By Brent Michael, Rock At Night Tampa Senior Correspondent
Venue: Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, Florida–February 28th, 2025
They Might Be Giants stomped into the Tampa Bay area as part of their mostly-sold-out Big Tour, so if you want tickets – and why wouldn’t you? – grab them now! “We are doing favorites and new stuff, along with very different old stuff. With 85+ songs in active repertoire, the shows change radically from night to night, and there is a different album in the spotlight every night. This tour is a full-on celebration of all things They Might Be Giants. An 8-piece band playing 2 sets. It’s “An Evening with” so it starts early, with no opener. Doors are at 7 or earlier, TMBG are on stage at 8 EXCEPT Ft. Lauderdale who have to do everything different and we’re on stage at 7:30.” You already missed Fort Lauderdale, so that means all shows start at 8.
Okay, first I’m going to argue that the drummer was having the most fun of anyone on stage:
I rest my case!
Short historical, or maybe hysterical, band history: They Might Be Giants, often abbreviated as TMBG, is an American alternative rock and children’s band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG’s early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as a musical duo, often accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG expanded to include a backing band. The duo’s current backing band consists of Marty Beller, Dan Miller and Danny Weinkauf. They have been credited as vital in the creation and growth of the prolific DIY music scene in Brooklyn in the mid-1980s.
I first became familiar with the band in the mid-1990s, but by now nearly every United States resident has heard them – thought they might not recognize the fact. When I first heard of the the song I recognized was “Istanbul (Not Constaninople)” which was a cover of a 1953 song. But many others know know of them from their many other TV and movie songs, like “Particle Man,” for Tiny Toon Adventures, “Dr. Evil” for Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, “Dog On Fire” for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, “Boss of Me” and other songs from Malcolm in the Middle, “I’m Not a Loser” for the Spongebob Squarepants Musical. and many more. The band’s fanbase ranges from kids to old codgers – ahem – senior citizens like me!
Did I mention they’ve won two Grammy Awards?
St. Pete’s stop Highlighted their John Henry album, including “Meet James Ensor, Subliminal, No One Knows My Plan,” and “Out of Jail,” plus more than a few other recognizable songs like “Doctor Worm, We Live in a Dump, Brontosaurus, Nothing’s Gonna Change My Clothes,” and two encores, “She’s an Angel” and “Particle Man,”, then ending with “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)!”
Catch them while you can!
Photo Gallery
SNIPPETS of the SHOW
When not in custody, I've been involved with music, photography, and writing my entire life. Ever since I was a young boy and played those silver tunes, I've had the beat, but being a drummer didn't suit me so I became a lead singer, which lasted a few years. Settling down, sort of, I translated my knowledge of audio and glib tongue into mobile emcee work, and my training as a photographer and videographer into a living in the wedding, party, bar/bat mitzvah, and entertainment industry. During this time I also managed to bamboozle my way into a master's degree in writing, worked for a couple of magazines (yes, I took photos for a nudist magazine!), have photographed hotels, done commercial work (shot the cover of Tablet and Capsule magazine), published a few articles, hosted some public access shows (a couple times in drag, but that's another story), and generally made a nuisance of myself until I landed here.
- Jannus Live invaded by GIANTS! - March 2, 2025
- Hooked Up with TBMOM at Magnanimous Brewing! - January 28, 2025
- Orpheum divided into Seven Kingdoms, Lutharo follows Spiritual Chaos! - December 10, 2024
