So for the past couple of months I have been reliving my junior high school days. Watching Doctor Who, wearing shorts, vests and Chuck Taylors. Remembering the days when I was the king of geeks and friend to all. Most of my junior high school was spent musically trying to break away from my earlier obsession with Huey Lewis and the News and The Nylons. And trying to sing the Choir. Anyone who has spent anytime with me knows I can't sing, nor have any musical abilities whatsoever.
I first saw TMBG on MTV's 120 Minutes. I was at Sean Lawler's house. The song was Ana Ng, from Lincoln, I was hooked. The thing that hit was the video. It was so weird. In fact so you can all see it with me here it is:
Lincoln was the first CD I actually bought with my own money. It was in Rockford at the Cherryvale Mall. I popped it in once I got home and was amazed. Two guys, guitar and according, hell I don't think I knew what an according was. Songs like Cowtown, and Kiss Me Son of God, I was truly blown away. I knew from that moment on I would not be listening to Bon Jovi or Poison. No They Might Be Giants would lead me down the road of geek rock. It really started me off on the path that I am today. In fact They Might Be Giants was my first concert (that I paid for). Which is a lot better to say now then Queensrych. I can't imagine what life would have been like for me. I can't imagine coming to college and thinking the greatest band in the world was Led Zepplin. Of course I did like Sting, but you can't blame me.
So for your listening pleasure I have put up Lincoln and They Might Be Giant's self titled debut. I recently listened to them again. They both hold up quite amazingly. Download them and listen to them. I would also be interested in if anyone has a story of a similar story of a band that changed your life. If anyone says the Shins I will find you and kill you, you Zach Braff loving bastards.
***This post updated while listening th Bitter Honey by Eef Barzelay***
3 comments:
My knowledge of TMBG never made it past Istanbul and Particle man. I had always thought they were a novelty band, the kind that Dr. Demento would play, so I never took them very seriously. (It's odd that I didn't have the same problem with the Talking Heads, who I adored, and still do.) Since then I still never have listened to them. I look forward to discovering them, 20 years late.
Paul Hartzell has requested some more TMBG stuff. In a bit I will putting some more stuff up.
I will giive a full run down of TMBG and the retropective of their career so far in a few days.
Best post yet. Seriously.
I will try and think of something 'important' to contribute, but most of my early exposure to music came from Kevin anyway. I guess that explains a lot.
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