1996-07-12 Sonicnet
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John Flansburgh IRC Chat
By SONICMOD, Sonicnet, July 12, 1996
Archived from: https://groups.google.com/g/alt.music.tmbg/c/qlfqAEzn_8E/m/3w2B6oFVq7EJ
John Flansburgh IRC Chat
By SONICMOD, Sonicnet, July 12, 1996
Archived from: https://groups.google.com/g/alt.music.tmbg/c/qlfqAEzn_8E/m/3w2B6oFVq7EJ
Non Q&A messages have been removed and some messages have been reordered for length and clarity.
*** MONOflans (Do...@204.253.180.3) has joined channel #lounge [MONOflans] Hey Everyone. Flansy here [SONICMOD] Hey everyone... MONOFlans = JOHN FLANSBURGH... he's here!! [MONOflans] What's up? [MONOflans] I need questions [MrKlaw] mike sez: Are you bringing MonoPuff to Toronto John?? [MONOflans] Not to soon to Toronto, but TMBG should be there in the spring [Ruprecht] why do you tour with an extra guitarist with both bands now? [MONOflans] Why two guitars? We'll it's louder and kinda more fun, and it allows us to have a fancy guitarist as well as me. [MrKlaw] Mike sez: John who sings the vocals on Totally Rocking? [MONOflans] Mr. Klaw: I sing the vocals on Devil, although Mike Viola joins me on the choruses and does a very good Axl at the end [MONOflans] I hope you had a chance to see the vid on 120 minutes [Ruprecht] it was wonderful [MrKlaw] Mike sez: No MTV in Canada John. [Ruprecht] I've never even gotten to see a tmbg video [MONOflans] Call MTV and tell 'em to play it more. [kismet] You are entirely too sweet-faced to sport Satanic facial hair. [kismet] unfair... Satanism has no flaws you don't posess, and a goatee does not signify such either. [MONOflans] kismet: That facial hair was very uncomfortable, although the effect was pretty startling. They didn't recognize me in the [kismet] Thanks, doll. [MONOflans] video online session as the guy on the screen. [Matt] are you planning on getting a keyboardist to do Tryptophane? [MONOflans] Matt: Don't think we'll do that song [SONICMOD] Banshee asks...just curious where monopugg the name orignated from..and if cleveland will be a date! [MONOflans] Banshee: The name comes from an experience I had at the John Coltrane Church in SF. There was a little girl [MONOflans] there with a single puff of hair in a perfect cicle on top of her head,and I thought it would be called a Mono Puff [Solipsist] Sorry to interrupt, but out of curiousity, will Mono Puff be coming down to Florida by any chance? Video was great by the way. [destin] I'll second the Florida question... both TMBG shows I went to were cancelled. :( [MONOflans] Solipsist: TMBG within 6 mo.s Mono Puff some time next year. [Solipsist] monoflans: Thank you; I can't wait. [banshee] are you going to be playing cleveland?? or ohio? [MONOflans] Mono Puff may play in the midwest [etherboy] Flans: when is the next newsletter coming out? [MONOflans] etherboy: Newsletter should be out in a month. [MrKlaw] Mike sez: JOHN I have not gotten a newsletter in 2 years!!!! [MONOflans] MrKlaw: Call your name in to the info club, we send em out about twice a year, a the new ones look great. [kismet] When will we see the superdeluxe version of the Official TMBG website? [MONOflans] kismet: The site is having the finishing touches put on it right now, and that along with the new Dial-A-Song should be up [MONOflans] in about a month. [kismet] Thanks for answering. [isaac] Nearly half the songs on Unsupervised are covers. When you're in MONO-MODE do you prefer performance to songwriting? [MONOflans] isaac: I didn't want to use up all my songs, because there is a new TMBG record coming out, and in general we don't do [MONOflans] a lot of covers in TMBG. Most of the covers on Mono Puff are generally unknown, so I thought that would be interesting [gmoney] flans: are you going to be in houston anytime soon? [MONOflans] gmoney: Probably on the big tMBG world tour that starts in Sept. [Matt] in Don't I have the Right? where did you come up with the line about the exploding coffee? [MONOflans] Matt: That came from watching some French film where they actually have this extreme close up of milk going into a cup [MONOflans] of coffee, and of course from my personal experience [ninja-bob] is there a title for the new tmbg album yet? [MONOflans] ninja-bob: Now it's called Factory Showroom. [PopinFrsh] Will spiralling shape be on the new tmbg album? [MONOflans] PopinFrsh: Yes [gmoney] MONOfalns: you want to come to my house and play for my birthday? [MONOflans] gmoney: yes [gmoney] ALRIIIIIGHTY THEN!!! [MONOflans] Also, people, I will answer questions posted on the Mono Puff message board on the SpinOnLine thing [isaac] Will you ever play tallahassee again? [MONOflans] Isaac: Yes, the Florida cancelled shows were do to some big problem I don't remember. We rarely cancel shows. [MONOflans] We should probably cancel more considering how messed up they can be when we're sick with the flu or something. [SONICMOD] Whizard: Flans: Still planning on playing pointfest in st. louis in Aug? [MONOflans] Whizard: Pointfest is now Sept 8 [Mentos] Monoflans: Um, in reference to TMBG, will a new B-Sides compilation be coming out anytime soon? [MONOflans] Superfueled Freakcicle will be out next year although I don't know if that's what it will be called [MONOflans] but it will have a lot of the better ep songs, a lot of new tracks, and some live tracks [Matt] does Hal Cragin play trombone or will Dan Levine continue to play that? [MONOflans] Matt: Dan was great on the tour and, like the horn players we toured with in TMBG, really brought a cool extra dimension to the show with his horn playing [MONOflans] Matt: If we could afford to keep him and Hal on board we will [RobNg] Thank you. Will either monopuff or TMBG ever come back to NH? it's been 4 years! [MONOflans] RobNg: It's hard to get to NH because the cities aren't really close together. We have similar problems in the far West. [eliza] Have you always had a musical interest? What did it start with? [MONOflans] eliza: I've always been into music, and oddly, really into tape recording. [MONOflans] I think it was really tape recording that got me into music as a child. I bought a 3" reel to reel with birthday money when I was 10. [Seta] John, does Mono Puff have a Fan Club yet? [MONOflans] Seta: Right now it is pretty much working out of the TMBG set up, but we hope to begin building our corperate headquarters within the decade [Ruprecht] If I make a Mono Puff Home Page will you look at it John? [MONOflans] Ruprecht: We don't have a home page yet, but if anyone wants to help put one together they should contact me through the SpinOnLine message board [Ruprecht] Okay! [Ruprecht] I'm gonna start Making it today! [MONOflans] Ruprect: TMBGs thing cost a bunch of dough to put up, and Mono Puff isn't that profitable yet [Ruprecht] I will be making the Mono Puff Site free of charge [Istanbul]: What is the name of the next TMBG album? And will y'all ever come to Texas? [Mentos] Monoflans: Do you know, will John Linnell release his State Songs or House of Mayors to the general public. I'm sorry that this question is not about you. [MONOflans] Mentos: Nice name [Istanbul] Flans won't answer my question... ); [MONOflans] Mentos: Linnell will be working on the House of Mayors project this summer for Hello. It should be out in the fall. We just got finished with the new TMBG album [MONOflans] Istanbul: Question? [MONOflans] Istanbul: Texas- soon. [MONOflans] I love Austin [Istanbul] COOL! [etherboy] Flans: I saw a band on Conan O'Brien called The Mavericks that I think u would like B-) [MONOflans] The guy in the Mavericks can remind me of Roy Orbison, who I totally dig [Ruprecht] Do you think TMBG will be on Conan soon? [MONOflans] Ruprect: If they invite us [Matt] MonoFlans: Is Monopuff viewed as an eclectic type of band with many varhging styles? [MONOflans] Matt: Yes, although my original intention was to get back to more electronic stuff with it, and then it turned into this twin-guitar thing with Mike Viola of the Candy Butchers (new album out this fall from Mike's band-plug) [Istanbul] Hello cashed the check 2 mos. ago but I haven't gotten a thing, and they won't answer my mail, e-mail, or messages on the machine. [MONOflans] Istanbul: Hello is a very funky organization and you have to go with the general