The Wicked Tinkers Promise to soon start recording a new tape & CD!

It all started five years ago at the Celtic Arts Center in Los Angeles, where drummers John MacAdams and Warren Casey - deep in a discussion about the connection between music theory and quantum mechanics (there isn't any) - bumped into piper Aaron Shaw. Aaron was lamenting the lack of decent percussionists in that cruel town. John and Warren exchanged glances, and the rest is history... In keeping with the old ways (when pipers and drummers would wander, inebriated, from town to town seeking audiences) the Tinkers fancy themselves Celtic gypsies; of course, they couldn't mend a pot to save their lives. Their music combines traditional Celtic/Scottish folk roots with lots of crossover influences, though the Tinkers themselves have very little influence.

Aaron Shaw
Highland pipes & foot stomping. From Eggtooth, Sleep & Lusterking
Aaron has Scottish blood all over his family tree and bagpipe credits to match. He's a member of the L.A. Police Pipe Band, Highland Games Grade-1 Champion, recording artist for music stars such as Bonnie Raitt, and his pipe playing can be heard on the soundtracks of films such as The Fugitive . Aaron teaches bagpipes (what, you're surprised?), he's performed with numerous pipe and pop bands, and he always brushes after meals. Let's face it: the guy rates. We're thankful he's so good, because with pipes everything comes out loud whether you like it or not.

John MacAdams
Snare drums & tapan. From the Modernettes & Craicmore
A Canadian descendant of the brutal Gregor Clan, John has honed his percussion skills over the past 20 years, earning accolades from fellow musicians and deep annoyance from his neighbors. He has performed on guitar as well as drums in folk, rock and concert bands, not to mention one or two drunken noise-fests that got in the papers but don't bear repeating. He perfected his Celtic music abilities with the aptly-named group, Clumsy Lovers. John can sometimes be seen - clad in his kilt - either trekking the highlands of Los Angeles or handcuffed next to a squad car for indecent exposure.

Warren Patrick Casey
Macedonian tapan & bodhran. From Buzzworld, Dirty Mickeys & Bulgarian Folk Trio
Warren has performed on various kinds of drums for over 16 years, but it hasn't helped. He was expensively educated at the Art Center College of Design, but that didn't help, either. Though he has mastered the art of drum-making and can build as well as play Macedonian tupans, Irish Bodhrans and other exotic percussion instruments on demand, the best that can be said of his drumming is noisy. He performed with the Chieftains, but after three short minutes they politely asked him to leave. Warren's bright, engaging stage personality disguises a deeply troubled soul. He is part Irish, so if you buy him a beer he will cheerfully regale you ad nauseum with stories from his checkered past.

The Wicked Tinkers Web Site is a frightening thing, but not as loud as their music!

If you think the Wicked Tinkers biography, above, is (a) incredibly funny, (b) unredeemably bad, or (c) strangely disturbing, like a Borges novel, then please contact the author with your comments: Jim Hull:jimhull@primenet.com

Fine products by Wicked Tinkers

Banger For Breakfast Brutal Hammered Loud Rant Whisky Supper Wicked Tinkers (It's Not About Pretty)