John Flansburgh
Encyclopedia
John Conant Flansburgh is an American
musician
. He is half of the longstanding Brooklyn, New York-based alternative rock
duo They Might Be Giants
, for which he writes, sings and plays rhythm guitar. He is left-handed
.
Commonly referred to by the nicknames "Flans" or "Flansy", he is married to writer/singer/puppeteer Robin Goldwasser
, with whom he occasionally performs. His father, Earl Flansburgh
, was a retired architect
and former principal of his own firm. His mother, Polly Flansburgh, is the founder and president of Boston By Foot
. Her father, Brig.-Gen. Ralph Hospital, was an artilliery commander in the U.S. Army in the Italian Campaign during World War II
. His brother, Paxus Calta
(born Earl Schuyler Flansburgh), is an anti-nuclear activist and political organizer.
, with longtime friend John Linnell
, in 1982 while a student at Pratt Institute
. The two share singing
and songwriting duties, with Flansburgh on guitar, in addition to performing a variety of instruments when the need arises. In the 2002 documentary Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns, he was described as holding a leadership role in the group, managing most details of their live act and handling much of the promotion effort.
As a songwriter, Flansburgh enjoys a mix of styles; many of his songs have an absurdist and satirical bent, but he often breaks for more earnest and romantic themes as well. He penned and performed vocals on the group's first Grammy Award-winning effort, "Boss of Me", which charted in Europe and served as theme song to the hit television series Malcolm in the Middle
.
In 2004, Flansburgh created and hosted a series on WNYC
entitled Now Hear This. The program spotlighted a variety of his musical interests, featuring interviews with artists such as Stephen Merritt, David Byrne
, Matt Stone
, and The Darkness. While no longer in production, it continues to be archived on the station's website.
In 2007, John played a short role as "The Computer" in the Adult Swim comedy series Xavier: Renegade Angel
.
frequently. He commonly plays a Fender Telecaster
. He also plays a Gibson Les Paul
. He is known by such unique guitars as his custom made Mojo guitar, along with his Coral Longhorn guitar.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He is half of the longstanding Brooklyn, New York-based alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
duo They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, for which he writes, sings and plays rhythm guitar. He is left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
.
Commonly referred to by the nicknames "Flans" or "Flansy", he is married to writer/singer/puppeteer Robin Goldwasser
Robin Goldwasser
Robin "Goldie" Goldwasser is an American singer and playwright. She is the co-writer of the musical People Are Wrong! with Julia Greenberg. She has a character in the play, as does the producer, her husband, John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants and Mono Puff...
, with whom he occasionally performs. His father, Earl Flansburgh
Earl Flansburgh
Earl R. Flansburgh was an architect known for his extensive work in the Boston area.Flansburgh graduated from the Cornell Architecture School in 1953, where he was also a member of the Quill and Dagger society...
, was a retired architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
and former principal of his own firm. His mother, Polly Flansburgh, is the founder and president of Boston By Foot
Boston By Foot
Boston By Foot is a non-profit organization offering guided architectural and historical tours of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1976, Boston By Foot offers daily scheduled tours from May through October. Tours are conducted by a trained corps of over 200 volunteers...
. Her father, Brig.-Gen. Ralph Hospital, was an artilliery commander in the U.S. Army in the Italian Campaign during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. His brother, Paxus Calta
Paxus Calta
Paxus Calta, born Earl Schuyler Flansburgh, is a Czech born, American political activist, communitarian and writer. He has been involved with the anti-nuclear movement and is a member of the Twin Oaks Community.-Biography:...
(born Earl Schuyler Flansburgh), is an anti-nuclear activist and political organizer.
They Might Be Giants
Flansburgh co-founded They Might Be GiantsThey Might Be Giants
They Might Be Giants is an American alternative rock band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years Flansburgh and Linnell were frequently accompanied by a drum machine. In the early 1990s, TMBG became a full band. Currently, the members of TMBG are...
, with longtime friend John Linnell
John Linnell
John Sidney Linnell is an American musician, is known primarily as one half of Brooklyn, New York alternative rock duo They Might Be Giants...
, in 1982 while a student at Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private art college in New York City located in Brooklyn, New York, with satellite campuses in Manhattan and Utica. Pratt is one of the leading undergraduate art schools in the United States and offers programs in Architecture, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design,...
. The two share singing
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
and songwriting duties, with Flansburgh on guitar, in addition to performing a variety of instruments when the need arises. In the 2002 documentary Gigantic: A Tale of Two Johns, he was described as holding a leadership role in the group, managing most details of their live act and handling much of the promotion effort.
