Photos: They Might Be Giants @ Terminal 5

They Might Be Giants @ Terminal 5 – March 10, 2012
Photos: Sam Cornwall

Saturday, March 10 marked the end of a lengthy tour for alt-rock legends They Might Be Giants, who headlined the massive Terminal 5 in their New York City hometown. According to Death and Taxes:

This was no mere boring show, where the band plays a calculated mix of hits while trying to promote their new material. No, this is a band that likes to turn a gig into a fun and goofy event. They performed a rarity in the form of “Mr. Me” and billed “Cow Town” as the first TMBG song ever recorded, plus yelled at people for throwing things from the balconies. There were a couple of interludes featuring sock puppet avatars, one of which also included a brief appearance by the Supreme Court.

Following the slightly dark performance of “Ana Ng” (which is one of my favorites) and “Careful What You Pack,” they divided the audience in half, saying that the time for love was over and that for the next “between 4 and 40 minutes” the crowd would be split for “an atmosphere of total intolerance.” One side of the crowd was “people” and the other was “apes,” and they cheered back and forth. People won, out-fist-pumping those damn dirty apes once and for all. They managed to make one fan pretty happy, by giving a signed copy of “Join Us” to someone who was decked out in a ton of TMBG gear — hoodie, t-shirt, the works — proving that being “that guy” at a show can sometimes work out for the best.

Jonathan Coulton, who toured with TMBG a lot this past year, opened the show and even brought Susan Vega onstage to help with a song. Our photographer Sam Cornwall was there to document the show for us, and you can take a look at his photos of both acts, as well as the setlist below…

Watch They Might Be Giants Perform "When Will You Die?" & "Ana Ng" On Conan

Looks like Conan O'Brien has been reading our (admittedly very creepy) fan mail! Our favorite late-night host kicked off this week of Conan with an appearance by Wilco, and last night he nicely bookended it by inviting They Might Be Giants to rock his studio.

The Johns were in town to kick off their aforementioned Winter/Spring tour and gave a rollicking (yeah I said rollicking) performance of "When Will You Die?" and the classic "Ana Ng" as a web exclusive after Conan interviewed Napoleon Dynamite about how it feels to be Napoleon Dynamite.

Check both performances out below, and get a ticket to see TMBG at Terminal 5 when they end this round of touring on March 10. Fuck yeah Friday.

Watch They Might Be Giants' "When Will You Die?" + 2012 Tour Dates + A Monster Hearse

Yep, a lot going on with that title. Hometown heroes They Might Be Giants are following up on an impressively rad 2011 with a 2012 winter/spring tour, kicking off with a January 26 appearance on Conan and a special 30th Anniversary show at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles on the 28th. The tour will wrap up on March 10 back here at NYC's Terminal 5 (yeah yeah suck it up and get tickets), but check out the full schedule below the jump to see when they'll be in/near your town inbetween.

Additionally, the Johns have released a new music video for "When Will You Die?" off of their excellent release proper LP Join Us, which you can also check out below the jump. The video features a real-life version of that day-glo pink monster truck hearse that graces the album's cover, a PDF replica of which you can download over here because why not.

 


They Might Be Giants Tour Dates
1/27: Santa Cruz, CA @ The Rio Theatre
1/28: Los Angeles, CA (Special Family Show) @ Royce Hall UCLA
1/28: Los Angeles, CA – 30th Anniversary Show @ Royce Hall UCLA
1/29: Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
1/30: Tucson, AZ -@The Rialto Theatre
2/1: Tulsa, OK (Rescheduled from Sept.) @ Cain’s Ballroom
2/2: Dallas, TX @ The Granada Theatre
2/3: Austin, TX @ La Zona Rosa
2/4: New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s
2/7: Tampa, FL @ The Ritz Ybor
2/8: Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
2/9: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
2/10: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
2/11: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
2/12: Chattanooga, TN @ Track 29
2/14: Charlotte, NC @ McGlohan Theater at Spirit Square
2/15: Raleigh, NC @ Lincoln Theatre
2/16: Charlottesville, VA @ Jefferson Theatre
2/17: Baltimore, MD @ Ram’s Head Live
3/8: Northampton, MA @ Calvin Theater
3/9: Providence, RI @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel
3/10: New York, NY @ Terminal 5

Watch: They Might Be Giants -- "Electronic Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" (Official Video)

Wanna see more great shots from TMBG's Williamsburg Waterfront Show? Go for it.

