How a 1 MINUTE Underground Song SPARKED an Indie Band to Sell a Million Records | Professor of Rock

Coming up a conversation with the hilarious duo They Might Be Giants who helped originate geek rock from with alternative vibe. Diving into their double platinum record Flood from 1990 including an in depth discussion on their modern rock hits Birdhouse in Your Soul.. early on, the two Johns… John Flansburgh and John Linnell found that Writing one minute songs was their forte and then they sprung up from the underground and sold a million records with one of the most explosive ear catching songs of the time along with other great songs from the album including Particle Man and Istanbul (not Constantinople) and Minimum Wage... both members of the duo tell us how being the album of the month for Columbia House’s famous 8 albums for a penny offer helped them break through next on professor of rock.
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#1990s #rock #vinylstory
They Might Be Giants, the hilarious duo go behind their classic feel good indie son from 1990, Birdhouse in your Soul . The song is a total jolt to the system. An absolute bad mood killer. You can't listen to this classic without a huge smile on you face. From the outstanding album Flood, which was the soundtrack to many of our lives and a must for every music nerds vinyl collection. Here is John Linnel and John Flansburgh with the story. Hey music junkies Professor of Rock always her to celebrate the greatest artists and songs of all time. We invite you to join our community of music celebration by subscribing below for our daily episodes . Also support our mission of curating the history of the rock era by becoming a patron.,
Today we go behind one of the great feel good indie songs of the 1990s. Birdhouse in your Soul by the inimitable duo They Might Be Giants. It's a song that just it a jolt to the system. It's total bad mood killer. You can't listen to this classic without a huge smile on you face. From the outstanding album Flood, which was the soundtrack to many of our lives. Here is John Linnel and John Flansburgh with the story:
Thanks for watching, Leave us a comment about Birdhouse in Your Soul, Flood and They Might Be Giants below . Tell us your memories about TMBG. Celebrate this brilliant band the right way by getting Flood on vinyl. Flood is one of those classics you have to have in your collection. If you like our content join our community by subscribing to this channel below. Become a patron to help us keep the music alive. Until next time three chords and the truth my friends.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the best "SHORT" song of all time?

[@killrmillr]

ZZ Top - Tush (2:15) Judas Priest - Breaking The Law (2:35)

[@stephenbrown4211]

White Riot The Clash 1:58 The House is Rockin Stevie Ray Vaughan 2:24

[@familyberliner6254]

I WILL by The Beatles is a classic shorty@ 1:45; love me some LETTERBOX from Flood; also, gottta give props to THROUGH WITH BUZZ by Steely Dan. An orchestrally compact pretzel of a jam.

[@ktaadnpainter]

FINGERTIPS!!!

[@vehicle22]

Paul Revere and the Raiders--Kicks @ 2:16.

[@deanevangelista6359]

It’s beyond me why TMBG isn’t more popular or famous than they are. I saw them recently, and they performed one of their songs completely backwards, including the lyrics. After intermission, the venue played the video backwards, and it was almost perfect. The humor, the brilliant lyrics, and their catchy melodies are simply amazing.

[@greeplurch]

Sapphire bullets! That part of the show absolutely melted my mind.

[@jaysharpESQ]

I feeling like it's probably because while they now fit into the musical landscape - they kinda invented the whole musical genre. In 1990, there wasn't much else sounding like them on the radio. Drum machines weren't like, accepted by the mainsteam quite yet. Bands like Magnetic Fields wouldn't break for another decade nearly. At the time bands like my bloody valentine were considered noisy and different. I dunno that's just my two cents. Also, I feel like their live shows now are more traditional then they probably always appeared live. Originally. I remember thinking it so cool and quirky to see a band live with two guys, a spinning wheel on stage and one plays accordion... But that's just the whole thing. Live, it was two guys from Brooklyn, one who played accordion. Musical tastes weren't as varied and accepting back then And genres were more restrictive and peoples tastes were dictated more by their preferred genre... Which were way more defining. Just my two cents.