vibe. Trust that we always feel bad about our lack of organization, and that complaints hurt more than you'll ever know. We love each and every member, and we are always sorry. [PopinFrsh] Why did you decide to get that ultra cool rectangular guitar? [MONOflans] PopinFrsh: I had it built to my personal spec by my friend Chris Cush. It was originally designed to fit in a guitar case but be as square as possible [SONICMOD] Seta: John, where'd u get the idea for the album cover for Mono Puff? [MONOflans] Seta: We were thinking of a bubbly kinda look, and Babs, the designer hooked it up on her computer. The photos were [MONOflans] taken in the basement and outside the Mercury Lounge during TMBG's stand there. The letters I bought in a junk store [MrKlaw] mike sez: John I live in Canada. Mono Puff will never ever come here in a milliion billion years. Don't you think I oughta get something special? [MONOflans] MrKlaw: Yes. [isaac] In the Liner notes for Unsupervised, it says the musik for Dr. Kildare is unknown - where did it come from? It sounds like a ska standard. [MONOflans] issac: I think it is actually the theme from the tv show, but I only know it from this ska album that said "unkonwn" on the credits. The guys at NPR all broke into the lyric from the original, which was a hit for the made for tv movie guy that starred in it [MONOflans] The guy who lives in Hawaii [T-Set] I know we shouldn't be asking about TMBG, but is "I Palindrome I" about YOUR mother? [MONOflans] T-Set: Absolutely not. [Istanbul] Flans: When will the new TMBG album come out? And shouldn't the name be out soon? [kismet] Ibid. [MrKlaw] pay attention istanbul [MONOflans] Istanbul: The middle of Sept. Factory Showroom thirteen big, long songs including S-E-X-X-Y, Your Own Worst Enemy, How Can I Sing Like A Girl? and XTC Vs Adam Ant [etherboy] Flans: Wot will the first single be off the new TMBG album? [MONOflans] etherboy: Maybe How Can I sing like a Girl? [MrKlaw] Only 13 songs? Hmm.. [MONOflans] MrKlaw: It's 45 minutes long, which up until John Henry was the standard of how many songs we wanted to put on. [Nemo] flans: do you like eskimo? do you remember playing with them? [MONOflans] Nemo: Yes, I also had Discomo [Nemo] Discomo? what's that...i don't know that... [etherboy] Isn't Diskomo a Residents song? [MONOflans] etherboy: Yes [Mentos] Monoflans: Yes, just out of my own fanatic curiousity, what bands do you dig nowadays? [MONOflans] Mentos: Magnetic Fields, Sly and the Family Stone [eliza] How long do you normally play at a show? How many songs, and does it change according to the mood your in ? [MONOflans] elisa: Mono Puff's show was about 60 minutes which was every song we knew how to play [MONOflans] elisa: TMBG it goes up to about 1 hr 45, but after that we hit critical mass and everything sounds the same [Matt] how do you feel about Monopuff/TMBG bootlegs John? [MONOflans] Matt: I am flattered, and would gladly give people the DATs just so they were of better quality, but they won't return my lawyers calls [MrKlaw] John you nearly ran me down in Elizabethtown in April. I'm OK :) [MONOflans] MrKlaw: rock on [irc] You guys played at Amherst COllege before I got there, can you play there again? [MONOflans] irc: call you concert people. We love those shows [eliza] What about the website?? Does it currently exist? or is it in the works?? [MONOflans] eliza: yes, look for it in about a month [Tmbg345] Will "Maybe I Know" be on the new album? [MONOflans] Tmbg345: We did a version of it at the Edison Museum that was recorded on a wax cylindar (sp.?) from the turn of the century. It didn't use electricity and soulnd wild [MONOflans] We are going to put on of thoise songs on the album, but it will probably be a song we wrote for the occasion called "I Can Hear You" which is about speakers that make noise. [MONOflans] Maybe we'll make a Edison ep for the Info club mail porder [SONICMOD]: Who will we see from Hello next year? [MONOflans] Istanbul: Probably another Mono Puff ep, but beyond that I don't know [MONOflans] Hello is 1800 HELLO 41, that is for free catolog and orders [ninja-bob] what'll happen to felt tip