Here at Fucking Nostalgic, we post They Might Be Giants news about as often as some people post whiny status messages about the weather on Facebook (A lot. And also zing.) So we're pleased to share the new video for "Electronic Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" off of the band's new rarities and remixes comp, Album Raises New And Troubling Questions.

The Johns are pretty pleased about the fact that the video features a circuit-bent Speak 'N Spell, and we bet you will be too. Check it out after the jump.

They Might Be Giants Playing 826NYC Benefit On December 8 With A Bunch Of Extremely Funny People

Yeah dude. Did your heart kinda stop for a second when you read that bill above? Congratulations, you have a pulse and know how awesome all of the above acts are.

Fucking Nostalgic favorites They Might Be Giants shared the news that they'll be performing at Latkes & Hams, a benefit designed to provide support for 826NYC - a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping kids develop their creative writing skills. The event will take place on Thursday, December 8 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre and will also feature appearances by Mike Birbiglia, Fred Armisen (Put A Bird On It!), John Wesley Harding, hosts Sarah Vowell & Eugene Mirman (the latter of whom opened for TMBG over the summer), and more.

Tickets are still onsale, and considering that your $35 will be going toward a great cause and an evening packed with hilarity, you should definitely make it happen.

They Might Be Giants Releasing Rarities & Remixes Compilation

Check out more photos of TMBG's Williamsburg Waterfront show this summer over here.

Nothing like some awesome news from They Might Be Giants to brighten your day. Still riding high on the goodness that is their latest album Join Us, the Johns have announced that they'll be releasing Album Raises New And Troubling Questions, a hilariously-titled new rarities, remixes, and video compilation featuring 20 (TWENTY!) brand new songs on November 1.

They did a good job explaining it all on the album trailer's YouTube page, so here's what they said:

"In the many months making and then promoting Join Us, They Might Be Giants created many recordings. Contained on this brand new full length album of rarities are many previously unheard tracks along with the live version of Cloisonné heard on the official video of the song, a fantastic remix of You Probably Get That A Lot from the Elegant Too, plus the band's now legendary appearance on The Onion AV Club's Undercover series performing Tubthumping with the AV Club Choir. Rollicking new music from TMBGs Other Thing Brass Band sessions fill out the set, making ALBUM RAISES NEW AND TROUBLING QUESTIONS a must have for all TMBG music-lovers."


Yes. Totally buy this album. Check out the aforementioned (and bizarre) trailer after the jump, along with the tracklist.

Watch: They Might Be Giants -- "Can't Keep Johnny Down" Official Video

More awesome photos from their Williamsburg Waterfront show over here.

It's New They Might Be Giants Music Video Time! While it feels like they might be on track to make music videos for every track off of their latest album Join Us due to the frequency with which they've done so so far, we're always cool with new stuff from the Johns.

This one is the visual accompaniment to album single "Can't Keep Johnny Down," and features none other than Rip Torn as a "hot sauce chugging, bare-knuckled street fighter." Yeah, definitely give it a look below.

Watch: They Might Be Giants -- "Cloissoné" Official Music Video

Check out more awesome photos from that time we saw them at Williamsburg Waterfront!

It's apparently Music Video Season for the Johns. Having just dropped the video for "Spoiler Alert" in our hands, They Might Be Giants has unveiled a suitably weird video for "Cloissoné" off of their latest album Join Us. Watch it below, and if you caught the two terrible puns I made in the above sentence, you get a gold star.

