The Crooked Stuff at The Big Easy

Existential discopunk for the people! The Crooked Stuff transmits a hybrid, body-moving, synthesizer-driven sound that’s been cross-pollinated and grown at the sonic crossroads of ’70s funk, ’80s punk and new wave, ’90s alternative, and ’00s electronic dance music. At the core, the music is fueled by a blend of introspective searching and life-affirming extroverted blasts that aim to shock audiences into their own inspired moments of living forward and free.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the trio (vocals, synths & drums) was born from the unique mash-up of founding members Tom G. (vocals) and John Varn (synths) and their diverse musical backgrounds. Tom’s roots trace back to the Washington, D.C., hardcore punk and new wave scene, which was also intertwined with the district’s heavy go-go and soul sounds. Varn grew up in the Bay Area music scene, surrounded by and mentored by its legendary psychedelic rock and funk players. Together, the two have created a full-spectrum sound experience that continually morphs and blends their wide-ranging influences and polar-opposite backgrounds.