They Might Be Giants
Posted by sherlockjr1@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 336 comments
God I loved these guys. I saw them perform when it was just the two of them in a dive bar in 1987ish. I’m going to see them in September in Milwaukee. They were just such a weird breath of fresh air.
MrsDottieParker@reddit
They (and Weird Al) are the reason I started taking accordion lessons in college. ❤️
mayaREguru@reddit
You mean John L. and Weird Al? Don't think Flans plays but that was 35 years ago so who knows. Let you know after 5/15 and 5/17
MrsDottieParker@reddit
?? By “they,” I meant the band, which this post is about. Yes, only one member plays the accordion but he’s still part of a band not a solo artist and, thus, included in the they. It is the songs of the band that inspired me, not just the one John.
mayaREguru@reddit
If anyone is headed to the Philly shows, I will be close to first in line and wearing this shirt on either the 15th or 17th!!
mayaREguru@reddit
85 or 86, record store window ledge was their stage in Queens just outside Nassau County. I fell in love immediately. The only band I followed and even stalked. With respect. Flans added me to the vip list at the Paramount in Boston, even met Dr. F. We bonded on being children of psychiatrists (they are ducking crazy, or mine was).
GiveItToMeSt8@reddit
Great band. Saw them in the late 80’s at Malibu Night Club at Long Beach, LI. Love them
mayaREguru@reddit
Well that had to be a WDRE thing, one of the anniversary parties? I was probably interning then at the station. I think Ersaure was there the same night..man, my two fav John's and Vince and Andy, plus smart food popcorn boxers given away.
Von_Quixote@reddit
A lot of past-tense in your post.
Why the break up - maybe be you don’t know they’re touring right now?
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
I didn’t break up. I’m just not as familiar with their later stuff, with the band. Drifted away sort of, though I’d look them up here and there. The last time I saw them live was when they performed at Gen Con in Milwaukee.
I do have tickets for the show in Milwaukee in September
mayaREguru@reddit
You will love the new album
Von_Quixote@reddit
🙄
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
🤷♀️
Lost_Balloon_@reddit
Lincoln is their best album. I will die on this hill.
mayaREguru@reddit
Lincoln, Flood and TMBG. Classics.
Stephietoad@reddit
You shan't die alone!
King_of_all_Clover@reddit
I will be buried upon Lincoln Hill along side my other compatriots.
Lost_Balloon_@reddit
Purple toupee will show the way.
This-Explanation4366@reddit
Kiss Me, Son of God seems kind of prophetic nowadays...!
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
I look like Jesus, so they say. But Mr Jesus is very far away.
97Whaler@reddit
Who are they ?
BiggDAZ@reddit
I'm wondering the same thing.
97Whaler@reddit
I’m 58 maybe younger Gen X group?
mayaREguru@reddit
Nope. 56 here. Fan since 1985. We were just the new wave or alt kids while you were listening to Lisa Lisa or Roxette, or Tiffany.
BiggDAZ@reddit
I googled some of the lyrics people are writing. They are called They Might Be Giants. They do alternative rock, geek rock, movie and television themes, and children's music, among other stuff. They've been around about forty years. I've never heard of them. Apparently we're uncool if we don't know them because no one would tell us who they are.
ileentotheleft@reddit
New album came out this month!
mayaREguru@reddit
Really enjoying it.
Minimum-Machine-231@reddit
I’m a little glowing friend…
General_Fan4306@reddit
But really I'm not actually your friend... But i am...
JayDee555@reddit
Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Interesting-Air-223@reddit
When watches over you
OpusCroakus1@reddit
This and Bare naked Ladies and Talking Heads are the finest of "dork rock."
Interesting-Air-223@reddit
No Devo?
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Do we wanna throw Weird Al in there or no?
OpusCroakus1@reddit
Flood is Goated.
OpusCroakus1@reddit
Blue canary on the outlet by the light switch, Who watches over you,
Make a little birdhouse in your soul - Not to put too fine a point on it, say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
I have a secret to tell, from my electrical well, it's a simple message and I'm leaving out The whistles and bells
So the room must listen to me, Filibuster diligently My name is blue canary One note spelled L-I-T-E.
My story's infinite Like a long-range symphonet It doesn't rest
Blue canary on the outlet by the light switch, Who watches over you,
Make a little birdhouse in your soul - Not to put too fine a point on it, say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul.
Junior_Statement_262@reddit
Saw them in 88-89 at the Warfield in SF. Right up front in the pit. Good times.
Wooden_Try1120@reddit
I was there!
Junior_Statement_262@reddit
Get out of here!!