Watch: They Might Be Giants -- "Spoiler Alert" Official Video

Wow - it feels like we've gone a really long time without posting something about They Might Be Giants, considering how nuts we got about them earlier this summer. Which is why it's great news that our Fucking Nostalgic patron saints are back with a new video for Join Us cut "Spoiler Alert," directed by one of the Johns (Flansburgh) themselves.

Get your HANDS on it below, and feel free to roll your eyes at me once that pun settles in. Enjoy!

Photos: They Might Be Giants / Eugene Mirman & Pretty Good Friends @ Williamsburg Waterfront

They Might Be Giants @ Williamsburg Waterfront - July 29th, 2011
Photos: Josh Kesner

If there was any day for there to be an outdoor show in Brooklyn, Friday was not that day. At least for the first portion of the night. I unfortunately couldn't stick around for the entire show (and the pouring rain was a dealbreaker), but from everything I've heard, They Might Be Giants put on a great performance Friday night in front of tons of soaking wet fans. And my prediction was proven wrong that they would inevitably play "Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head" due to the fact that the video for that song was filmed at the exact location of the Williamsburg Waterfront. They did however play classics such as "Birdhouse In Your Soul" (their opening song), "Don't Let's Start" and "Ana Ng," before playing Apollo 18's "Fingertips" in its entirety as an encore. Plus a few songs from their recently released Join Us, which is available in stores and on Spotify now.

The opening portion of the show was comedian Eugene Mirman and "Pretty Good Friends," which included Jim Gaffigan, Kristen Schaal, Todd Barry and Patton Oswalt. If you're a fan of comedy, that's a great fucking lineup if there ever was one. Below, check out a full set of photos of all the comedians and They Might Be Giants, as well as TMBG's setlist...

Watch: They Might Be Giants Perform On Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

As we not-so-patiently wait to get our collective faces blown off at They Might Be Giants' free Williamsburg Waterfront show tomorrow with Eugene Mirman (and now also Hot Pocket enthusiast Jim Gaffigan!), the Johns were nice enough to stop by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon to rock through "Can't Keep Johnny Down" off of their new album Join Us. 

Check it out below (thanks to The Audio Perv), as well as a web exclusive performance of the universally-beloved "Birdhouse In Your Soul." As much as Jimmy Fallon himself kinda annoys me, I've gotta give the guy props for knocking it out of the park when it comes to his musical guest lineup.

This Week's Nostalgia (7/25-7/31)

If you haven't realized it yet, it's fucking hot out there. Dragging myself out to the few shows I went to this past week was not an easy task, and I'm still sort of dehydrated from all the walking around and sweating. I made it to Levon Helm/Emmylou Harris on Monday, and though it did rain through most of Levon's set, I still had a good time. I also checked out They Might Be Giants' free show at the Apple store on Wednesday, and you can check out photos over here and some more over at BrooklynVegan. I've also become severely addicted to Spotify, and if you haven't already, subscribe to our This Week's Nostalgia playlist which will be updated to fit this column's picks each week. Let's see what's in store for us this week...

Toots & the Maytals @ Brooklyn Bowl
Monday, July 25

If you're even the slightest fan of reggae, then you're probably a fan of Toots & the Maytals. Without a doubt one of the most important and soulful acts of the early rocksteady movement, the Maytals' music is marked by extremely beautiful vocal harmonies, tight grooves and soulful lyrics. Not to mention that you've probably heard their work covered by dozens of artists, with songs like "Pressure Drop," "Monkey Man" and "54/46 (That's My Number)" being covered by The Clash, The Specials, and Sublime respectively. The last time I saw Toots Hibbert and his band was in Vermont around '04, and though I found it amusing that they felt the need to double-time the end of every song, it was still a good show. Tickets for the Brooklyn Bowl show are sold out, but the venue typically sells a small amount of tickets at the door day of.

