The Silent Comedy specialize in what’s being called “cabaret rock,” ala the Dresden Dolls and San Diego’s own Tragic Tantrum Cabaret. Their sound is acoustic-based, with a touch of bluegrass mixed with rock, similar to Nickel Creek or the stoner dayz of Norman Greenbaum. Their look is right out of a turn-of-the-century ghost town, heavy on the mustaches, waistcoats, and dusty trail hats.

Think O Brother Where Art Thou set to an experimental rock and roll soundtrack.

Founding brothers Joshua Zimmerman (aka J. John) and Jeremiah Zimmerman (J. Benjamin) previously played in the punk band Dehra Dun. Their father John Zimmerman is a longtime a Pentecostal preacher who, as of 2009, heads the Prison Fellowship Ministries.

It was in fact during a family trip overseas in the mid-nineties when the Zimmerman siblings got their first taste of the cabaret and circus-rock scenes in Europe and India (their first band Dehra Dun was named after an Indian city).

In 2008, the costume-heavy band won Best New Artist at the San Diego Music Awards. In 2009, they won Best Pop. 2010 saw an album release, Common Faults, on a label founded by the Zimmerman brothers, Singleton RMI.

As of 2010, the band also includes Tim Graves aka T. Brian (guitar, vocals), Justin Buchanan aka J. Michael (banjo, guitar, mandolin), and Ian Kesterson aka I. Forbes (violin, mandolin).

“Our worst gig ever,” according to Joshua Zimmerman, “was probably in Eureka California. The promoter had skipped town, and the bar was filled with leather-clad bikers who were not very happy to see us. We actually ended up playing pool and video games instead of music.”