LordBlam@reddit
Still rocking, if that’s the right word for it. Saw them most recently on the “Flood” tour at The Vic in Chicago immediately before COVID. Great time.
JoeMagnifico@reddit
I caught the Flood tour too...amazing.
CT_Wahoo@reddit
The Sun is a mass of incandescent gas
Competitive_Ad7228@reddit
We are the lucky few
auntieup@reddit
Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch
Minimum-Machine-231@reddit
Wow I always thought it was “alley” not outlet. Now it makes so much more sense!
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Who watches over you…
LonelyMachines@reddit
I first heard them when a friend had a copy of Lincoln. Man, I wore that tape out. I've been a fan for...well, for a long time now.
My favorite song couplet of all time comes from "Hey Mr. DJ, I Thought You Said We Had a Deal:"
KillerCritter1312@reddit
Good morning. How are you? I’m Dr. Worm
Nonchalant_Rutabaga@reddit
I'm interested in things
KillerCritter1312@reddit
I’m not a real doctor
Outrageous_Engine_45@reddit
Saw them in a kids book store in MSP. They are the best! Later ran a spotlight for their show at First Ave
coryphella123@reddit
Seeing them this fall!
FlexyZebra@reddit
OMG! Thank you for saying this! I had no idea they were touring. I just bought tickets for their DC show. I’m so excited!
coryphella123@reddit
FlexyZebra? I take it you have hEDS?
FlexyZebra@reddit
Yes I do. Username was chosen while I was still really identifying with it.
coryphella123@reddit
I have it too. :)
swibirun@reddit
We just saw them in Chattanooga at The Signal in November. Loved the show. I'm a long time fan. My wife only knows Instanbul and Birdhouse. We both thoroughly enjoyed the energetic show. Enjoy the concert!
Oh-THAT-dude@reddit
Literally my favourite band.
VariationDifferent@reddit
Saw them in Honolulu in the mid-90s at the old Afterdark club.
Awesome show. Has lived in my memories for decades.
They came a couple other times, but I was away — on Hawaiʻi island and couldn't afford to fly over, or traveling on the continent.
I hope they come to Hawaiʻi again, so I can see them at least one more time, and take my kid, who loves their more recent work!
Dreadkiaili@reddit
Fingerprints
reachers_toothbrush@reddit
Anyone remember the episode of Tiny Toon Adventures that was just their songs put to animation?
bungalow_bill9@reddit
I don’t but now I want to see this!
earache30@reddit
Don’t let’s start.
gonzo-gramps@reddit
Saw them in the late 80’s then again in ‘05… always a great show, the last show had a lot more material to draw from.
_coffee_@reddit
Saw them 4 nights ago in Woodstock, NY
gonzo-gramps@reddit
Great show?
_coffee_@reddit
Absolutely!
Bearsville theater is a very small venue. Even though I was near the front, there really wouldn't have been a bad spot. And the entire band is top notch.
BitterAd4352@reddit
Everybody wants prosthetic foreheads on their real heads. This is common knowledge 30 something years later...
Fickle-Debt8571@reddit
Particle man particle man
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Doing the things a particle can…
Crusoebear@reddit
"I don't want the world - I just want your half"
Ok_Assistant6228@reddit
Heard this one on the radio this morning!
YellowBreakfast@reddit
I remember hearing them for the first time at a Tower Records whilst browsing music.
It was when "Flood" was new and I bought it right then and there.
baseball_rocks_3@reddit
John Henry is a solid album from beginning to end, every note.
No-Fox2087@reddit
They’re still awesome. I only saw them once, in Tempe in 2001 or 2002.
Old_Use7058@reddit
Have u heard their brand new album FLOOD
LessIsMore74@reddit
Why is the world in love again?
QueenRotidder@reddit
why are we marching hand in hand?
Vanth_in_Furs@reddit
What are the ocean levels rising up?
barktwiggs@reddit
It's a brand new record for 1990!
Dragon_Bidness@reddit
Sent my 15 year old nephew to their concert for his birthday. His first concert. So proud.
This-Explanation4366@reddit
What's that blue thing doing here?! #tmbg 😎✌️
Cooterboone@reddit
I've lost count of how many times I've seen them, the last being the Flood anniversary tour. So much fun to see live.
Nuclear-Blobfish@reddit
I’ve only seen them live on three occasions, but that’s two more than any other band I’ve seen live!
ossifer_ca@reddit
Turns out they weren’t
YourGuyK@reddit
But what are we gonna do unless they are?