pen? [MONOflans] ninja-bob: It will probably be on the ep, and the next MP lp [irc] John, I heard a rumor that you are married, is that true? [Ruprecht1] engaged [Istanbul] I heard you were getting wed the 14th [MONOflans] personal [SONICMOD] Istanbul asks - What ever happened to the TMBG newsletter? [MONOflans] Istanbul: we just about to put one out. Send your address in and make sure to get one [irc] Are you going to continue to tour with Monopuff, or are you going to stay with TMBG? [MONOflans] irc: I will always rock on with TMBG. I look forward to being so old that at the gigs no one will expect me to stand up [Mentos] Monoflans: How do you feel about the Barenaked Ladies? Are the comparisons to TMBG valid in your eyes? [Mentos] I prefer David Lee Roth. He gets a plus for showmanship. [MONOflans] Mentos: I think they are a pretty "tight" sounding group. I dig their acoustic thing, but I don't have any records by them. I heard them on the radio in Canada a couple of years ago. They sounded good. [MONOflans] Mentos: I love David Lee Roth. I want to be his manager, and convince him to wear wigs and really go for it again [MONOflans] Enough o fhtis short hair [MrKlaw1] John did you SEE Mighty Morphin Power Rangers? What a piece of crap [MONOflans] MrKlaw 1: We just recorded a song. I don't see very much childrens programming [MrKlaw1] ok john well stay away [MrKlaw1] from the movie [Matt1] what other instruments besides guitar do you plan John? [MONOflans] Matt 1: I do a lot of stuff electronically [Tmbg345] They should make a sequel to that "Hot For Teacher" video...directed by mr Flans [MONOflans] I would love to do a Van Halen Mk 3 ideo [MONOflans] I am doing a video for the group Soul Coughing right now. [MONOflans] I am editing it tonight. You should all check them out. They are great [kismet] Didn't Soul Coughing's drummer do some work on "Unsupervised"? [MONOflans] kismet: Yes, I di a very interesting sampling session with him, where he just played beats we talked about [kismet] Thanks, John. He's cool, but I love the Skeleton Key drummer! He's always smiling, and I swear his neck is a rubberband! [MONOflans] kismet: he's super cool [kismet] And super limber. [Seta] John i heard Snail Shell on MTV's Real World last night :) [Seta] the England one [MONOflans] Seta: our stuff is played incidentally a lot on MTV [Harlequin] Flans: Are all the new songs you've been performing live recently destined for the TMBG album, or will some get stuck as B-sides? [MONOflans] Harliquin: Good question. Some songs I love, like Rat Patrol and Counterfeit Faker won't be on the new lp [Tmbg345] What about the "Devil Went to Georgia"? [MONOflans] Tmbg345: Now it is new new new and improved [Tmbg345] alright! Like the live faster version? [MONOflans] Tmbg345: I don't know if it's faster, just new new new [Istanbul] I want a new, faster, Birdhouse! [MONOflans] Istanbul: You and our manager! [eliza] How do you feel about MTV? and how it's changed over the years? [MONOflans] eliza: I feel the same. I love it unconditionally [Mentos] Monoflans: I have to go feed my dog. I'd just like to say that you've proven yourself to be a great performer and a decent guy. Before I go though, can you say "Manny Donio is my favorite regular guy"? [MONOflans] Mentos: I don't know who you're talking about. Sorry [MrKlaw1] John, I have a book about space from 1953 with they lyrics to Why Does The Sun Shine printed right in it...page 16. [MrKlaw1] I bought it at a garage sale for 50 cents, not knowing what secrets it contained [MONOflans] MrKlaw 1: It is taken from a book of astronomy, I think. It's a cover of a song from an educational record. [Harlequin] MONOflans: Will Mono Puff continue on an irregular basis, or just die of in favor of some other project? [MONOflans] Harlequin: Forever, although many of the personel have other commitments, so it will evolve as it continues. [Harlequin] MONOflans: That's good to hear! I really like MonoPuff, and I'm really glad you're having fun with it. [MONOflans] Harliquin: I want to step out even more with the Puff, and try to do a more groove oriented record next time [kismet] Have