Airbourne spices up Christmas with new single ‘Christmas Bonus’ to rock ‘n’ roll fans.
Airbourne has unveiled an energetic and playfully irreverent Christmas gift for their fans in the form of their latest single, Christmas Bonus. This raucous holiday track, produced by Brian Howes, recorded by Karl Dicaire, mixed by Zakk Cervini, and mastered by Ted Jensen, is accompanied by a lively animated video crafted by director and animator Ryan Ortgiesen.
With Christmas Bonus, Airbourne delivers their signature blend of high-octane speed and cheeky humor. Lead vocalist Joel O’Keeffe belts out lines like “You’re so damn good you make Santa come twice,” infusing the song with a mix of festive spirit and gritty rock attitude. The band joyously croons “I get a Christmas Bonus every day, you’re the lady boss, I think it’s safe to say,” cranking up the innuendo dial to maximum.
The track is a testament to Airbourne’s knack for transforming simple concepts into anthemic rock tunes. Christmas Bonus zooms through scenes of festive mayhem, depicting “the boys are drinkin’ and the girls are singin’,” with snow “fallin’ all around” as the celebration reaches fever pitch. Towards the end, there’s a nod to classic action movies as O’Keeffe signs off with “Yippee-Ki-Yah! motherfucker, Merry Christmas, everybody!” The band’s enthusiasm shines through as they embrace their unapologetically bold style.
The core quartet of Joel O’Keeffe, Ryan O’Keeffe, Justin Street, and Brett Tyrrell approached the recording of Christmas Bonus with a clear goal in mind – to create a holiday track that embodies the distinct Airbourne sound. The production team focused on tight rhythms, anthemic choruses, and a raw edge, resulting in a song that pulsates with the energy of a lively Christmas Eve pub gathering.
Airbourne’s journey began in the early 2000s when brothers Joel and Ryan O’Keeffe began honing their musical skills in their family home in Warrnambool. The band, originally known as Airborne, solidified its lineup with bassist Luke McKenzie and rhythm guitarist David Roads, drawing inspiration from iconic rock bands like AC/DC, The Angels, Billy Thorpe, and Rose Tattoo. Their EP “Ready To Rock” marked an early milestone in their career, as they tirelessly performed and built a following across Melbourne.
A major turning point came in 2005 when Airbourne signed a significant record deal with Capitol Records and EMI Music Australia, propelling them into the international spotlight. The band’s gritty sound and relentless work ethic led them to share stages with legendary acts such as Motörhead, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, and The Rolling Stones, cementing their status as one of Australia’s premier hard rock exports.
With Christmas Bonus, Airbourne adds a boisterous entry to the catalog of holiday rock tunes, infusing their distinctive Australian humor and unapologetic attitude into the festive season. This song is tailor-made for late-night revelry, clinking glasses, and those who prefer their holiday music as loud as possible.