For this year’s incarnation of their annual holiday show, the Dandy Warhols have decided to celebrate Natale, the Italian version of Jesus’ birthday, rather than Christmas. Seems like an offhand choice, since the band is from Portland, OR and half of the members are of Dutch descent, but Dandys art director Sean Gothman explained the choice on the band’s blog:

[Italy’s] holiday season is comparable in length to the common American holiday season, but with its baked eel and lumps of coal and mash-ups with what we think of as Halloween traditions – La Befana the Epiphany witch, children in costumes going from door to door for treats – it seems a hell of a lot more festive than a fat man whipping flying deer to bring you an iPhone, doesn’t it?

Baked eel? Thanks very much, but I think I’ll stick with gingerbread men for the time being.

The Dandy Warhols' Prestazioni Di Natale tour dates:

12.11.10 Seattle, WA: Neumos

12.12.10 Porland, OR: Wonder Ballroom

12.13.10 Portland, OR: Wonder Ballroom