| “ | I think KaBlam! was Mark Marek doing the animation? He was somebody that we’d worked with. He'd illustrated some of our early EPs. And I think we had him work on a video as well. ... That was a great show. | „ |
| ~ John Linnell, interviewed in Stereogum[1] |
| |
| They Might Be Giants co-founders John Flansburgh and John Linnell. | |
| Origin: | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Genres: | Alternative rock • indie rock • experimental rock • art rock • avant-pop • power pop • art punk • children's music • geek rock |
| Years active: | 1982-present |
| Labels: | Bar/None • Barsuk • Restless • Elektra • Zoë • Disney Sound • Rough Trade • Rounder • Lojinx • Megaforce |
| Current Members: | John Flansburgh John Linnell Dan Miller Danny Weinkauf Marty Beller |
They Might Be Giants (often abbreviated as TMBG) is an American alternative rock band.
History[]
John Flansburgh (born May 6, 1960; age 63) and John Linnell (born June 12, 1959; age 64) first met as teenagers while growing up in Lincoln, Massachusetts. They would frequently perform as a duo throughout the 1980s, often accompanied by a drum machine or prerecorded backing track on audio cassette. By 1992, Flansburgh and Linnell expanded to include a backing band. TMBG is known for their uniquely-experimental and absurdist style of alternative music, typically using surreal, humorous lyrics and unconventional instruments in their songs. Over their career, they have found success on the modern rock and college radio charts. They have also found success in children's music, and in theme music for several television programs and films.
TMBG has released 23 studio albums and sold over 4 million records. Flood, released in 1990, is certified platinum while Here Come the ABCs (2005), Here Come the 123s (2008) and Here Comes Science (2009) all are certified gold, the latter also winning the "Best Musical Album For Children" Grammy Award.
The band itself, its music or even a combination of both has been on television. A first major appearance for TMBG was in the late 1980s during Nick Rocks: Video to Go, which featured pop and rock music videos. In the animated comedy series Tiny Toon Adventures, their songs "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" and "Particle Man" from Flood could be heard on the episode "Tiny Toon Music Television." During the first episode of the Nickelodeon teen sitcom Clarissa Explains It All, Clarissa Darling mentions her liking for John Linnell without the glasses (this was integrated from actress Melissa Joan Hart's real-life interest of the group) and a Flood logo can be seen in her room. In 1999, they recorded incidental music for a segment on KaBlam! called Stewy the Dog Boy (also recording a theme song for the intro as well, but due to a pre-existing contract, it was not heard until discovered years later by fans on the sampler They "Might Be" Giants). TMBG wrote and recorded "Boss of Me," the theme song to the Fox family television sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, winning a Grammy award for "Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media" in 2002 (also performing any other incidental music for the show in its first two seasons). In 2004, they appeared on the Nick Jr. live-action/animated educational preschool series Blue's Clues, in the Season 6 episode "Bluestock."
On June 8, 2022, following a TMBG performance at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City, Flansburgh was involved in a collision with a drunk driver. Although suffering several broken ribs, he was expected to make a full recovery.
Music videos[]
They Might Be Giants "Dr. Worm"
They Might Be Giants "Why Does the Sun Shine?"
Two music videos, both produced by The Ink Tank, were featured on the Nickelodeon animated sketch comedy series KaBlam!:
- "Doctor Worm": Originally recorded on TMBG's 1998 primarily live album (although the song is one of three studio-recorded tracks on it) Severe Tire Damage. Featured in the Season 4 episode "Going the Extra Mile!" where an actual worm in medical attire seeks the respect of a musical group who is searching for a percussionist.
- "Why Does the Sun Shine? (The Sun is a Mass of Incandescent Gas)": A song co-written by Hy Zaret and Lou Singer, first performed by Tom Glazer on his 1959 album Space Songs. Originally recorded by TMBG in 1993 and released on an EP with the same title, but the music video uses the version from their 1998 primarily live album Severe Tire Damage. Featured in the Season 4 episode "Under New Management" where a group of students learn about the sun from a scientist.
External links[]
- They Might Be Giants' website
- They Might Be Giants on Twitter
- They Might Be Giants on Facebook
- They Might Be Giants on YouTube
- They Might Be Giants on Instagram
- They Might Be Giants Wiki