Performing at home and on the road in festivals, on stages and in unexpected places, they play in support of community events and fundraisers of all kinds.

The band's first public performance was after a production of Sam Shepard's play La Turista on a spring night in 1974.

During a blitz, band members will show up unannounced and unexpected at neighborhood bars, coffee shops, restaurants, grocery stores, book signings and subway stations playing to all who will listen.

As a result, the mission of the band is sometimes stated as "bringing the gift of music to those who didn't know they needed it."

The band has some stock routines that they use during performances, including a version of Stars and Stripes Forever with a "wander and die" feature.