Toy Pianos, Accordions and Drunken Revelry!

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

On Sunday, March 11, 2012, The Columbia City Theater will host an eclectic evening featuring Seattle’s The Bad Things, Bay Area chanteuse Eliza Rickman and the Toy-Box Trio. Each of these artists has recently gain notoriety in the neo-cabaret and steampunk communities but labeling them as “steampunk” is doing each a serious disservice. Their music transcends overnight trends, infused with a hard-won authenticity that’s hard to find amongst the goggle and corset set. Continue reading →

R2 D2, Where Are You?

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

Kevin Sur from the Columbia City Theater put together this droid-a-riffic poster for our upcoming show with Eliza Rickman and Toy-Box Trio. Check it out. Be sure to pick advanced tickets here. This is going to a good one folks!

Shots from The Comet!

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

Thanks to Jon Roy for some great shots of our Comet show on Friday the 13th. A drunken good time was had by all!

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Danbert & The Bad Things on No Depression’s Blog!

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

Danbert Nobacon & The Bad Things. Woebegone.
2010. Verbal Burlesque Records.

Ok this one is technically from late 2010, but I’ve just gotta include it. Danbert Nobacon is one of the crazy British anarchists that formed folk-pop icons Chumbawamba back in the 90s. You’ll remember them from their insanely catchy “Tubthumping“: (I get knocked down/but I get up again… You’re never gonna keep me down). I always thought of this as a pop song, since I first saw it on MTV as a teenager. But Nobacon and the Chumbawamba crew came out of Britain’s anarcho-punk underground and were serious counter-culture heads. Nobacon is famous for pouring a jug of ice water on the British prime minister’s head during a state dinner. My kinda guy! Continue reading →

RIP Kearney Barton – Legendary NW Recording Engineer & Studio/Label Owner

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

Some sad news on this beautiful, snowy day. Legendary Northwest studio engineer and the man who recorded the first Bad Things album, Kearney Barton, has left this world for that big studio in the sky. We’ll miss you Kearney. Seattle music lost a legend today. Check out this great obituary from Light In the Attic Records’ website.
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Culture Mob’s Tom Mohrman Reviews Our Comet Show on Friday the 13th.

Posted on January 15, 2012 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

An Open Letter to the Capitol Hill Block Party: Book the Bad Things

by Tom Mohrman

The Bad Things Photo by Tom Mohrman

Dear Capitol Hill Block Party,

You Need to Book the Bad Things. The thing with this band is that within three songs the crowd will be swaying side to side, by the fourth the dancing will be open and unashamed. Accordion front man Jimmy the Pickpocket leers at the crowd and sings with a captivating energy reminiscent of Shane MacGowan crossed with Frank Black. Seeing them at the Comet on Friday the thirteenth was proof that Seattle loves the Bad Things. You could feel the wooden dance floor move under your feet like a trampoline. Continue reading →

Coming Up in March! The Bad Things with Eliza Rickman and Toy Box Trio!

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

We’re proud to announce another upcoming show on March 11 with Eliza Rickman and Toy Box Trio. It’ll all take place within the swanky confines of The Columbia City Theater. Check out Eliza’s video for her song “Cinnamon Bone.” Simply gorgeous.

New Show Just Announced!

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

Yes, that’s right. We’ll be gracing The Comet Tavern on Friday, January 13th with an unbelievable lineup: The Bad Things, Bakelite 78, Bat Country and Gunstreet Glory. All good friends and all great drinking music. Prepare your livers because this one is going to hurt. All the pertinent details can be found here. This is the only show that we currently have booked this winter. Hoping to get down to Portland sometime soon and get into the studio in early Spring. And, finally, in preparation for the upcoming holiday, enjoy this Thanksgiving message from the one and only William S. Burroughs: Continue reading →

Thanks for 8 Years of Cabaret Macabre!

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Jimmy the Pickpocket

Thanks to everyone that came out to Cabaret Macabre’s 8th year. We had a blast. As usual, the lineup was amazing: from the sultry, distinguished sounds of Eliza Rickman; to the briliant junkyard cacophony that is the Pretzelmen; to the sheer Grampy-ness of Baby Gramps and his co-horts; to the beauty and grace provided by all the dancers; to the sassy tongue of MC Diva Le Deviant; and finally to the sloppy drunken mess that is The Bad Things, a good time was had by all. Check us out in our cartoon-inspired costumes. We got old “Speed Racer” Panto there on the left, of course “Beeker” Hogan, “Popeye” the Pickpocket, “Mario” the Gypsy, “Mad Wilcox” as, well, Mad Wilcox and Steve “George Jetson” Kamke bringing up the right hand side. Sheer genius! Or, at least, better than last year. Thanks Columbia City Theater for having us and our crazy friends. Continue reading →