An Alternative Music Christmas Quiz

Answer: The Knife

Karin and Olof, who hail from the Swedish city of Gothenburg, began recording music together in 1999 and came to international attention with their 2003 album 'Deep Cuts'. Karin had previously been a member of the band Honey Is Cool. The band's beautiful and hypnotic electropop has earned them a devoted fanbase but they remain quite keen to avoid the limelight.

The Knife did not embark on a live tour until 2006 and are known for wearing Venetian masks on stage. Also, despite having won a number of industry accolades, they do not usually turn up to collect their awards in person. 'Christmas Reindeer' is an exquisite and unsettling track and belongs on anyone's Christmas playlist, though it is probably not an ideal party song.

Answer: The Fall

Mark E. Smith formed The Fall in 1976 and the band have continued to play and record together ever since. However, with the notable exception of Mark E. Smith, the band line-up has changed frequently over their long career. The regular line-up changes have often been attributed to Smith's volatile temper and desire to remain in complete control of the band's musical direction.

There have been well over sixty former members of The Fall, including some high profile figures such as the dj Marc Riley and the broadcaster and former wife of Mark E. Smith, Brix Smith. Around a third of The Fall's previous members were part of the band for less than a year.

The Fall have a devoted international fanbase and are known for their distinctive sound and Smith's unique vocal style.

The Fall's multiple Christmas songs are all excellent and are a must for any Fall fan's Christmas soundtrack.

Answer: Elastica

Elastica formed in 1992 when former Suede members Justine Frischmann and Justin Welch joined forces with Annie Holland and Donna Matthews. The band released their debut single, 'Stutter', in 1993 and gained immediate attention from djs and the music press. Elastica achieved two UK top twenty hit singles in 1994 with 'Line Up' and 'Connection'.

The following year the band's solo eponymous album was released and topped the UK albums chart. 'Elastica' became the fastest selling debut album since Oasis' 'Definitely Maybe', a distinction it held for over ten years.

The album also featured the single 'Waking Up' which gave the band their highest chart placing. Elastica were accused of plagiarism by both Wire and The Stranglers who both claimed that Elastica had deliberately copied riffs and melodies from their songs. Elastica had always cited Wire as a major influence. Elastica's Christmas song is a typically dynamic and memorable tune which should make any Christmas party go with a bang.

Answer: The Waitresses

Chris Butler, the main songwriter of The Waitresses, was playing with other bands in the late 1970s when he wrote the song 'I Know What Boys Like' on which he asked his friend, Patty Donahue, to perform lead vocals. When Butler moved to New York in 1980 he played this recording to a number of record labels and was eventually offered a recording contract.

He quickly compiled a full band to perform his music, which included Donahue, and which would become The Waitresses. The Waitresses released their debut album 'Wasn't Tomorrow Wonderful?' in 1982 to critical acclaim.

The band released one more album and an EP before splitting up in 1984. During their short career The Waitresses managed to record a number of fun, catchy and memorable songs but 'Christmas Wrapping' is probably their most enduring work.

The song was originally written for a seasonal compilation but has since taken on a life of its own, becoming an essential part of any Christmas soundtrack. This joyous festive anthem tells the story of a woman who is planning to spend Christmas alone until she bumps into a man with whom she has been trying to arrange a date all year and the song ends with the two deciding to spend Christmas together.

Answer: Low

Low formed in 1993 and released their debut album, 'I Could Live in Hope' the following year. At the time Low began performing, grunge was at its height and the band's quiet, minimalist sound was a reaction to the louder more abrasive bands who filled the bills of most live rock shows at the time. Low went on to release a number of albums and EPs over the next few years, developing a considerable international fanbase and establishing them as critical darlings. Low are known for their beautiful vocal harmonies. Due to the band's delicate sound Mimi Parker plays a stripped down drum kit with brushes in order to create a soft percussion section which doesn't clash with the vocals. 'Just Like Christmas' as an atypical Low song, is joyously upbeat and boasts some really lovely lyrics.

It would be the perfect addition to any Christmas party playlist.

Answer: Ramones

The Ramones formed in the Forest Hills district of New York City in 1974. None of the members were related to each other but all adopted the surname 'Ramone'. They are considered to have been one of the earliest punk rock bands and their distinctive simplistic style of music is widely considered to have been a major influence on the punk bands of the late 1970s.

The band toured almost non-stop for the first two decades of their career, notching up well over two thousand live appearances, before announcing their split in 1996. Sadly, all four of the original band members had died by 2014. Ramones regularly appear on critics lists of the greatest bands of all time and their music continues to be extremely popular. 'Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)', is a fairly downbeat Ramones track, the lyrics are quite sad and the general tone far from cheerful.

However, it is still a great track and would be perfect on the soundtrack to a more low-key festive party.

Answer: The Long Blondes

The Long Blondes formed in 2003 and consisted of lead guitarist and main songwriter Dorian Cox, bassist Kathryn 'Reenie' Hollis, lead singer Kate Jackson, keyboard player Emma Chaplin and drummer Screech Louder. The band released their debut single , 'New Idols' in 2004 and followed it up with a string of critically acclaimed singles followed by the release of their debut album 'Someone to Drive You Home'.

The band's intelligent, witty and angular pop proved a hit with critics and fans alike and the band released more albums and singles before splitting up in 2008 due to the serious illness of their principal songwriter Dorian Cox. 'Christmas is Cancelled' is a typically arch and bittersweet ditty about a woman whose partner left her last Christmas and now wishes to come home and be forgiven. Perfect as the soundtrack to a Christmas cocktail party.

Answer: Saint Etienne

Saint Etienne formed in 1990 when childhood friends and fellow music journalists Bob Stanley and Pete Wiggs decided to form a band. The duo had initially intended to use different female vocalists for most of their songs and this was the case on their first album 'Foxbase Alpha'.

However, Sarah Cracknell became the band's permanent vocalist after she worked with Stanley and Wiggs on the track 'Nothing Can Stop Us'. She also began to write a number of songs for the band. The band scored top twenty hits with the singles 'He's on the Phone' and 'You're in a Bad Way' and became known in the 1990s for their pure pop sound. 'A Glimpse of Stocking' features a number of covers of earlier seasonal songs as well as original compositions including the band's classic single 'I Was Born on Christmas Day'. Saint Etienne's sophisticated, upbeat synthpop will be the perfect backdrop to any grown-up Christmas party.

Answer: Shonen Knife

Shonen Knife are credited with introducing Japanese punk pop to a wider international audience and have been cited as an influence by bands such as Sonic Youth and Nirvana. They also formed at a time when all-female rock bands were all too rare. Shonen Knife's music is heavily influenced by 60s girl groups, Ramones and The Beach Boys. Such was Shonen Knife's love for Ramones that they briefly performed as the tribute band The Osaka Ramones. Either of Shonen Knife's exuberant fast-paced Christmas songs would liven up any Christmas party and should appeal to party-goers of all ages!

Answer: Fountains of Wayne

Fountains of Wayne formed in the mid 1990s and released their debut eponymous album in 1996. To promote their first album the quartet toured extensively, supporting The Smashing Pumpkins and The Lemonheads. In 1999 the band released their well-received sophomore album but, due to internal stress within the band and being dropped by their label, they took a brief hiatus with the individual members focusing on their work with other bands and on writing and producing for other artists.

The band got back together in 2001 and went on to record their biggest hit, 2003's Grammy nominated 'Stacy's Mom'. 'I Want an Alien for Christmas' is a brisk and cheerful pop punk classic and should appeal to kids and grown-ups alike, perfect for a family party!