Live Review:They Might Be Giants with London Calling at The Lone Star in Kansas City, January 28, 1987

Probably paid a small cover charge at this now defunct club in Kansas City’s Westport district (meaning NO ticket stub!). I had recently seen TMBG’s new video – and their very first single – “Don’t Let’s Start” on MTV. Very cool video and a great song (“When you are alone you are the cat you are the phone you are an animal / The words I’m singing now mean nothing more than meow to an animal / Wake up smell the cat food in your bank account / Don’t try to stop the tail that wags the hound”).

Other gems from the debut included, “She’s an Angel,” “Youth Culture Killed My Dog,” and “Put Your Hand Inside the Puppet Head.” Also featured were tunes from their yet-to-be-released sophomore effort Lincoln: “Mr. Me,” “Purple Toupee,” “You’ll Miss Me,” and “The World’s Address.”

This was the two Johns’ (Finnell and Lansburgh) first trip to Kansas City. It was just the two of them and a drum machine. Guitars, accordians, and several other instruments were played that evening. It was loud and the crowd loved it.

The boys were selling their debut in for forms of CDs and records right off the stage. As the CD revolution was exploding at the time, I bought the CD for ten bucks right off one of the Johns. I’m sure they sold ’em all, as the fan flurry was intense after the show.

The opening band was a local Clash Tribute called London Calling. I have no idea what they played. For more information on music and touring

Read excerpts from “Giants indeed” (Robert Trussell and Brian McTavish Kansas City Star, Jan. 28, 1987):

“Play music!” shouted a man who came to see They Might Be Giants on Wednesday night at the Lone Star. “This will have to do,” replied accordionist John Linnell, who with guitarist John Flansburgh gave a crowd of about 150 its lumps – of wisdom that is, all unfailingly couched in infectiously melodic songs that blew through like a fresh-air tornado.

Brave new styles included morbid folk, chest-beating polka, goofy country and both real and fake rock. Flansburgh broke strings on two guitars. Linnell didn’t. Both enjoyed hip-hopping about and sing “I Will Date the Girl From Venus.” It may be that “life’s just a mood ring we’re not allowed to see,” as this New York duo claims. But its natural talent, energy and unrelenting wit are clearly visible. They must be giants.

Catch these cats out on the road now and improve your life with a quick listen of their music at TMBG.