An Alternative Music Christmas Part Two Quiz

Answer: Amelia Fletcher

Amelia Fletcher was born in 1966 and formed her first band, Talulah Gosh, in 1986. Talulah Gosh quickly gained a cult following, becoming one of the principal bands of the influential C86 indiepop scene of the mid 1980s. Talulah Gosh took their name from a quote by Altered Images frontwoman, Clare Grogan. All of Fletcher's bands have been known for their dreamy, 60s inspired pure pop sound and her distinctive vocals as well as their playful lyrics.

As well as fronting her own bands, Amelia has also provided backing vocals for indie luminaries such as The Wedding Present, The Pooh Sticks and Hefner. 'Leaving Christmas Day' is a typically glorious pop song from Tender Trap and would make a perfect soundtrack to any Christmas party. All of the wrong answers are members of British indiepop bands, Elizabeth Morris is the main singer and songwriter in Allo Darlin. Manda Rin is a member of Bis and Lisa Horton is a member of Bearsuit.

Answer: The White Stripes

Jack and Meg White formed The White Stripes in 1997 and went on to record a number of highly acclaimed albums and singles. As well as being critically acclaimed, The White Stripes have also enjoyed considerable commercial success with their albums reaching the top of albums charts all over the world. Songs such as 'Seven Nation Army', 'Fell In Love With A Girl' and 'Hotel Yorba' have become modern rock classics.

When The White Stripes first came to more widespread attention in the early 2000s, there was much speculation in the media as to the duo's relationship to one another. Jack and Meg claimed to be siblings, though it turned out that the couple had married in the mid 1990s, with Jack White, born Jack Gillis, taking his wife's surname. The couple divorced in 2000 but remained friends and band mates. 'Candy Cane Children' is quite a slow, downbeat track, but it is very atmospheric and would fit well on the soundtrack to a more low-key Christmas cocktail party.

Answer: Art Brut

Art Brut formed in 2003 and took their name from a description applied to the 'outsider art' movement. Art Brut contributed a song 'Formed A Band' to a compilation released by the Angular Recording Corporation label which brought the band to the attention of the NME and the influential independent record label Rough Trade. Rough Trade released 'Formed A Band' as Art Brut's debut single and it reached number fifty-two in the UK singles chart.

The band released their debut album, 'Bang Bang Rock & Roll', in 2005 which included the band's highest charting single, 'Emily Kane', which missed out on the top forty by just two sales. 'Christmas Number One' is a very fun and catchy glam-tinged song which would make any Christmas party go with a bang.

Answer: Thee Headcoatees

Thee Headcoatees formed in Chatham, Kent in 1991 and were part of the 'Medway Scene'. The band consisted of Holly Golightly, Debbie Green, Kyra LaRubia and Ludella Black. Ludella Black had been a member of The Delmonas, who had acted as a backing band to an earlier Childish project, The Milkshakes.

Thee Headcoatees had a similar garage rock sound to Thee Headcoats and most of their songs were written by Billy Childish. Thee Headcoatees split up in 1999 with Holly Golightly going on to pursue a successful solo career while Kyra and Debbie formed The A Lines with Delia Sparrow, formerly a member of the influential British riot grrrl band Mambo Taxi.

The delightfully lo-fi 'Santa Claus' is a fun garage rock song which would liven up any Christmas party.

Answer: Eels

E, whose real name is Mark Oliver Everett, is the main singer and songwriter of Eels. The band formed in 1995 and have undergone a number of line-up changes over the years, with E remaining the one constant band member. Eels' songs often deal with serious subjects such as death, depression and illness and the lyrics are frequently deeply personal.

However, their songs can also be hopeful and sometimes even joyous. Their debut album, 1996's 'Beautiful Freak', was a critical and commercial success on both sides of the Atlantic and spawned the top forty hit singles 'Novocaine for the Soul' and 'Susan's House'. Both of the band's Christmas songs fall at the more upbeat and cheerful end of the spectrum of Eels songs and would go well on the soundtrack to a noisy Christmas party.

Answer: The Sultans of Ping FC

The Sultans of Ping FC formed in Cork in 1988 and took their name from the Dire Straits song 'Sultans of Swing'. Over the years the band's name contracted, going from The Sultans of Ping FC to The Sultans of Ping and from that to simply The Sultans. It was their single 'Where's Me Jumper', a jaunty and somewhat silly song about losing one's jumper at a disco, which brought them to wider attention and became something of an underground classic. 'Christmas Bubblegum Machine' is a fast and catchy pop song, perfect for any Christmas disco.

Answer: The Rezillos/The Revillos

The Rezillos formed in 1976, at a time when the British punk scene was flourishing. However, unlike many of their punk contemporaries, The Rezillos' music was largely apolitical and they did not share the nihilistic world view of other punk bands, preferring to make more positive, cheerful music.

The Rezillos released their debut album, 'Can't Stand the Rezillos', in 1978. The album reached number sixteen in the UK albums chart and often features on lists of best punk and new wave albums. 'Top of the Pops' was released to promote the album and reached number seventeen in the singles chart.

The success of 'Top of the Pops' earned the group an invitation to perform on the music television show of the same name, which is ironically being lampooned in the song's lyrics.

Despite the positive reception of their debut album, The Rezillos split up just four months later due to internal differences regarding the band's future direction. The various former band members went on to play with numerous other bands with the group's principal songwriter, Jo Callis, joining up with the successful synthpop band The Human League.

In 1979 former Rezillos vocalists Fay Fife and Eugene Reynolds decided to revive the band, though they now went by the name The Revillos. This change apart, their musical direction was very similar to The Rezillos and they continued to play and record together, along with an ever-changing line-up of other musicians, until 1995. The Revillos' version of 'Santa Claus is Comin' to Town' has all of their trademark glam-influenced new wave style and will fill the floor at any festive disco.

Answer: Dressy Bessy

Dressy Bessy are closely associated with The Elephant Six Collective, an influential group of bands who are connected by a similar musical and artistic aesthetic. Dressy Bessy's guitarist, John Hill, is also a member of Elephant Six band The Apples in Stereo. Dressy Bessy contributed two songs to the soundtrack of the wonderful teen comedy film 'But I'm A Cheerleader'. 'Hopped Up On Christmas' is a fast-paced electro rock track which would get any Christmas party started.

Answer: Zombina and the Skeletones

Zombina and the Skeletones are known for dressing up in horror movie-inspired clothing on stage and performing such delightfully titled ditties as 'Leave My Brain Alone' and 'Nobody Likes You When You're Dead'. The band's quirky dark cabaret style has earned them a large following amongst fans of gothic music.

However, despite the dark themes behind most of the band's music, their music is usually upbeat and cheerful, they tend to play the horror themes for laughs and favour catchy pop hooks. All of the band's Christmas songs would make the perfect soundtrack to a boisterous party, so long as your guests aren't too faint-hearted!

Answer: The School

The School formed in 2007 and were quickly signed by Spanish indie label Elephant Records. The band released their debut double A-sided single 'All I Wanna Do/Valentine' later that year and followed it up with several more singles and their well-received debut album, 2010's 'Loveless Unbeliever'.

The School have gathered an appreciative following amongst British fans of indiepop but they have received most media coverage in Spain, where their label is based. The band have appeared on a Spanish television show and have been nominated for Spanish music industry awards.

The School are known for their sunny 60s inspired indiepop. Their Christmas songs are beautiful and touching and would form the perfect musical accompaniment to any festive cocktail party.