Words By: Jordyn Kieft

Southern California’s The Aquadolls are ringing in the holidays with a new take on The Waitresses holiday classic “Xmas Wrapping.” Produced by Fat Mike of NOFX and featuring Angelo Moore of Fishbone and El Jefe of NOFX, “Xmas Wrapping” gets a high-octane update in this cover of one of the greatest Christmas songs of all time. Musician Chris Butler, who conceptualized and lead the 1980s new wave band The Waitresses, describes the cover of his song as “Best cover ever! Dang.”

Frontwoman Melissa Brooks says about “Xmas Wrapping,” “Every year when the weather starts getting colder, it means it’s time for the holiday season. This leads to our not-so-friendly winter companion: seasonal depression. Christmas time can be really difficult to navigate through, especially during a pandemic. The holidays can suck, but with the help of a good pal or two and some rock n roll, hopefully, it can suck a little less! We created a ska/punk-inspired cover of The Waitresses’ “Xmas Wrapping”… It’s so exciting for us to collaborate with so many music icons on this and put a new twist on such an underrated and timeless classic. We hope you start a mosh pit to this and this makes your holiday season rock harder than before!”

“Xmas Wrapping” by The Aquadolls begins with an updated version of the iconic main theme of the song. An electric guitar riffs the theme, adding more of a rock sound to the already pop-punk beat. Before the lyrics even begin, you’ll find yourself already nodding your head and dancing along to the iconic tune. The lyrics are kept the same, with Brooks adding her unique vocals to the famous lines. You can see where The Aquadolls get their inspiration from – their vibe is still very much paying tribute to the 80s, but with a modern kiss of rock. The jazz sounds of the saxophone from the original piece can be heard in addition to the updated smashing beat of electric guitar and drums. As the song transitions into the chorus, Brooks is accompanied by backup vocals. By now, if you haven’t already recognized the Christmas hit, you surely will from the lyrics of the chorus. The song then segues into the third and fourth verses, again keeping the lyrics the same. Finally, the song ends with another rendition of the chorus, a huge escalation of the volume of the instruments, and a yowl from Brooks.

The Aquadolls was formed in La Mirada, CA in January 2012 by Melissa Brooks. Brooks began recording bedroom demos of her songs and eventually released the album We Are Free in early 2013, followed by the LP Stoked on You in December 2014. After a brief break from releases, the stars aligned in July 2018, and the new era of The Aquadolls commenced with Jacqueline Proctor on drums and Keilah Nina on bass. The band grew as a powerful threesome leading up to the release of The Aquadolls’ highly anticipated second album, The Dream and the Deception, recorded and self-produced by Brooks and self-released October 28, 2018, on Aqua Babe Records. Following their sophomore album, the trio self-released the single “Suck on This” in summer 2019, followed by their 2020 viral cover of Lash’s “Take Me Away” [a track made famous via its inclusion in the 2003 Lindsay Lohan-starring Disney film Freaky Friday]. The band’s previously latest single “Disappearing Girl” is out now on Enci Records.

The trio will be performing with The Bombpops and Sitting On Stacy at the opening night of the upcoming Punk Rock and Paintbrushes 6th Annual Holiday Art Show, taking place Saturday, December 11 in Downtown LA. The exhibition showcases pieces from musicians, professional skateboarders, tattoo artists, photographers, and visual artists. Tickets can be purchased below.

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