Christmas with the Wombats

Do you remember the days when every Yuletide, bands used to release songs that were loosely based on either the baby Jesus, Daddy Christmas or (our particular favourite) drinking far too much mulled wine and behaving like an arsehole? Well, it looks like thanks to Merseyside mob The Wombats, those times are back again this year. The three-piece have recorded the marvellous ‘Is This Christmas?’ and are set to give X Factor wannabes a run for their money in the charts. And if you’re one of those nay-sayers who turn their nose up at the likes of Slade, Wizard, Mud and, er, Gary Glitter, well prepare to eat your words, as they’ve only gone and got Les bloody Dennis in to guest on the track too.

“Les is a really great guy,” explains Wombats warbler/tub thumper Dan Haggis. “We’ve met him quite a few times and we always wanted someone famous from Liverpool to do the spoken word piece on the track. When we originally recorded it I did that part, but it’s much better with Les on it.”
As if that wasn’t enough to warm the hearts of any Scrooge-like readers out there, the single will also be for charidee, mate.
“Yeah, all proceeds are going towards [British mental health charity] Mencap and we’re happy to be involved,” offers the good natured sticksman. “I’ve always loved Christmas songs anyway and I kinda miss the time when bands would put them out. These days no-one seems all that bothered so hopefully we’ll make it cool again.”
After spending nearly two full years on the road and performing multiple Irish shows over the last 12 months, Dan is planning to spend this Crimbo at home with his folks taking a much needed rest and listening to a bit of Shakey.
“I’m not ashamed to admit that I like to listen to Shakin’ Stevens’ 'Merry Christmas Everyone' around this time of year,” he laughs. “I used to love the video where he had this horrible jumper on and was playing around with a bloke in a snowman suit. It was great. But yeah, it’s been a mad year so I’m looking forward to getting my head together at home, taking a break and planning the new album.”
While the much anticipated follow up to their tune-tastic debut is nowhere near the recording stage just yet, Dan reveals that they’re aiming to enter the studio in the New Year, with or without Paul McCartney’s involvement.
“I don’t know where those rumours about Paul producing our second album came from but if they were true I’d love to work with him,” Dan admits. “We’ve met him before and I think this story spiralled out of an interview where he namechecked us (which obviously meant the world to the band) but I haven’t heard anything more. If we did get him it’d be the best Christmas present ever.”

The Wombats’ festive single ‘Is This Christmas?’ is out on December 15