In 2002. The Bad Things were formed out of the ashes of A Midnite Choir, a cult favorite in Seattle’s underground cabaret scene. Taking their name from a Midnite Choir song about alcohol DT’s, former members Jimmy “the Pickpocket” Berg (accordion, vocals) and Austin “Mad Wilcox” Quist (upright bass, musical saw) began as a two-piece, busking on the wet, Seattle sidewalks under the “Bad Things” moniker.

The band has gone through countless lineup changes since then, eventually growing into the 5-piece ensemble that you see today with Jeff “Professor” McBee (banjo), Devin Cameron Carlen (guitar) and Steve “Lord” Kamke (drums and percussion).

Over the last 21 years, the group has built up a ridiculously devoted cult following through their raucous live shows, including opening slots with like-minded bands like Devotchka, Balkan Beat Box, Firewater, Woven Hand and Slim Cessnas Autoclub. They’ve been linked to the “gypsy punk” and “steampunk” movements, but neither truly encapsulate the eclectic musical style of the band. In a given setlist, the band can play raucous punk-inspired folk music, dark cabaret soundtracks, tender torch songs, Balkan rave-ups, epic sea shanties, circus music and Americana. Couple that with their seamless sets and theatrical aesthetic and you get what the group describes as “Junkyard Cabaret”.

Their eclectic style has enamored them to the Pacific Northwest’s burlesque, circus and cabaret communities and the band has provided the soundtrack to countless productions ranging from ramshackle to extravagant, including The Breaking, a hit cabaret-show which tells the story of a seedy, subterranean cabaret, set to a Bad Things soundtrack and performed by The Can Can Castaways.

After an extremely limited edition debut release in 2003, they recorded their first proper CD with the legendary local producer Kearney Barton (The Sonics, The Ventures, The Kingsmen, etc.). The self-titled release was put out on their Silent City Records imprint in 2004 and is now currently out of print. Two more albums followed: 2006’s Vaudeville Show and 2008’s It’ll All Be Over Soon.

In 2010, The Bad Things were lucky enough to collaborate with Danbert Nobacon, co-founder of UK anarcho-pop legends Chumbawamba, an early inspiration for the group. The album, entitled Woebegone was released in 2010 on Nobacon’s Verbal Burlesque Records. Nobacon has since become an unofficial member of The Bad Things family, with his songs being included in their regular set lists, semi-regular appearances at the band’s live shows and releases like 2017’s Stardust to Darwinstuff, 2020’s Mesmerica – Expect A Circus and 2024’s forthcoming release  Kochtopus’ Garden.

2014 saw the release of After the Inferno the most recent recording of original Bad Things material. This album saw the band move into more of an Americana direction, with New Orleans-style horns, slide guitar, Gretsch and even a little Tex-Mex tuba. They also re-recorded “Death of the Inferno” to showcase the evolution of this live classic over twelve years and got many of their friends in the local scene to join in on gang vocals. Melissa from local act Bat Country took over female vocal duties.

Over the last decade, some members have started families, some moved out of state, some out of country. They started careers, bought homes and generally lived their lives, occasionally gracing a Seattle stage once or twice a year. Recording was limited to backing Danbert Nobacon on his releases. But, flash forward to 2024 and we find a revitalized and once-again active band as original banjo slinger Professor McBee returns to the fold.

The new/old member’s excitement and enthusiasm for the songs has breathed new life into the decaying carcass of The Bad Things. A new album’s worth of material has been written and is currently being tracked in the studio with a hopeful early 2026 release date. The band is playing at least monthly throughout the Pacific Northwest. Call it a mid-life crisis but just when you thought you’d gotten rid of them, The Bad Things rear their ugly (old) heads once again. You have been warned!

Instrumentation
Jimmy “The Pickpocket” Berg – Accordion, vocals, keyboards
Austin “Mad Wilcox” Quist – Upright bass, sousaphone, musical saw, vocals
Jeff “Professor” McBee – Banjo
Steve “Lord” Kamke – Drums, percussion

Discography
Sef-Titled EP The Bad Things limited edition -2003
The Bad Things The Bad Things  Silent City Records -2004
The Bad Things Vaudeville Show  Silent City Records  – 2006
The Bad Things It’ll All Be Over Soon  Silent City Records – 2008
Danbert Nobacon & The Bad Things Woebegone  Verbal Burlesque Records – 2010
The Bad Things After the Inferno  Silent City Records – 2014