The Bad Things with Mister Ink

Seattle’s The Bad Things are known for their eclectic blend of folk, klezmer, punk, and Americana. Formed in 2002 by singer-songwriter/accordionist Jimmy "The Pickpocket" Berg, the group quickly gained a devoted following with their theatrical performances and gritty, carnival-esque sound. Their music, often described as “cabaret for the end times,” weaves tales of love, death, addiction, and redemption with a raw, narrative-driven edge that draws comparisons to Tom Waits, The Pogues and Gogol Bordello. The Bad Things have released four albums on their Silent City Records label including "It'll All Be Over Soon" and "After the Inferno," each showcasing their talent for balancing the macabre with the melodic. They are currently working on their fifth, slated for release in the first half of 2026. Their live shows are legendary for their immersive, old-world atmosphere and dramatic flair, often incorporating theatrical elements that make them as much a visual experience as a musical one. Despite multiple lineup changes and evolving styles, The Bad Things remain one of Seattle’s most enduring and original musical acts, continuing to defy genre boundaries while maintaining a deep connection to their roots in the punk and folk traditions. Mister Ink  emerges holding some weird vaguely recognizable instrument you are probably right and wrong all the same. There will be stories. There will be howling and hollering. There will be oddly captivating rhythms seducing you into his world. A subterranean labyrinth of folk tales, dirty limericks, and salacious magic rooted in the ancient heartbeat of humanity. Somewhere in the mud where myth crashes into meat there is Mister Ink asking you for just a little more time. Mister Ink, the shouting songwriting engine for the enigmatic Peculiar Pretzelmen, strips down the apocalyptic atmosphere to a more negotiable bit of bombast in solo form. The odd instrumentation and primal grooves remain, held together by songs that might be ancient or maybe hastily composed on the way to the stage. Either way, a captivating bit of chaos is sure to occur, tattooing its charms on the dark corners of audiences wherever he appears.