They Might Be Giants

By Martin Huxley

Feb 29 2000

The Brooklyn-based duo of John Flansburgh and John Linnell, aka They Might Be Giants, has been exceedingly prolific of late.

In recent months, the talented twosome released an Internet-only album, Long Tall Weekend, available exclusively as an MP3 download via www.emusic.com. They've also contributed original songs to Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Disney's forthcoming Peter Pan sequel and the TV series Malcolm in the Middle, Brave New World and Nickelodeon's forthcoming Stewy the Dogboy, as well as making several appearances on the cult-hit NPR radio program This American Life.

Meanwhile, Linnell recently released his first solo album, State Songs, while Flansburgh - who also maintains a parallel solo career under the name Mono Puff - has emerged as a budding filmmaker, directing videos for his own band as well as such artists as Ben Folds Five, Harvey Danger, Soul Coughing, Frank Black and Edwyn Collins.

The two Johns' playfully quirky sensibility has remained intact since they began working together in the early '80s. Since then, they've progressed from homespun do-it-yourselfers to unconventional pop stars, releasing nine albums and touring extensively (first as a stripped-down duo but eventually with a full band). The Giants show no sign of slowing down their breakneck creative pace; they're presently working on a collection of children's songs, as well as a more rock-oriented album.

"I think it's safe to say we're getting older," Flansburgh states, "but we're also getting stranger."