Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys are an American hip-hop music group originating from New York City. Its main members are Mike D (real name Michael Diamond), MCA (Adam Yauch) and Adrock (Adam Horovitz), but several other musicians have played with the group for a long time.

The early days

The Beastie Boys were formed in New York City in 1981 as a hardcore punk band. The name "Beastie" originally stood for "Boys Entering Anarchistic States Towards Inner Excellence," though some have claimed it actually stood for "Boys Entering Altered States To Induce Ecstasy." (The term "beastie" was already in use as slang for a person resembling or behaving like an animal, particularly during sex.) Its original line-up consisted of Adam Yauch on bass, Kate Schellenbach on drums, John Berry on guitar and Michael Diamond on vocals. Their first gig was at Berry's house on Yauch's 17th birthday party. The band quickly earned support slots for Bad Brains and Reagan Youth at venues such as CBGB and Max's Kansas City playing at the latter venue on its closing night.

Related Topics:
Hardcore punk - Beastie - Bass - Drums - Guitar - Bad Brains - Reagan Youth - CBGB - Max's Kansas City

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That same year, the Beastie Boys recorded the 7" EP Pollywog Stew at the 171A studios (used by the Bad Brains). It was released on Ratcage Records, but attracted little interest.

Related Topics:
EP - Pollywog Stew - 171A studios - Bad Brains - Ratcage Records

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John Berry left the group (later forming Thwig) and was replaced by Horovitz who had previously played in punk band The Young and the Useless in 1983. The band also performed its first rap track Cooky Puss (based on a prank call by the group to Carvel Ice Cream) with the song becoming a hit in New York underground dance clubs on its release by Ratcage.

Related Topics:
Thwig - The Young and the Useless - Cooky Puss - Carvel Ice Cream - New York - Dance club - Ratcage

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