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Margaret M. Seiler's avatar

Two things: I'm pretty sure that was Flansburgh's kitchen in N. Williamsburg, which I visited many times. And second, Linnell has a son named Henry! Fun memories.

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Tiffany Lee Brown—BurningTarot's avatar

Wonderful photos of a wonderful duo! Love that top one with the intense colors.

I believe John Linnell does have a kiddo (pardon my annoying teacher-parentspeak) who did inspire some of the amazing kids' music TMBG produced. Though that was such a natural step for TMBG anyway.

Linnell is an incredible songwriter, and the two of them always -- yes, fearlessly -- brought an inspiring slew of much-needed adjectives into the alterna-whatever scene of the late '80s and '90s: childlike and childish, fun and exploratory, incandescent and bubbling, startling and a little demanding as good poets always are, without losing the dark and ironic "edge" we tended to require back in the day.

How good TMBG were live: A New Friend (who I now realize thought it was a date, and was trying to get in my pants, but hey, I was a young girl and just didn't understand these things) bought us tix to see TMBG at a venue in San Francisco, maybe the Warfield or someplace smaller. He also brought E for himself and me and whoever else we were hanging out with. (Yes, I was clueless enough to snarf down ecstasy with people I didn't know well, whilst still assuming they Just Wanted To Be Friends.)

ANNNYway... the show happened, I danced and jumped and hollered and sang along and had a truly ecstatic experience. Not long after, one of the Friends commented, "Too bad that E was a dud." I honestly hadn't even noticed whether or not it had kicked in. Just plain TMBG live was plenty.

Also I met them a few times and they were nice and not too rock-starrish. Happy to see them here, and happy that you have found them to be good people over the years.

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Chris X Carroll's avatar

Hi Tiff. What a story! Thank you for sharing.

I've seen a couple of live shows, one about ten (fifteen?) years ago right here in our small town. They do rock the fuck out. (perhaps surprisingly for an "accordion duo")

And as for me, I'm thinking the E was fine, but some mediocre dude couldn't figure any other reason for failing to achieve nookie after going to all that trouble. I mean really, what ELSE could it be?

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Tiffany Lee Brown—BurningTarot's avatar

He was actually a really sweet person (and very interesting scientist). Didn't push his luck with me. But yeah, feeding girls drugs might be a sign, right? I like to think we can forgive our own young cluelessness and that of others, as long as no one actually assaults someone in the process.

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