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Claiming they had reached rock bottom, John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants asked the crowd to scream “NO! WAIT!” during their song “Drink!” He claimed he was staging the largest imaginary intervention in history: “And no, Oasis concerts of the late nineties do not count; there was no representative from Guinness there.”

As much about having a few good laughs as they are about playing their fantastically written catalog of songs, the “Two Johns” (Flansburgh and Linnell) seemed completely in their element during their latest showing in Chicago. Keeping the laughs going between (and even during) songs, the goofy brand of humor the Giants have become famous for made a perfect companion to their addictive pop sound.

The Giants’ set proved that even nonsensical lyrics, scientific references and accordions can’t stop their music from being catchy as hell. Backed by a band of outstanding New York musicians, replete with a three-part horn section, They Might Be Giants played an even mix of new and old. In between a majority of tunes off of 2007’s The Else and 2004’s The Spine, the band also made room for classic favorites such as “Birdhouse In Your Soul” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople).” The energetic Flansburgh kept the set going, moving animatedly around the stage when not singing.

The humor they injected into every part of the set made seeing They Might Be Giants live worthwhile. Literally throwing downbeats left and right, Linnell had some fun with the ending of “Spy,” splicing the sound of a jackhammer triggered by his keyboard with a heartwarming rendition of “Kumbaya.” The laughter was almost enough to drown out the applause that followed.

Simply listening to They Might Be Giants is a lesson in goofiness; if you can get past the odd lyrics and choices of subject matter, the catchy hooks of The Giants’ catalog will make for some “Damn Good Times.” Live, they are equal parts stand-up comedians and musicians, and they play both roles extraordinarily well.