Where Are You Christmas?

 "Where's Christmas this year?", "Are you doing your'e annual party?". The questions keep coming, but the answer is, No. I really have no desire. I've been doing the Punk Rock Santa routine for almost a decade now. I loved it. I loved gifting strangers things and giving everyone a place to go. I love the Christmas Spirit. The problem is that no one else seems share that love anymore.

 I started the yearly X-Mas Bash with my friend Darlington. We started small, having no idea if anyone would come. Singing a few Christmas tunes in our regular sets and wrapping up whatever we could find around the house to give away.

 People loved it. We loved it. It grew. We added bands, I took on the Punk Rock Santa persona. Learned Christmas Carols. Put all my funds into making it bigger. Making sure everyone was fed and making sure everyone left with a gift. 

 It grew bigger. Outgrew the location I was at. People wanted me to charge. I found a place that didn't try to make me monotize it. We moved. It grew again.

 I saved all the spare funds I could get my hands on to make sure it was bigger and better every year. It was no longer gifts from around the house. I hand wrapped tons of presents to give away. Books, Movies, Toys, Comics. Some inexpensive, some very expensive. Did this without sponsors every year. Other than some gifts donated for contest prizes this all came from me.

 I decorated the entire building. To the point of physical collapse. A few friends would help. Clean up would come and everyone would bail. All the trash left behind. People get something they weren't interested in and just throw it away. Gifts thrown on the floor. Items that cost $60 or more just thrown in the trash. Someone came in to the building and pull out my sound equipment I packed waiting for when I could get help to move it and drank the remainder of my alcohol days after the party. 

 This last year my friend had a meltdown on stage. Caused drama and told me to "Just go enjoy my party", as if I've ever had time to enjoy it. I'm hosting and making sure things run smoothly. Running sound. Stage management. Performing. Decorating. Making sure the catering is going well. Now I'm off schedule an hour and trying to make it work. It's now been a year and my friend hasn't spoke to me since that.

 All of this, other monotized "Punk Rock Santa" events popping up that I have no involvement in, people rudely yelling "Where's the presents?" when I play a Christmas song. Why would I want to do this anymore? That's why I ask, "Where are you Christmas?". Someone please show me there are people who still care...

Goodbye Spaceman

 I've been debating using this section of my site like a blog. Since I rarely play anymore and hate social media, this may be a good way to get some of my thoughts out there and let people know I'm still alive...

 Yesterday Ace Frehley passed away. This has been affecting me more than I thought it would. I never met the man, but he had an astounding influence on my life and art. I don't know anyone who hasn't been influenced by Kiss in some way. 

 Joe D., my friend and long time collaborator that passed away a few years ago, was a bigger Kiss fanatic than I could ever imagine. He ran the Kiss Hell fanzine, later becoming Metal Hell (which I occasionally wrote for). I remember he even got to help out with some stuff at one of the Kiss Cons in Texas back in the 90's. 

 Kiss were like mythical gods. There was something magical about them. Different than any other band. Some people find it hokey, but I didn't, The costumes, the comics, the movie, as well as the music. I ate it up. I was a Monster Kid. Deep in the horror and Sci-Fi. Gene and Ace spoke to me the most. I could see myself in them. They made me want to be something more than ordinary. 

 I got to see Ace live back in March. It's the most alive I've felt in a few years. The show was phenomenal.

 It's been a while since I've written anything. I get locked up in my own mind more and more lately. Struggling with words and how to communicate with the human race. But hopefully I can keep this going and get better at it again. For now, I'm just going to put on some Kiss records and lose myself in the incredible sounds Ace put to vinyl. Fly High.

Last Minute Surprise Christophe Solo Show For NMF

 Literally a last minute surprise show this afternoon. 6pm on the Red Brick Bar Stage at Norman Music Fest Christophe will be doing a short acoustic performance. Come check it out.

The 8th Annual Norman X-Mas Bash!

 The Annual X-Mas Bash is back! We've brought back a few of our favourite bands, added even more Drag performances and threw some new songs in the set! Make sure to mark your calendars for Saturday December 21st. We'll be returning to The Resonator in Norman and the doors will open at 7pm. 

When: Saturday December 21st 2024 at 7:00pm
Where: Resonator, 325 E Main St, Norman, OK 73069
Price: Free Entry. Bring a Gift, Get a Gift. (https://www.ticketstorm.com/e/30666/t/)

The Annual Norman X-Mas Bash is back for our 8th year! Come out and party with us again. We have all the things you expect and maybe a few more surprises.

*The Original Punk Rock Santa will be here to take pics and hear your X-Mas wishes.

*White Elephant Gift Exchange. Entry is free, but please bring a wrapped gift to put under the tree and make sure to take a wrapped gift for yourself.

*Ugly Sweater Contest with killer prizes from some of our favourite local businesses.

*Glam City Skates Raffle. Make sure to enter the raffle to win one of these awesome skateboards from GCS!

