Mr. Juice
08-10-2007, 10:00 AM
Hours leading up to the McCarren Pool show in Brooklyn, it looked like Mother Nature was going to unleash another diabolic storm on New York City. Some people were so sure that it was going to rain, they were actually scalping ponchos along with their extra tickets. Fortunately the skies held up, and not to sound like I know my Doppler Radar or Storm Tracker 3000, but tonight was a lot less humid than last night’s show in Central Park. It was actually, dare I say, cool outside. But, come on, would you expect anything less from Williamsburg?
For those not familiar with McCarren Pool, yes, it is an outdoor venue in an old swimming pool. For any of you imagining it to be as intimate as your 4-foot above–ground pool in your backyard, think again. This pool is mammoth, and last night it was packed to capacity.
Going through the Beastie Boys catalog of material, one had to assume they would break out “Hello Brooklyn” and “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” at some point in the proceedings. Appropriately enough, Adrock began the show by proclaiming, “HELLO BROOKLYN!”
(insert big chunky Paul's Boutique bassline here)
In their first hip-hop mini-set of the night the Beasties sounded rather sharp on both “Posse In Effect” and “Root Down” (gotta love “The Weave”).
When it was time to get back on the instruments, the Beasties ripped through “Time For Livin’” and “Gratitude.” Compared to the Central Park show, their punk ditties sounded fuller in the soundboard mix. The instrumentals also had a bit more texture to them (sorry, this is starting to sound like a trade article for an audio magazine).
Going off memory here, the Beasties played silky, smooth renditions of “In 3’s” “Lighten Up,” “Sabrosa,” “Suco De Tangerina,” and “Off the Grid.” When the setlist for tonight's show is posted, you can fill in the rest. I was a bit bummed that Adrock opted out of the “Can’t Stop/Don’t Quit” live-lyrics during “Sabrosa,” but the band more than made up for it by playing a perfect rendition of “Off The Grid.” Adrock drifted away from his mic-stand (which looked like a mini-Radio Shack store) and rocked out during the second portion of the song. As the neighborhood kids used to say, “He was feelin’ it!” “Remote Control” also sounded tighter than ever—more so than when they were playing it nightly on “In the Round” tour in ’98.
There were few set-list surprises tonight, but it was a treat to take in “Alright Hear This”—haven’t heard that song live since the Ill Communication-era (takes me back to Lollapalooza—grass stains on my shorts and all) The Beasties later busted out “Paul Revere” and encouraged everyone to sing along.
Just like they did at Central Park, the Beasties reminisced about the good old days before playing “Egg Raid on Mojo.”
Mike: I went to school out here.
Adrock: Um, Mike, I did too—for like three days.
Mike: What?
Adrock: Maybe two days.
Mike: Well I went to school here for a couple solid years.
Mike explained how he and Yauch used to practice together and mentioned, “This next song was probably written at my house or his house.”
Speaking of the old days, the Beastie Boys also confirmed that this was their first ever live show in Brooklyn. That being the case, “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” was still absent from the set-list. Hmm.
“An Open Letter To NYC” got the Mix Master Mike treatment as he dropped in the “Ballin’” instrumental for the last verse. As if all this New York history wasn’t enough, moments before the Beastie Boys kicked into “Ch-Check It Out,” they brought out a special guest from Hollis, Queens.
Who was it that stopped by McCarren Pool on Thursday night?
None other than DJ Run! Because he was sporting a white t-shirt and blue jeans I assumed he wasn’t going to join the Beasties on stage for a throwback rendition of “Slow and Low.” Instead he just announced to the crowd, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am DJ Run!” Gotta be honest though, just hearing his voice was pretty cool—Together Forever baby!