OldSkooler1212@reddit
One of their songs plays multiple times a day every day on multiple channels with syndication for one of the most popular tv shows of all time. That’s pretty big.
PrivateEnis@reddit
Love the Johns
jstohler@reddit
BOY
Frank_McTriumph@reddit
Hang on tight.
Frank_McTriumph@reddit
They might be big. They might be lies. They might be big, big, fake, fake lies.
Boy.
hustonville@reddit
Birdhouse in your Soul
IceNein@reddit
I’m your only friend. I’m not your only friend, but I’m a little glowing friend. But really I’m not actually your friend
firepitt@reddit
I was kinda bummed out that they were normal sized.
firepitt@reddit
I guess the key word is "might"!
Learned-Dr-T@reddit
They’re actual size.
Nonchalant_Rutabaga@reddit
They seemed much bigger to me
Realistic-Manager@reddit
I try to see them every year or so.
Hirdnick@reddit
Servicing and installing melody since 1983. In fact they just released a brand new record last week! They're still at it and they still got it!
VeeVeeDiaboli@reddit
One hell of a live show
Don_Pickleball@reddit
Yeah but they might NOT be giants as well. You ever think of that?
therealstubot@reddit
Maybe they're actual size?
qualityskootchtime@reddit
Flood will be forever ingrained in my memory
wyohman@reddit
That's nobody's business but the Turks'.
Then I learned many years later that it's a song from 1953 by the Canadian band The Four Lads
the4thbelcherchild@reddit
Apollo 18 was the first CD I ever owned and was listened to daily for all of 6th grade.
Choice-Lingonberry-5@reddit
No! might be the best kids’ record ever made.
killerchef69@reddit
Istanbul, not Constantinople
DrunkenWarriorPoet@reddit
Why’d they change it?
allquckedup@reddit
Well I know that Istanbul was Constantinople SB’s Old New York was New Amsterdam.
SHELLIfIKnow48910@reddit
I am seeing them this Saturday night! I’ve waited nearly 30 years for this!
ForeverFlannel@reddit
You won’t be disappointed 😊
SHELLIfIKnow48910@reddit
Super stoked because we’re taking our adult kids (24 and 21) who we raised on the Flood album.
ForeverFlannel@reddit
That’s amazing! We saw our first show when I was pregnant with our oldest. We have now been able to take both kids to see them, and I expect we will continue to see them whenever they come to town. They are just a fun band to see live, and the crowd is always amazing too.
SHELLIfIKnow48910@reddit
All of us went to Weird Al last summer too, another staple of our youth that we passed on to our kids.
tidfisk@reddit
Saw them for the first time at Mississippi Nights in Saint Louis. Always a great show. Lots of people always talk about their stuff from the 80s and don't realize they're still pumping out amazing new songs.
shinederg@reddit
They recently released a new song and its about the Wu-Tang
murphydcat@reddit
I saw TMBG at City Gardens in Trenton, NJ in 1987 and again at Asbury Lanes in 2022.
FunSwitch7400@reddit
I loved City Gardens!!! I seen PigFace, Ween, Face to Face there.
murphydcat@reddit
Have you read this book? https://dischord.com/release/DiWu01/no-slam-dancing-no-stage-diving-no-spikes-an-oral-history-of-the-legendary-city-gardens
FunSwitch7400@reddit
No, but I will now! Thanks four the link.
Jeffro187@reddit
My best friend in high school loaned me their flood CD shortly after it came out and a lifelong fan was made. They’ve been my favorite band ever since. I believe I’ve seen them live five times and each show was fantastic!
SHELLIfIKnow48910@reddit
I learned of them from my macroeconomics prof in college. He played CDs before and after class. One day this song “Whistling In The Dark” really caught my ear so I asked what it was after class. He told me so I went out and bought Flood. And that was all it took.
Feralest_Baby@reddit
This was my first concert in '92 (I'm on the young side for this sub).
superguysteve@reddit
Anybody ever try the Dial-A-Song?
call (844) 387-6962
_coffee_@reddit
Free when you call from work!
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
And I did call from work.
I learned from this thread that it still works!
bayoujac@reddit
One guy looks like a young Judge Rheinhold
Tonio775@reddit
Became a fan in high school freshman year (96) and thankfully had a small handful of friends who also appreciated. Up until that point I only knew the two songs from Tiny Toon Adventures.
