Bostonians of the Week: Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys

Bostonist is introducing a new feature: Bostonian of the Week, in which we profile interesting figures seen around town. Know someone we should feature? Email tips at bostonist dot com.

Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys have been all over the place lately. They were our Photo of the Day last week, are now our Bostonians of the Week, will be playing the Cantab Lounge soon, and are coming out with a new CD in September. Whew! The dark, carnival-folk group has a gorgeous website, intricate period costumes, a much-maligned penchant for (near) nudity, and of course an army of broken, dirty toys. An aesthetic experience as much as a visual one, the Army (consisting of Walter and Edrie) answered our questions in true gothic form.

Was (is) Walter Sickert really Jack the Ripper? How afraid should we be?

Walter: I can neither confirm nor deny the allegations bestowed upon myself, however, I will say, I have an abundant fondness for lister knives, top hats, over coats, garter belts, and tea kettles with hearts in them.

Who does your website art?

Edrie: The website is the brainchild of Walter. It's the WIREFOREST represented in the ethereal online form. The talented designer, film maker and artist Peggy Nelson brought the WIREFOREST to (second)life on the screen.

The work on the site is a part of a larger collection entitled "Almanac of the WIREFOREST" which chronicles the mysteries of the wiretooth animals who reside in this sacred and scarred place. One of Walter's pieces will be auctioned off for charity at Rock & Art and you'll also be able to see Walter's art in the solid at Gulu-Gulu Café in Salem MA starting in October.

Where do you get your toys? Are they already broken, or must you break them yourselves?

Walter: We are gifted most of our toys by various people and animals. My cat Taxidermy routinely dumpster dives for us.

Edrie: At first everything was from Walter's or my childhood but over the last couple of years people have brought gifts for us. For instance, when we were on the West Coast supporting the Tiger Lillies we received an old clown with a too happy smile, a lap harp, a music box that played a French folk tune and a brother to our drummer the Cymbal Clapping Monkey.

What is your favorite thing about Boston?

Walter: The writers, musicians and artists we've met through music.

Edrie: It really feels like a community, all supportive in that squishy-heart way that could be totally cheesy if it weren't so lovely. We feel lucky to have so much support.

Walter: If it weren't for the people, the price of living here would completely make you want to kill yourself.

If you could not be in Boston, where would you go?

Edrie: At this point we've traveled so many places as a band it's pretty hard to pick. Amsterdam stands out--we had some of the best shows we've done there. We're going back in October to open for Amanda Palmer on her solo tour. Seattle was also fantastic and I'd live there in a heartbeat. There is also that appeal of living totally away from people. I grew up on a farm in the middle of North Dakota and Walter grew up on the sea.

Walter: I'm still holding out for my own lighthouse and pet giant squid.

More with the Army after the jump!