Mike D talks HSC to Rolling Stone, uses wine metaphors

[Darko]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/;kw=[13193,139278]

Nine months ago, the Beastie Boys shocked fans with news they'd be putting their studio work and festival dates on hold so Adam Yauch (a.k.a. MCA) could fight salivary gland cancer. Yauch is continuing treatments and feeling "pretty good," Mike Diamond tells Rolling Stone, and the New York trio hope to have Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 1 in stores this fall.

"We've been letting it age," Mike D says, comparing the album to a fine wine. "The writing is the growing of the grapes, and we've already macerated, and at this point, it's been living in a barrel and being stored in bottles in the cellar, and hopefully by September, we will uncork."

But before the Beasties are ready to let their fans soak in their first full album of new, non-instrumental material since 2004's To the Five Boroughs, they're doing "some tinkering." "It will be messed with," Mike D says, noting the "massaging" will mostly come into mixing and mastering.

The title of the album will stay the same, including the implication that there will eventually be a Hot Sauce Committee Pt. 2, even if the sequel is "set aside for much later." The pastoral cover art, featuring Ad-Rock, Mike D and MCA (carrying a cat) crossing a bridge from the city to the woods, "could be changed." And the songs — 17 at last count — "might be shuffled." "Maybe 16 of the songs will survive, and one will get cut, or get a substitution," Mike D says.

"Hopefully it's gone from being a very good wine with a lot of promise to being a fully refined and fully developed wine for consumption. The finest French Burgundies only get better in time, and only show their real selves and real complexity with a great deal of time, so we can only hope that time will tell [for Hot Sauce]."

Of course, the proposed fall release is still contingent on Yauch's health. "We make plans and change those plans based on what Adam's got to do," Mike D says. "Our real priority is for him to heal."

In the meantime, Mike D has big plans for this weekend, when he'll team up with Andrew W.K. to host a massive, kid-friendly guitar jam as part of the Tribeca Film Festival and the Church Street School's street fair. Andrew W.K. will hold up flash cards announcing the chords for songs like Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" and Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours," and the crowd will attempt to play along. "My hope is that there are tons of kids with guitars, some with amps and some not, and it'll be like School of Rock meets Glenn Branca, like organized cacophony," Mike D laughs. "It could be a disaster!"

[JoLovesMCA]

I am so happy to hear more updates! Mike is amazing. It's so sweet how they are putting Adam first which is a good thing because he needs to be healthy and strong so he can keep up with the tour and press once the album does come out. I hope he heals super fast though.

[jayjacobson16]

I hope they keep the album art and just add some songs into the album just cause. Thanks for posting this.

[Nerd Fight]

It would be nice if they occasionally posted an update like this on the site.
Just a wild idea!

[Brother McDuff]

great update, thanks! (y)

[b i o n i c]

wish they'd ADD a song or two and not take em away. regardless nice to hear, looking forward to the album

(y)

[laura]

great to hear from them... :) thanks mike!

[JoLovesMCA]

wish they'd ADD a song or two and not take em away. regardless nice to hear, looking forward to the album

(y)

I agree. Usually when I band puts too many songs its over-kill but with BB you can simply never get enough. They need to leave it alone and just add to it!

[Kid Presentable]

I wonder if B-Boys in the Cut is going, or if it's one of the skits. And I'm happy to hear that they're thinking optimistically, and also thinking about the mixing and mastering. (y)

[jayjacobson16]

I wonder if B-Boys in the Cut is going, or if it's one of the skits. And I'm happy to hear that they're thinking optimistically, and also thinking about the mixing and mastering. (y)

They're down in the basement mixin' up.

[pshabi]

I wonder if B-Boys in the Cut is going

I bet it is.

[Brother McDuff]

I wonder if B-Boys in the Cut is going

I bet it is.


while such a decision would answer my prayers, I'm not too optimistic. the current tracklisting cites BBITC as the second song overall, a premier slot. such a position in the sequencing makes me think they're pretty confident with this joint. who knows though.

all i know is that it's great to see the wheel beginning to turn once again on HSC, I suspect updates a bit more frequently as the summer grows closer.:)

[checkyourprez]

I bet it is.

how come

[pshabi]

while such a decision would answer my prayers, I'm not too optimistic. the current tracklisting cites BBITC as the second song overall, a premier slot. such a position in the sequencing makes me think they're pretty confident with this joint. who knows though.

all i know is that it's great to see the wheel beginning to turn once again on HSC, I suspect updates a bit more frequently as the summer grows closer.:)

how come

Well, Mike did say they might mess with sequencing too. I just think BBITC would be good to nix because:

a) it's been around FOREVER and is kinda played out
b) it's dated (yeah, from the summer before the summer before last):p
c) I don't really care for it

If they drop it they would have to resequence the album.

[JoLovesMCA]

I can understand the changing or tweaking because since it has been delayed this long by now but I still wouldn't mind the track included. The CD quality compared to online copies always makes a big difference for me anyway when listening to a song so I think I would still feel like it was new. I don't care though as long as the album is released and they are healthy and do loads of promotional stuff and tour. :p

[Nerd Fight]

I like BBoys in the cut. What's wrong with BBoys in the cut?:confused:

[Kid Presentable]

The point is, are these metaphors or analogies?

[Guy Incognito]

It would be nice if they occasionally posted an update like this on the site.
Just a wild idea!

why? its a fair bet someones going to read it and stick it on here anyway so its fair enough they let the fans do the work sometimes. or did you mean why didnt they put this interview on the site instead of rolling stone, a huge music magazine read by gazillions?

The point is, are these metaphors or analogies?

good point. analogies.

