1994-10-11 Meriden Record Journal
He Might Be a Giant: Quirky Q&A with John Flansburgh
By Orla Swift, Meriden Record-Journal, October 11, 1994
What's the strangest or funniest message anyone ever put on your dial-a-song phone machine, back when people could leave messages?
A friend of mine left a very convincing impression of (rock journalist and author) Robert Christgau saying he hated our group and he was going to destroy us. It was a little devastating.
Did anyone leave critiques? Did you take the advice?
I guess the harshest critique would be made by people hanging up in the middle, which was a pretty strong indicator that the song didn't hold their interest. So we took their advice and tried writing more interesting songs.
What CD was last in your stereo?
My five-disc player currently holds The Kings' Kronikles, Great American Marches, The Songs of Hoagy Charmichael, Mangled by Steve Westfield, and Green Day.
What is the most important lesson your parents taught you?
That I don't want to be spanked.
What did your parents tell you that you wish you'd believed at the time?
Pay your college loans.
If you could have any singer — dead or alive — cover one of your songs, who would it be, what song, and why?
I've actually been asked this question once before. I'd say David Bowie performing "Spy" would be my personal wish. He has a great way of putting over the most unlikely sentiment, and he always seemed like a spy to me.
What do you do to relax?
I drive to cities in decline and stroll through pawn shops and junk stores.
What do you do when you're depressed?
Send faxes so I don't scream at the people I work with.
If you were a fly, whose wall would you land on?
My record company's.
Who are some of your favorite groups or performers?
I am currently very into Beck, Green Day and Bob Dylan.
What is the best book you've ever read?
"Labor and Monopoly Capital," by Harry Braverman.
What's the worst meal you've eaten?
An Italian sub in Cleveland Circle, Brookline, Mass. I cannot describe what happened.
What's always in your refrigerator?
A toy guitar autographed by Les Paul that says: "Hi, John. You've got a problem — Les Paul."
What were your best and worst subjects in high school?
I loved poetry. I was too itchy to do physics.
What question do you wish nobody would ever ask you again?
"Where do you get your ideas?"
What question do you wish people would ask you? And what's the answer?
"What does it feel like to be respected for the integrity and imagination of your band?" And the answer would be. "Very nice, thank you."
What's the greatest misconception about you?
That we are a novelty band.
Do you subscribe to any magazines?
Harpers The New Yorker and Guitar Player.
What's your biggest regret from your teen years?
Worrying about grades.
What's your favorite song of your own?
"Meet James Ensor."
What's your favorite song/songs by another artist?
"Blue Skies," by Irving Berlin.
If you had a teen-age child, and you could tell him/her three things and be guaranteed that the teen would believe them fully and learn from them, what would you advise?
Celebrities are not philosophers, seat belts work, and location, location, location.
What's the best thing anyone's ever said — or written — to you?
A Japanese fan wrote a letter saying. "I am in love under your voice." I thought that was quite flattering.
What's the worst thing that ever happened to you in school?
Getting beaten up by a gang.
What's the worst outfit your parents made you wear as a child?
Wool pants to church.
What's the worst novel you were ever forced to read?
"Jonathan Livingston Seagull."
What's your favorite classical composition?
I'd be (lying) if I could say.
Are you more like Peter, Bobby or Greg Brady & why?
Well, I think I am neither helpless (Peter and Bobby) or self-satisfied (Greg), so I'd prefer not to make the comparison.
How do you eat an Oreo?
Sadly, in quantity.
Do you think you have the determination and self-restraint to lick your way to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop?
Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.
If you were trapped in Biosphere for a year with four guests, who would you pick?
Sammy Davis Jr., Naomi Wolfe, Jack Benny and Jimi Hendrix.
What's the first concert you ever attended? How old were you?
Frank Zappa. I was 13.
Did you go to church/temple/any home of worship?
Unitarian. Pretty watered down stuff.
What's your favorite Lou Reed song?
"Pale Blue Eyes."
Do you wear earplugs on stage? One, so I can hear my voice when it gets really loud.
What was your parents' biggest gripe about you when you were a teen?
That I was a terrible student.
Who was your greatest influence?
Probably John Linnell.
What's the ugliest part of your body?
I like my body, and I don't want to promote the idea that people should hate their bodies.