We’re often asked “where do you get your ideas from?” Sometimes it’s inspired by a movie we saw, a conversation we had, or any number of other sources. The following song and video, however, can only be explained by “we have no idea.”
Yet here it is. We hope you enjoy “Here Come the Dinosaurs“, and if you can explain to the class what it means, feel free to share! Credits appear below the break.
All music, Flash animation, and start-motion handimation by Paul and Storm
Grumpy Cat played by Reinhold McPhee-DiCostanzo*
Gertie the Dinosaur (cartoon video clip) by Winsor McCay (1914, public domain)
Public domain images:
Skull by Silsor http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skull_and_crossbones.svg
Coloring book Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops and Pterodactyl from http://karenswhimsy.com/public-domain-images
Super-scary dino & building by Laura Scudder http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Senckenberg_mit_Dino.jpg
Car http://www.freeclipartnow.com/transportation/cars/car-Acura.jpg.html
Ceratosaurus by Joesph Smit http://www.copyrightexpired.com/earlyimage/prehistoriclifebeforekt/ceratosaurus_cood_1894_smit_1929.html
Subway station by Daniel Schwen http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NYC_Wall_St_station.jpg
Iguanadon by Alice B. Woodward http://www.copyrightexpired.com/earlyimage/prehistoriclifebeforekt/iguanodon_iln_1895_woodward_1951.html
Basketball game by Greg Ma http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monta_Ellis_dunking.jpg
Basketball by Reisio http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Basketball.png
Special thanks to Mike “Spiff” Booth and Jonathan Coulton for technical assistance
* Mr. R was not harmed during the filming of this video. In fact, he was fed treats.
15 Comments
There just isn’t enough animation where you see the animators’ hands. After Mr. Bill broke new ground, you would think it would have become all the rage.
Nice song. Great video. It reminds me of the “They Might Be Giants” video podcast. Have you considered recording a children’s album?
I don’t think there’s any “meaning” to it. I think it’s just a simple formula:
Doin’ some drugs + listenin’ to Blue Oyster Cult = HEre Come the Dinosaurs
Oooh, oooh, I second the vote for a children’s album….!
(Making up “expergated” versions of your albums can be a lot of work, especially for the “youngest fan who actually gets the songs”)
Is it me, or do I see some definite experimentation in musical styles going on with you guys these days? This almost sounds like a cross between the White Album and some (non-specific) 70s metal group…
Shades of Spinal Tap?
The first thing that came to my mind, of course, was, “Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!”
Also, very much enjoyed the homage to The Wall.
Lots of fun. Keep it up! You know that we fans are insatiable. 😉
That was terrible.
Terribly hilarious.
Good for a laugh. Or two! Or none. Whichever you prefer.
I WILL find the meaning in this song.
Right after I find the meaning in Mr. Fancy Pants
Definite mainstream appeal to this one and very catchy. Even my friends that don’t like or understand my “geek music” obsession are lovin’ this one!
I can’t get the guitar for this song out of my head, so I keep watching the video, which I enjoy more than I probably should. My favorite part is the montage of the dinos running the red light, smoking and dunking the basketball. Nice job!
Also, I think you’re right about the success of this hinging on Reinhold. He’s definitely got star written all over him. 🙂
I set up a Reinhold McPhee-DiCostanzo fansite on Facebook.
You cannot stop the dinosaurs. You can only hope to contain them.
Wow. I totally remember that clip of Gertie from somewhere…
Fun song! Angry kitteh. >:{
Go Reinhold! Cranky kitty
This video makes very specific references to Orwellian concepts and draws striking parallels to his novel 1984. The dinosaurs obviously represent big brother’s hidden influence on the curious, yet resentful general public played by none other than Reinhold McPhee-DiCostanzo. As Mr. R clearly played the victim in this situation, which, might I add, is ironic in itself due to the nature of which we keep animals in our house as pets, the plot developed took a turn as the lead guitar voice descended the blues scale and settled for a moment on the flat 5th scale degree. This struck up an array of emotions which caused me to ejaculate slightly. This video had multiple occurrences of allusion to Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” melded with socialist propaganda. The production quality was immaculate. Incredible work again by Paul and Storm, but still, not as good as DaVinci’s Notebook.
I have found the hidden meaning in the song.
The dinosaurs are coming. You had best be ready for them, especially considering the repeated nature of the hidden meaning in the song.
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