They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants is a prominent act in the alternative rock and indie music scene. Formed in Brooklyn by vocalist and guitarist John Flansburgh and vocalist and multi-instrumentalist John Linnell, the duo established a unique presence in the American underground music landscape. In their early years, Flansburgh and Linnell often performed as a duo, utilizing tape and drum machines to accompany their live shows. Their unconventional instrumentation and songs featuring unusual subject matter and wordplay attracted a dedicated local following. A demo cassette led to a review in People magazine and a recording contract with Bar/None Records.

The band's self-titled debut album introduced their signature sound, blending witty, surreal lyrics with melodies influenced by new wave, punk, and pop. Albums such as "Lincoln" and "Flood" expanded their audience, with "Flood" achieving platinum status and producing hits like "Birdhouse in Your Soul" and "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)." The album "Apollo 18" coincided with the band being named official musical ambassadors of International Space Year by NASA and featured innovative use of the CD shuffle feature with the track "Fingertips."

They Might Be Giants are recognized as forerunners of the "nerd rock" genre, influencing bands such as Barenaked Ladies, Harvey Danger, and Weezer. The band later adopted a more rock-oriented sound on albums like "John Henry" and was an early adopter of internet-based music distribution. They have received four Grammy Award nominations, winning two: Best Film or Television Theme for "Boss of Me" from "Malcolm in the Middle" and Best Children's Album for "Here Come the 123s." Flansburgh and Linnell were also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score for their contribution to SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical.

Expanding into children's music, They Might Be Giants released three certified gold albums with Walt Disney Records and contributed to various Disney projects. Their children's albums include "No!," "Here Come the ABCs," "Here Come the 123s," and "Here Comes Science." The band continued to release albums for adult audiences, such as "Glean," "Book," and "The World Is to Dig."

They Might Be Giants have maintained an active touring schedule, performing with an expanded eight-piece ensemble that includes a horn section. Their live shows feature a diverse setlist, highlighting different albums and spanning their extensive catalog. Over their career, the band has released 24 studio albums, 25 extended plays, 20 live albums, 18 compilation albums, and 40 singles, establishing a significant legacy in alternative and indie rock music.