The group consists of Charles Brohawn and Chris Mason, both of whom sing, play guitar, and percussion instruments of varying degrees of quality (including cigar boxes, spoons, and other types of junk).

Their performance method and practice eschews conventional standards of skills thought necessary for making music and can be historically placed with other acts such as Jad Fair and Half Japanese, Daniel Johnston, and many more obscure musicians.

Outside of The Tinklers, Brohawn also released a CD with Asa Osborne of Lungfish under the name Tear Jerks on Secret Eye Records.

The Tinklers released their book The Elements on Rupert Wondolowski's Shattered Wig Press on October 9, 2009.

A release show was held that night at the Shattered Wig Nite hosted by Rupert Wondolowski at Baltimore's 14 Karat Cabaret.