As a songwriter, Flansburgh enjoys a mix of styles; many of his songs have an absurdist and satirical bent, but he often breaks for more earnest and romantic themes as well. He penned and performed vocals on the group's first Grammy Award-winning effort, "Boss of Me", which charted in Europe and served as theme song to the hit television series Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle
Malcolm in the Middle is an American television sitcom created by Linwood Boomer for the Fox Network. The series was first broadcast on January 9, 2000, and ended its six-and-a-half-year run on May 14, 2006, after seven seasons and 151 episodes...
.
Side projects
Self-described as "manic depressive, without the depression", he is known to keep extremely busy when not touring with They Might Be Giants. Some side-projects include:- His band Mono PuffMono PuffMono Puff is a New York City band and a side project of John Flansburgh, one of the Johns from They Might Be Giants.The main band consisted of Flansburgh, the vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and songwriter; bassist Hal Cragin; and drummer Steve Calhoon of Skeleton Key, Enon and Pretendo...
, which recorded two LPs in the late 1990s and toured occasionally. - Directing music videoMusic videoA music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s for such artists as Soul CoughingSoul CoughingSoul Coughing was a popular New York-based alternative rock band. The band found modest mainstream success during the mid-to-late 1990s. Soul Coughing developed a devout fanbase and have garnered largely positive response from critics. Steve Huey describes the band as "one of the most unusual cult...
, Ben Folds FiveBen Folds FiveBen Folds Five is an alternative rock trio formed in 1993 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The group comprises Ben Folds , Robert Sledge , and Darren Jessee . The group achieved mainstream success in the alternative, indie and pop music scenes...
, Frank Black and the CatholicsFrank BlackBlack Francis is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the frontman of the influential alternative rock band Pixies, with whom he performs under the stage name Black Francis. Following the band's breakup in 1993, he embarked on a solo career under the name Frank Black...
, Harvey DangerHarvey DangerHarvey Danger was an American indie rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1993, and rose to prominence in 1998 with the single "Flagpole Sitta." On August 29, 2009, the band played its final show at the Crocodile Cafe in Seattle....
, and TMBG themselves. - Starring in (and writing some of the music for) the Off-Broadway musical People Are Wrong!People Are Wrong!People Are Wrong is a 2004 Off-Broadway musical written by Robin Goldwasser and Julia Greenberg, and stars John Flansburgh, Robin Goldwasser's husband, from the band They Might Be Giants. It played Off-Broadway at the Vineyard Theatre from October 22, 2004 until December 11, 2004...
.
In 2004, Flansburgh created and hosted a series on WNYC
WNYC
WNYC is a set of call letters shared by a pair of co-owned, non-profit, public radio stations located in New York City.WNYC broadcasts on the AM band at 820 kHz, and WNYC-FM is at 93.9 MHz. Both stations are members of National Public Radio and carry distinct, but similar news/talk programs...
entitled Now Hear This. The program spotlighted a variety of his musical interests, featuring interviews with artists such as Stephen Merritt, David Byrne
David Byrne (musician)
David Byrne is a musician and artist, best known as a founding member and principal songwriter of the American new wave band Talking Heads, which was active between 1975 and 1991. Since then, Byrne has released his own solo recordings and worked with various media including film, photography,...
, Matt Stone
Matt Stone
Matthew Richard "Matt" Stone is an American screenwriter, producer, voice artist, musician and actor, best known for being the co-creator of South Park along with creative partner and best friend, Trey Parker....
, and The Darkness. While no longer in production, it continues to be archived on the station's website.
In 2007, John played a short role as "The Computer" in the Adult Swim comedy series Xavier: Renegade Angel
Xavier: Renegade Angel
Xavier: Renegade Angel is an American CGI fantasy-comedy television series created by John Lee, Vernon Chatman, Jim Tozzi and Alyson Levy. Lee and Chatman are also the creators of Wonder Showzen. The show was produced by PFFR, with animation by Cinematico...
.
Instruments
Flansburgh has been known to play a Gibson ES-335Gibson ES-335
The Gibson ES-335 is the world's first commercial thinline arched-top semi-acoustic electric guitar. Released by the Gibson Guitar Corporation as part of its ES series in 1958, it is neither hollow nor solid; instead, a solid wood block runs through the center of its body...
frequently. He commonly plays a Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
. He also plays a Gibson Les Paul
Gibson Les Paul
The Gibson Les Paul was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late jazz guitarist and electronics inventor Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson...
. He is known by such unique guitars as his custom made Mojo guitar, along with his Coral Longhorn guitar.
External links
- Official They Might Be Giants site
- John Flansburgh at This Might Be a Wiki – more detailed information on Flansburgh