Saw them for the first time in SF when they were playing mini-sets in bookstores while promoting 'Bed! Bed! Bed!' (still got my signed copy)
Was fortunate enough to see them a few months later at Bimbo's 365.
thewalruscandyman@reddit
I'm interested in things too...
fire-horse-@reddit
Just yesterday I gave my daughter my Flood album. It felt like passing on an heirloom…
iftheygivinitaway@reddit
Along with your Spin Doctors album?
fire-horse-@reddit
Ew no
iftheygivinitaway@reddit
But there's princes,
princes who adore you,
One has diamonds in his pockets And that's some bread now This one, he wants to buy you rockets Ain't in his head now
BWWFC@reddit
was today years old when finding out... and now i'm sad )-; lolz
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam
Why they changed it, I can't say
(People just liked it better that way)
Therealfern1@reddit
I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of amazing bands live. But the best live show I ever saw Was these guys. At the University of Redlands.
Frank Black opened up after he had just released teenager of the year. His opening act was solid…these guys blew the roof off the place. So much damn fun.
NRG1975@reddit
Was never a fan of this band ... but oh were they popular.
BooterTooterBravo@reddit
Thanks to them, I can’t hear the word “Istanbul” with out saying, “Not Constantinople”.
uberpickle@reddit
Try living in Istanbul. 😎
It was my daily soundtrack for two years. First song on my daily playlist for 2 years and I never swapped it out. The neighbors might have, but there was only one other couple in the building who spoke English, so I don’t know what the others thought.
BobSki778@reddit
I was shocked when I learned that was a cover. The song just fits them so well and they own it.
losthalo7@reddit
TIL.
kimgar6@reddit
Try living near a street called Constantinople!
Yardwork-Fan73@reddit
Flood. One of the best albums ever made.
Ashamed-Pea-4134@reddit
Put a little
rochvegas5@reddit
i saw them with my wife at the Stone Church in NEwmarket. The only thing between me and John was a monitor. I could have strummed his guitar
dulldaze@reddit
Just saw them in Nashville. Amazing concert!
Error262_USRnotfound@reddit
not a huge fan...but back around 1992 i did get a chance to see them at a free show where they pulled up to Union Square in SF on a flatbed truck and did a set for live105...it was one of those cool 90s experiences.
superguysteve@reddit
Anybody ever try the Dial-A-Song?
call (844) 387-6962
c208ex@reddit
Are they?
FunSwitch7400@reddit
They might be.
nixtarx@reddit
And what're we gonna do unless they are?
Vanilla_Drummer@reddit
I’ve seen them live twice since 2018. They put on a great performance. I cannot recommend them enough
HailSatanWorshipD00M@reddit
We had a local band in New Brunswick, NJ called They Might Be Vaginas.
Used to play the bars around town with the likes of Leather Studded Diaphragm, Public Enema, Scrod Rocket, and Radio Controlled Sasquatch.
Metamorphica_0226@reddit
There is still a little birdhouse in my soul.
LessIsMore74@reddit
If the band had any takeaway for us, that is the one they would hope for.
Public_Excitement393@reddit
I have this in my bathroom
Krazy_Kat_Lady_2025@reddit
Ohhhhhh I've almost pulled the trigger on one of these several times.... I need it!
Public_Excitement393@reddit
The light bulb burns out pretty quick, but I smile when I see it!
Krazy_Kat_Lady_2025@reddit
Oh yeah is there a way to replace the light bulb in that? 🤔
MonkeyWrenchAccident@reddit
I also have one.
charliefoxtrot9@reddit
My absolute favorite band
lopix@reddit
All the photos I have seen, they both look pretty normal size.
Dusty_Sleeves@reddit
Dial-a-Song
(844) 387-6962
UraTargetMarket@reddit
I called the number right now with my home sick 11 year old. She was blown away and wants the number in her contacts. I didn’t realize the number was still operational (I used to call frequently in high school…sorry, mom) but I should have known that they’d keep it going, if anyone would. Thank you for posting the reminder and contact info!
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Is it still operational?
They always said that it was free if you called from work. So I did 😁
Must. Call. Number. It’s been so long
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
It is indeed still operational. I love that. They could have ended it and just had the website, but no! Dial a song lives!
PanTroglo@reddit
Also available as an app!
TheJokersChild@reddit
It's toll-free now? (But with cell phones, does it matter?)
Ghee-Buttersnaps-@reddit
In the 80s it was a 718 number and since I lived in Brooklyn it was a local call, I called many a time
Fhloston-Paradisio@reddit
There's only one thing that I know how to do well.
JPNess11@reddit
MINIMUM WAAAAGE !!!
Puzzleheaded-Sky3141@reddit
Hya!! 🤠
Vanth_in_Furs@reddit
Heeey-yah! (Insert whip crack here)
JPNess11@reddit
mayaREguru@reddit
I passed the love along to my daughter. She is just finishing her freshman year in college which is, incidently, the same year in college that I met the John's for the first time. The kid even plays them on her college radio show. Me and the guys in, probably, 1990-91 at WDRE.