*Drag Performances from:
Skaði Jötunn
Keché Paige
Ami Rhetto
Jenny Cyde
Lilith

*Live Musical Performances from:
The Love Donations
Psychotic Reaction
Sedona Crystal Bitch
Darlington

This has been Norman's best Christmas Party again and again. All the carolling and merriment you can handle and then some. Don't miss out! 

X-Mas In July/Tim's Last Show/Limnited Edition T-Shirt/New Vinyl!

 Okay, there's a lot to unwrap here... First off, coming up July 19th at 89th St. OKC Christophe and The Love Donations will be playing a special show with a few of our regular songs and a few of our Christmas songs. This will be our "X-Mas in July" Event. So mark your calendars for that! All Ages. $10 at the door. 8911 N. Western OKC.

 This will also be Tim's last show with us, and his last show in Okla for a while, as he is moving back to Georgia the following day. So, come wish him well and send him on his way!

 Now a lot of you are saying to yourselves... "WhO tHe F@cK iS tIm?" and that's okay. He gets that a lot. So much in fact we made a limited edition t-shirt for this show that says "Who the fuck is Tim? and has his face on it.

 

This shirt will be available in very limited quntities at the X-Mas in July show. You can preorder yours to ensure you get it by sending $20 via PayPal at ChristopheMurdock@gmail.com Make sure to send your name and size. Then come pick it up at the show. These will be black shirts with white ink and available in sizes Medium through XXLarge.

The other cool thing about this show is we will be releasing "Ho Ho Ho" on limited edition vinyl! These Clear Lathe Cut Vinyls are numbered to only 24 copies. The art features various pics from our Annual X-Mas Bash. Features the lineup of Love Donations with Christophe Murdock, Andrew Yoon, Adrian Fallwell, Rachel Curl and Jeffrey Stevenson. These will be available at the show for $25, but if you want to ensure you get your copy you can prepay through PayPal and pick up at the show!

Cancerslug Coming to OKC Feb 6th!

  For those that know, I've been talking about Cancerslug since our days back at Valiant Death. Alex has gone on to be the frontman for Doyle of The Misfits. Now Cancerslug is finally making it's way to OKC. On Tuesday February 6th come see them with Christophe and The Love Donations opening up the show. Tickets are only $15 in advance! Get them while you can: HERE. 

https://www.ticketstorm.com/event/cancerslug/89thstreetokc/oklahomacity/29202/?fbclid=IwAR21jq6Nu1GwpmScJrcvCuhObcjlLlHK5YdOX7XPXRZKGLaMmINjfQwBisg

New Album Release: Dissociation Recordings Vol. 1

  A new compilation of experimental music came out this month. 33 songs including "Laura's Song" by Xtoph! You can stream and download this from Bandcamp here.

Local Earshot Podcast Christmas Episode

 Check out the latest episode of The Local Earshot Podcast. Interviews with Punk Santa and listening to local Christmas Music. LocalEarshot.com

Ho Ho Ho - New Single

  Christophe and The Love Donations cover of Sia's "Ho Ho Ho" is out early today on our bandcamp. Hit's all the digital outlets on 12/15. Hope to have vinyl back before our X-Mas Bash. Enjoy!

Christmas Shows Are Coming!

  Originally planned on bringing the Christmas Music on the road this year, but unfortunately the promote I'm working with fell ill and the shows ended up  falling through. So we have two local ones this year. A small one in OKC on the 9th and our big one in Norman on the 16th!

 On Saturday December 9th at Grand Royale in Oklahoma City we we be celebrating a Merry Christophe-mas with Diatribe Productions and ROckabilly Legend Brian Parton! This show is 21+, $10 and starts at 8pm.

 On Saturday December 16th it's our 7th Annual X-Mas Bash in Norman! We will be returning to The Resonator. Live music from The Love Donations, Darlington, Kinda Creepy and Cunt Puncher. A Drag Performance, Photo Ops with Punk Santa, Ugly Sweater Contest, and as always our gift exchange. Bring a gift and get a gift. This show is All Ages within reason. (Meaning, use your judgement. You know what debauchery your kids can handle witnessing) Doors at 6pm. Music at 7pm. 

 We look forward to seeing you all. #TheWarOnChristophe #PuttingChristopheBackInChristmas 

Seeking Human Victims Podcast

  A new season of the Seeking Human Victims Podcast has begun and they will be dissecting the films of Tobe Hooper! The first episode is about The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and also has some music from Christophe. Check it out! 

Neckbeard Noose Weasel Box Music Show Episode #76

 New episode of The Weasel box Music show is out with a song off of "The Love DOnations Do Christmas"! Check it out.

New Single: The Last Man On Earth

A new single of "The Last Man On Earth" by Christophe and The Love Donations is coming out! Get it on Bandcamp today. Should start popping up on the various streaming sites come Easter. I may have a limited edition physical copy in the future.

