A bit strange...?

[peterclamp]

Hmm...
I've been reading all these threads about these 'spontaneous' gig by the B Boys and I am a little puzzled. Normally if a band as big as they are do some club gigs they would do it to self-promote or showcase new material. As far as I know they have nothing to promote at the moment and new material is very much at the experimental stage.

Surely if the ticket/merchandise proceeds are split between the three of them, after paying MMM (plus $Mark/Alfredo), roadies etc they cannot earn much from a small venue. If tickets are $75 x500 people= $37500. Not much would be left after show production costs and paying the aforementioned people.

Are they in some way obliged to perform/earn money in their contract with MMM, was that not part of the reason Hurra left them due to lack of earnings?

Please, please do NOT misunderstand me. If this IS purely for the fans then I think that is fantastic although as has been mentioned by others, a longer notice period would have been appreciated by some! I am certainly NOT critisising (sp?) the Beastie Boys, I have been a fan since License to Ill and had the time of my life at their last concert in London. I hope (wish) that they take their club tour to the UK but give 1-2 weeks advance warning so I can get out of work!

Again though financially for them, a club tour in the UK probably is not viable so tough luck on me!

Pete

PS. Nice, thoughtful replies appreciated, I am not looking to get flamed like some others on here recently...

[Kid Presentable]

That's an interesting way of looking at it, and probably the most plausible. The idealist in me thinks they may just be on a 20th anniversary (of LTI) buzz, and are playing for something to do.

[timmie]

Tis a good point! don't forget that they are rich people! Mike D's mother sold some of her art work & got a stagering $53 million (I think thats the right figure).

[Top 10]

thing is: bands earn a fixed income for a show, wether the place is packed or empty. The promoter is the one "gambling". So I'm not worried about them getting money

[Laver1969]

They've often done small "warm-up" gigs before playing the larger crowds. They did quite a few European club-style gigs before the Pageant.

So these are probably just a few small gigs getting ready for the 4 festivals in South America.

[JasonP]

I don't think its about money....these guys like to perform...I know the Quasar tour didn't earn them a dime either.

[cj hood]

i think this is how its gonna be forever....they took time out in the past 10 years to have lives and families...but now realize that they can't afford anymore time off......this is what run dmc did before jay died and d lost his voice......the beasties have enough clout and catalogue to just do shows whenever, where ever......

[timmie]

ITS FOR THE KIDS & LOVE!!

[Junker]

They've often done small "warm-up" gigs before playing the larger crowds. They did quite a few European club-style gigs before the Pageant.

So these are probably just a few small gigs getting ready for the 4 festivals in South America.

I think this way too.

[dave790]

the beasties have enough clout and catalogue to just do shows whenever, where ever......

Pretty much every response has been spot on in my opinion, but what you've put kinda sums it all up for me when I think of 'why'. But then i find it hard to raise a question to any of this when I read fans reports and what not...sounds unreal.

[Kid Presentable]

i think this is how its gonna be forever....they took time out in the past 10 years to have lives and families...but now realize that they can't afford anymore time off......this is what run dmc did before jay died and d lost his voice......the beasties have enough clout and catalogue to just do shows whenever, where ever......
I'm cosignin'.

[Shamus]

Ever thought that maybe the only people who will show up on such short notice are their hardcore fans? Like a previous post said which makes sense is that they are warming up for the big festivals down South. Shit I can't even imagine how many people they will be playing in front of over the next few weeks?

[Junker]

Ever thought that maybe the only people who will show up on such short notice are their hardcore fans? Like a previous post said which makes sense is that they are warming up for the big festivals down South. Shit I can't even imagine how many people they will be playing in front of over the next few weeks?

Thousands and thousands.......and finally i´ll be in the middle.

[enree erzweglle]

It never occurred to me that they did it for money.

I've assumed that they did Gimme Shelter because it was a benefit (they gave their names to that cause to raise awareness of and money for the charity). Then, maybe they enjoyed themselves doing that tiny venue so they arranged a few more like it.

At Gimme Shelter, they were inches away from the crowd--in fact, for most of the show, they sort of melded with the front rows of the crowd and sort of became part of it. That's got to be cool for them in contrast to the sterile sorts of stages that they get at arena shows, where distance and security keep them from really seeing people. Maybe that along with the format of the encores during the pageant tour influenced this a bit?

I could be being naive and romanticizing their motives, but it makes sense given the timing in relation to Gimme Shelter, the short notice for the California shows, and what we know about them (they seem to be nice guys). Maybe they're just giving the fans what they want (and enjoying things in the process).

Maybe they're starting a trend in doing this. I often hear musicians talk longingly of a time when they played small clubs. They talk about the atmosphere and ambiance that places like that bring and how that affects and shifts the mood of the music and performances. Maybe other established acts will follow suit.

[enree erzweglle]

Ever thought that maybe the only people who will show up on such short notice are their hardcore fans? Like a previous post said which makes sense is that they are warming up for the big festivals down South. Shit I can't even imagine how many people they will be playing in front of over the next few weeks?I wondered about that as well (that these have been warm-up concerts). Which would also be okay--I wouldn't complain either way, but I prefer to think that they're being benevolent toward fans :) and that they truly enjoyed the intimacy of small clubs. Maybe it's some of all of these things.

[kleptomaniac]

I wondered about that as well (that these have been warm-up concerts). Which would also be okay--I wouldn't complain either way, but I prefer to think that they're being benevolent toward fans :) and that they truly enjoyed the intimacy of small clubs. Maybe it's some of all of these things.

all very well said (y) ;)

[KENNY GUIDO]

Hmm...
I've been reading all these threads about these 'spontaneous' gig by the B Boys and I am a little puzzled. Normally if a band as big as they are do some club gigs they would do it to self-promote or showcase new material. As far as I know they have nothing to promote at the moment and new material is very much at the experimental stage.

Surely if the ticket/merchandise proceeds are split between the three of them, after paying MMM (plus $Mark/Alfredo), roadies etc they cannot earn much from a small venue. If tickets are $75 x500 people= $37500. Not much would be left after show production costs and paying the aforementioned people.

Are they in some way obliged to perform/earn money in their contract with MMM, was that not part of the reason Hurra left them due to lack of earnings?

Please, please do NOT misunderstand me. If this IS purely for the fans then I think that is fantastic although as has been mentioned by others, a longer notice period would have been appreciated by some! I am certainly NOT critisising (sp?) the Beastie Boys, I have been a fan since License to Ill and had the time of my life at their last concert in London. I hope (wish) that they take their club tour to the UK but give 1-2 weeks advance warning so I can get out of work!

Again though financially for them, a club tour in the UK probably is not viable so tough luck on me!

Pete

PS. Nice, thoughtful replies appreciated, I am not looking to get flamed like some others on here recently...

artists usually dont earn anything for benefit concerts. they do it for free, because its a charity. But if the venue does make some money, sometimes the artist will want some type of payment. But as long as it's for a charity and 100% of the proceeds go to it, the band does a freebie.

I have done benifit concerts before (thats who I came about the Beasties! ;) ) so I know a bit about them.

[Documad]

They've often done small "warm-up" gigs before playing the larger crowds. They did quite a few European club-style gigs before the Pageant.

So these are probably just a few small gigs getting ready for the 4 festivals in South America.
This is my bet. They need to get ready for the festival gigs and they were also hired for the skateboarding gig so it made sense to jam in a few club dates at the last minute during the same weekend and in the same general area as the skateboarding gig. And all the shows are on the short side -- like they will be at the festivals. I'd love for this to become a more regular thing but I doubt it will happen.

I think the charity thing was just because they care about stray pets and they live in NYC. They didn't even try to get publicity for that.

[Kid Presentable]

It never occurred to me that they did it for money.

I've assumed that they did Gimme Shelter because it was a benefit (they gave their names to that cause to raise awareness of and money for the charity). Then, maybe they enjoyed themselves doing that tiny venue so they arranged a few more like it.

At Gimme Shelter, they were inches away from the crowd--in fact, for most of the show, they sort of melded with the front rows of the crowd and sort of became part of it. That's got to be cool for them in contrast to the sterile sorts of stages that they get at arena shows, where distance and security keep them from really seeing people. Maybe that along with the format of the encores during the pageant tour influenced this a bit?

I could be being naive and romanticizing their motives, but it makes sense given the timing in relation to Gimme Shelter, the short notice for the California shows, and what we know about them (they seem to be nice guys). Maybe they're just giving the fans what they want (and enjoying things in the process).

Maybe they're starting a trend in doing this. I often hear musicians talk longingly of a time when they played small clubs. They talk about the atmosphere and ambiance that places like that bring and how that affects and shifts the mood of the music and performances. Maybe other established acts will follow suit.


I like that they can just decide to jump into a time machine.

[EastcoastJL]

The thing I find strange is that they're playing all of these shows when they're supposedly in the process of recording a new album. Normally when they're recording they go in hiatus mode and we don't hear anything from them for a few yrs. I like this new Beastie trend of still playing shows during while they're recording. = NO HIATUS!(y)

[KENNY GUIDO]

The thing I find strange is that they're playing all of these shows when they're supposedly in the process of recording a new album. Normally when they're recording they go in hiatus mode and we don't hear anything from them for a few yrs. I like this new Beastie trend of still playing shows during while they're recording. = NO HIATUS!(y)

perhaps touring gives them some inspiration.

[pesto pizza]

They've often done small "warm-up" gigs before playing the larger crowds. They did quite a few European club-style gigs before the Pageant.

So these are probably just a few small gigs getting ready for the 4 festivals in South America.
yeah i agree with this point because it puzzled me why they were doing such a small tour,but they owe the people in south america after canceling march 2005.

[enree erzweglle]

The thing I find strange is that they're playing all of these shows when they're supposedly in the process of recording a new album.Are they indeed in the throes of making a new album? I thought it was alluded to (perhaps semi-jokingly in some morning talk show interview?) and there have been rumors about it here, I think, but I thought that it's remained fairly unsubstantiated...?

[Junker]

Are they indeed in the throes of making a new album? I thought it was alluded to (perhaps semi-jokingly in some morning talk show interview?) and there have been rumors about it here, I think, but I thought that it's remained fairly unsubstantiated...?

Maybe not so unsubstantiated. (http://www.beastieboys.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=70860)

[Kid Presentable]

Maybe not so unsubstantiated. (http://www.beastieboys.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=70860)
That's shit though. Who the fuck were those guys? And where the fuck are they now?

[EastcoastJL]

Are they indeed in the throes of making a new album? I thought it was alluded to (perhaps semi-jokingly in some morning talk show interview?) and there have been rumors about it here, I think, but I thought that it's remained fairly unsubstantiated...?
I believe so, several websites have made reports of it:

http://mic-to-mic.blogspot.com/
(read the Alfredo Ortiz article)

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/07/26/1704006-ca.html

[peterclamp]

It never occurred to me that they did it for money.

I've assumed that they did Gimme Shelter because it was a benefit (they gave their names to that cause to raise awareness of and money for the charity). Then, maybe they enjoyed themselves doing that tiny venue so they arranged a few more like it.

At Gimme Shelter, they were inches away from the crowd--in fact, for most of the show, they sort of melded with the front rows of the crowd and sort of became part of it. That's got to be cool for them in contrast to the sterile sorts of stages that they get at arena shows, where distance and security keep them from really seeing people. Maybe that along with the format of the encores during the pageant tour influenced this a bit?

I could be being naive and romanticizing their motives, but it makes sense given the timing in relation to Gimme Shelter, the short notice for the California shows, and what we know about them (they seem to be nice guys). Maybe they're just giving the fans what they want (and enjoying things in the process).

Maybe they're starting a trend in doing this. I often hear musicians talk longingly of a time when they played small clubs. They talk about the atmosphere and ambiance that places like that bring and how that affects and shifts the mood of the music and performances. Maybe other established acts will follow suit.

Yeah sorry, I should have made it clear that I was not including this charity gig in my thread question. I know they (and many other bands) do charity shows for nothing which is very commendable (how many of us donate a days/weeks wages to charity every once in a while?), it was more questions in my head revolving about their 'motivation' to do the small club gigs where they do get paid. There have been some great responses for me to think on!

Pete(y)

[dirtydan11]

ok ppl here's my take. maybe hard to believe, but i think they are just normal ppl, like me and you. they started out as a hardcore band in a scene thats just full of friends. i know this because i started out the same way. me and all my friends were all in hardcore bands and it was the best time of my whole life. getting gigs, opening up for their favorite bands and getting to meet them..well, they started fucking around, making rap records, got noticed, and blew up. like they deserved to.
nobody here knows them, or what they think about the music or their fans or anything. they know that, you should know that too. dont get me wrong: i believe they love what they do. i believe they are acually still best friends, i don't think about how much money they have. they made, and make some of the best music i've ever heard. case closed.
One thing is for sure: we are very fortunate they are still together and making awesome music.
and they deserve alot of credit for being normal ppl when they meet fans. they are sarcastic and so funny during interviews, but when you meet them you know they are normal ppl like us. they never sold out, unless you consider joining a major is selling out (which is not of course). they only sound like the beastie boys, and they only do what they want.
thats what makes them so fucking cool and my fav band for 20 years.

my point is stop worrying about their motives for everything they do. just be happy they are making the best fucking music around. they are obviously very talented and work well together and all we should worry about is the records and shows. my favorite band ever. i just dont bother about their personal lives and stuff like that, and i believe no one else should either. they are not a pop band! they were not manufactured for money like so many others. they started as kids, friends, having fun.. and all we should know is they are still friends, having fun :)

[Junker]

That's shit though. Who the fuck were those guys? And where the fuck are they now?

Hmmm.......:confused:

[enree erzweglle]

Are they indeed in the throes of making a new album? I thought it was alluded to (perhaps semi-jokingly in some morning talk show interview?) and there have been rumors about it here, I think, but I thought that it's remained fairly unsubstantiated...?
Maybe not so unsubstantiated. (http://www.beastieboys.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=70860)



Are they indeed in the throes of making a new album? I thought it was alluded to (perhaps semi-jokingly in some morning talk show interview?) and there have been rumors about it here, I think, but I thought that it's remained fairly unsubstantiated...?I believe so, several websites have made reports of it:
http://mic-to-mic.blogspot.com/
(read the Alfredo Ortiz article)

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/07/26/1704006-ca.html
I missed seeing that blogspot totally. Thanks to you both for the pointers!

[Junker]

I missed seeing that blogspot totally. Thanks to you both for the pointers!

:) ;) (y)

[paul jones]

I believe so, several websites have made reports of it:

http://mic-to-mic.blogspot.com/
(read the Alfredo Ortiz article)

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2006/07/26/1704006-ca.html

thanks for those links!(y)

[kleptomaniac]

thanks for those links!(y)

i keep the BBMB, Mic-to-Mic, & Beastiemania all in my favorites. those are the
hot spots, baby! ;)