During tonight’s stop down in “Ch-Check It Out,” the “sign guys” (as the Beastie Boys lovingly referred to them) made another appearance. This time around they brought an even bigger cardboard finger. MCA began cracking up in the middle of his rhymes. When the song paused, MCA called out to the sign guys, “Yo, pass that up here.” Alfredo also came onstage and revealed the cardboard finger from the Central Park show. Mike D took notice, “Wow, tonight’s finger is even bigger!” He pointed to the smaller finger and humorously noted, “We’ve got Scrappy Doo,” then looked at the bigger finger, “and Scooby Doo.”
When the “Mega Finger” was finally passed up on the stage, MCA took hold of it (it was nearly as tall as he was). Mike D looked over and announced, “Alright, here’s your instructional tool. Everyone get your fingers in the air.” All of Brooklyn raised their fingers to the sky, dropped them on Mike D’s cue, and simultaneously said “Fressssshhhhhh!” You might have been able to hear the “shhhh’s” all the way out in Bayridge.
The Beasties ended their set with “So What’cha Want?” and walked off stage. Would they start the encore with “No Sleep Till Brooklyn?”
Nope.
As they did on Wednesday night, MMM came out with his space helmet and kicked into “Intergalactic.” The sign guys made one final appearance, holding up four huge poster boards reading: DRR-RRR-RRR-ROP! Money Mark seemed to admire it the most, making sure the Beastie Boys caught sight of it before they kicked back into the song. “Intergalactic” also included a little bonus call-and-response action on the end as Mike D got everyone saying, “Oooooo-weeee.”
The Beastie Boys retreated back to their instruments and ripped into “Sabotage.” If only there was an aerial view of the crowd during this song. Everyone seemed to be bouncing up-and-down, enjoying themselves in the old McCarren Pool—it was a pretty neat sight to see.
For those familiar with the Beastie Boys live show, you know that “Sabotage” is usually the final song of the night. However, tonight was different. After putting down their instruments, the Beasties grabbed their wireless mics, thanked everyone for coming, and bantered for a bit (which also included a champagne toast) before Mike D announced to crowd that this was MCA’s anthem.
Moments later, they launched into “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” It was beautiful I tell you, beautiful. The Beastie Boys couldn’t have scripted a more perfect ending to the evening. Everyone shouted and pumped their fists in unison, and even a street light off in the distance looked like it was enjoying itself, seemingly blinking beat-for-beat with the classic Licensed to Ill cut.
For those not familiar with McCarren Pool, yes, it is an outdoor venue in an old swimming pool. For any of you imagining it to be as intimate as your 4-foot above–ground pool in your backyard, think again. This pool is mammoth, and last night it was packed to capacity.
Going through the Beastie Boys catalog of material, one had to assume they would break out “Hello Brooklyn” and “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” at some point in the proceedings. Appropriately enough, Adrock began the show by proclaiming, “HELLO BROOKLYN!”
(insert big chunky Paul's Boutique bassline here)
In their first hip-hop mini-set of the night the Beasties sounded rather sharp on both “Posse In Effect” and “Root Down” (gotta love “The Weave”).
When it was time to get back on the instruments, the Beasties ripped through “Time For Livin’” and “Gratitude.” Compared to the Central Park show, their punk ditties sounded fuller in the soundboard mix. The instrumentals also had a bit more texture to them (sorry, this is starting to sound like a trade article for an audio magazine).
Going off memory here, the Beasties played silky, smooth renditions of “In 3’s” “Lighten Up,” “Sabrosa,” “Suco De Tangerina,” and “Off the Grid.” When the setlist for tonight's show is posted, you can fill in the rest. I was a bit bummed that Adrock opted out of the “Can’t Stop/Don’t Quit” live-lyrics during “Sabrosa,” but the band more than made up for it by playing a perfect rendition of “Off The Grid.” Adrock drifted away from his mic-stand (which looked like a mini-Radio Shack store) and rocked out during the second portion of the song. As the neighborhood kids used to say, “He was feelin’ it!” “Remote Control” also sounded tighter than ever—more so than when they were playing it nightly on “In the Round” tour in ’98.