[@joebove4]

I get it. They’re absolutely my favorite band, hands down, no exception. But they’re also incredibly niche. Their style appeals to a very specific mentality that I don’t think the wider music audience has.

[@jaysharpESQ]

@@joebove4 don't talk to be about niche. My favorite band is the 🎃🔨

[@joebove4]

@@jaysharpESQ they were pretty darn mainstream in their day, man.

[@JunkyardBashSteve]

TMBG saved my life honestly. I discovered them through Homestar Runner and when I actually got into their music it was at the most critical time in my life. I had no joys or hobbies, but suddenly they hit my ears and everything felt right again. I'm still collecting their CDs and vinyls and listening to them daily.

[@ktaadnpainter]

It's great to get Flood stories, but your viewers should know that these guys haven't stopped putting out great music. Their body of work is as big as anyone's...and it's all awesome.

[@angelavalles5773]

THIS. TMBG have yet to release a disappointing album, and they still put on a phenomenal show. Seeing them four times next year.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I know, right? I love them!

[@mattj5492]

brilliant band, they are still going strong, for sure!

[@jennifercoopman]

They did the theme song for Disney's new 'Mickey mouse clubhouse' in the 2000's. I remember watching it with my toddler and seeing them in the credits and thinking how perfect it was that they were tapped to do that. We got ears it's time for cheers!

[@pappasan1971]

After Apollo 18 they brought in a band and the sound changed. It wasn't until Mink Car was released that I got that classic vibe again.

[@vicb7341]

Man. I saw them in a tiny club as a duo when they released Anna Ng as a single. Just the 2 of them with a sampler. So many songs....a unique, smart, once in a generation band. "I don't want the world, I just want your half"

[@AdamMann3D]

My last name is as you can see Mann. I had sons in 2018 and 2019. My wife refused my idea to name them Triangle Mann and Particle Mann

[@ericankney5957]

Was she holding out for Universe Mann?

[@juliodiaz2141]

I'll be damned. Just yesterday, I was thinking to myself, "I bet Professor of Rock never does anything with my favorite band," and not 24 hours later, this drops. I've interviewed both Johns a number of times, and seen them live at least a dozen times, so I'm really excited to see this. Great interview!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

If he does an episode on Istanbul I’d be shocked.

[@mattj5492]

an interesting one would be around Boss of Me, a hit for them and for big TV series in early 2000s. It'd be interesting to hear more how they got involved in that.

[@TonyHightower]

Birdhouse was the first dance at our wedding. For my wife & I, it's Our Song.

[@danimalplanet7931]

Birdhouse is perfection. First 2 albums (pre-Flood) are true masterpieces

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Agreed!

[@soapytiger]

Lincoln is a staple when I paint

[@ZandoFox]

Ah, the antediluvian albums!

[@danimalplanet7931]

@@ZandoFox Haha now that is some nerdy humor for a nerdy band! I approve 🤓🤓🤓

[@yvonnesanders4308]

Those first 3 were their beat imo

[@mattfrench2120]

Still my favourite band. Much like Sparks, they have always had their artistic vision and have never compromised it, across genres and media formats.

[@StepOSX]

My wife and I loved TMBG and we listened to Flood so many times when we started dating. When we were married in 1994, one of her bridesmaids - a friend to this day - bought us two front tickets to their show as our wedding present. Still a memorable gift.

[@TheEricthefruitbat]

Not long after I moved to Edmonton to go to university, I heard "Istanbul, not Constantinople" randomly on the radio. It really caught me; it was so different to anything else on the radio. I learned that it was by TMBG, on the Flood album. I went out as soon as I could to find the album, and I listened to that cassette almost incessantly. "Birdhouse in Your Soul" was the cherry on top of one of the best albums I've ever had.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Had the same experience the first time I heard it. I was like, “Why would someone make a song about Turkey?” Mom said, “Just for silliness.”

[@rabbitsrefuse]

TMBG are living legends. And their catalogue has evolved with them, and their fan base has only gotten bigger and more diverse. I got hooked when I was in middle school and heard Experimental Film on Homestar Runner and at 31, they’re still one of my absolute favourite bands of all time.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They’re the best!

[@RhymesWithCarbon]

I've been a fan of Weird Al since I was a kid - maybe 8 - and the first time I heard They Might Be Giants, I was hooked. It was my freshman year of college in 1993. Flood was a few years old, but HUGE among my friends. Here was a band that was singing fun, not-too-serious songs about math and physics, and stylistically they were all over the place: Just like me! I've had the privilege of meeting many famous musicians in my life but I've been starstruck only a few times, and these guys (along with Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz, and The Presidents of the United States of America - moreso than an actual President of the United States) got me absolutely gobsmacked. As always, thank you so much for the great content, Adam. I'm a huge fan and look forward to each day's adventure.

[@MusicOrLoseItTV]

Weird Al is very nice. I’m re-uploading my interview with him in a few weeks when his biopic is released.

[@Kringlelicious]

My husband and I were very early adopters of the Kia Soul. We found an absolutely beautiful tin birdhouse ornament to put in it so we could have a little birdhouse in our Soul. :)

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

When I was a younger girl I had one teacher who was a birdwatcher, and she had a true birdhouse in her soul.

[@mournblade1066]

They Might Be Giants' debut album is absolutely amazing. Something like 18 songs on it, 15 of which are brilliant. "Absolutely Bill's Mood" is such a great track.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. They could pack in a lot of songs.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Not a bad song on that album.

[@space__idklmao]

Everything Right is Wrong Again & Hide Away Folk Family are two of my favorites from that album

[@BillLaBrie]

TMBG had a whole collection of micro-songs on the Apollo 18 album. I remember most of them and quote them all the time, but mainly “What’s that blue thing….doing here?” and “Aren’t you the guy (who hit me in the eye?)”

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Always made me chuckle and brightened my day.

[@laustcawz2089]

"Fingertips"

[@dennismokry258]

I had a stereo with a five disc changer that would random through all five discs, it was awesome fun getting one track of the Finger Tips wedged between hard rock songs like Van Halen’s Mean Streets and Quiet Riot’s Metal Health. Thanks for this great interview with TMBG.

[@sullyjebs4039]

Fingertips was put out the way it was so that when your disc was on random it would throw one of those songs and randomly between the other songs. On later CDs they condensed it to one song instead of the breakdown and kind of ruined the effect

[@bwilliams463]

Yeah, I remember putting the album into my CD player for the first time and it showed 28 tracks. I love the compilation; but I still wish they had expanded some of those compelling little nuggets into full songs.

[@paulsnell1274]

No truer words….“Always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time”. Thanks for the daily content which “Always brings a smile”! Thanks Prof!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching and supporting the channel Paul!

[@aspalovin]

Particle man on Tiny Toons was more addictive than anything else when it came out. Everyone at school couldn't shut up about it lol

[@ProfessorofRock]

Ha ha. So very true!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Particle Man is awesome. 😎

[@SIXPACFISH]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 But Triangle Man is the Workingman's Hero.

[@mrwednesdaynight]

If you were under 12 in 1990, Tiny Toons was how you learned about They Might Be Giants.

[@shawnashy2582]

Thank you for highlighting one of my favorite bands of all time!

[@anthonyhind1308]

"I came back as a bag of groceries accidentally taken off the shelf before the date stamped on myself"-from the song Dead.Probably the best lyric ever written.

[@machinsdoublechin326]

This album was my life in 1990. Everyone in my peer group thought I was the biggest dork on earth. I was, but this album is awesome! I was totally right to be obsessed with it.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree! It was a Geek Rock Masterpiece

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’m such a nerd too because I love this stuff!

