Like many bands that enjoy a less mainstream popularity of cult proportions, many people insist that while they’ve heard of the New York based group They Might Be Giants (TMBG), they’ve never actually heard them.
Not true, I say. For while many have escaped the rhetoric of “Birdhouse in Your Soul,” the dark confusion of “Dirtbike,” or even the infectious pop of “Istanbul,” everyone’s turned on the television to hear the theme songs of shows like “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Space Ghost: Coast to Coast,” or Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.”
The masterminds behind those creations, their television composing credits growing almost as fast as those of Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, are John Flansburgh and John Linnell, NYC art students who have risen to prominence as the founding members of that catchy thinking-man’s pop group, They Might Be Giants.
For years, TMBG has been a fan-favorite, mostly because they give a lot back to their fans, much in the same vein as groups like Phish or the Dave Matthews Band. Because of that, and, of course, their music, which has remained high in quality over the years since they first started in the mid-80s, TMBG has one of the biggest followings this side of Korn.
Which is why their show at The Asheville Music Zone on Friday, March 30, should be packed. Which is also why fans both old and new who want to catch the band’s live performance should go ahead and buy tickets now.
For those who still aren’t ready to plunk down the cash for a ticket without hearing more, many options are available. There’s still Napster, as TMBG was spared the luxury of being on the million song banned list. Or, one could go the old-fashioned route and buy an album. There’s no one true representation of the band’s sound because there isn’t really a true sound for them. They’re all over the charts so any album by the band is sure to have at least a few gems on it.
Then, there’s perhaps the most fan-friendly way of doing things, the infamous Dial-A-Song. By dialing the New York number 1-718-387-6962, callers are offered the opportunity to hear a random TMBG song. There’s also an online version of the Dial-A-Song program at http://www.dialasong.com. The site requires Shockwave Flash.
The band appeared all over the recently released “Malcolm in the Middle” soundtrack, and they’re about to release an album of children’s music. The show starts at 8 p.m., Friday, March 30. Tickets are $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door.
