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Arts & Entertainment
 

They might be in Houston tonight

Indie rockers return to play Meridian

By Dusti Rhodes
The Daily Cougar

I remember sneaking into my oldest sister's room and borrowing a black cassette tape with only two songs on it ? "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" on one side and a remix of the song on the other. I borrowed the tape so often that eventually I decided that since she didn't ever notice it was missing that I could just keep it ? so I did (Sorry, Kelly). 

This was my first encounter with They Might Be Giants, and if it weren't for my other sister, it would have been my last. As time went on the black cassette was replaced by more black cassettes, and white ones, and clear ones, and then some nifty little discs came and an entire drawer of cassettes was left in the dark. But They Might Be Giants would be back.

Several years and albums later, I accompanied my other sister to a TMBG concert in Austin. On the way to the show we listened to her collection of TMBG albums and I was glad that my old black tape and a few episodes of Tiny Toons had left me knowing the lyrics to at least two of the band's songs. I wasn't overly excited about seeing the band, but I am always open to seeing live shows. I went in with a bored, but open, mind, and thanks to a band of Johns and Dans I was quickly captivated. Since then I've never missed a TMBG show in Houston.

For those who have seen TMBG live it's probably not hard to see how one performance could turn you into a devoted fan, and I am living proof of that. (Thanks, Misty).

From the moment the Johns (John Flansburg and John Linnell) take the stage, audience members can hardly wait to join the two and their band of Dans, or whoever they bring along for the ride. Whether they know every song or just a couple, almost everyone dances and sings along with the band, which has been around since 1985 but never seems to lose momentum. 

But I'm no expert on what others like, so check it out for yourself tonight at the Meridian, 1503 Chartres Street. Doors open at 7 p.m. for one of the best shows you'll ever see for under $20.

Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu