Day 2: Beastie Boys

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Members:
[li]Michael Diamond, aka Mike D
[/li][li]Adam Yauch, aka MCA
[/li][li]Adam Horovitz, aka Ad-Rock
[/li][li]Michael Schwartz, aka Mix Master Mike (since 1998)
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Biography:

Unlikely contenders for the Hip Hop Hall of Fame, Beastie Boys are a powerhouse trio consisting of Michael Diamond (Mike D), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock). They originated on some of the not-so-mean streets of New York in 1979, coming together as a hardcore punk group known as The Young Aborigines. After a successful premiere gig at then-bandmate John Berry’s house, the Beastie Boys soon began to earn support slots for other punk outfits such as The Misfits and Dead Kennedys, at clubs such as CBGB and Max’s Kansas City.
After their breakthrough hit song “Cookie Puss”, the Beasties’ sound progressed from punk to hip hop. They released their debut album “Licensed to Ill” to rave reviews, and it eventually became the best selling rap album of the 1980’s. However, it is their sophomore effort that is widely considered their magnum opus, the 1989 album “Paul’s Boutique”. Panned upon its initial release, this album is now recognized as a hip-hop classic, one that had a sizeable impact on the future direction of the genre. Soon after the release of “Paul’s Boutique”, they began collaborating with keyboardist Mark Ramos-Nishita (Money Mark). Since the release of Hello Nasty in 1998, the DJ for the Beastie Boys has been Michael Schwartz, better known as Mix Master Mike.
The Beastie Boys have maintained their success throughout the years, and three decades after their formation, they continue to appeal to a new generation of listeners. They are widely credited with having broken hip-hop’s racial barrier, and they are lauded for their distinctive sound and innovative work. They will be touring in support of the upcoming album “Tadlock’s Glasses”.


Major Discography:

• Licensed to Ill (1986)
  
• Paul's Boutique (1989)
  
• Check Your Head (1992)
  
• Ill Communication (1994)
  
• Hello Nasty (1998)
  
• To the 5 Boroughs (2004)
  
• The Mix-Up (2007)
  
• Tadlock's Glasses (2009)

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Sounds Like
Genre: Rap, hip hop, punk rock
Similar Artists: I honestly can't think of any, Beasties have a very unique sound. Fugazi, maybe, or Rage Against the Machine, or even some Run DMC. It's hard to explain.

Suggested Listening
Paul's Boutique. All of it, especially the last track, B-Boy Bouillabaisse. If you like that, then listen to the albums Ill Communication and Licensed to Ill. Every record is good in its own way though.









Physical Reaction/Live Show
Well, I’ve never seen them before, but I fully expect my head to explode from being exposed to too much awesomeness at once. I will shout or mouth the lyrics that I know, I will dance like an idiot and jump around all over the place. I'm pretty sure my face is going to melt right off, so if someone could please scoop it up afterwards and bring it to the lost and found, that'd be great.

Interesting Facts

• They coined the use of “ill” as a synonym for “cool”.
  
• Beastie Boys formed when its members were still in their early teens. They’re now in their 30th year together as a band.
  
• They were originally a hardcore punk band called The Young Aborigines.
  
• Their first gig was on bandmate Adam Yauch's 17th birthday.
  

Personal Notes
Beastie Boys are a personal favorite of mine. Right when my taste in music was starting to blossom and branch out from just what my friends and family were listening to, Hello Nasty was released. I loved it, so I started listening to more of their stuff. They’re one of the first bands I got really into, so I’m excited for their set. They're actually a big inspiration to me musically, as well.