Stocking Stuffers is PropertyOfZack’s own twist on 25 Days Of Christmas, but we decided not to use that name so we don’t get sued by ABC Family. What is this new seasonal feature, you ask? Stocking Stuffers is a fun new series with your favorite bands discussing their favorite Christmas song or album and the memories attached to it. Our good friend Jono Diener of The Swellers is kicking off the feature on POZ for us with a great story on his love for No Use For A Name’s cover of “Fairytale Of New York” and Christmas memories. Check it out below and come back each day until Christmas for more!
From Jono Diener of The Swellers:
Every year when the snow starts falling and it gets closer and closer to Christmas, I can’t help but put on No Use For A Name’s cover of the song, “Fairytale Of New York” (originally by The Pogues). It’s an amazing duet in both versions, but having my development music taste years with the Fat Wreck Chords bands in the 90s definitely put NUFAN’s version as my favorite. It’s a snotty argument between a man and woman, they exchange some verbal jabs at each other and a word that I won’t type. The song just has such a cool vibe to it and the way NUFAN plays it always reminds me of driving down Saginaw St. in Flint, MI and seeing the arches lit up, the cars covered in snow and reliving that memory for the past 10 years of my life is pretty cool.
When trying to think of my favorite Christmas memory I always think of things relating to material possessions. My parents were incredible to us and still are, but when you’re a child and your imagination is out of control, they could literally throw a ball in front of me and I’d be entertained somehow. When I was really into Spiderman action figures I asked for the rest of the set as my presents, but I changed my mind on Christmas Eve afternoon to wanting X-Men action figures… Looking back I knew my parents thought I’d be disappointed by not receiving the toys. They made me write a letter to Santa and I put it on the fireplace along with all of my toys standing around it.
