They Might Be Giants

This article is about the band. For the band's first album, see They Might Be Giants (album). For the 1971 film, see They Might Be Giants (film).

They Might Be Giants
John Flansburgh (left) and John Linnell (right) in 2016
John Flansburgh (left) and John Linnell (right) in 2016
Background information
Also known as
  • TMBG
  • El Grupo De Rock and Roll
OriginBrooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyThey Might Be Giants discography
Years active1982–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Website

They Might Be Giants, often abbreviated as TMBG, is an American alternative rock 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.[5] 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.[6]

The group has been noted for its unique style of alternative music, typically using surreal, humorous lyrics, experimental styles and unconventional instruments. Over their career, they have found success on the modern rock and college radio charts. They have also found success in children's music with several educational albums, and in theme music for television programs and films.

TMBG have released 23 studio albums. Flood has been certified platinum, while their children's music albums Here Come the ABCs, Here Come the 123s, and Here Comes Science have all been certified gold. The duo has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning two.[7][8] Flansburgh and Linnell won for writing the theme to Malcolm in the Middle (Best Film or Television Theme) and They Might Be Giants won for Here Come the 123s (Best Children's Album). Linnell and Flansburgh were also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre along with other composers of the show for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.[9] In total, the group has sold over 4 million records.[10]

  1. ^ Weisbard, Eric (December 2000). "Geek Love". SPIN. pp. 158–162.
  2. ^ Chaney, Keidra (January–February 2015). "The Evolution of Nerd Rock". Uncanny. No. 2. pp. 129–133.
  3. ^ Blistein, Jon (November 16, 2012). "They Might Be Giants Q&A". Billboard.
  4. ^ Freed, Nick; Salgado, Christina (March 14, 2014). "The Greatest Nerd Rock Records of All Time". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Santo, Jim (November 1994). "Beat the Machine". The Music Paper.
  6. ^ Spiegel, Amy Rose (February 19, 2015). "They Might Be Giants at 33: Still Here, Still Weird". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "ARTIST They Might Be Giants". Recording Academy Grammy Awards. Recording Academy.
  8. ^ "BOOK Book/CD Set". They Might Be Giants. Retrieved April 3, 2023. Our latest album and musical project BOOK has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Record Package. Congratulations to designer Paul Sahre and photographer Brian Karlsson for putting it all together with us. And wish us luck!
  9. ^ "2018 Tony Award Nominations: SpongeBob SquarePants and Mean Girls Lead the Pack". Playbill.com. May 2018. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "TMBG Facts". tmbg.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2007.