They Might Be ... chatting live
Hey gang, ready to get a sneak preview of this week's podcast? It's our interview with John Linnell from They Might Be Giants.
The show is stuffed full of their music, but it also has the usual segments toward the end -- reader mailbag, Mystery Movie Moment and Name that 80s Tune.
Click here to download the show. Remember, it's only available online here today. I won't be uploading it to iTunes until Tuesday. Meanwhile, I'm here and ready to chat. Fire away with your questions and comments.
I'm just sitting here on a pinhead, calling you an angel, calling you the nicest things.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Hey Spearsy. I'm getting ready for work, but thanks for providing me with tunage while I apply mascara.
Posted by: Marissa | March 01, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I'm listening to Fingertips right now from their disc Apollo 18. Definitely a disc that all TMBG fans should own.
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I'll be honest, until I started reading your blog I only knew of two TMBG songs. "Particle Man" because a friend used that as his email address and "Birdhouse ..." because it gets fairly regular radio play here.
Posted by: Marissa | March 01, 2008 at 01:11 PM
Riss you're not alone... I hadn't listened to TMBG that much. Thank goodness I'm working all this overtime... I-tunes, here I come!
Posted by: Carla | March 01, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Do you like "Ana Ng" -- the song from the video above - now that you've heard it?
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 01:15 PM
It's growing on me. I'm trying to catch all the lyrics.
Posted by: Marissa | March 01, 2008 at 01:19 PM
It'll take years before you catch on to all the lyrics. Trust me on that.
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 01:24 PM
But I like to sing along!
Posted by: Marissa | March 01, 2008 at 01:31 PM
I was fairly lukewarm about TMBG in the 80's, but I love Flood and Apollo 18.
Can't wait for the 'cast.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 01, 2008 at 02:32 PM
"Ana Ng" and "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" are probably my two favorite TMBG songs.
Followed by "Hot Dog" from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and "Zeros" & "High Five" from "Here Come the 1,2,3s."
The latter two more because of constant repetition here at chez jane (the Kiddo is the mega-fan) -- but they're not bad on their own either.
Posted by: jane | March 01, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Just finished editing it. I may post it from home when I leave work. One song that didn't make it -- "Istanbul." Go figure.
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 03:02 PM
I could sing "Istanbul" for y'all if you like. HA!
Posted by: jane | March 01, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Margarita, my secretary when I was in Greece, would always use "Constantinople" instead of "Istanbul" (a lot of Greeks in her generation did the same).
Everytime it would come up in conversation, the familiar strains of TMBG would fill my brain.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 01, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Got my copy of Apollo 18 from Amazon last weekend, and I love it. I now have 101 TMBG songs on my iPod (I count the 21 part Fingertips as one song). I can't wait to hear the podcast.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 01, 2008 at 04:19 PM
I gotta admit. I wasn't happy with the interview when I was done with it. But after producing and editing, it's ok.
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 05:01 PM
When do we get to hear it?
Posted by: Bassnote | March 01, 2008 at 05:06 PM
I had the chance to see TMBG back in 92. (I know, I know - a decade not to be discussed.) It was a great concert.
I'm looking forward to the podcast.
Posted by: David-b | March 01, 2008 at 05:38 PM
I could release the podcast tonight. Sorta a sneak preview.
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 06:13 PM
I love TMBG! That would make for a memorable podcast.
Is it odd that one of my favorites by TMBG is the snippet, Minimum Wage? It seemed to hit a chord back then while working my first job.
Thanks for the heads up, Spears!
Posted by: cheezstake | March 01, 2008 at 06:17 PM
Minimum Wage is a great tune. From "Flood."
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Minimum Wage is great - but all those complicated lyrics... how could anyone remember them all?
Thanks for the upcoming upload!
Even without Instanbul I'll be looking forward to it.
Posted by: David-b | March 01, 2008 at 06:34 PM
Everyone knows "Istanbul" -- I figure I didn't need to put in the podcast.
Anyone got any other favorites?
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I've always liked Ball and Chain.
Wasn't Flood released in 1990?
Are we allowed to talk about it?
Posted by: David-b | March 01, 2008 at 06:49 PM
There's a lot of non-80s stuff in this podcast. I made an exception. It's my favorite band afterall.
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Wow. Your favorite band. I had no idea - that's cool.
Posted by: David-b | March 01, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Well, they're up there. With Oingo Boingo. Probably my favorite. Nobody has favorite bands anymore
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 07:25 PM
My favorite TMBG tune:
"We Want A Rock", 'cause everybody wants prosthetic foreheads on their real heads.
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 01, 2008 at 07:28 PM
Unusual choice, by I respect it, Jeff.
My favorite tune -- Mammal.
Posted by: Spears | March 01, 2008 at 07:33 PM
I'll admit it's not an ascending spectacle of musical achievement, but it conjures up numerous pleasant memories...
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 01, 2008 at 07:45 PM
XTC Vs. Adam Ant is a great on by TMBG for the 80's theme of it. I like Exquisite Dead Guy because of the 'Ba-Ba-Da..." that runs through it. Someone Keeps Moving My Chair is a cool one too.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 01, 2008 at 08:10 PM
I keep checking back, but no podcast sneak peak!
