a tripod
Transfer by Shayne Stacy
Equipment used: JVC HR-S9900U and Canopus ADVC300
Enhanced in adobe premiere, noise reduction via neat video

Live Concert Video

Playground- 5 song demo 1993 xfer from Master Demo Cassette Tape Davis California Band

There was some REALLY great stuff happening in the Sacramento area while I was in Los Angeles from 1992-1995. Here is a good example- Playground were a fantastic melodic punk band (think Husker Du type melodic). I can’t recommend these guys enough to you. So good. Sorry I missed them when they were around.
From Barry Mill Prickett’s collection
Tracks: Just Once / If You Were Me / Slide / Drift / Seaside Song
Check comments of the fb posts for lyric sheet scans

Recorded by: Joe Johnson, Pus Cavern
Transfer by: Shayne Stacy
Equipment used: Nakamichi Dragon and M-Audio Audiophile 2496 card

Audio Demo

Playground- 6 song demo 1992 xfer from Master Demo Cassette Tape Davis California Band

Here’s the other demo that Barry Mills Prickett had of the mighty Playground. Just curious since I was not around while they were active- were they popular? Seems like they should have been one of the most popular bands in town with songs this solid.
Tracks: Something Has to Give / When Everything is Said and Done / Paradise Lost / Brighter Days / Cruz / Just Another Song

Recorded by: Steven Kawelo at Pus Cavern
Transfer by: Shayne Stacy
Equipment used: Nakamichi Dragon and M-Audio Audiophile 2496 card

Audio Demo