There were few set-list surprises tonight, but it was a treat to take in “Alright Hear This”—haven’t heard that song live since the Ill Communication-era (takes me back to Lollapalooza—grass stains on my shorts and all) The Beasties later busted out “Paul Revere” and encouraged everyone to sing along.
Just like they did at Central Park, the Beasties reminisced about the good old days before playing “Egg Raid on Mojo.”
Mike: I went to school out here.
Adrock: Um, Mike, I did too—for like three days.
Mike: What?
Adrock: Maybe two days.
Mike: Well I went to school here for a couple solid years.
Mike explained how he and Yauch used to practice together and mentioned, “This next song was probably written at my house or his house.”
Speaking of the old days, the Beastie Boys also confirmed that this was their first ever live show in Brooklyn. That being the case, “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” was still absent from the set-list. Hmm.
“An Open Letter To NYC” got the Mix Master Mike treatment as he dropped in the “Ballin’” instrumental for the last verse. As if all this New York history wasn’t enough, moments before the Beastie Boys kicked into “Ch-Check It Out,” they brought out a special guest from Hollis, Queens.
Who was it that stopped by McCarren Pool on Thursday night?
None other than DJ Run! Because he was sporting a white t-shirt and blue jeans I assumed he wasn’t going to join the Beasties on stage for a throwback rendition of “Slow and Low.” Instead he just announced to the crowd, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am DJ Run!” Gotta be honest though, just hearing his voice was pretty cool—Together Forever baby!
During tonight’s stop down in “Ch-Check It Out,” the “sign guys” (as the Beastie Boys lovingly referred to them) made another appearance. This time around they brought an even bigger cardboard finger. MCA began cracking up in the middle of his rhymes. When the song paused, MCA called out to the sign guys, “Yo, pass that up here.” Alfredo also came onstage and revealed the cardboard finger from the Central Park show. Mike D took notice, “Wow, tonight’s finger is even bigger!” He pointed to the smaller finger and humorously noted, “We’ve got Scrappy Doo,” then looked at the bigger finger, “and Scooby Doo.”
When the “Mega Finger” was finally passed up on the stage, MCA took hold of it (it was nearly as tall as he was). Mike D looked over and announced, “Alright, here’s your instructional tool. Everyone get your fingers in the air.” All of Brooklyn raised their fingers to the sky, dropped them on Mike D’s cue, and simultaneously said “Fressssshhhhhh!” You might have been able to hear the “shhhh’s” all the way out in Bayridge.
The Beasties ended their set with “So What’cha Want?” and walked off stage. Would they start the encore with “No Sleep Till Brooklyn?”
Nope.
As they did on Wednesday night, MMM came out with his space helmet and kicked into “Intergalactic.” The sign guys made one final appearance, holding up four huge poster boards reading: DRR-RRR-RRR-ROP! Money Mark seemed to admire it the most, making sure the Beastie Boys caught sight of it before they kicked back into the song. “Intergalactic” also included a little bonus call-and-response action on the end as Mike D got everyone saying, “Oooooo-weeee.”
The Beastie Boys retreated back to their instruments and ripped into “Sabotage.” If only there was an aerial view of the crowd during this song. Everyone seemed to be bouncing up-and-down, enjoying themselves in the old McCarren Pool—it was a pretty neat sight to see.
For those familiar with the Beastie Boys live show, you know that “Sabotage” is usually the final song of the night. However, tonight was different. After putting down their instruments, the Beasties grabbed their wireless mics, thanked everyone for coming, and bantered for a bit (which also included a champagne toast) before Mike D announced to crowd that this was MCA’s anthem.
Moments later, they launched into “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.” It was beautiful I tell you, beautiful. The Beastie Boys couldn’t have scripted a more perfect ending to the evening. Everyone shouted and pumped their fists in unison, and even a street light off in the distance looked like it was enjoying itself, seemingly blinking beat-for-beat with the classic Licensed to Ill cut.