[@personbear]

One of my greatest concert moments was the encore of an NYC show. They introduced "Dr Evil" by saying "there's really only one kind of doctor..." and then when they were done, they said, "actually, there's one other kind of doctor..." and the crowd went wild knowing they were in for a rendition of "Dr Worm!"

[@eriksonofander]

I absolutely used to put many short songs like Minimum Wage or "Bonus Cup" songs from The Descendents on mix tapes. I was obsessed with completely filling the cassettes. So much fun and challenging.

[@NoCanDu]

I saw them at Irving Plaza NYC on Halloween around 1993? They asked people who played string instruments to come early. They put them up in the balcony and taught them the part to a special song… Turned into “Horse With No Name! Fun show! ❤

[@richardmackinnon611]

When I was in college, this album was HUGE with my group of friends. I had to dive into their back catalogue after hearing it, and I wasn't disappointed! If I made a TMBG "Best Of" album, it would include the first five albums in their entirety. I hope you do more on this band, and you highlight their Dial-A-Song service. You'd call a number, and you'd get a song! They even incorporated the number in the lyrics of a Dial-A-Song number "Swing is a Word". I love that you talked about "Minimum Wage". I had a friend who made that his answering machine message (remember those?). Come to think of it, it would make a great ringtone!

[@shanehebert396]

Similar here... I was in college when Flood was released and our group loved it.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’ve heard a lot about Dial-A-Song! Great album right there!

[@djwritestoomuch]

Fingertips

[@mandialter5222]

I think I had heard Istanbul at some point before they were on Tiny Toons, but I don't have any clear memories of TMBG before that episode. I love that in the episode even the characters seem to be confused by the songs' presence (Buster saying "Who are these guys?").

[@Mark-zu6oz]

Saw them in concert 12/31/22 - still going strong. The actually played one of their songs backwards, end to beginning. They recorded it, and then played it beginning to end so we could see how accurate it was, and it was really close.

[@indiedavecomix3882]

I loved them since "Don't Let's Start"! What a fun band!

[@Paul-dw2cl]

I don’t know how I missed this video for the past 10 months, one of my favorite bands and one of my favorite channels

[@scottburton9701]

I've heard They Might Be Giants numerous times on The Dr.Demento Show-These guys are fantastic.

[@seanofpeace]

Arguably one of the best lyrics in music is in that album. From “Road Movie to Berlin”: “We were once so close to heaven, Peter came out and gave us medals declaring us the nicest of the damned.”

[@mbalrog6]

I have a great story that involves TMBG. My brother was in charge of my High Schools lunch hour music on the quad, this was back around 1991. I loved TMBG and I persuaded him to play "Spider" in the middle of the lunch hour when the quad was at its fullest. This is by far the most jarring and wonderfully bizarre song from their Apollo 18 album, that song resets your mind. I can still remember when that song hit, every student on the quad stopped in unison, complete shock showing across their faces. When "Spider, he is our hero" sounded across the quad, It was wonderfully glorious, I was so happy my brother did it.

[@DanieVargas]

My best girlfriend found TMBG when we were in 9th and 10th grade (she was a grade behind me). She was SO into their songs. I will tell the world that their song Constantinople gets STUCK IN MY HEAD every time I hear it!! And when I first started watching Big Bang Theory, their theme song, I kept saying Bare Naked Ladies was reminding me of They Might Be Giants! I love a song that makes you stop and LAUGH at the “hidden” lyrics…

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Constantinople is a bonafide earworm!!!

[@bktc9011]

Saw them in Carbondale IL in 1990 then went bowling with John Flansburgh after the show.

[@duromusabc]

Enjoyed 1972 hits on my drive to lunch today Nice To Be With You - Gallery Playground In My Mind - Clinton Holmes Go All The Way - Raspberries Listen To The Music - Doobie Brothers Everything I Own - Bread Ah the nostalgia of simpler more innocent times ! Thanks Adam for your KZbin channel! Got me music nostalgic !

