Santa Claus done moved down south, and the Chicago-based band Slamabama is going to tell Austin why on Dec. 16 when it performs at Torge’s.

Slamabama is on the verge of releasing its first full-length, self-titled album, but the band members recently released their Christmas song titled, “Santa Claus Done Moved Down South.”

“I honestly wanted the title to express … the feel of the song,” guitarist and singer J Juliano said. “It’s about Santa being sick and tired of the cold and about how he enjoys raking leaves and not shoveling snow.”

Juliano, who has lived in both Alabama and Illinois, said the difference in climate made him think, “Man, how the hell does Santa do this?”

Slamabama won’t just be singing about Santa’s move to the south when it performs at Torge’s, though.

“We’re definitely a high-energy country rock band, especially when it comes to our original music,” Juliano said. “At Torge’s we will do everything from our originals to covering Dierks Bentley or Lady Antebellum or party music.”

The four-piece country band formed three years ago when Juliano and his wife, lead singer Rosanna Juliano, started playing gigs as a side project for the weekends. After about a year and adding a bassist and drummer, Slamabama took off running.

“In 2008, we played 30-some shows, and in 2009 that number jumped to around 150,” J Juliano said. “It’s definitely a full-time gig. We’re doing the music we should be doing.”

The band is currently unsigned, but J Juliano said they may begin courting labels in the near future.

“It’s like fishing,” he said. “You throw the line out there and see who bites. If a big one doesn’t bite, you can eat off a bunch of little ones first.”

The Torge’s show is at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 16. J Juliano said he and the other band members are looking forward to playing in Austin for the first time and working with the people at Torge’s.

“The shows are just getting bigger and better,” he said. “The shows are built for everybody that wants to come out and have a good time.”