Christmas Stinks! But don’t let that stop you from having the greatest night of your life at Polish Club’s Xmas Bowlo Bash, as Novak, JH and a bunch of very special guests rip through the best holiday covers you’ve ever heard, pulled straight from their record Christmas Stinks!
In chat with Australian Musician, Polish Club’s Novak unpacked the duo’s festive new album Christmas Stinks, a 20-song covers project recorded at breakneck speed. The idea had been simmering for years, particularly for bandmate John and the pair finally decided to take on the challenge of learning and recording two dozen Christmas classics in less than a week. Choosing the right tracks proved easier than expected; Novak trimmed the list to avoid overly cliché or overly difficult cuts, leaning into Polish Club’s love of working within constraints.
MORE ABOUT CHRISTMAS STINKS …
Novak openly admits he’s a Mariah Carey tragic, though he prefers a playlist approach over single-artist Christmas albums, partly why Christmas Stinks is packed entirely with covers. Recording was fast and loose by necessity, most tracks were completed in just a few takes to preserve spontaneity. Highlights included a raw, faithful punch through Slade’s “Merry Christmas Everybody” and a stripped back duet with his mum, performed in Tagalog, nodding to her time in Filipino group The New Minstrels. At the opposite end of the spectrum was the chaotic challenge of “Must Be Santa,” which Novak now hopes never to hear again.
With the album out, Polish Club are taking their Yuletide chaos to the stage with their Christmas Bowlo Bash: Thornbury Bowlo on December 20 and Marrickville Bowlo on December 21. Fans are welcome, though not required to dress in Christmas spirit, while Novak will bravely retire his well-worn Santa suit after the run. The duo plan to attempt all 20 songs live (“grip it and rip it”), bolstered by bassist Wade for the holiday shows.
Merch-wise, Novak encourages everyone to buy their mountain of whoopee cushions, John’s idea, which are currently taking over his garage. Looking ahead, the band hopes to shift back to writing fresh material in 2026 once touring winds down.
Novak signs off with a simple Christmas message: be kind to yourself, and the rest follows.
To celebrate the season, join the band at the ultimate Christmas party, Polish Club’s Xmas Bowlo Bash at both Melbourne’s Thornbury Bowls Club on Sat 20 Dec and Sydney’s Marrickville Bowlo on Sun 21 Dec, where any Grinch who says ‘Christmas stinks!’ is guaranteed a frivolity filled evening of Christmas classics reimagined for your fun-loving friends, with some super special guests and surprises on the night.
Sat 20 Dec – Thornbury Bowls Club, Naarm Melbourne – Buy Tix
Sun 21 Dec – Marrickville Bowlo, Gadigal Sydney – Buy Tix