Jane's Addiction @ Terminal 5
Monday, July 25

Since the early '90s, Jane's Addiction have been an on-again, off-again act, reuniting intermittently for albums, tours and headlining major festivals like the upcoming Reading Festival and Perry Farrell's own Lollapalooza. Recently, they have recruited TV on the Radio mastermind Dave Sitek to co-produce their latest album The Great Escape Artist in which he also plays bass on. Sitek will not be touring with the band for this tour though, so don't expect to see him at Terminal 5 tomorrow. This show was announced abruptly a couple weeks ago, with fans being able to get free tickets via a Ticketmaster code, which of course led to tickets being sold out almost immediately. Fans who make it in will "experience the world’s first-ever consumer generated 3D concert," ...whatever that means. Sounds awesome if you're going, and let us know what it's like.

Wanda Jackson @ Central Park SummerStage
Wednesday, July 27

The "Queen of Rockabilly" enjoyed a resurgence of popularity earlier this year when Jack White produced The Party Ain't Over, Wanda Jackson's 31st studio album according to her Wikipedia page. Following the record's release, she has made a number of television appearances and played several shows in the New York City area, which she will continue to do as she plays Central Park SummerStage this Wednesday for FREE. No word on whether or not White will make an appearance, but he did play some shows with her earlier this year so you never know. Show starts at 7pm, so you may want to get there early to ensure entry.

They Might Be Giants @ Williamsburg Waterfront (East River State Park)
Friday, July 29

More photos here.

In case you haven't noticed, we're pretty big They Might Be Giants fans here. As previously mentioned, we caught the band play the Apple Store in SoHo on Wednesday and it was pretty great. But while that show was an abridged set in a swanky storefront, this show will take place at the outdoor stage in Williamsburg that has a beautiful view of the Manhattan skyline across the river. A bit of trivia: this is the exact location TMBG filmed the video for "Put Your Hand Inside The Puppet Head" 26 years ago, long before Williamsburg was the trendy spot it is now. So if they don't play that song on Friday, I will really be shocked. Comedian Eugene Mirman and his "pretty good friends" including Kristen Schaal (Mel from Flight of the Conchords) will open the show with surprise guests. Doors are at 5pm with the show starting at 7pm. Entry is free. Yeah... this is gonna rock.

Morris Day & The Time @ B.B. King Blues Club
Friday, July 29

Yeah. Tickets.

Notable Mentions:

7/25 - Stone Temple Pilots @ Williamsburg Waterfront (Tickets)
7/27 - George Clinton & the Parliament Funkadelic (Tickets)
7/29 - The Pietasters @ Rocks Off Cruise (Tickets)
7/29 - The Eels @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Tickets)
7/30 - The Eels @ Music Hall of Williamsburg (Tickets)
7/31 - The Raveonettes @ Beekman Beer Garden (FREE)

It's a pretty busy week, and it's only gonna get busier. We have a ton of photos to post of shows that went down this week, so be on the lookout for that. Again, be sure to subscribe to our weekly Spotify playlist so you can check out all of the artists mentioned in This Week's Nostalgia. Until next time...

Photos: They Might Be Giants @ Apple Store SoHo

They Might Be Giants @ Apple Store SoHo - July 20th, 2011

In recent years, the Brooklyn-based They Might Be Giants have arguably become more well-known for their foray into children's music than their prolific catalog of humor-based alternative rock. Not to say the band hasn't always appealed to children. I first stumbled upon the group as an eight-year old at the constant recommendation of my good friend Josh (who will actually be photographing TMBG for us next Friday at the Williamsburg Waterfront), and I fell in love with both Flood and Apollo 18 almost instantly. I think it also helped that "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" was in that Tiny Toons episode...

Which brings us to about twenty years later, where I'm still a fan of the band and by next Friday I will have seen them twice in New York City, both times for free. TMBG are currently on tour in support of their new album Join Us, their fifteenth if your keeping count, which brought them to the Apple Store in SoHo for a somewhat intimate performance in front of at least a couple hundred seated fans.

