In the summer of 2025, The Rockerati released the ‘Black Book’ EP, a four song release celebrating a retro rock style that built upon the year’s previous single releases in a way that suggested the Brighton based band had reached peak confidence. Their earlier releases had attracted attention from a couple of major rock mags, but there was something about these DIY recordings that came a little closer sharing a raw and honest sound.
Realising they didn’t want to wave goodbye to a successful year without going out with a bang, this pair of Xmas themed recordings presents an even rawer Rockerati. The frivolous nature of the material has really allowed David McCarthy and Michael Horsham (vocals, guitar, bass) to really cut loose when delivering a rollocking two-fer of alternative festive cuts.
‘Santa Claus Has Got The Sack’ isn’t especially subtle. A live in the studio style production gives the track a distorted edge, which has the immediate effect of making David and company sound like a rough, garage rock imbibed Rockpile. Beneath the distortion, however, you’ll find a great tune that mixes old pub rock riffs and hooks with an old school rockabilly energy. It’s in a tried and tested style, definitely, but this doesn’t just capture the band in a comfort zone; it shares some of their most assured riffs. The rough edges are balanced out by some strong harmony vocals which – rather than lending more of a commercial aspect – flesh out the overall sound with something equally rousing. Those who’ve found a love for the more retro themed elements from The Rockerati’s catalogue will love this.
Joining ‘Santa…’ is something far more familiar. ‘Run Rudolph Run’ – a festive workout originally by Chuck Berry, but also covered by Brian Setzer, She & Him, Jimmy Barnes, Keith Richards and dozens of others – is a perfect fit for The Rockerati. From the outset, the rock ‘n’ roll riffs attack with a real force, and moving through the body of the track, the distortion applied to the guitar helps this sound like one of the most raucous takes of the classic track to date. The vocals feel a little buried at first, but by the end of the first chorus, everything sounds great, with the live and loud Rockerati absolutely on fire. The old Chuck Berry groove and solid drumming give the bulk of the performance a great power, but its a semi sloppy lead guitar which steals the show, supplying lead work that’s on a par with some of Neil Young’s more chaotic lead breaks with Crazy Horse.
This is a disappointingly short listen, but that shouldn’t stop you adding these tracks to your growing library of off-piste festive fare. For about six minutes, The Rockerati are set to give you a kick up the arse and take the winter chill from your bones, bringing a little extra volume and a lot more fun to your Xmas celebrations.
You can download both tracks for free by emailing santa@therockerati.com.
December 2025