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I am told that this is what sports calls “The Elite Eight.” Not to be confused with Quentin Tarantino’s “Hateful Eight,” which is 9 million hours long.

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They Might Be Giants once wrote a song called “NyQuil Driver.”

They had to change the name.

I wrote about that. And the time I got rear-ended at 17.

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Anyone in my Minimum Wage! or Kiss Me, Patron of Blog paid tiers get to "enjoy" "fun" stuff like this!

It’s the ‘What’s the Best Song to Play At a Funeral?’ Song Bracket Challenge!

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A different kind of post. Been hitting some speed bumps with someone lately and I wrote about it. And how this song connects to all those moments in my life.

They Might Be Giants played this song at the show last night and I may or may not have teared up.

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This weekend, I began writing about the songs from They Might Be Giants’ album John Henry. First up - SUBLIMINAL.

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I don’t understand why I can’t Fluff in one of those upside down squeeze bottles

hi Flaneurysm! What’s your opinion on Uncrustables? I think they’re one of the best inventions of the late 90s and onward, tbh

JF: oh it doesn't even seem real to me. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea of Fluff... a product I love.

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. . . waiting to be activated

Hey Johns, I worry deeply about the whereabouts of your various puppets (avatars of they, here comes abcs, etc) Are they safe and sound? I miss those guys

JF: they are sleeping.

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Oh damn. I turn 46 in November and if Flansy is saying this is solid advice for hitting 50, I’m starting now. I do see my doctor at least. How else am I gonna get my Wellbutrin and blood pressure medication refilled. Thank you to Gen-X-Catmom for asking this question!

Happy birthday, Mr. Flansburgh! I hope you've got something rad going to celebrate.

If you have any pointers for anyone about to turn 50, I'd be awfully grateful to hear them. ☺️

JF: for real? See a doctor!, Take a multivitamin and a b supplement. (Your body doesn't metabolize minerals as efficiently as you get old and you need to get consistent with that stuff. And for real-save you money now.

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Brining various people with me to all three Seattle shows after these ones! I will behave as though each night is 100% different every time.

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS BIG SHOW TOUR ACROSS THE UNITED STATES! 8-piece band. 3 horns. 2 sets.  5.13 San Diego https://livemu.sc/4eG7YHQ 5.14 San Diego https://livemu.sc/4eE8Htg 5.17 Los Angeles https://bit.ly/TMBG051725 6.8 Portland https://bit.ly/TMBG060825

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HYPE

We are playing Doctor Worm on Jimmy Kimmel! Exactly when does it air--watch this space! Also--we play LOS ANGELES, SAN DIEGO and PORTLAND OR in days! Tickets at www.TMBG.com

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Fantastic advice here for any creative really. I take this same approach (minus the tape recorder) with my writing. I don’t even wait to “feel creative” anymore. I just sit down and know that if I start, something will eventually come out that I like.

As one of my biggest influences musically, I was wondering if you have any tips or pointers when it comes to making music of your own? I have much of the needed resources but hardly any talent or skill and I just need to figure out where to start with all that.

JF: well first of all, who knows how much talent you really have! Just make some stuff. One of the many useful things I got out of going to art school is the idea of just making multiple sketches in a row--kind of like doing speed rounds. You CAN write a couple of songs in a day, and while one might be okay or even bad, the next one might feel free or loose in a way you would have a hard time getting to otherwise. So drink a couple of coffee, go to a place where no one can hear you or call you with a tape recorder (I find dedicated cassette recorders are a great way to not lose stuff, and also not have it all floating around with other life stuff) maybe give yourself 30 minutes to approach a song, and then write another one, and another one. And if something really takes off--follow that!

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Very cool

learning about graphic design is a great excuse to make TMBG fan art :)

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New Kiss Me, Son of Blog post up:

I accidentally spent 20 years thinking They Might Be Giants were shouting “Mike, Mike, Jeff, Mike!” on See the Constellation.

Turns out it’s a Ramones sample.

Turns out the song is about dying, becoming a constellation, and accepting you’re just dots and lines.

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Just published a new post about “Hall of Heads” by They Might Be Giants.

It’s about surf guitar, weird chord progressions, and how this song reminds me of one of the most unsettling scenes from Return to Oz.

There’s Dick Dale in here. There’s Princess Mombi. There’s a hallway of screaming decapitated heads.

If you’re into TMBG, strange nostalgia, or music that dredges up childhood memories you didn’t know were still alive—this one’s for you.

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Happy Wet Day to one and All

It’s April 10, 2024 and that means

WET DAY!

Many Urkels to you and yours on this joyous day. May you all be sopping wet.

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Dinner Bell: TMBG’s Most Delicious Song

Layered vocals, surreal lyrics, and Pavlovian vibes that leave you hungry for more.

Click Here to read my free deep dive into this fantastic song.