the Clamdiggers released an album or EP? I haven't been able to find their stuff anywhere here in NYC. [MONOflans] kismet: Nothing I know of, just a tape. I think they are no [kismet] John, where can I find a tape or CD of the Clamdiggers' stuff? [MONOflans] kismet: In my car is the only place I'm sure you could find it. They played around Boston quite a bit [isaac] Any FL dates for MonoPuff? And will you ever (or have you ever) written a blue-beat song? Dr. Kildare was great! [MONOflans] isaac: TMBG within 6 mo.s I'm sure, but until MP has a big fat hit I don't think we could pay for the gas. [Istanbul] Where can I get the Live album? [MONOflans] Istanbul: bootlegs [irc] I heard either Brian or Tony left the band, is this true? [MONOflans] irc: Tony is starting a studio in Brooklyn, and friends of mine who have worked there said it is so clean it is amazing [Seta] John, I'm painting the cover of your first TMBG album on my wall :) :) :) [MONOflans] Seta: right on. Make me look thin [Seta] okay cool :) [RobNg] Flans: Will you ever get any closer to NH the NY? You could go to great woods in boston or burlington in VT? [MONOflans] RobNg: I hope so. [destin] MONOflans: Why aren't TMBG and Mono Puff way more popular than, say, Hootie and the Blowfish? [Harlequin] destin: because most people can't comprehend the brilliance that is TMBG. [MONOflans] destin: I think I have gained to much weight, and I swear too much while we are on commercial radio stations. Just one theory. [MONOflans] Too much. I can't sppell well and type this fast [kismet] I DID hear you employ the "f" word twice at Mercury Lounge back in March, young man. [MONOflans] kismet: I have emotional problems [irc] What is the song "They'll Need a Crane" about- is it derived from personal experiences [MONOflans] irc: That is really one for Linnell [Matt1] WE LOVE YOU FLANSY! [MONOflans] MATT 1: all rigght [destin] MONOflans: I've never heard you on a commercial radio station. And I'm sure the Blues Traveler guy is far more immense than you could ever be. [MONOflans] destin: But he can really play the harmonica [ninja-bob] people who can't play the harmonica really shouldn't. Ex: Alanis Morrissette [MrKlaw1] i really liked the Scream as if you were in hell! middle of the live Hide Away Folk Family. Bring that back John. [MONOflans] MrKlaw 1: That worked pretty well, but you can't do that stuff forever [RobNg] Careless Santa didn't really happen did it? [MONOflans] RobNg: Yes [Seta] John, will you ever come to Upstate NY, like Ithaca? [eliza] Seta: Im originally from Ithaca! [MONOflans] Ithaca rocks [eliza] Have you been to Ithaca MonoPuff??? [MONOflans] eliza: Yes, I hang out there quite a bit. I spent a lot of my childhood there. [destin] I drove for 7 hours to see you in Athens, GA. Alas.... [MONOflans] destin: the cancelled show? [MONOflans] I was really sick that day. I went to the hospital and my temperature and I was at, like 104.5 degrees [kismet] [...] upper-register numbers like "She Was a Hotel Detective"? [kismet] Echinacea and goldenseal. And pulsatilla. They work wonders, I wouldn't steer you wrong. [MONOflans] kismet: well, sometimes it doesn't work, which was kinda the inspiration for "How can I SIng Like a Girl?" [Whizard] John: What did you think of Hotel Faux Pas, the band that opened for you at Mississippi nights in St. Louis last year? [MONOflans] Whizard: I din't get a chance to see them, because it was the only time I could eat dinner, which is almost always the case with openers [Tmbg345] Will your cover of "Taking Care of Business" be released anytime? [MONOflans] Tmbg345: No. [MrKlaw1] John, Klaw and I want to head a Toronto chapter of the TMBG fan club. How do you suggest we can go about this?? And will you support it? [MONOflans] MrKlaw 1: Do it. [MrKlaw1] um...how? [Seta] John, u should have made Nixon's the One longer, it ROCKS!!!! [MONOflans] Seta: I had a hard time figuring out what else to say. It is really about the slogan "Nixon's the One" which always seems creepy in it's double edged meaning. [kismet] "Nixon's the One" almost sounds like a Linnell-penned song. Do you agree? [MONOflans] kismet: I