Cabaret band mixing chanson, opera, Gypsy music, rock, avant-garde, embellished with black humor, burlesque, sordid and macabre stories.
Based in London,UK, the band was founded in 1989 by Martyn Jacques.
First made an impact in the US with three tracks (Hell, Whore, and Sailors) featured in the 1999 film Plunkett & Macleane (Note: these songs are not on said soundtrack).
The band performed their songs for the 1998 junk musical Strawheaded Peter live on stage in the touring puppetry production - effectively producing a live, animated concert performance of the album with accompanying puppet show.

Current line-up (2018):
Martyn Jacques: vocals, accordion, piano, ukulele, organ, guitar, drums (since 1989)
Adrian Stout: electric upright bass, double bass, bass guitar, musical saw, theremin, jaw harp, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, trumpet, daxophone, drums, percussion, backing vocals (since 1995)

Former members:
Adrian Huge: drums, percussion, toys (1989 to 2012)
Mike Pickering: drums, percussion, toys, (Spring 2012 to 2015)
Phil Butcher: bass (1989 to 1995)
Jonas Golland: drums, percussion (2015-19)
Timothy Remfrey: drums, percussion (session musician, 2010s, plays on six releases)