Though the venue (shiny retail store) isn't exactly ideal for a band accustomed to certain aspects of performing live (it does feel sort of weird that there are aloof customers playing with iPads mere feet away from a band playing live), they certainly were hilarious with their stage banter and choice of songs. I can only imagine what went through the head of a typical SoHo shopper as they launched into Apollo 18's "Fingertips" in its entirety as their 2nd song.

They did play several tracks off of Join Us, and reminded us at least five times that they had a new album out (each time funnier than the last), but they didn't shy away from earlier material such as "Ana Ng," "Twisting," "Birdhouse In Your Soul" and their one-song encore, an extended version of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" which eventually got the entire crowd out of their seats to close out the night. If you've been to a show at the Apple Store, then you know that the sound isn't great, and yeah, it does feel a little weird. But if anything, the one-hour performance made me really excited to get to see them in an outdoor park next week where it will certainly be louder, longer and probably a bit more festive (in other words... beer will be available). Don't miss out on TMBG next Friday, July 29 at the Williamsburg Waterfront. It is FREE.

Check out a full set of photos of They Might Be Giants at the Apple Store SoHo from yesterday, as well as their setlist below...

This Week's Nostalgia (7/18-7/24)

That sure as hell was a busy week for us. In case you missed it, we posted photos & reviews of shows from Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Cibo Matto, Superchunk & OFF! and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Shit was crazy. As summer in New York City usually is. So now let's dive in and see what's in store for us this week...

Cibo Matto @ Bowery Ballroom
Monday, July 18th

More here.

As mentioned, we caught the recently reunited Cibo Matto at Brooklyn Bowl last week, and I can say without hesitation that they are really fucking great if you missed that show. Or, if you just can't get enough of Miho Hatori's cuteness, then go buy a ticket and see them again. Sean Lennon showed up to sing "Moonchild" with the band, and who knows, he just may do it again. But Lennon or not, the band plays a seriously good show, one that will have you dancing and laughing the entire time. Ghosts Of A Saber Tooth Tiger open. Know your chicken!

Levon Helm Band / Emmylou Harris @ Central Park SummerStage
Monday, July 18th

If you were ever a fan of the Band (and you should be), then you've probably seen The Last Waltz, and you probably know how awesome Levon Helm is. Well, he's still touring, still playing intimate shows in his basement in Woodstock, and still sounds amazing. I caught Emmylou Harris play with Elvis Costello at Central Park SummerStage around six years ago, and though I wasn't blown away or anything, it should still be fun seeing both her and Levon play on a summer evening in the park. Let's hope it doesn't rain. Tickets are still on sale.

They Might Be Giants @ Apple SoHo Store
Wednesday, July 20th

The Brooklyn-based duo must feel some sort of obligation to play free shows for their New York City fans. We were already super excited for their free show at the Williamsburg Waterfront on 7/29, but this past week They Might Be Giants announced they would be playing another free show at the Apple SoHo Store. The band is touring in support of their fifteenth studio album, Join Us, which drops on Tuesday, July 19th. Though the band will be playing on Wednesday, if you want to make it into this show you need to pick up an admission wristband on Tuesday, July 19th. Though no time is listed on the Apple SoHo website as to when exactly you need to pick up the wristband, I know that in the past it's been at 10am. Please let us know if you receive any other information on this. And enjoy!

Death From Above 1979 @ Williamsburg Waterfront
Friday, July 22nd

The Canadian dance-punk duo Death From Above 1979 caused quite a stir at SXSW this year after playing a surprise appearance at the festival, and subsequently causing a riot that involved cops on horses. Shit. Let's hope that doesn't happen again at the Williamsburg Waterfront on Friday because it's a big wide open space that's extremely susceptible to tear gas bombs. I kid (sort of). The band is on a triumphant reunion tour and is sure to make all the kids in Brooklyn go crazy at this outdoor show. Tickets are still available. Rock it.

