Bad Apple, founded in 2001 by Brandon and Sarah Miles (more musicians than media moguls), is on most of the social media outlets. They do Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Patreon. As an old dude, I gave up after Facebook. Everything that's come after is like another country to me. In fact, most social media platforms are more foreign to me than foreign countries. That might be why I don't know of them.
Taken together, the 5 Why They Came "Holiday Special" EPs give you an hour of free listening, with a wide variety of music. Up top was my favorite from #5, "One More Sleep 'Til Christmas", a great song from The Muppets you almost never hear (here's a Uke Pop cover from Hannah Freeman; bonus points for the Kermit outfit). Stupid me never asked who the female vocalist is on the Why They Came track. And several songs from the rest are instantly impressive. They do an excellent "Grinch" ("Holiday Special I"), a nice Grungey "Jingle Jingle Jingle" ("Holiday Special 4"), a brilliant "Christmas Time Is Here" ("Holiday Special 3"), and a great "Just Like Christmas" on "Holiday Special 2" (honestly, I think it's impossible to do a bad version of that tune).
But something wasn't clicking for me on some of the other songs. I mean, who knows why you like something or don't, really? Maybe you had a bad day at the office, or you've got the flu, or someone ate that turkey leg you were saving for a Midnight snack. Here's what turned it around for me.
And, when I went back to the Christmas EPs, they suddenly clicked. I suddenly could enjoy every track (well, except "Blue Christmas"; I hate that song and nobody has done a version yet that I like). I felt like something had connected or a switch had been thrown or my ears had been cleaned out (This must be how Odell Beckham feels when he scores the game winning touchdown).
So, look, the Why They Came "Holiday Special" EPs are all free. You've got nothing to lose by throwing them in your Bad Apple shopping cart and taking the free downloads. But, just my opinion, I think you'll enjoy them more if you listen to some of their non-holiday music, if you get to know the band in their natural environment. I recommend "Holy War Hymnal" (personally, I don't see how anyone could deny the brilliance of "Up The Wrong Tree"), but feel free to get a second opinion.
I will say that I did like three of the eight tracks on the record--"O Holy Night" (which was an instrumental and more of a showcase for guitarist Derek Price of Sempervivi, I felt), "Three Kings" and "To The Faithful" (featuring Leigh Ann Napier). Coincidentally, those are the 3 songs I hear the Blues influence in. And this is a good place to mention that (aside from "O Holy Night"), these are songs "inspired by traditional carols", but wholly original. The goofiness of D'Awesome and "Holiday DJ" didn't help me any.
But, overall, I'd say this little label might be one to pay attention to. At least they're trying things. Perhaps the best way to keep up with Bad Apple is the (usually) weekly Bad Apple podcast. Bookmark it.
And, in fairness to Re-Education Camp (and for those too lazy or busy to visit the stream), here's "Three Kings".