THE BROUHAHA: Beastie Boys Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jim Shearer/Milkit
After 15 years of doing this podcast, I finally found it possible to rank the Beastie Boys' eight studio releases. Even though I was able to do it, I'm not sayin' it was easy.
We wanted to fittingly finish the year of celebrating Beastie Boys anniversaries and milestones by highlighting the history of their show-closing classic, "Sabotage," which also provided us with an all-time great music video!
We'll also be joined by Paco (aka Corduroy Frames), who is on the verge of finishing his four-year passion project of making a frame-by-frame recreation of the "Sabotage" music video. To help Paco fund the completion of this epic masterpiece, please click HERE.
Looking back on 35 years of the Beastie Boys' zero-to-hero sophomore album, Paul's Boutique, we count down our 10 favorite songs and close out the festivities by speaking with Matt Dike's childhood friend, Wayde Alfarone.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, a track by track breakdown of the Beastie Boys' 2004 studio album, To the 5 Boroughs.
A look back at what the Beastie Boys were up to in 1994, and how their fourth studio album, Ill Communication, brought them back to main event status.
Looking back 30 years later, 1994 is still my favorite year of music EVER! I get it, some may say there were better years in the '60s, '70s, or '80s. Heck, some will even say that '94 wasn't even the best year of music in the '90s.
I dunno? There was something about this year. The variety of different music, the new artists that emerged, and the bending of genres set the stage for a 19-year old like me to soak it all up.
Yes, Kurt Cobain’s suicide left behind a huge void, but the creative landscape Nirvana helped cultivate left the world of music in good hands—at least for the next few years.
1994 was the peak intersection of time between a thriving, artistic, free-thinking music scene, and the eventual watered-down version of what it became to close out the decade.
Anyway, I could on and on about 1994, but listening to the music from this year will take you back in time a lot quicker.
And hence, a mixtape was born.
Here are the ground rules for 1994: The Album:
Because the output of music was so overwhelmingly great, I knew I had to limit myself. Piecing together 19 tracks of 94 minutes of music seemed thematically appropriate, and even though I had a decent amount of time to play with, a lot of great artists/songs did not make the cut.
Amazingly, keep in mind, this is not a best-of-decade mix, although it sure does sound like it, huh?
In my adult life, I’ve tried to keep most of my mixtapes free of curses, so you can listen freely with your children around, but it was mighty difficult for this project. So, in the true spirit of the profanity-filled ‘90s I decided to let the f-bombs fly freely. (That was your Parental Advisory warning.)
Every song you hear on this mix was either released as a single or on an album in 1994, or peaked, charted heavily, or was in constant rotation on MTV and radio. In other words, this entire mix, media clips and all, could have been created in 1994.
I first put out this mix in 2014, celebrating the 20th Anniversary of this landmark music year, and I recently made a few tweaks and dusted it off to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of 1994.
Enjoy!
*This is the one-track podcast version of the mix. If you want to see where the tracks break up, follow along below:
- Longview of the Vaseline ("Bad Habit," The Offspring)
- Oh My Gosh ("Oh My God," A Tribe Called Quest)
- Let Freedom Roll ("What Is Love," Haddaway)
- The Day I Tried To Lose ("The Day I Tried To Live," Soundgarden)
- Shoop 'Em Up ("Shoop," Salt-n-Peppa)
- Seething with Flava ("Blind," Korn)
- Doggy Sweater ("Live Forever," Oasis)
- Hobo Humpin' Liar Creep ("Hobo Humpin' Slobo Babe," Whale)
- Backwater Saints ("All Apologies," Nirvana)
- Violently Real ("Regulate," Warren G feat. Nate Dogg)
- Mmm Mmm ("Bus to Beelzebub," Soul Coughing)
- Mr. Nasir Jones ("Strangers," Portishead)
- Bang Bang Blame Blame ("If I Only Had a Brain," MC 900 Ft. Jesus)
- Fall Around ("Run-Around," Blues Traveler)
- Little Self Esteem ("Self Esteem," The Offspring)
- Strongman ("I Alone," Live)
- Hootie Hoo ("Girls & Boys," Blur)
- What's The Score? ("Don't Call Me White," NOFX)
- The Shepherd ("March of Pigs," Nine Inch Nails)
Beastie superfans and Delta Bravo explorers, Andy Katz and Mike Kearney regale us with details of their trip out west in search of hallowed Beastie landmarks. What they were able to accomplish would have surely even impressed Ponce De León. What are pyramids when you have sidewalks, basketball hoops, and swimming pools to explore?