Downtown_Map_2482@reddit
WDRE?! I interned there in 1990. Took phone requests for “Bela Lugosi Is Dead” all night.
Elchimpy1@reddit
Saw them in 1989 open for the Bangles in Springfield, MA.
mayaREguru@reddit
"Yes it is sad to say you will romanticize all the things you've known before," and that includes TMBG.
Top-Sleep-4669@reddit
Particle man. Particle man. Doing the things a particle can.
WB_Onreddit@reddit
See you in Milwaukee. I'm there on Thursday. "Why is the world in love again, why are we marching hand in hand?"
bizoticallyyours83@reddit
I only know 1 song thanks to Tiny Toons and that's Particle Man.
LadyNorbert@reddit
I never heard of them until their music was featured on an episode of Tiny Toon Adventures.
So if you have a date in Constantinople, she'll be waiting at Istanbul.
Deluxe-T@reddit
They’re tiny. They’re toony.
LadyNorbert@reddit
They're all a little looney.
Myfreakinglyfe@reddit
This is such a divisive band. Meaning you either love or hate them. Not many people in the middle. I absolutely love them. Have seen them perform live. They were amazing. My husband hates them.
Sil14@reddit
They Might NOT be Musicians. Sorry. Also in the hate camp. Hate their music and will immediately turn it off.
dolwedge@reddit
One of the most amazing musicican things I've seen on stage was when the band asked the audience yell out songs for them to cover. They didn't want something easy. Someone yelled out Aqualung by Jethro Tull. They put their hands together and whispered... I heard a quick little riff played on the accordion... Then they busted a pretty damn faithful version of Aqualung. I guess they did different covers every show that tour.
Standard-Fishing-977@reddit
I’m in the middle. I absolutely love one album and a maybe a dozen other songs. On the other hand, I watched their documentary, and I didn’t like their vibe at all.
atomicbunny@reddit
your husband is the first person i've ever heard that hates them. I figured people either love them or haven't heard them.
michemel@reddit
My ex husband LOVED them! I took great pleasure in yeeting a few CD's left behind because of how much I disliked them. A few songs were tolerable, but so many are like nails on a chalk board for my ears.
James_T_S@reddit
I am reminded of Howard and Rag in The Big Bang Theory
musing_codger@reddit
Loved them. Flood was such a great album. Our kids grew up on their science album. John is my favorite.
UraTargetMarket@reddit
John is the best!
dolwedge@reddit
I disagree. I prefer John.
silkroadbrian@reddit
What's that blue thing doing here?
FindjeanniePDX@reddit
BOYS… they might be giants! They were my high school faves and I gave all my friends a bluebird when we graduated high school.
Visible_Helicopter_6@reddit
Just listened to Birdhouse in your Soul, lol. I love the whole album, Flood. Great music.
Prior_Two1814@reddit
Saw them live twice. Still love them.
BMisterGenX@reddit
I absolutely love them. I discovered them by reading a small article about them in People Magazine mabye in 1987? I then started calling their dial a song. I tried to find their first album but couldn't! Then when Lincoln came out that I was able to find in the record store. In 1990 they performed near me on the Flood tour but the club was 18+ and I was only 17. I eventually saw them in college and beyond multiple times.
bebopgamer@reddit
TMBG live in Houston, Sept. 98. Great show. Just stumbled on this last week cleaning out a drawer.
LoudMind967@reddit
Yes, no, maybe. Can you repeat the question?
mayaREguru@reddit
You're not the Boss of me.
mayaREguru@reddit
Listening to them at work. The new album is good, some stuff even sounds like the early albums. Seeing them, again, next month.
LambSaag-spoon905@reddit
Can’t see him, but Particle Man’s in this photo.
ghoulthebraineater@reddit
Has anyone figured out if Particleman gets wet or does water get him instead? Particleman.
FrekZek@reddit
You can’t go back to Constantinople.
Xrsyz@reddit
Aaaaaaaah-ah-uh-ah-aaaaaaaaah.
bmanjayhawk@reddit
Only discovered recently that is a cover!
Will_McLean@reddit
Boy
Brixmis51@reddit
Ah...... "we're certainly dwarves", great band!
Bromodrosis@reddit
What are we gonna do in case they are?
Verum2020@reddit
🤔 "Might"
ManReay@reddit
Loved the quirkiness of the debut. Got a little too twee after awhile. Happy for them to be still making a go of it!