[@bryannawilliams2963]

Saw these guys live in Portland, ME earlier this month. One of my favorite shows ever to attend! So much fun.

[@amysuggs729]

High on my list of all time favorite bands. Saw them live every chance I could back in the day. Even had my hassled John's t shirt signed by them. So happy to see them being recognized. You truly do rock. Thank you.

[@HJH413]

Thank you for shining some light on one of my favorite bands. TMBG were always a band that I kept to myself, thinking no one else would get it. Glad to hear I'm not alone.

[@darenburnett5894]

This just popped up on my feed and holy woah- how have I never found this channel??? TMBG is a group I truly don't think I appreciated until adulthood to the fullest- between their brilliant mastering and the cleverness in their lyrics, truly one of the greatest musical groups of my generation (or possibly any... it's arguable)

[@phillipstevens7194]

FLOOD was a requirement for all theatre nerds in the 90s...I used to teach theatre Tech to youth and I told them they needed to buy the CD...It was great for testing sound systems as well...

[@jaredblair9239]

I was born in 84, I really love the 70s, 80s, and I’m really happy your covering more 90s videos lately! Definitely enjoy this channel. Thanks!

[@crispypickles8466]

Still one of my favorite songs all-time. I LOVE these guys. 👍

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

As an autistic nerd, I think they’re awesome!

[@Jivolt]

On May 15th, 2024, I saw TMBG’s The Big Tour and they still got it. Unbelievable show.

[@lupinthird]

You went and did it. You interviewed my all-time faves, and earned a sub in the process!

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

If you're introducing to them to someone, show them: "A Tale of Two Johns." A wonderful introduction to the band!

[@pappasan1971]

These guys are so great. That film is out of print so they put it on KZbin so everyone can enjoy it

[@mattgilbert7347]

There's a real depth to the fun and the quirk. It's beautiful.

[@edryba4867]

How can anyone NOT like They Might Be Giants? Their music always struck me as pure FUN! At least most of it, anyway. I don’t think I could name a single one of their songs that I didn’t like within the first ten seconds! Try that sometime with any other recording artists. It’s incredibly hard to do - it makes me think of the old saying, “If it was easy, everyone would do it!” Notice just about NOBODY has ever been able to do that except THESE GUYS! TMBG seem to have cracked the secret code somehow, and to me, everything they’ve recorded has been appealing on multiple levels. Thanks, Adam, for this video! You always do a good job, and this one was great fun!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks ED!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They don’t have a bad song on them. Their music always makes me laugh.

[@jackiepaper6464]

I would like to know how many people actually finished the contract with Columbia. I didn't and that was 35 years ago at least.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That would be good information to have.

[@treyhudson73]

I don't know what you're talking about...🤐😇

[@stinkypinkeee5085]

I was always scared I would be thw one to get in trouble...

[@captng]

Oohh snap... And BNG records

[@NoCanDu]

My parents finished it! 🤣 This was before CDs, though. 😂

[@raymeedc]

One of my all time favorite group‼️ As a 73 year old musician in the field since 1964 or so, that’s something. Love the variety of odd subjects they write about & the inimitable approach they have to their production….. truly won of a kind👌

[@scottbourret1190]

I remember first hearing TMBG in college. Ana Ng is still my favorite of their songs. Takes me back to apartment and frat parties from back then.

[@sspbrazil]

Love these guys. All their albums are just fun, “Particle Man” and “Your Racist Friend” are brilliant songs too.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure. Great stuff.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

This whole album is awesome.

[@projectpat006]

I remember Particle Man from Tiny Toons

[@fluidikons]

yes would have loved to hear how Particle Man came about

[@robster7316]

Learned a bunch from today’s segment! There’s always something new to appreciate in the world of music. Thx Adam!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Robster! I really appreciate you!

