They Might Be Giants is a band you have probably heard of but never listened to. They broke through the shroud of anonymity several years ago when they released “”Flood,”” of which the most notable singles included “”Istanbul (not Constantinople)”” and “”Particle Man.””

Since then, the world of popular music has heard little from the group. Surprisingly, They Might Be Giants spent the last few years doing work that most people would be familiar with. The band’s tremendous talent came through in their theme song for the film “”Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.”” The group also wrote the title song for the television show “”Malcolm in The Middle,”” titled “”You’re Not the Boss of Me Now,”” for which the band recently won a Grammy.

The talent level of the group is clear enough; the only thing in question is how the group chooses to spend their energy. The band released “”Mink Car,”” an album that featured just what you expect from the group: songs that are lyrically and musically innovative and clever.

The group also recently released an album called “”No!,”” which is touted as the band’s “”first album for the whole family.”” From mainstream radio, to movie themes, to pioneering a new genre of what might be known as kiddy-rock, no one can be sure what to expect from a band like They Might Be Giants.

Their upcoming tour to support “”No!”” is described as “”kids- only”” shows, as well as a number of what one can only assume (based on the fact that they are playing a number of 21-and-over-only venues) will be normal shows in support of “”Mink Car.”” It’s hard to know what to expect when headed into a night at a They Might Be Giants show; a band so diverse and multitalented could offer a number of different types of performances.

This may be the No. 1 reason to go check out the show. Not knowing what to expect is an invaluable virtue in a world where all too many rock bands come out and play their albums from edge to center.

They Might Be Giants is coming to 4th and B, July 25, 2002.