DynastyZealot@reddit
I've nearly seen them once for every year of my life. Fantastic dudes and a fantastic band.
blondeinabubble@reddit
i said god damn! finding flood in the 90s in my tiny hometown was life changing LIFE CHANGING. i’m like music can be like this?? you can play an accordion in a rock band??? i saw them at a tiny theater with pals in a small venue in the midwest and crowd surfed the tiny place, saw them two more times as they got bigger, but the madison theater show will always be my fav concert and the johns are seriously some of the most talented dudes. thank you for posting this, i am forever trying to find my tmbg pals. i returned a bag of groceries accidentally taken off the shelf before the date stamped on my seeeeeeeelf
Singular_Plurality@reddit
Here are some Chicago shows…
https://archive.org/details/@aadam_jacobs_collection?query=they+might+be+giants
blondeinabubble@reddit
oh my gosh how rad of you!!! see tmbg fans are the bomb
AnnieBobJr@reddit
Build a little birdhouse in your soul. I saw them in 98ish, still one of the best shows I’ve seen
Mykidsfault@reddit
My then three-year-old insisted on taking a picture of James K. Polk to preschool. When the teacher asked who that was, kiddo said, “It’s James K. Polk! Our eleventh president!”
I wonder if they’ll play it when we see them next month.
Ok_Orchid7131@reddit
Boy!
Vanth_in_Furs@reddit
We can’t be silent ‘cause they might be giants and what are we gonna do unless they are?!
JuJu_Wirehead@reddit
They just dropped a new album last week.
Civil_Inspector_5697@reddit
Saw them with The Cramps, B-52’s, and Ziggy Marley. What a weird line-up. 🤣🤣🤣
tomarofthehillpeople@reddit
I’ve been following these guys since 1986. Saw them multiple times. From small postage stamp size stages to big headliners. I’m glad they have continued making their own kind of music even after the big Disney gig. My kids grew up on the Disney music.
keltsbeard@reddit
Istanbul not Constantinople.........
disturbednadir@reddit
I used to sing this to my kids when they were little.
QueenRotidder@reddit
even old New York was once New Amsterdam
mess1ah1@reddit
They are, in fact, not.
findickdufte@reddit
But they could’ve been
lilsqueakers@reddit
They might be brain, they might be washed, they might be Dr. Spock’s backup band…
will23188@reddit
Can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding...
TheLurkerSpeaks@reddit
They have a brand new album out this month "The World Is To Dig". Join us at r/TMBG
little_boots_@reddit
thank you i need some new music
I_AM_ME-7@reddit
Hard pass for me.
teamgreenzx9r@reddit
My nieces have a blue canary in the outlet by the light switch and learned “Birdhouse in Your Soul” on the way home from school.
They prefer “Volcano Girls” for school drop off.
Slablanc@reddit
That’s a great shot
FlexyZebra@reddit
My favorite band! We had their music going during my 50th birthday party!
Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch, who watches over you…”
QueenRotidder@reddit
make a little birdhouse in your soul love it so much
Mediocre-Ad-1632@reddit
I remember hearing a piece on NPR that said that they perform (or used to) two shows a night. Earlier one for families, 2nd show for adults. Much respect
jax2love@reddit
I’ve seen them play as a duo and with their full band and horn section. Both are amazing. I’ve seen them on their last couple of tours and they are still one of the most fun bands to see.
MurseMan1964@reddit
Based off of the picture, they’re not
SaltyLengthiness260@reddit
My first ever concert.
jrock0479@reddit
Can't believe this was taken three years ago already. Guys are still going strong!
QueenRotidder@reddit
Flood is one of my top 20 favorite albums
ChrisRiley_42@reddit
They kind of made an appearance in a Discworld novel.
In the book Soul Music, one of the bands was named "We're definitively dwarves"
sterling3274@reddit
I love that they’ve been around for so long. I remember when they actually got some play time on MTV when I was in high school. I saw them at a small venue in my late 20s, and my kids loved their children’s albums.
PistachioGal99@reddit
This thread is making me so happy! I love TMBG.
monstermack1977@reddit
I still listen to them on a regular basis. Lincoln is my favorite album. I still don't understand what any of the songs mean.
hcoverlambda@reddit
Lest we not forget the Homestar Runner collab: https://youtu.be/rXlbzSKkLY8?si=Zv9UJ8x6E45AsOBZ
toocleverbyhalf@reddit
This has a real Dead Milkmen sound to it. Also love the two Johns, I have probably half of their albums, which is quite a few.
