Episode 39: Jimmy Christmas – The D4, Luger Boa, Jet Generations

The D4. Credit: Ivan Karczewski.

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If you’ve ever thought, “There just aren’t enough rock and roll bands out there who make me want to release my pent-up energy,” then you need to set your sights towards New Zealand and check out The D4.

Around the turn of the century, The D4 were one of the more prominent rock outfits emerging from New Zealand, with debut album 6Twenty arriving as an all-killer, no filler example of what the band do best. Before long, they were a bit of a sensation around the world, with the group even managing to make their way onto US TV with a spot on the Late Show With David Letterman… though famously, Letterman himself was off that night.

Following a few more years of shows and music, The D4 called it quits around 2006, waving goodbye with their Out Of My Head album the year prior.

Since then, members have gone on to other projects, with vocalist and guitarist Jimmy Christmas forming the likes of Luger Boa and Jet Generations.

A few years ago, The D4 got back together for some shows, making their way down to Australia in 2023 (where my band actually supported them in Melbourne), and now, they’re coming back again for a run of east coast shows.

This week, Jimmy was kind enough to join me on the podcast to chat about the band’s history and their rise to fame.

Anyway, I strongly urge you to check out The D4’s exceptional back catalogue, and once you’re done giving that a spin, have a listen to our chat, and I’ll see you at the end of the episode for some general housekeeping.

Jimmy Christmas’ Trusty Chords

Jimmy’s One Influential Artist

1. David Bowie

Jimmy’s Three Impactful Albums

1. Buzzcocks – Singles Going Steady (1979)

2. Judas Priest – Sad Wings Of Destiny (1976)

3. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols (1977)

Jimmy’s Five Trusty Songs

1. Judas Priest – 'Victim Of Changes' (1976)

2. The Devil Dogs – 'Back In The City' (1993)

3. Guitar Wolf – 'Jet Generation' (1999)

4. David Bowie – 'Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed' (1969)

5. Kate McCartney – 'Tell Me Why' (1980)