The Feelies @ Prospect Park Bandshell
Saturday, July 23rd

The Feelies, as far as I remember, have played a good amount of NYC-area shows this year, and no one is complaining. But if you haven't been able to catch them live yet, well now's your chance to do so for FREE. The Prospect Park Bandshell is a great place to see live outdoor music, and with Real Estate and Times New Viking opening the show, it should make for a pretty chill evening of indie rock. Gates are at 6pm, so if you wanna make it in, I suggest you head straight there after work. Show starts at 7pm. Have fun my minions.

Black Francis (a.k.a. Frank Black) @ Le Poisson Rouge
Sunday, July 24th

I rag on the Pixies for not producing any new material despite having reunited seven(!) years ago, but I can't really fault Frank Black as the man has released countless solo albums since the early '90s. And most of them are really fucking great. Though I've seen the Pixies live at least four times, I've never caught Frank Black solo, and even though now I have the chance to do so, I still can't make it. What's my problem? I don't know. But this show should be really great, full band or not, so if you're in the area, definitely make it down to Le Poisson Rouge for this. Tickets are still available (for some reason), and you should grab one ASAP since it's a pretty small place. Give Frank my regards...

Notable mentions:
Thursday, 7/21 - An Evening w/ the Monkees @ Coney Island (FREE)
Sunday, 7/24 - The Swirlies @ Beekman Beer Garden (FREE)

That's all I got for you this week. If there are any shows you feel we missed out on, please let us know in the comments section below. Have a good week!

They Might Be Giants Continue To Be Awesome, Announce Another Free NYC Show

It's pretty much impossible to not like They Might Be Giants, and they're certainly proving that this month for New Yorkers. One day after the release of their new album Join Us (four tracks of which they recently previewed) and nine days before their big free Williamsburg Waterfront show with Eugene Mirman, TMBG have announced that they'll be rocking a free in-store performance at Apple's SoHo store!

As with most Apple in-stores, you'll need to visit the day before to pick up a wristband in order to gain access to the performance. Which we highly recommend you do, as it's going to be a LOT of fun.

Check out the video of them rocking "Tubthumping" from everyone's favorite band Chumbawamba for The A.V. Club below the jump, as well as a video of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)." Because this is a TMBG post and that's basically required viewing. 

They Might Be Giants playing free show at Williamsburg Waterfront

Maybe I should change the name of this blog to Fucking TMBG, but that would lead to all sorts of weird connotations.

Oddly enough, as mentioned earlier, today is They Might Be Giants Awareness Day, and they have just announced a Williamsburg Waterfront show on Friday July 29th, much like Sonic Youth/Wild Flag did today. This show, however, is 100% FREE! Comedian Eugene Mirman, one of my faves, will be opening. Don't miss out on this great show!

UPDATE: TMBG is killing me today, but that's okay. The band will also be playing a "spontaneous song" with a group of great comedians, including Todd Barry, Kristen Schaal and the aforementioned Eugene Mirman, tomorrow night (4/27) at Littleford in Brooklyn for $5. Details of the event can be found here and tickets can be bought here. I would probably go but we here at Fucking Nostalgic will be covering the Low show tomorrow night at Bowery Ballroom. Enjoy!

They Might Be Giants preview four new songs

Well what do you know? Today is “They Might Be Giants Awareness Day” according to none other than… They Might Be Giants. My favorite band as a second grader (I was pretty much obsessed with “Istanbul” and “Particle Man” and all of Apollo 18) have made a video announcement on their website that they’ve been around for nearly thirty years, and in celebration you should listen to four preview tracks from the Brooklyn duo’s forthcoming album Join Us. Those songs are currently streaming over at Spinner, and of course available for download at iTunes.

Why not share those songs to raise awareness to those less fortunate to have never heard of the group? Or, as they suggest, share something on their Facebook event page? Join Us is TMBG’s fifteenth studio album and will be released on Idlewild on 7/19. Did anyone else ever secretly call Dial-A-Song as a kid from their house phone? 90% of the time I got a busy signal, but every now and then you’d be able to get through. Good times.