Hook me up, Steve!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 01, 2008 at 08:39 PM
I'm with Jeff, Where's the hook-up?
Posted by: Bassnote | March 01, 2008 at 08:53 PM
Lifeless-losers-with-nothing-better-to-do-on-a-Saturday-night-than-stare-at-a-computer, join with me and demand your podcast!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 01, 2008 at 09:04 PM
Hey, cool. I can't wait to hear the interview.
Posted by: Pages | March 01, 2008 at 10:28 PM
I'm very interested in the interview. Like Spears, they are probably one of my favorite groups. I've seen them a half dozen times and have never been disappointed.
I was introduced to them through the video of Ana ng which ran on our local public television station's video show cleverly called "Teletunes." I think Lincoln is certainly underrated.
Of course I hear them all the time now -- on Dunkin Donuts Commercials.
Posted by: Manchester Mike | March 02, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Jeff,
I went to a TMBG concert awhile ago and these people were dress up with pink plastic hats extending up from their foreheads. It took me a while to figure they were dressing to that line in "We want a rock"
Posted by: Manchester Mike | March 02, 2008 at 12:18 AM
My kids like them too, however they know them from PBS! They play a video bit "Share a Story" on Sunday morning between two programs.
This podcast may make up for New Year's Eve.
Posted by: cheezstake | March 02, 2008 at 02:03 AM
Hey gang, I'll roll the podcast out this afternoon. Sometime around 1pm maybe. Does that sound good? We can do a live chat while we listen.
Sorry I didn't do it Saturday, but I was having computer problems here at home.
Posted by: Spears | March 02, 2008 at 05:30 AM
Podcast at 1 pm -- inked in on the calendar. Yay! Can't wait.
Posted by: jane | March 02, 2008 at 06:55 AM
Jeff,
I went to a TMBG concert awhile ago and these people were dress up with pink plastic hats extending up from their foreheads. It took me a while to figure they were dressing to that line in "We want a rock"
Posted by: Manchester Mike | March 02, 2008 at 07:26 AM
Jeff,
I went to a TMBG concert awhile ago and these people were dress up with pink plastic hats extending up from their foreheads. It took me a while to figure they were dressing to that line in "We want a rock"
Posted by: Manchester Mike | March 02, 2008 at 09:26 AM
sorry my computer went crazy
Posted by: Manchester Mike | March 02, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Hey gang, the podcast link is in the blog post above. I'm here and ready to chat as we listen along.
Posted by: Spears | March 02, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Just queued it up and getting ready to listen...
Posted by: jane | March 02, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Groovy so far -- just now gotten to the interview part...
Posted by: jane | March 02, 2008 at 01:29 PM
Sadly, I think we're the only two people online for this sneak preview.
Posted by: Spears | March 02, 2008 at 01:30 PM
It's either listen to this or deal with my laundry issue. ;-)
So I'm happily tuned in...
Posted by: jane | March 02, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Nice job -- bravo! Interesting interview -- y'all did a good job.
I'm going to have to listen to this one again, as the other TMBG fan in the jane household -- the kiddo -- was intent on interrupting my listening time, especially when he heard all the song clips. Including "Birdhouse In Your Soul" and "Boss of Me."
Posted by: jane | March 02, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Finally home to listen to the podcast.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 02, 2008 at 02:25 PM
I'm still downloading.
It looks like it will be another 45 minutes.
Sigh.
Posted by: | March 02, 2008 at 02:27 PM
I loved Dail-A-Song!
Posted by: Bassnote | March 02, 2008 at 02:42 PM
I only saw them as a duo, no band.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 02, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Still waiting....
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 02, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Finally listening!
Hooray!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 02, 2008 at 03:17 PM
Steve,
Way to use those mad journalism skills. Not nearly as much fan-boy gushing as I was expecting.
There's no way I could keep it together like that!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | March 02, 2008 at 04:51 PM
Great interview. I need to listen again.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 02, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Thanks guys! Really. I mean, I thought it was a disaster when I finished the interview. And bottom line is that I'm a huge fan, and it's hard to disguise that during an interview.
I haven't actually been able to listen to it since I finished editing it. I keep hearing all my mistakes, my weird verbal ticks and my botched questions, which makes me want to kick my own butt from here to Brooklyn.
Hopefully, people will gain a little appreciation for the band after hearing this show.
Posted by: Spears | March 02, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Hey Steve!
I'm mid-interview and, thus far, I'm enjoying it a great deal. You know my knowledge of TMBG is very limited. I suspect that will not be the case for long.
I can really see my 13 year old son getting into their music. I'll be delighted that he'll also learn a few things. Thanks for the exposure (you won't hear that often, heh!).
Posted by: Marissa | March 02, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Finally had a chance to listen. Sorry I missed the early afternoon launch. Great podcast.
Thanks Steve.
Posted by: David-b | March 02, 2008 at 09:13 PM