ProfessionalLength26@reddit
Saw them in Detroit the day before everything closed down for COVID. Memories from that show kept me going when we were in full lockdown mode.
SimpleVegetable5715@reddit
I never made it. They stopped touring, because science is real. I’m immunocompromised, so I still felt too hesitant to go once they started touring again for Flood’s 30th anniversary.
Krazy_Kat_Lady_2025@reddit
Indeed it IS real.
Krazy_Kat_Lady_2025@reddit
Just saw them in concert last November in Asheville North Carolina! One of the best concerts we've been to. These guys still (alternatively) ROCK. 100% recommend if they come within an hour or so of your area, GO SEE TMBG!
Krazy_Kat_Lady_2025@reddit
Pure-Willingness3141@reddit
Oh.. Hammer Down.
jferg@reddit
Rabbit Ears.
smokythejoker@reddit
They come to SoCal every few years so I have seen them 7 times in the past couple decades. They put on a great show.
chadnorman@reddit
Anna Ng is one of the strongest album openers in music history
superbad@reddit
I don’t want the world. I just want your half.
Stompboxer1@reddit
I still have a ticket stub from a concert I saw of theirs in 1991 in Dallas. How they keep going I don't know, but I am excited for their upcoming album.
ChrisinOB2@reddit
I listen to music, I don’t watch it. Who the hell are they?
iftheygivinitaway@reddit
They Might Be Giants
SimpleVegetable5715@reddit
I still use them to hype myself up to go to work.
666ForMySorrow@reddit
MINIMUM WAAAAAAGGGE! YAH!!!!!!!!
Pure-Willingness3141@reddit
I almost posted that to a picture on IG. I changed my mind because it could've been taken negatively by the wrong person.
Pure-Willingness3141@reddit
Best dang show I ever went to. And I've seen so great shows. Flood is their BEST album. I do have a soft spot for Apollo 18 & John Henry.
HackedCylon@reddit
The sun is a mass
Of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace!
Where hydrogen is built
Into helium at a
Temperature of millions of degreeeeees ...
PeptoBismark@reddit
My kids used to get so offended when I’d sing that back after being prompted with ‘the sun is a deadly laser’
TheJokersChild@reddit
I think this is where they gatewayed into kids's abums.
Quiet_Internal_4527@reddit
The Sun is a miasma
Of incandescent plasma
The Sun’s not simply made up of gas
No, no, no
The sun is a quagmire
It’s not made of fire
Forget what you’ve been told in the past
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
I sang this in my head
TheJokersChild@reddit
So happy one of the radio stations played Birdhouse In Your Soul yesterday morning. Took me right back to my college radio days. They do put on a fun live show.
I_Lick_Your_Butt@reddit
My son's high school band played Dr. Worm and I couldn't have been more proud.
TheZuckuss@reddit
Saw them in Indianapolis in '95. It was a lot of fun.
The wife and I started re-watching Malcolm in the Middle last week and didn't realize how much of their music is used during the show itself and not just the theme.
HistoricalTowel1127@reddit
Fingertips
anx1etyhangover@reddit
Fingertipsssssss
Slycritter@reddit
So many memories. We listen to them at work sometimes and freak out the youngsters.
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Shoehorn With Teeth would be a good one for that
r2killawat@reddit
People should get beat up for stating their beliefs
anx1etyhangover@reddit
But we know there’s no such thing.
Short_Morning7213@reddit
Nope…
Cuthput@reddit
Sat night in Indy!!!!
TeddyAtTheReady@reddit
We can’t be silent
I_Am_Become_Air@reddit
Bring some Loop earbuds. They prefer to play at ear-damaging decibels.
LessIsMore74@reddit
I had tickets with my sister to see the band on a Friday. I got summoned for a jury. It was a murder trial and we kept deliberating. Had to miss the show.
Thankfully, I saw them twice after. The band, not the defendant. And one was a Flood anniversary show! Good times, for most of us.
FoogYllis@reddit
I got to see them once for free in union square San Francisco. I am thinking this was about 25 years ago.
reasonablyshorts@reddit
Just released their 24th album
LessIsMore74@reddit
Just one more and they get a metaphorical toaster.
NedRyerson92@reddit
I sing this at the top of my lungs when I’m driving and having a bad day. Try it sometime, it works.
chr7stopher@reddit
I didn’t see anyone mention the song Boss of Me from Malcolm in the Middle yet.
I wonder if they still use the song for the opening in the new episodes they recently released?
ericrz@reddit
They do, but covered by the Drama Dolls.
chr7stopher@reddit
Thank you. I’m going to watch it this weekend after realizing all 4 episodes have aired.