Local Earshot Episode 107: Drinking Ol' Glory

  New episode of Local Earshot came out today. Christophe is the guest and talks about the new NCom Cyberhall, announces the Resonator line-up for Norman Music Fest and more!

Nightmare Cinema Double Feature March 16th!

  This month's Nightmare Cinema will be back at High 5 Retro Guys in OKC. This month we are doing a double feature of two independent films! The first will be a throwback holiday slasher called 'St. Patrick's Day', and then we will show 'Son of the Saw'!!!

New Christmas Episode of Seeking Human Victims Out Now!

  The Seeking Human Victims podcast from One Good Scare Productions has released a new episode about Silent Night Deadly Night 3 and they also included a song of Christophe's new Christmas Album! You can listen to this just about everywhere you listen to podcasts at, so look it up!

An After-Bash Note From Christophe

  It's hard for me to write this. My brain is full of static. I put this off several days because of that...

 We just finished our sixth year doing Christmas shows. It's gotten bigger and better every year. I put so much of myself into this. It's been the most important thing I've had going on for a while now. I announced my retirement from live performing at the beginning of the year and the bash was my final performance. Bittersweet. Still didn't have things the way I want them... but, for what it was, it was good.

 As with any big show, I really get into my head afterwords. I don't really have friends to talk to. People I can share with. I suffer from a list of things including severe depression. It always gets worse during this season. That's part of why I do this show. So people with similar feelings have somewhere to go, to let loose and unwind... Somewhere they can go and get a gift and maybe have Christmas feel a little bit like it did when we were still children... if for a brief moment. Afterwords everything begins to crash down for me. I keep trying to pull through for everyone. For my family, my cat and my birds. 

 This year, it seems like a few people really "got" what I was trying to do. There were some nice compliments online and I'll share one below. These make me want to try this again. I want to make it through another year and come back to perform for Christmas again. I hope I can and I hope I'll see everyone there again.

- Christophe

 Photos Jesse Edgar took of the event are up in my gallery now here: https://christopheonline.com/galleries/963413/jesse-edgar-photography-6th-annual-x-mas-bash 

 This post really made me feel. I wept when I read it. My friend Ana Gram posted this on Facebook along with a video of one of the songs from my set. See the original post here: https://fb.watch/hzJeyTSWeI/ 

"Last night was the 6th annual Xmas Day Bash, put on by Christophe Murdock and Darlington. If you've never been to one of these shows, ya gotta. These two put these shows on every year. They wrap dozens of gifts, and make sure every single person who walks through the door gets a present. Everyone gets a hug and something to eat. This might seem kinda normal for the season, but it isn't, really.

For some of us, this is all the holidays we have. There's no family. There's no traditions. For some, no home. All we have is eachother and that means *everything*. Christophe and Darlington have made sure all us punk kids here in OKC have had *something*, every year for the last six years. This is what community looks like. This is what scene feels like. It doesn't matter what body you're in or where you came from. We're connected through the music, art and each other, and everyone's welcome. Everyone's safe. Everyone's protected.

I know that people often associate punk with scary things and anarchy, but I gotta say, if you had been in the room when everyone walked in and saw a hundred hand cut snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and a 9 foot tall tree, you might question that. It was babes in Toyland! The smiles. The joy. Even my jaded heart had to love Christmas a little today.

This is a video I took last nignt of when the snowball fight happened on stage. The snowball fight was *still going* an hour later, and is one of my most favorite things to ever happen at a live show on stage. Ever, and I've been to so many shows I forget I've actually seen the band I've "always wanted to see" on a regular basis, so that says a lot.

Thank you, Christophe and Darlington for all your hard work, for the bands that came out and played, Kinda Creepy, Christophe and the Love Donations, Darlington and Psychotic Reaction for a great show and for giving all of us a space to come together, be as we are, be accepted and feel wanted. After all, the most rebellious thing a person can do in this day and age is be happy and share love in spite of everything. "

The Love Donations Do Christmas Vinyl Now Available

  Received the test copy of "The Love Donations Do Christmas" and it looks and sounds great! These will be available to order as of today. They will take a few weeks to come from the manufacturer when you order so don't expect these in time for Christmas this year, but the songs are so good you can rock them out year round! 

Order yours here: https://christopheonline.com/album/2342098/the-love-donations-do-christmas 

New Album: The Love Donations Do Christmas

 Christophe has a new album out with The Love Donations! Some of the classic Christmas songs performed every year at the Annual X-Mas Bash! 

 The CD is available now and you can get it at shows or from the website HERE.

 Vinyl is in production. As soon as we get the sample copy back we will add it to the website store!

 The digital will be available at all Digital Retailers starting December 9th!

G.I. Joe *Almost* Animated #2

 The second episode of G.I. Joe *Almost* Animated is out and Christophe returns as the voice actor for General Austin! Be sure to check it out, like and subscribe!