The Bitter Chills - Not Yet, Santa (A Thanksgiving EP)

The Bitter Chills are not known for protest songs, but the New Jersey band  is making a stand on their new release, Not Yet, Santa: A Thanksgiving EP.

“This situation has gotten out of hand,” says Matt Cheplic, singer and principal songwriter.. “Every year, the onslaught of Christmas decorating and marketing starts a little earlier, and it’s time someone spoke out. We just want some time to enjoy Thanksgiving and the autumn before Santa Claus and his minions take over completely.  This is a crucial issue we believe a fractured nation can agree on.”

Not Yet, Santa marks The Bitter Chills’ fourth release on Mint 400 Records. It features the folky influences, catchy melodies, and sly, playful lyrics the band is so adept at. But there are some other fun layers on this EP, such as a production on the title track that pays homage to beloved Motown-era holiday classics – as well as a guest appearance by trombonist Matt Ryan. A member of The Defending Champions, Ryan lends a sultry quality to “Late-Night Stuffing,” an ode to the tradition of raiding the fridge for leftovers after dark.

Not Yet, Santa was produced by Cheplic and Tim Robert Fulton, who share guitar and bass duties in The Bitter Chills, whose drummer-percussionist is Christian Kisala.

“Lots of artists have recorded holiday albums,” reflects Fulton. “But we guarantee this one is the most Thanksgivingy of them all.”