would have to say, Linnell is my biggest influence, so if it sounds that way it is no suprize. [Seta] John are u going to host 120 again? [MONOflans] Seta: If they invite us. [Tmbg345] Will Killer Kahn be your new bassist? He rocks'! [MONOflans] Tmbg345: Killer Kahn is the best! [PopinFrsh] Did the name They Might Be Giants come from the movie They Might Be Giants? [MONOflans] PopinFrsh: Yes, although only insofar as it seemed like a good name for a band. The movie is not so great [eliza] So what are your plans to do until you tour in Sept? [MONOflans] eliza: I'm going out west to rest and gamble [eliza] Las Vegas??!! [MONOflans] eliza: I'll be at the black jack table with a big cigar [irc] What would you guys play if you were on the Conan O'Brien Show? [MONOflans] irc: probably whatever the single was [Seta] John, where'd u get the idea for Careless Santa? im listening to it now BTW :) [Seta] Guitar Was the Case roxx :) [kismet] I think it sounds like the theme to "The Munsters." (No offense meant.) [MONOflans] Seta: Well, the second verse was written as a crazy "alternate" to the first, which is kind of a cheap device that i use quite often, but it yields good results. [MONOflans] kismet: Well, that and Hall of Heads (hangs head in shame) [RobNg] whoa kismet your right. it does sound like the munsters [ninja-bob] I'm listening to John Henry cause it doesn't end after just 33 minutes. [MONOflans] ninja-bob: Sorry. [ninja-bob] its okay [etherboy] Yes Flans: Seta's Q : Wot inspired Careless? [MONOflans] etherboy: Well, I just wanted to write a song about a different kind of Santa. [destin] MONOflans: How do you feel about the green-tinted jewel cases Rykodisc CD's come in? Was that the reason you chose the label? [MONOflans] destin: I din't dig it at first, because I worried it would make the cover look dim [MONOflans] But now I think it's fine, because there is so much dust in all plastic they look about equally dim [irc] Rykodisc is a good label, they have Bob Mould. [MONOflans] Rykodisk is very cool [Ruprecht1] do you have plans for any more christmas songs? [MONOflans] Ruprect: I don't really think of Careless Santa as a Christmas song especially, because it's not really about Christmas joy. It just kinda takes place with Santa as a character [Harlequin] Hey, John, did you write DIHTW? I didn't see an alternate writing credit on the liner, but I've heard "Connie Champagne" sing it (on a tape compilation...) [MONOflans] Harliquin: DIHTRTBL is my composition. [isaac] MONOFlans: Do you relish the return to bare-bones touring that MonoPuff has brought to your life, or do you prefer the gluttonous excess of a big tour bus and a semi of pyrotechnics? [MONOflans] isaac: well that's a omplicated question. The Mono Puff tour was a little bumpy, but was pretty easy-breazy. Also TMBG tours aren't exactly a stroll in the park when it comes to logistics and travel, etc. [MrKlaw1] Mike sez: What do you think of King Missile, John? I need to know. [MONOflans] MrKlaw 1: I've only hear one song, and it was pretty "blue." Not really my bag, but I imagine they have other things to offer. That guy is some kind of spoken word - poet dude I hear [MrKlaw1] Mike sez: I think the best TMBG videos were directed by Adam Bernstein. Where has he gone? [MrKlaw1] and where do you have Bill Krauss tied up? [MONOflans] MrKlaw 1: I saw Bill at the Mono Puff show, and he seemed happy and tanned as usual. He is doing voice over and acting in SF, and has a really interesting screen play he was telling me about [MrKlaw1] what is SF John?? [MONOflans] MrKlaw 1: San Fran man [irc] I hope you don't mind that I call my radio show at school, "Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love." [MONOflans] irc: Most cool [Matt1] Flans: have you begun thinking about Hello '97 stuff? [MONOflans] Matt 1: not really. W have to sort out the rest of the year. We're once again about to miss a bunch of deadlines [etherboy] Flans: Have you ever done drugs (besides caffine)? [MONOflans] etherboy: Personal [MONOflans] Well everybody, I got to get to my Soul Coughing video edit [destin] Bye... see you in the Factory Showroom. :)