So we’re approaching our first ever Strong Island Recordings Christmas party where we’ve curated a monster of a line-up in association with The Park Studio in Denmead featuring eleven bands plus Champagne Justice DJ’s and the entry for the event is a donation of non-perishable food that will go to local food banks. That means you don’t have to spend a single penny of your Christmas funds if you wish. It’s ultimately a win-win-win for all. We’re going to be posting four previews of the event over the next two weeks so you can get to know some of the bands on the bill.

First up is our headliners for the day being Rickyfitts. We had them on our Treacherous Tides compilation last year just two months after they formed and since then the guys are proving to be one of the finest and most explosive live bands in the U.K. Creating tinnitus inducing noise, annihilating their instruments, grunge tinted, thrash punk duo Rickyfitts are a tidal wave of ferocious fuzz. Having mini toured with thrash-pop Aussie twosome DZ Deathrays and a plenty of new recordings, Rickyfitts are going to sign off of 2014 with a bang.

Another of our extended label family who we’re fortunate to have playing our all dayer is Dead Rabbits. Fresh from their European tour and the release of their second album, Dead Rabbits are going to be bringing a whirling, beautiful racket to The Cellars. Crossing between psychedelia, shoegaze, space rock and also flirting with the boundries of drone, Dead Rabbits are a band Alan Mcgee would have signed had they been around during the height of Creation Records. Think The Jesus & Mary Chain crossed with The Telescopes.

This next act played their first ever gig actually at The Cellars just five months ago. Since then they’ve added an extra member being Jack, touring drummer of Sub Pop’s Still Corners, blown up the blogosphere, mainstaged Green Man Festival, wowed everyone at Southsea Fest, graced the BBC Radio 1 airwaves and also were chosen of hundreds of bands to play the This is Fake DIY all dayer. They are of course Wyldest. Creating ever gorgeous melodies, wrapped in a gentle, wobbling bassline and enchanting, yet powerful vocals, the dreampop trio are like a cross between Beach House, Warpaint and Cocteau Twins.