Jon Spencer - Big Yule Log Boogie

CHRISTMASSS! This was the December 1992 Sub Pop Singles Club release.

Jon Spencer right before Blues Explosion.You can tell he had the Blues Explosion thing all figured out, complete with Judah Bauer on guitar and those overly exuberant shouts. It's a bit, well, ridiculous and loud, and it sounds like he's making it up as he goes along. The B-side, "My Christmas Wish" is almost a straight up country-blues song, and is far more subdued.

Have a great holiday everyone!
A: Big Yule Log Boogie
B: My Christmas Wish
Enjoy!

Butthole Surfers - Good King Wenceslaus

Oh God. I mean...Jesus.

There's a straight up version of the traditional Christmas carol going on in the background on this track. It's the story of the Bohemian King Wenceslaus, who went out of his way through the heavy snow to give a peasant food and wood during the feast of Stephen (December 26). While out in the snow, his page was miraculously able to stay warm by walking in the king's footsteps in the snow. Anyway, that's what's in the background. As for the foreground...well, it seems that it's all about the Surfers inviting a homeless drunk to record this lovely Christmas song with them. I can't do it justice with words. You'll just have to listen.

The B-side is also quite sacrilegious. "The Lord Is a Monkey" says it all. It's also about as close to straight up, normal song as these guys played, though with drugs and castration featured prominently in the lyrics.

The pricetag is still on this. Seems I got it at Mystery Train in Amherst for $6.50. Pricey for a 7" back in those days, but the art (those pictures are scans of the actual vinyl)  was way too cool not to do it. Plus, maybe I figured it would get me into the Christmas spirit, though if that was my motivation, this would have failed miserably.

A: Good King Wenceslaus
B: The Lord Is a Monkey
Enjoy!