As Hello Nasty celebrates its 25th trip around the sun, this episode of The Brouhaha takes a look at the Beastie Boys' 1998 release in another dimension. We won't go beyond that, otherwise we'd spoil it all, but besides doing an extraterrestrial-like Silver Anniversary autopsy on Hello Nasty, we also bring back our "20 Questions" contest and see if a grown-ass, 55-year-old diehard Beastie Boys fan can win a robot and squid monster play-set.
Completing the Live Log trilogy, Jim and Beastie Boys Message Board legend, Laver1969 (aka Jaysen Chambers), take a listen back to the Beastie Boys' final live performance.
For anyone hitting the road this holiday weekend, we've prepared a batch of leftovers for you, containing some delicious Beastie anecdotes from the following dinner guests: Gavin Rossdale (Bush), Treach (Naughty By Nature), David Cross, and Gail Simmons (Top Chef). Enjoy! #DeliciousAgainPeter
The premise of this episode is simple: I recap every Beastie Boys' live performance I ever saw. Unlike the Beastie Boys, and this is no diss, I have successfully completed a Pt. 1 and Pt. 2. (I will amend this post after the Beastie Boys release Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 1). #WatchTheFinger
The host of The Brouhaha, Jim Shearer (that would be me writing in third person), takes a trip down memory lane and attempts to log all of the Beastie Boys live performances that he's witnessed in his lifetime. Fortunately, he saw them so many times it will require an additional episode, hence this one being called "Pt. 1."
Everything you ever wanted to know and more (including some never-before-revealed "dark secrets" and a few off-the-wall theories) about the Beastie Boys' classic 1992 album, Check Your Head.
Jim Shearer and former Oscilloscope Laboratories Sound Engineer, Andre Kelman, listen back to Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2 and give their hot takes, commentary, and insight 10 years after the fact. (Actually 11 years after the fact, but who's counting?)
Andre Kelman, aka "The Prince of Sides," talks about scoring a sound engineer gig at Oscilloscope Laboratories in his early-20s. Andre also dishes on what it was like working on Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2, recording sessions with Kanye West and Jack White, the lost Beastie Boys' track "Bundt Cake," and, obviously, his knack for always ordering up the perfect side-dish (hence his royal nickname).
Paco, aka Corduroy Frames on Instagram, talks about his Beastie fandom as well as the mammoth undertaking of stocking up on craft supplies and attempting to do a homemade, frame-by-frame, stop-motion animation remake of the Beastie Boys' 1994 classic music video, "Sabotage." What inspired this madness? How long will it take? What will he do when he's done? Find out now! #HesCrafty
Even though I'm ride or die Check Your Head, I've said on multiple occasions that valid arguments could be made as to why Ill Communication is the crown jewel in the Beastie canon. Today, I finally do it: I pit Check Your Head and Ill Communication against each other in a battle for B-Boy studio album supremacy.
Jim chats with Beastie Boys super-fans, Jenna and Jim, about their respective passion projects. For Jenna, it's Beastie Boys Shots, a must-follow on Instagram that highlights both obscure and iconic Beastie Boys' photo sessions throughout their career. For Jim, it's his Sure Shot Beastie Boys group on Facebook, that is currently planning a very special event happening later this year. How did they get into the Beastie Boys? What are their favorite albums? How good are their trivia skills when put on the spot? Find out now!