[@Zillah82]

I had the pleasure of getting to see them perform this live. Highly recommend seeing them if you can. Was so much fun.

[@rickhealey4231]

I was one of the many kids whose musical fandom was forever altered by that Tiny Toons episode. Maybe I'm odd, but the song that actually always stuck with me the most off of Flood was Whistling In The Dark. I spent so much time pouring over that. Also, in terms of fond memories of music clubs, I still remember ordering John Henry off of one. That was a magical day.

[@pappasan1971]

For a Senior high school spring trip in April of 1990, my best friend and I drove cross country from Detroit to Salt Lake City (1600+ miles each way). We listened to the Flood on cassette on repeat. To this day I still have every song lyric memorized and learned the harmony part to counter my friend singing the melody. For my birthday, my son (who is a huge TMBG fan) bought tickets to go see the 30th anniversary of the Flood tour in 2020. That show was postponed 3 times due to Covid. They finally got back on tour but I was unable to make the show we had tickets for tonight. So watching this video makes me feel just a little bit better.

[@MyName-pl7zn]

Create world peace by listening to They Might Be Giants! Love it, you maybe right! You can't listen to them without coming away with a great feeling that puts you in a good mood. A true indie band made some fantastic music with a very original style. Great interview and episode professor

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks My Name!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

We all need a little silly in our lives, and it doesn’t get any better than TMBG and Weird Al. This song is a vibe, for sure!

[@juliodiaz2141]

Just to tell the tale, I discovered them in 1986 when I saw the "Don't Let's Start" video on "120 Minutes" and went out and bought the cassette the next day, and I've never looked back. Saw them live for the first time in 1990, back when it was still just the two Johns and backing tapes. I still vividly recall that show and many others. Just the best.

[@BClarke]

Great call by the Professor on using “Minimum Wage” to fill out those few extra seconds of the mix tape! I had a few go-to’s for that, including this one. Also, need to put out some love for “Women and Men”! Great track.

[@johnathansaegal3156]

16:35 ... I supervised a printing company who did commercial jobs. When medical or legal teams needed files to be duplicated, every bit of metal had to be removed from the files. Thousands of staples, paperclips, brass brads... they all had to be removed or they would tear up the ten-thousand-dollar photovoltaic systems of our printers. We had teams of minimum wage employees sitting with mountains of file folders, some folders a literal foot thick of documents, all needing to go page by page to remove anything metal such as staples. I feel for those guys, that is a laborious and thankless job - at least for my crew I would order pizza for lunch twice a week and pay for their deli sandwiches each day. I could not give them raises, but out of my pocket or petty cash allotment, I'd help them out as best I could.

[@nathanielowensleigh7513]

As a kid I had insomnia. When I was 12 I found Dr. Demento on the westward one radio network while scanning the radio in bed. I would listen to it every night it was on. I remember distinctly when “Don’t Let’s Start” came on. I was never going to be the same again. It matched the emotions I felt when I had first heard DEVO at age 5. This was how I identified. These were my people.

[@djmasey420]

Those Tiny Toon videos were my first introduction to them. I remembered watching them when I was young (preteen maybe 8 or 9) and loving them. Again, being a DJ you get to reintroduce songs to people. I played Birdhouse in Your Soul one night and the whole bar started singing. Thank for all the memories! They are good ones!

[@christyhubbard8074]

I wish they’d bring that deal back!! Ahhhh, nostalgia!!!! Thanks for another great segment as always Professor!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

You and me both!

[@bquintb]

The other day I thought...damn, I been listening to these guys for over 30 years and I still look forward to their albums. Such a great band

[@inogeni]

So glad you guys talked about tiny tunes.. totally how I got into TMBG as a kid. Flood still is my favorite nostalgia album

[@Darbobski]

TMBG has so many great songs that it's hard to even narrow down a top 20 favorites. So unique and oddly deeper than most people think. Great musicians and great minds!

[@davidestes7266]

I love hearing how these songs were made and what was going on with the bands members at the time. It's like AMC when Nick Clooney would enlighten us about the actors and the background of what was going on at that time in their lives. This is one of my favorite KZbin channels, and I would have watched this on television if it was on back in the days of American Bandstand. I mean what incredible explanations and interviews. Wonderful tidbits of mental health, surgeries, divorces and breakups. Professor of Rock has it all.

[@Dr.Quarex]

They Might Be Giants is such an amazing live act, definitely worth catching them if you ever have the chance. They were the first band I ever saw live, now that I think of it. Though you can tell it was before the Internet era since my friends and I waited around to meet them after the show and since we did not really know what they looked like they literally came out and walked right past us and got on the tour bus and left

[@TracyLynn2744]

One of my favorite songs still. So lovely!

[@elizabethp2395]

You talk about your childhood music all the time,... I'm a snidge older than you and... John & John were my QUINTESSENTIAL teenage crushes. My best friend and I would listen to their first two albums ad nauseam between 1986-1989... we'd call Dial-A-Song and leave giggling messages... and I have never fangirl'ed SO hard as I did at the end of 1989 when we saw them play at Bowdoin College in Maine, right before FLOOD came out. I sometimes think John & John were the reason why I moved to New York City and spent 16 year in Brooklyn after graduating from college in 1994. Loved this interview when it originally came out... you are such a gift, Adam. ❤

[@bugpiss]

this video warms my heart so much because it feels like a grandson asking his grandparents questions about their life when they were his age

[@svarner8206]

I'm a bird lover. First attracted by the song title, "Birdhouse in Your Soul", listened, loved the duo! Loved Istanbul, because I grew up listening to my father's music --- including "Puttin' on the RItz" (Irving Berlin, 1929). Great what they did with this tune! The 80's and 90's were great times for a little creative branching out in popular music! Awesome interview.

[@MechaJoezilla]

These guys are awesome! I’ve first heard of them when “Weird Al” took over MTV and played Don’t Let Start. I was hooked in an instant! Great interview, they are very grounded and cool.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

And they were both on Demento, right?

[@CarnivoreRonin]

One of my favorites ever! Such an amazing band and album.

[@gdcadad]

Can’t wait for the FLOOD anniversary tour next spring! It’s a long time coming! 🎉🎉🎉

[@joshtiscareno1312]

Man, Flood is one of my favorite car-trip albums. Almost every song is great, and you can't help wanting to sing along. "Women and Men", "Lucky Ball & Chain", and "Letterbox" are a few of my favorite lesser known songs off of the album.

[@bwilliams463]

Hot Cha, where are you? Everybody's eyes are closed. I can't see why I need you so / Hot Cha, where are you?

[@heyday179]

the story about istambul was so interesting. i had no idea it was a cover. ive been a fan of their work for many years. i love their sense of humor and how clever their lyrics are and admire them musically. the song fits right in with their work. i love how the song has strains of middle eastern music in it, the clever rhymes. i was shocked it was a cover.

[@jennifercoopman]

Wow, just to be reminded of Columbia record club, I can't believe I forgot about that! Thanks for bringing back some great old memories, Prof!!

[@jarenbigelow8606]

Listening to this album with friends are some of my best memories.

[@bobjose5855]

I was a metal head and never heard of these guys until a college friend introduced me to Flood. His dorm room was the hangout spot and Flood was one of about 10 CDs that were played countless times until it became part of me... a good part of me. Great memories.

[@timb8970]

Great memories! Wish I could go back to those days just for a few days.

[@EvilLron]

Got to see TMBG in Chattanooga several years ago. Great concert!

[@missilotze2985]

Tmbg is in a class by themselves. Musical creativity, lyrical genius. They'll need a crane is heartbreaking. TWISTING has my favorite opening line, ever. "She set your goldfish free, and now she's sighing. Blew out your pilot light and made a wish." Wicked and dark, with that upbeat music.

