As families and friends reunite at Holiday Time, so, often, do the long-ago bands of youth. Nothing's more fun — not even a three-generations-at-once viewing of "Bad Santa" on the couch at gramma and grandpa's — than all of the old musicians in a combo getting back together to relive the Glory Days.

The Whales, a popular regional garage-pop act in the '80s and '90s, are back together for a few days with L.A.-based drummer Bill Dumas in town to see Santa. And the band's putting their time to good use with a CD release performance Saturday at John's Mystic River Tavern in Mystic. The album's called "The Whales (Again)," and you might have enjoyed some of the new material when they guested last summer on The Day's "Live Lunch Break" concert series. It's a free show, but bring a canned good to help out local food pantries — and buy a few copies of the CD as stocking stuffers.

The Whales, 8 p.m. Saturday, John's Mystic River Tavern, 9 Cottrell St., Mystic; free, canned good donation requested; (860) 536-6700.