They Might Be Giants Incite Parental Rebellion

Posted on Oct 3rd 2007 10:30AM by Benjy Eisen
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They Might Be Giants fans who have come out to the band's shows this tour have been greeted at the door by an unexpected warning: "Tonight's performance by They Might Be Giants is for a MATURE audience. It may not be appropriate for fans under the age of 18 and requires parental guidance." With lyrics like, "I returned a bag of groceries/accidentally taken off the shelf before the expiration date," TMBG isn't exactly a band known for explicit content, nor are their concerts -- festive as they are -- filled with strippers or adult-oriented antics.

"What we mean by 'mature' is really just people over 14," TMBG co-founder John Flansburgh tells Spinner. "We have a reputation as a band that plays shows for kids. I don't think people really get that there are actually two different kinds of shows that we do."

At Monday night's Fillmore show in San Francisco, the band performed a song written specifically for the venue; the lyrics consisted entirely of street names leading up to the Fillmore and Geary crossroads where the historic venue is located. By the time they encored with their perennial hit, 'Istanbul,' the few kids inside were mostly asleep, accompanied by parents who didn't heed the warning on the way in. It looks like rock concerts -- tame or not -- still encourage acts of rebellion. Even for parents.