Things were much more sedate when Graceland feted the season, mostly because two-thirds of the night's promised entertainment canceled at the last moment. Dead Moon and Fireballs of Freedom claimed that inclement weather prohibited their journey from Portland, leaving the Briefs to bask in the glow of head-linership. They did a fine job, and I for one would have hated to follow their energetic set if I were either of the canceled bands. Karaoke went on in the lounge, much to almost everyone's irritation; the night's hosts had also failed to report, leaving MC duties to one very loud and annoying drunkard. I'll pause now to make a passionate request: Would somebody please make sure that Blondie's "One Way or Another" is stricken from all karaoke books? I just can't take it, or the girls who sing it, anymore.
The one bar and two restaurants that employ half of this city's musical talent--of course I'm talking about the Cha Cha, Bimbo's, and Spaghetti Red's--threw their own holiday bash, which featured none other than Almost Live's John Keister as guest bartender. Keister did a bang-up job, pouring some of the strongest drinks ever witnessed, and even stepped up to the karaoke stage for a heartfelt rendition of "Surrender," which had the whole bar singing along. Murder City Devil Spencer Moody MC'd, making sure not to run out on his duties as he had the night of the Graceland party. (Thank the Lord, because that very same drunkard was in the house and itching to fill Moody's shoes once again.) It was a drummer's wonderland as Love as Laughter's Zeke dressed up as Santa Claus, while Modest Mouse's Jeremiah Green stood by as his faithful elf, looking quite menacing in fangs and black eye-makeup. Hooray for the holidays, and thanks for the debauchery!