The Phuncky Feel One, B-Real from Cypress Hill, talks about touring with Beastie Boys, what it was like to work with Pearl Jam and Sonic Youth on the Judgment Night soundtrack, taking a pass on the beat that would become "Jump Around," the future of hip-hop groups, and what to do when "the shit" actually does goes down.
In an exercise of objectivity I take a step back from my extreme fandom and countdown, not necessarily songs I dislike, but ones that I would consider to be my "least favorite" Beastie Boys songs of all-time.
Live and direct from Amsterdam, we track down the Serial Wax Killer, Mix Master Mike, and talk about his first encounter with Adam Yauch, coming to NYC to work on Hello Nasty, and what it was like when he was asked to join the Beastie Boys.
A quick chat about the Beastie Boys Story and a look back at my 50 Favorite Beastie Boys Songs of all-time.
Catching up with Evan Bernard whose Beastie Boys résumé includes: Lane Driver, Juice Pimp, Cruise Director, and Music Video Director.
Today's episode of The Brouhaha comes at'cha in 3's with 1.) a review of the Beastie Boys' Live & Direct Book Tour, 2.) an interview with music author and journalist, Alan Light, and 3.) a recap and breakdown of the brand new Beastie Boys Book.
SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't read the book yet, proceed with caution.
It's a doubleheader today; we're counting down the Most Underrated Beastie Boys' Songs and Best Beastie Boys T-shirt Designs...of all-time!
CORRECTION (TO THE CORRECTION): Regarding the steel drums, I meant "Body Movin'," not "Triple Trouble."
As the Beastie Boys prepare for the release of their new book, we take a look back at their first kick in the literary world: Grand Royal, Issue #1. (Special thanks to Pootytang for the long distance loan!)
Remembering the personality that put the pieces in place for the creation of Paul's Boutique. Rest in peace to the enigmatic DJ/Producer, Matt Dike.
An interview with MCA Day Organizer, Mike Kearney, and Lyle Preslar (Minor Threat) discusses his participation in this year's event.
A recap of current Beastie happenings, including a new Cassius track featuring Mike D, a new mixtape from Mix Master Mike, and the date and location of the next MCA Day.
This episode also looks at the many ups and downs, lefts and rights the Beastie Boys had in their career and how things could have happened differently if certain things did or didn't transpire...a game of "What If?" if you will.
And finally, a special shout to Phife Dawg (Malik Taylor) who recently passed away.
Founding member of the Beastie Boys and drummer extraordinaire, Kate Schellenbach, talks about: early Beastie history, her apprehension of being a rap superstar, life as a television producer, the most difficult Luscious Jackson song to drum, and the whereabouts of Manny.
Renown photographer Glen E. Friedman talks in depth about his iconic work with the Beastie Boys, including the day that yielded the cover shot for Check Your Head. He also discusses why he threatened to scratch the negative for Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, how he almost scored the cover shot for Ill Communication, and whether or not he'll ever join Instagram. Glen will be signing his latest book, My Rules, on Tue., December 8 at Pilgrim Surf Supply in Brooklyn (68 N. 3rd St.) from 6-8PM. Twitter: @glenefriedmanBlog: Idealist Propaganda
Jeremy Shatan, member of the Young Aborigines and the man responsible for taking the cover photo for Paul's Boutique talks about, well, taking the cover photo for Paul's Boutique, mix-tape etiquette, hanging out with Mike D as a teenager, why he turned down a free "long-box" of Licensed to Ill, and his important work with the charity Hope & Heroes.
Jeremy Shatan can be found on Twitter: @JShatan @AnEarful @HopeHeroes and on Instagram: @murgatroyd.
A chat with Dan LeRoy, the man who wrote the book, um, books on Paul's Boutique. His contribution to the 33 1/3 series, in my opinion, is still the gold standard of that collection.
A year-long celebration of the greatest Beastie Boys surprise of all-time!
NOTE: A special addendum was added to this episode featuring Jim and Prof giving their take on the newly released "Too Many Rappers" music video. During the discussion the memory card on their recorder crashed. Instead of giving you an incomplete conversation, we'll give you a full critique at a later date. Just lettin' you know. Thanks.