Public_Excitement393@reddit
I still love them
Desperate_County_680@reddit
On tour
Climboard@reddit
Minimum wage…heeyah!
HypotenuseOfTentacle@reddit
Well they also might not be, honestly it's impossible to tell from this photo
Even-Loquat-2154@reddit
My apartment looks upside from here
Ok_Albatross_3887@reddit
Funny, I just heard Birdhouse in your Soul randomly play in a reject shop yesterday and it’s been ear worming me all day today. Loved them.
ShinyWolverine@reddit
Still a fan! Been to see them live numerous times!
RezRising@reddit
The Miscellaneous album was a staple for a few years.
r2killawat@reddit
Ana Ng and I are getting old And we still haven't walked In the glow of each other's majestic presence!
FREDICVSMAXIMVS@reddit
Listen Ana hear my words; they're the ones you would think I would say if there was a me for you
BrklynAnt@reddit
When I was driving once I saw this painted on a bridge: “I don’t want the world, I just want your half.”
FREDICVSMAXIMVS@reddit
I saw them at some small venue in Philadelphia in like '88 or '89, and the whole crowd knew all the lyrics to every song. It was amazing
BeezerBrom@reddit
Still doing concerts. Touring now. I'm seeing them (again) next week!
couldbeworse2@reddit
They might be fake, they might be lies, they might be big big fake fake lies
geogle@reddit
...or...
SHDrivesOnTrack@reddit
And now you’re older still.
FutureGeist@reddit
Spoiler: They are not giants. I've seen them. Flood is one the greatest albums from the 20th century.
At0mJack@reddit
It's the reason the world is in love again.
chryco77@reddit
Turns out they were
RelaxedWombat@reddit
Brilliant and admirable transition they pulled off.
Phased down the rock, but didn’t fully withdraw.
Then developed a solid sound and marketing of children’s music. Lined up big commercial soundtracks and success.
Now, they can bounce between the two markets at their selection.
Cool_Lingonberry_399@reddit
Saw the video for 'Ana Ng' on Nick back in the late 1980s!
crewsctrl@reddit
D: World destruction \ Over and Overture \ N: Do I need, apostrophe, \ T: Need this torture?
beerbellianme@reddit
Istanbul was Constantinople
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Why did Constantinople get the works? That’s nobody’s business but the Turks.
Anxiouslycalm12@reddit
I remember this song was in an animainiacs cartoon
LadyNorbert@reddit
Tiny Toons, not Animaniacs
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
I think you’re right. Wasn’t there one more? Maybe Hotel Detective? I’ll go and check
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
I’m wrong. Particle Man
NaturalSpecialist5@reddit
I remember seeing their documentary in U city in St. Louis
Odd_Policy_3009@reddit
Don’t don’t don’t let’s start
This is the worst part
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
To believe for all the world that you were my precious little girl.
Status-Effort-9380@reddit
Saw them at Tipitina’s in New Orleans back in ‘89, I think it was. So happy I did!
Responsible-Bet8661@reddit
Hot dog!
Odd_Policy_3009@reddit
Hot dog
Hot diggity dog
elevatedmint@reddit
Nostalgia unlocked...
Tricksey4172@reddit
I saw them in the early 1990s - Flood/Apollo 18 era. Stan Ridgeway opened for them. Such talented musicians! I would love to catch them again but in a smaller venue. So entertaining and their videos were awesome back then and still hold up!
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
They’re touring now. Not a lot of dates but worth a look
kristoph825@reddit
I am so happy to see this I could of sworn that they might be Giants got lost
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
They are indeed still kicking it. In fact I see that they’ve just released new music, I think I saw it on Spotify.
I have to say I’m more familiar with the duo than the band
Puzzled-Bonus-3456@reddit
Cadillac Man hates Pontiac Man. They have a fight, Pontiac wins. Pontiac Man.
ItsCatCat@reddit
Say I’m the only bee in your bonnet!
blankdreamer@reddit
I must get back into them and see how they hold up. Istanbul not constinpole tune is etched into my brain.
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Yes! I especially like seeing them do that song live
https://youtu.be/JeQ-wjDH4F4?si=ALJ4a_9P0ZXbaodT
I’m less into them as a band instead of a duo. I need to check out their newer stuff too. The last time I saw them in concert was a hot summer night at GenCon. They made us conga. Seriously. “Everybody conga. We’re not ducking kidding. We won’t leave until you conga” 😆
GnorxA@reddit
Degraded man, Person Man™
sherlockjr1@reddit (OP)
Lives his life in a garbage can…