Swiss St. Nick's, or Santiglaus Day; Opening Songs on Debut Albums

The Christmas season in the German speaking part of Switzerland, which includes Basel, begins on the first day of Advent - this year that was on the 27th of November. And today, December 6, is "Santiglaus" day in Basel - the day traditionally associated with the character that the rest of the world refers to as Saint Nicholas. In Basel, the tradition is that Santiglaus travels with a donkey and a sidekick, Schmutzli. Schmutzli would traditionally punish the naughty kids, or leave them coal instead of a gift, and Santiglaus would fill good children's boots with presents.

Stores around town get into the welcoming, festive spirit by offering trays of candy and sweets to visiting children. Most bakeries in Basel will have the traditional Grättimaa (sweet, baked bread in the shape of a man) on offer, which is a treat locals and tourists alike look forward to year-round. One of Basel's oldest and most posh bakeries, Gilgen, typically hosts long lines outside the door for a first taste of a season's Grättimaa available on Santiglaus Day - there are even people around town that deprive themselves of carbs waiting for the once-a-year chance to eat one. By the time Santiglaus arrives, the "Weihnacht" season is well underway, and the city hosts a handy website with all the activities on offer in and around town!

Our music theme this week: the opening track on debut albums, Part 6 (Part 1 was here; Part 2 was here; Part 3 was here; Part 4 was here; Part 5 was here). All bands great and small had to start somewhere, and the first song on their first album sets out the stall and says: this is who we are! We played:

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Bad Reputation

Björk - Human Behaviour

Kasabian - Club Foot

Peter Gabriel - Moribund The Burgermeister

Laura Marling - Ghosts

Royal Blood - Out of the Black

Skunk Anansie - Selling Jesus

The Clash - Janie Jones

The Killers - Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine