1990-04-04 Smash Hits

< Archived Interviews & Articles

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They Might Be Giants
By Alex Kadis, Smash Hits, April 4 1990
Archived from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tabloidfootprints/34934373283/in/album-72157685943248135/

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But then again they might be two mad Americans both called John. Can you guess which one has a fish called Brian?

JOHN FLANSBURGH

Date and place of birth?

I was born in Boston 1959 — I'm the baby of the group.

What did you think of John when you first met him?

Hm... basically he was a year older than me and he used to make these comic books and I thought they were really cool.

What do your family do?

I got one brother — nobody knows what he does. His name is Sky. My dad's an architect and my my mum runs a non-profit making official tour company of Boston.

What jobs have you had?

Well, my first job was in a record store — the only record store that made you wear a tie. I worked on an ice cream stand, a delivery truck of a pastry place... I removed staples — from pieces of paper. It was my sole responsibility. I sat opposite the person who put the staples in and like, just by putting in two staples I was like, "Oh no! Just one!"

What's the first thing you can remember?

I remember this kid next door taking this giant rock and smashing this incredibly beautiful robot I had with a television set in its stomach that showed planet Mars revolving around. I cried.

Can you recall the horror of your first live experience?

I was in this band at college called The Blackouts and I was wearing pyjamas. I was 20 years old. The pyjamas and the one note solo were pretty horrific.

Have you ever committed a crime?

Once me and Sky got chased off someone's pig farm with a shotgun because we were trespassing. I stole a newspaper once and John came down on me really hard. I stole it for him too!

Why do you appear to be so demented on your video?

We're not demented. We're actually trying to be cool — it just doesn't work.

Do you believe in God?

Well, up until I took this flight in this small plane the other week I didn't believe in God, but flying from Switzerland to Germany and having the plane tossed around like a piece of popcorn in a frying pan, I was praying there was a God and that he'd save me.

Can you describe yourself?

I don't know... I sometimes think I don't have any distinct facial features whatsoever. Sometimes I think I look more like a drawing than a regular human being.

What are your hobbies?

I eat in restaurants. Really, I just enjoy yacking with people. Talking to my friends, saying mean things about my other friends.

And what is a birdhouse in your soul, exactly?

It's one of those songs which means nothing... and everything. The actual two parts of the song actually make sense to each other.

JOHN LINNELL

Date and place of birth?

I was born in New York City, 1959.

What did you think of John when you first met him?

We met each other in Grammar school when we were about 13 or 14 - John moved to where I lived in Boston. I liked his ideas. I thought he was interesting. I found out about the smell later on.

What do your family do?

I have two sisters. They're the loves of my life. I've got a father who's a psychiatrist and a mother who's a school teacher.

What jobs have you had?

Let me see. . . I've done a bunch of food service ; I've cleaned tables, I've washed dishes for a delicatessen in Boston. And I was a bike messenger when I moved to New York. Then I worked in a dark room developing film, inhaling chemicals. I've had a lot of healthy jobs. That's why I'm such a stunning physical specimen today.

What's the first thing you can remember?

I remember going to Jones Beach outside of New York City, and The World Fair and stuff like that. I don't remember specific events. . . just images.

Can you recall the horror of your first live experience?

Yeah. I started playing saxophone for a band called The Bags and there was a moment when I would step out and do a solo. But I'd just bought this pick-up (i.e. tiny microphone) for my sax and when the time came all I could play was the highest note! I moved all my fingers around and nothing happened. The wire on my pick-up was holding open one of the valves on my sax. I had just played a one note solo.

Have you ever committed a crime?

Does drugs qualify? Well, I haven't done any.

Why do you appear to be so demented on your video?

(Looks offended) We're not demented. We're doing interesting stuff. Nothing but interesting. We just don't wanna do those stupid storyboard videos.

Do you believe in God?

I respect God but I don't believe in him.

Can you describe yourself?

I've got kinda dirty hair, I've got a bump in my nose, I have these two things under my mouth. . . they're not jowls. . .sort of muscles. I don't know what to do with them. And I have bad posture. But I'm a nice guy.

What are your hobbies?

I've got a bike. And I've got one fish called Brian Woodbury after a freind of mine.

And what is a birdhouse in your soul, exactly?

Urgh, I think this interview's over. Basically, it works as a metaphor. But it's open to interpretation. The first person in the song is a night light and he's suggesting to the occupant of the room to sort of like, accept the night light into your heart.