Yes, it's still October, but Oxford indie-pop band Jody and the Jerms have a Christmas single ready to go. Christmas Chairs is out on INH Records on 13 November 2026, and the press release describes it as aimed at Britain's overlooked festive problem – NOT ENOUGH CHAIRS.
The idea came from a BBC Introducing interview in December 2025, when it was pointed out that the band had never released a Christmas song in their 6 years together. Then in August their rescue dog Jed died. Jed was, by all accounts, much beloved but troubled, and he hated house guests with a passion. Jody Jeger realised they had the same challenge as families up and down the country every December, which is where everyone sits.
That is the story of the song. As guests arrive and the dining table expands past its limits, the hunt begins for folding chairs, garden furniture and anything else that vaguely resembles a seat. Jody says: "As a kid, every year loads of people would come round and even when we'd borrow seats from neighbours, moved furniture around, got out camping chairs, we'd still be one chair short."
A Christmas single that starts with a rescue dog who barked at every visitor and ends up as an invitation to bring your own chair is the kind of festive record I'm happy to put my name behind. It comes from a real family and a real table, and a band who got asked about a Christmas song on BBC Introducing and went away and wrote one. Recommended for anyone planning their Christmas playlist early.
Guitarist Niall Jeger puts the dog's side of it like this: "Jed absolutely hated house guests. Every December he'd bark, growl and intimidate anyone who came round which made Christmas celebrations tricky." The single carries a tribute to Jed too.
The press release name-checks Kirsty MacColl, Wizzard, The Darkness and CMAT as reference points, and the lyrics have The Pogues and Kirsty on repeat in the background, along with wine, cheese and port. It was recorded at Nine Volt Leap Studios in Wiltshire, with Dominic Bailey-Clay producing, mixing and mastering.
The line-up is Jody Jeger on vocals, Peter James Millson on electric guitar and backing vocals, Niall Jeger on electric and acoustic guitar, Richie Wildsmith on drums, Sam Hutchison on bass guitar and ho ho hos, and Robert Anwood on keyboards.
Christmas Chairs will be on the major streaming platforms from 13 November. More at the band's press kit: https://jodyandthejerms.com/epk-christmas-chairs