Stream/Share "Silent Night" HERE
Toronto-based blues/rock band 5 Neat Guys are turning up the festive spirit with the release of their brand-new holiday album PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! available now on all digital streaming platforms. The band is also celebrating the launch with a feature single, a riotous, vintage-flavoured rendition of the holiday standard "Silent Night".
"Don’t be fooled by the name: there’s nothing silent about this version of the Christmas classic," says rhythm guitarist Doug Hibovski. "We gave it a vintage rock-n-roll feel, but you can still sing along to it. Sheer fun, tailor-made for a rockin’ Christmas party."
PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! marks the band’s fifth studio album and their second Christmas release, rounding out nearly a year of recording that began with drum sessions in November 2024 and wrapped on a warm August evening with the final backing vocals. To give the album its unmistakable holiday atmosphere, the band even hauled a full set of tubular bells into the studio – one of many touches that infuse the record with charm and festive nostalgia.
"We really wanted to give something for everyone in this album," says lead vocalist Ed Lounsbury. “Some blues, some pop/rock, some sentimental heartstring-tuggers, and then some traditional Christmas chestnuts that we put a fresh new spin on. This album is good clean fun, and we pictured families decorating the Christmas tree, dancing around and playing this in the background.”
The idea for the album was sparked a few years ago, when the band performed a pre-Christmas gig with only a handful of seasonal songs in their set. They filled the gaps with their usual rock and blues repertoire, until an event organizer slipped them a note that read, with unmistakable urgency: “PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!” The phrase became an instant inside joke, then a rallying cry, and finally the perfect title for their second holiday record. And as always with 5 Neat Guys, humour finds its way into the music itself: on "Unwrap You At Christmas," an improvised mouth-trumpet solo – intended as a simple placeholder – made the final cut because it sounded so hilariously perfect.
Formed in 2016 by guitarist Doug Hibovski, 5 Neat Guys began as a temporary project bringing together four adult students from Hibovski’s Toronto music school. Something clicked, and what started as a one-off experiment evolved into a beloved bar band known for their classic vintage blues and rock ’n’ roll sound, high-energy performances, and good-humoured approach to music-making. Over the years, they’ve become fixtures at local festivals, community street parties, and pubs, earning a loyal following and radio support on both local and online stations. With every release, the group has sharpened its style and production – and with PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!, they deliver their most spirited, family-friendly collection yet.
PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!! is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more information, please visit 5neatguys.com.
5 Neat Guys | Upcoming Shows
Nov 9 - Etobicoke, ON - The Rockpile
Nov 22 - Toronto, ON - Santa In The Village Community Fest
Tracklisting
5 NEAT GUYS
PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!
(Independent)
01. Please Come Home For Christmas
02. Lonesome Christmas
03. Silent Night
04. Reindeer Blues
05. Feliz Navidad
06. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
07. Unwrap You At Christmas
08. Christmas Blues
5 NEAT GUYS IS:
Ed Lounsbury – Lead Vocals
Shawn Tanti – Lead Guitar
Andrewes Sissons – Bass Guitar
Doug Hibovski – Rhythm Guitar
Stephen Edwards – Drums
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STREAM/POST "Silent Night" HERE
CLICK HERE for media kit with bio, press photos/cover art + digital downloads (for radio play)