UPDATE: The Scrooges have announced additional shows for December; get the details on the flyer below.
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By now, it’s a holiday tradition like no other: The Scrooges climb down the chimney of rock and rip your mistletoe-sucking face off. Boston’s beloved Santa-themed Stooges cover band is back for another season of drunken festive mischief, and the first announced show goes down December 4 at O’Brien’s Pub to celebrate the Allston rock club’s annual toy drive and holiday party that’s been carried down Harvard Avenue from shuttered sister venue Great Scott. Yes, with this blessed news, Christmas is finally here.
There is no cover to attend, but everyone has to bring an unwrapped toy (or make a donation at the door), as is the long-running custom.
So who are The Scrooges? Formed back in the late ’90s after frontman and music scene veteran David Unger felt divine inspiration while taking a piss during an Iggy Pop show on Lansdowne Street, The Scrooges have been dashing through the December snow ever since. Honoring The Stooges’ three classic albums — 1969’s The Stooges; 1970’s Fun House; and 1973’s Raw Power — they’ve brought together members of Boston bands like Doc Hopper, Lamont, White Dynomite, Cortez, Random Road Mother, Rock City Crimewave, Hey Zeus, and others all in the name of dressing up like Santa and blasting out some timeless garage rock. Who needs a tree lighting when we can get lit with The Scrooges?
Check out our 2018 feature story on the band, where Unger and Pete Knipfing reflect on The Scrooges turning 20. Which means that if our math is correct, and it very rarely is, then next year will be the 25th anniversary of this jolly spectacle. We’ll see what the boys have in store for that. In the meantime, dry clean that Santa suit, pour some Baileys down your satin stocking, and watch the vintage video below of some long-lost Scrooges performance from 2008.
O’BRIEN’S ANNUAL TOY DRIVE & HOLIDAY PARTY WITH THE SCROOGES + CAPE CRUSH :: Sunday, December 4 at O’Brien’s Pub, 3 Harvard Ave. in Allston, MA :: 9 p.m., 21-plus, free with toy donation :: Facebook event page
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