Psychedelic Beasties?

AMillionMonkeys Rob (aka "my brother") describes the new Beastie Boys instrumental CD thusly, "The funk/dub sound is familiar, but there's a sort of psychedelic rock thing going on that is new, I think." He likes it, as do I.

I am particularly fond of the ultra-funky "14th St. Break," and the slow/spacey "The Gala Event." Also, "Off the Grid" is just as the title states. Niiiice.

Get it. (And, thanks, Beth!)

ATTN: "Beantown" Fans of the Beastie Boys

From my Yahoo! email:

Subject: A Boston Gala Event

26 June 2007

A Boston Gala Event

On Sunday, August 5th, we will be performing a very exclusive and explicit, once in a lifetime GALA EVENT show to celebrate Adam Yauch's 43rd birthday @ the Boston Opera House! This goes above and beyond our usual already formal gala event. We are talking velvet seats, velvet ropes, and champagne and strawberries people. Dress to impress and take a photograph with that special someone in a wicker chair, oh what? Needless to say, proper dress is mandatory. We look forward to having you join us for this truly special celebratory evening.

August 5th - Boston, MA - Boston Opera House
Beastie Boys - A Gala Event - Exclusive Instrumental Show
Exclusive Presale Starts Thursday, June 28th at 10am (local time) here:www.ticketmaster.com/event/01003ED9DC659E49
Password: XXXXXX (NOTE: If you're seriously intersted, leave your email address in the Comments, and I'll send you the password. I'd post it here, but I'm not sure if that's proper netiquette.)
Tickets go on sale to the public Saturday, June 30th at 10am (local time) here: www.ticketmaster.com/event/01003ED9DC659E49

Thank you,

The Management

P.S. Our new album, The Mix-Up is out today, June 26.

http://www.beastieboys.com/store/

ATTN: Seattle-Area Fans of the Beastie Boys, Pt. 2

Picture and text stolen from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (article here).



Beastie Boys take the Croc by storm
By TRAVIS HAY
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

For 90 minutes at the Crocodile Café Friday night the Beastie Boys treated an intimate, sold-out crowd of less than 500 to a show they won't soon, if ever, forget.

Maybe it was the scarcity of the tickets (the show sold out in less than a minute and tickets were selling for as much as $400 on eBay), the debut of new material, or the performance of some rarely heard songs -- either way, it was one of the more special shows Seattle has seen in the last few years.

The Boys -- guitarist Ad Rock, bass player MCA and drummer Mike D. -- were accompanied by keyboardist Money Mark and percussionist Alfredo Ortiz for a set of mostly instrumental numbers that kicked off with "B For My Name," the first song off the band's new album, "The Mix Up."

That's right, the Beastie Boys are more than a trio of adulterated, former brat rappers; they're first and foremost a band. The New York rap pioneers hammered this point home by showcasing one of the least known aspects of their arsenal -- the ability to play instruments -- and simply put, they nearly tore the roof off the Croc with their electrifying show.

Their talent with instruments is highly evident on the new record, which consists entirely of instrumentals and hits shelves June 26. Some of the new tracks performed were the fuzzy "Electric Worm" and "Off the Grid," a song that included Ortiz hitting a trash can lid with drumsticks for percussion effects.

While there's no rapping on the new album, there was plenty during Friday's set. Several Beastie standards were given new arrangements with guitars and drums instead of samplers and turntables.

A slowed down "Live at PJs" that appeared early in the night set the tone for older songs that were rearranged. The highlights included a funky "Jimmy James" that featured Ad Rock displaying some Tom Morello-esque guitar skills with crazy squeaks and squeals, while "Root Down" and "Remote Control" were given extra flair and pizzazz with the addition of live instrumentation.

As much fun as it was to hear songs like "Sabotage" and "Ricky's Theme" performed in the close-knit confines of the Croc, it was equally fun to hear the Beasties return to their punk-rock roots with "Egg Raid On Mojo" off 1982's "Pollywog Stew."

Another rare track that surfaced was "Honky Rink," a tongue-in-cheek instrumental B-side off the "Gratitude" single released in 1992. Other punk songs making the set included "Heart Attack Man" and "Tough Guy," both great choices for the evening.

The show was called a "gala event" and the Beasties dressed appropriately, looking rather dapper in three-piece suits. Ad Rock, sporting a black fedora, was the most talkative and boisterous of the group.

As usual, the Beasties were playful, exchanging witty banter throughout the night. At one point Mike D. and Ad Rock broke into a duet of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You." Another playful moment came when a fan called Ad Rock a pimp for his spiffy attire.

"No sir, I am musician, not a pimp by trade," Ad Rock responded in a deadpan, matter-of-fact way. "I don't know if that was a compliment, but if it was I appreciate it."

The Crocodile Café set was a warm-up gig for the band's two performances at the Gorge Amphitheatre's Sasquatch! Music Festival this weekend. The band headlines the Wookie Stage at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, performing an instrumental set. The Beasties will close down the festival with a headlining, non-instrumental set, Sunday at 10:30 p.m.

SET LIST
B For My Name
Sabarosa
Live at PJ's
Do It
Electric Worm
Transitions
Son of Neckbone
Something's Got To Give
Off the Grid
Root Down/Get It
Egg Raid On Mojo
Tough Guy
Remote Control
Mark On the Bus
Shambala
Ricky's Theme
Pow!
Jimmy James/Happy Birthday
Sabotage
ENCORE
Sure Shot
Time For Living
Heart Attack Man
The Maestro

FUCK ME!!!! I know the odds are long, really fucking long. But, PLEASE let there have been at least one taper in that small crowd!!!

ATTN: Seattle-Area Fans of the Beastie Boys

I received the following email at 1:50 AM:

A GALA EVENT

Dear patrons of the arts. To usher in the summer concerto season, we will be staging an exclusive Gala event this Friday, May 25 in the glorious city of Seattle, Washington, at a cozy little venue called the Crocodile Cafe.Please join us to "Lick Shots" and ring in this most wonderful time of year."Touch yourself."

Beastie Boys - A Gala Event - Exclusive Instrumental Show
Friday, May 25th
Seattle, WA - Crocodile Cafe

Tickets on sale Wednesday, May 23rd at 4pm:www.ticketmaster.com/event/0F003EB5E3D7E5C3

There is a 2 ticket limit for this show. All tickets are to be picked up at the venue box office the night of the show. You MUST bring a government issued photo ID and the credit card used to purchase tickets in order to retrieve your tickets. Tickets are non-transferable.

All ages
Doors open at 7pm
Show at 8pm

Sincerely yours,
The management

P.S. we have some new shirts in!
Check them out at www.beastieboys.com/store/themixup/

www.beastieboys.com

B, E, A, S, T, I, E...

Macky Ole at Deep Fat reports on the expected next release from the Beastie Boys here.

DIG the 2 videos he has embedded from YouTube!!!!

These cuts are tight, sweet, and all things niiiiiice...