Happy Birthday, Marty!!!

Happy birthday to the King of the Drums, Mr. Marty Beller!!! Let us shower him with birthday wishes fit for a king!

I think TMBG themselves said it best:

"The drummer is the heart of the band, the drummer is the soul of the band, the drummer is the core of the band, uh huh"

Marty really is the heart of this band. He's got larger than life talent, seemingly endless energy, and a dynamic and entertaining performance style, that are integral to everything I love about TMBG. I truly believe his creative input is one of the reasons the band's music just keeps getting better and better. Most of my favorite songs on Nanobots are the ones with the most unique and interesting rhythm tracks. And I've said it countless times before, but I will never, ever get tired of watching Marty play. I still watch every single performance of Call You Mom in absolute awe. And one of the stand-out elements on this year's tour was the inclusion of the Marty Cam, a feature that evolved into the perfect vehicle to allow Marty's talent and personality to truly shine, with just the right touch of humor, and one I enjoyed with delight.

No other member of the band puts in as much face time with the fans at a show as this guy. I can tell you, both from first hand experience and from witnessing interactions with countless fans, that the time Marty puts into high-fiving, signing memorabilia, and posing for photos, means the world to the fans. He is a class act and an absolute one in a million and I for one am honored to have been fortunate enough to witness so much of his awesome talent.

And on a personal note, I can not thank Marty enough for making me feel appreciated as a fan and a welcome presence in the audience, night after night. Following the band around the country on tour is one of my greatest joys. But for a long time, I worried that what for me was pure fun and a deep love of the band and their music, would get me labeled as "the crazy fan" and would eventually be seen as an annoyance. But through friendly words of welcome and encouragement, and small acts of kindness and appreciation, Marty and the other boys have helped me let go of that worry and relax and enjoy the shows feeling like I really belong there. And that means more to me than I could possibly say, as there is nowhere I feel happier and more at home than a TMBG show.

So please join me in wishing one of my favorite people a most wonderful and excellent birthday, and a splendid year ahead. Happy Birthday, Marty!! Thanks for keeping the beat. Thanks for being you. Rock on!


Here are a couple of my favorite Marty performances from the most recent tour and some of my favorite shots.

Happy Birthday, John Linnell!!

gen-ius

Noun
1. Exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.
2. A person who is exceptionally intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect: "musical genius."


art-ist

Noun
1. One, such as a painter, sculptor, or writer, who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the fine arts.
2. A person whose works show exceptional creative ability or skill.


po-et

Noun
1. A writer of poems.
2. One who is especially gifted in the perception and expression of the beautiful or lyrical.


Consider, for a minute, these definitions. These are all words I would use to describe John Linnell, who celebrates his birthday today. And he embodies all of them with a quiet, unassuming humility. I am quite certain, if you presented him with these terms, you would receive a shy, "aww, shucks" kind of shrug. And yet, with a careful combination of words and notes, that on the surface seems almost careless, but in actuality are thoughtful brilliance, he breathes life into songs that are tiny little masterpieces. One minute he is busting your gut with a deadpanned tune about flaming heads, and the next he is reaching into the depths of your very soul, grabbing on and pulling out emotions and thoughts you didn't even know you had, much less thought to put into words. And put the man on a stage and he can win over an entire crowd in an instant, while simultaneously making each audience member feel like he is singing to them and only them, in turn.

I love words. I love the stories you can tell with them, the various emotions you can evoke by mixing them in different combinations. And I don't know anyone who has more skill at manipulating them and getting them to do his bidding than John Linnell. And that he is equally skilled with musical notes and creates melodies that can make you dance, or make you weep, puts him in a class above all others in my book. I am in complete and total awe of the man.

So it is with utmost respect and adoration that I would like to wish Mr. Linnell a happy birthday. May the world (and myself) he privilege to many more years of whatever feats of brilliance fall out of that beautiful mind of yours. Thank you for sharing your talents with us mortals.

A Special Message for TMBG

Click the picture for a larger image! Much thanks to everyone who participated :-) You guys rock!

Happy Birthday, Flansy!

John Flansburgh is living proof that some people only improve with age. With each album the band releases, I am more and more impressed with Flans' songwriting. Join Us contained not just one but two  Flans-written songs that quickly shot onto my Top 25 list and at least two more that are easily in my Top 100. And Too Tall Girl from Nanobots is one of the most brilliantly delightful songs I have experienced.

As a showman, Flans is at the top of his game, driving what is, arguably (though I may be biased), the liveliest, funniest, most thoroughly entertaining show in live music today. He rocks out so hard on a nightly basis, that I often get tired just watching him. The energy he pours into every show is electric and a huge part of what makes the shows so fun. Not to mention his impressive ability to make absolutely anything funny, when stated into a microphone with a robot vocal effect. ;-)

And as the driving force behind the band's social media presence, Flans provides a personal connection between the band and the fans that is all too rare. It never ceases to amaze me that when I have a question, rather than just idly wonder and debate with other fans, I can pose it to Flans on Tumblr and have an answer in a matter of days. The time and attention Flans devotes to the fans is invaluable and I for one am continuously grateful for it.

With all that being said, please join me in wishing a very happy birthday to Mr. Flansburgh. I sincerely hope he is celebrating with a lot of cake and a big glass of wine. Here's to another brilliant year in the life of one of my very favorite people. Can't wait to see what comes next!