Guignol was formed in 2002 by clarinetist Peter Hess and accordionist Franz Nicolay, then of The World/Inferno Friendship Society, along with tubist George Rush and drummer John Bollinger. Initially created to back up the Lucky Devil Circus Sideshow from Coney Island every weekend at CBGBs, they became core members of NYC's thriving Balkan-punk scene ("A crew that truly understands punk rock energy and Eastern Bloc flutter...annihilating klezmercore" —Village Voice). They released a self-titled debut, a split EP with Nanuchka, a full-length collaboration with Mischief Brew, and a Bandcamp-only live release; and played shows with the likes of the Dresden Dolls, Against Me, and Sleepytime Gorilla Museum. The Guignol/Mischief Brew song "Fight Dirty" appeared in the movie "Deadpool 2."