It's never too early to get into the Christmas spirit, and this year, Rolling Stone's "supergroup-you-need-to-know" Fantastic Cat is kicking off the festivities by gifting us a pair of songs they didn't even bother to write: "Holiday Road" and "Feliz Navidad," out via Missing Piece Records.
The four instrument-swapping, cat-mask wearing, folk-rocking, singer-songwriters transformed Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road” into a Yuletide masterpiece full of ringing sleigh bells and chiming piano. Now we know what you’re thinking: Lindsey Buckingham, who is she? Well, according to Wikipedia, he is the only artist to ever have a song in the soundtrack to NationalLampoon’sVacation (1983), National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation (1997), and National Lampoon’s Vacation (2015). Not too shabby.
As if that wasn’t enough (it wasn’t—the band checked and the label specifically told them they needed a second song), Fantastic Cat takes it up a notch with a riotous version of “Feliz Navidad,” performed with members of the Queens-based Mariachi Corazon De Mexico. Joyous and frenetic, the track offers up a festive, bilingual blend of Latin American holiday cheer and freewheeling garage-rock chaos that’s sure to be the perfect soundtrack as your office Christmas party goes completely off the rails.
"When Kesha released her cover of 'Holiday Road' last week, we thought, 'Great! We'll promote her version and she can promote ours,'" the band explains. "But no one from her team has gotten back, and we're beginning to think we have the wrong email address."
The holiday singles follow Fantastic Cat’s critically acclaimed sophomore album, Now That’s What I Call FantasticCat, which earned the band a return to national TV earlier this year with an appearance on CBS Saturday Morning. It also garnered praise everywhere from Rolling Stone, who called the record “gloriously fun” and a “breath of fresh air,” to The Village Voice, who dared to ask,“Is Fantastic Cat the Wu-Tang Clan of folk rock?” Most recently, the band was the subject of a feature in No Depression, while their track “So Glad You Made It,” featuring Adam Duritz of the Counting Crows was named one of the Top Songs of Summer 2024 by The Boston Globe.
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info
Featuring four different instrument-swapping singer/songwriters who’ve appeared everywhere from NPR’s Tiny Desk and the New York Times to Bonnaroo and Cayamo, Fantastic Cat—lead singer Anthony D’Amato, lead singer Brian Dunne, lead singer Don DiLego, and lead singer Mike Montali—first came together in 2022 for their debut, The Very Best Of Fantastic Cat, which Rolling Stone dubbed “a wildly satisfying collection” and “equal doses of Dylan and Springsteen.”
Now pour yourself a glass of eggnog, throw some more chestnuts onto the fire, and enjoy Fantastic Cat’s “Holiday Road” and “Feliz Navidad.”
Fantastic Cat Tour Dates:
11/1 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center For The Arts
"This is my first time at The Lizzie Rose, I like places like that. I'll be doing one continuous 90 minute set and I'll be there afterward selling tee shirts and CDs that are out right now. There is no opening act and I prefer it that way," laughed James "Biscuit" Rouse as he discussed his new album, "Biscuit and Buddy" and his upcoming January 10 show at The Lizzie Rose Music Room in Tuckerton, NJ. My guitarist said to me, "Why don't you have an opening act?" To me, it doesn't really matter, I'm just ready to start playing this music whether I'm the opening act or the headliner, it doesn't matter."
New Jersey based Internet radio station BlowUpRadio.com has scheduled a new Rock Against Hate webathon to take place on January 20, 2025, the same day as Donald Trump's second inauguration. Recording artists, the majority New Jersey based, will give live, online performances throughout the day as the station raises funds and awareness for two organizations: Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) and Planned Parenthood.
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Outpost in the Burbs presents Robyn Hitchcock on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at First Congregational Church of Montclair. Imogen Clark will open the night. Doors are at 7:30pm, showtime is 8:00pm.
Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.
