![]() In the midst of the fun, between songs the Johns delivered snappy banter, including a bit about how they kidnapped the real They Might Be Giants, and were actually incredibly accurate TMBG impersonators. The rest of the euphoric two-set evening featured every song from Flood, as well as other choice selections from Book (including “Moonbeam Rays”), and a variety of other early TMBG favorites, including 1998’s “Doctor Worm” (released on the live album, Severe Tire Damage, as a single, and on compilations), which closed out the first set. Forgive me…it was my first TMBG live experience, and long overdue! And then, boom, the aforementioned “Birdhouse in Your Soul” came at us, and I sang along, and danced, and maybe got a little weepy. They launched into “Letterbox” (from Flood ), followed by “Synopsis for Latecomers” and “Bronosaurus,” tracks from their most recent album Book (2021). The Johns took the stage with their longtime band collaborators (Danny Weinkauf on bass, Dan Miller on guitar, and Marty Betler on drums), and were greeted with rapturous applause from the get-go. The fans began to line up outside the club early, and by the time They Might Be Giants took the stage for their first of two sets (no opener), the venue was packed with the sold-out adoring crowd, many of them wearing colorful headdress headbands spelling out “THEY” in bobbing letters over the fans’ heads. ![]() The shows had been originally scheduled for 2020, but due to the pandemic (and other complications-John Flansburgh suffered injuries in a car accident in 2022, but thankfully recovered), the celebration tour was postponed by almost three years. And while I wouldn’t describe myself as a rabid TMBG fan, I’m not a casual admirer either, but I had never seen them live until this past Friday at the Bowery Ballroom, and I could not have been more satisfied and delighted.įriday night began a three-night stand for TMBG at Bowery Ballroom that was celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Flood. Founded by John Flansburgh and John Linnell (yep, two Johns, love it) back in 1982, They Might Be Giants have released twenty-three studio albums to date (five of them for kids), and have developed a devoted fan base that attend their much-lauded lives shows almost religiously and it’s not an uncommon thing for a TMBG fan to have seen the band live upwards of fifty times. TMBG made (and continues to make) smart, funny, and eclectic rock and pop that is completely unique. (Shout out to my friend Caden who put a whole bunch of excellent songs from Flood on one of her magical mixtapes, back when making a mixtape for someone was the ultimate gesture of love.) Flood went platinum, and I spent my sophomore year in high school singing impromptu a capella versions of “Birdhouse in Your Soul” or “Twisting” or “Particle Man” in three-part harmony with a selection of other choir nerds. ![]() In 1990, They Might Be Giants released their third album, Flood, on Elektra Records (their first release with a major label). Long considered to be the “calling card” album for entry into the world of They Might Be Giants, Flood was produced by Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley and They Might Be Giants & Roger Moutenot, and features so many audience favorites we’ll just point you to the tracklisting below.They Might Be Giants at Bowery Ballroom (photo by Kate Hoos) This is a limited edition production, only available in Europe and the UK. ![]() The classic returns to vinyl! This package has been lovingly reproduced with a very keen eye to detail by the fine folks at Music On Vinyl, including a very deluxe gatefold and pressed on 180gm Icy Mint Green vinyl. They Might Be Giants Flood Icy Mint Green Vinyl €40.00 ![]()
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