[@GummyBearWA]

TMBG is one of my all time favorite bands. I saw them at a lot of early college shows when they first hit the scene. I knew they'd be extra special so I bought two copies of each album and never opened the second disc. I still have them in pristine condition.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They’re just that awesome, huh?

[@The23s]

Great interview. Looks like Flans is pretty well recovered from his accident, good to see. I discovered TMBG with Don’t Let’s Start, thanks to a freshman year roommate, and I couldn’t stand them at first. They slowly grew on me though, and a few years later, when Flood came out, I was hooked the moment I heard Particle Man, Whistling in the Dark, We Want a Rock… so many great cuts on that album, I could never pick a favorite. Fully half the concerts I’ve been to in my life have been They.

[@nolimit6377]

this was recorded awhile back. he is recovering well, tho. They're playing live right now

[@n.c.ballarini6747]

Watching Istanbul and Particle Man on Tiny Tunes is a memory that will never leave me. Flood is truly in my top 5 albums start to finish.

[@2Chickaboom2]

It can’t be just me smiling like an idjit watching the Johns chatting so calmly and about whatever POR wants to fan-gush about. I know they have been great with fans and interviews but it is so refreshing to see. What great guys. Also, I ended up with a LOT of TMBG, Residents and Ken Nordine’s Colors as mix-tape filler as well. All prone to catchy, interesting SHORT tracks.

[@_Azzychan]

The first time I had heard about them was in a magazine called Sassy. The article was called "Stuck in traffic with TMBG". Then, of course, Tiny Toons Adventures....I was hooked. They did a concert for DirectTV in the early 2000s. I still have it on VHS.

[@nadinerogers5653]

I learned this band's music from my younger sister. I am glad they are still together after all this time!

[@ProfessorofRock]

You've got a cool sister!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I learned them from my mom!

[@AlWashburn]

I'll be honest, never thought you'd cover TMBG, so glad you did definitely a favorite band of mine, their first 3 albums might be my favorite first 3 albums of any band. Definitely first heard them on Tiny Toons so I'm glad they mentioned it, not sure when I would have found out about them without it.

[@patrickmcandrew4949]

Also one of the best-playing and most fun love bands! First time I saw them was 94 or 95. Their Prospect Park concerts are legendary!

[@toddcampbell-crow8615]

My aunt gave me Flood for my 7th birthday, and TMBG has been my favorite band ever since.

[@rhaudeni5770]

Living in the Boston area for almost 30 years, these guys were one of our absolute favorite acts. Big shows and small, they delivered! One of my best old buds went to the same high school (a few years after them), and never failed to remind us of that fact;) We probably saw them live more than anyone else, except another great group that was more regularly doing clubs in our heyday; Bim Skala Bim.

[@johnbriggs7728]

I'm glad it was brought up, because the first time I heard Particle Man, or anything from TMBG for that mater, was on Tiny Toons. There was Particle Man and they also did Istanbul.

[@deanrobert9953]

Nice work POR and TMBG. Cheers

[@anthonyparkernearlifeexp]

Man flood is such an amazing album! Every song is great. My favorite songs are we want a rock, dead, your racist friend, birdhouse (of course), particle man; Whistling in the dark. Istanbul, so many.

[@johnchedsey1306]

I love TMBG still to this day. I saw the "Don't Let's Start" video on MTV when their first album was new and immediately fell in love with their music. Flood of course was in constant play when it came out and I probably wore out my cassette in the first month. I still consider it one of the best albums of the 1990s. And I still listen this band on a regular basis. Hope they get very old before they die.

[@adamv242]

TMBG's catalog is absolutely brilliant. Lifelong fan of the two Johns.

[@jeraldoverby7611]

Flood cd was my 1st purchase of theirs and been hooked ever since. Birdhouse was so BRILLIANT - There's no one else like TMBG!

[@carymoshman1180]

Amazing band!!! Have all their albums and saw them live.