[Guy Incognito]

also, apart from the 4 tracks we have heard, how is anybody going to know if they really have remastered/remixed any of it. could that be just a mike d ploy? I'd like to think they would do something to it, to keep it fresh but there's no way of really knowing unless you are in the band

[Kid Presentable]

also, apart from the 4 tracks we have heard, how is anybody going to know if they really have remastered/remixed any of it. could that be just a mike d ploy? I'd like to think they would do something to it, to keep it fresh but there's no way of really knowing unless you are in the band

Ploy? I think we could tell just by listening to the album version of Too Many Rappers if they did in fact remaster/remix any of it. And Lee Majors and Pop your Balloon will automatically sound better by virtue of not being rips. But yeah, it will be reasonably obvious to a keen ear.

[Guy Incognito]

i did say apart from the 4 tracks we have already heard

[Kid Presentable]

i did say apart from the 4 tracks we have already heard

Why would they only remaster the 4 tracks we've already heard? I think if none of it has that dull thud and unnerving restraint of the O-Scope era, it should be obvious that some work has gone on atwixt, nay, afween the seams. Again, I think we could tell just by listening to the album version of Too Many Rappers if they did in fact remaster/remix any of it.

[Kid Presentable]

I was only joking earlier about the analogies/metaphors thing, by the way.

[Guy Incognito]

Why would they only remaster the 4 tracks we've already heard? I think if none of it has that dull thud and unnerving restraint of the O-Scope era, it should be obvious that some work has gone on atwixt, nay, afween the seams. Again, I think we could tell just by listening to the album version of Too Many Rappers if they did in fact remaster/remix any of it.


i was just trying to say that cos we havent heard them we have no idea how they sounded and would just have take their word for it. i was being daft really , it was a throwaway comment that i shouldve thrown away.


I was only joking earlier about the analogies/metaphors thing, by the way.

good joke:p

[Brother McDuff]

how is anybody going to know if they really have remastered/remixed any of it


does it really matter? they're improving the sonic quality of it. it'll just sound better than it would have if they had released it last year. they've got nothing to gain by lying about it.

[Guy Incognito]

does it really matter? they're improving the sonic quality of it. it'll just sound better than it would have if they had released it last year. they've got nothing to gain by lying about it.

i suppose it doesnt as long as the tunes are good. maybe i am being a conspiracy theorist or something but there is no way of knowing if they have improved some of the tracks cos no fucker outside of the band has heard them. i was just being wary of the fact mike had said that, possibly labouring the point. i just dont 100% believe everything i read or see thats all. i dont think he is lying i just was thinking out of the box, my point is that aside from 4 tracks you have no idea if he's lying or not. i'm not trying to be an arse here i just think its good not to take everything at face value.
also, i am no expert on sound quality on stuff but how come it needed improving in the first place? Does that mean they would have put out sub par sound recordings had it not been delayed. is sound recording that fast moving a technology that it needs updating already.

[Kid Presentable]

i suppose it doesnt as long as the tunes are good. maybe i am being a conspiracy theorist or something but there is no way of knowing if they have improved some of the tracks cos no fucker outside of the band has heard them. i was just being wary of the fact mike had said that, possibly labouring the point. i just dont 100% believe everything i read or see thats all. i dont think he is lying i just was thinking out of the box, my point is that aside from 4 tracks you have no idea if he's lying or not. i'm not trying to be an arse here i just think its good not to take everything at face value.
also, i am no expert on sound quality on stuff but how come it needed improving in the first place? Does that mean they would have put out sub par sound recordings had it not been delayed. is sound recording that fast moving a technology that it needs updating already.

I think you have to choose your conspiracies.

[b i o n i c]

...has gone on atwixt, nay, afween the seams...

LOL

[bigfatlove06]

i suppose it doesnt as long as the tunes are good. maybe i am being a conspiracy theorist or something but there is no way of knowing if they have improved some of the tracks cos no fucker outside of the band has heard them. i was just being wary of the fact mike had said that, possibly labouring the point. i just dont 100% believe everything i read or see thats all. i dont think he is lying i just was thinking out of the box, my point is that aside from 4 tracks you have no idea if he's lying or not. i'm not trying to be an arse here i just think its good not to take everything at face value.
also, i am no expert on sound quality on stuff but how come it needed improving in the first place? Does that mean they would have put out sub par sound recordings had it not been delayed. is sound recording that fast moving a technology that it needs updating already.

I get what you're saying. From my point of view, tracks originally slated for distribution may no longer be the mixes we hear on the album. We will be able to tell the differences on mixes that have already been released / leaked, but as for all of the tracks that we haven't heard yet there will be an "original mix" and an "album mix". For me, it's kind of exciting knowing that somewhere there are tracks that were originally slated for the scheduled release that may not see the light of day, because they have been altered for the delayed release. Maybe filler for an anniversary release in 2020. Or if they are smart each track released as a digital download from http://topspin.net/ renamed as "original mix" or "2009 mix". Or if they got really inventive... pressed on colored 7" vinyl. I know I'm a freak about this kind of stuff, but I can't bear the thought that we may never hear the original versions and that they me be sitting in the vaults next to the submarine version of Hello Nasty.

[JoLovesMCA]

Sometimes demos or original versions end up being my favorite version of a song because it doesn't have all of the glam of producing added to it. I hope we get to hear the originals sometime. Sometimes I don't think the artists understand it from a fans perspective. They want the tracks to be at their best yet for a fan when you hear a new or different version to a song it's almost like hearing it for the first time. Well for me it least. :D

[Kid Presentable]

I get what you're saying. From my point of view, tracks originally slated for distribution may no longer be the mixes we hear on the album. We will be able to tell the differences on mixes that have already been released / leaked, but as for all of the tracks that we haven't heard yet there will be an "original mix" and an "album mix". For me, it's kind of exciting knowing that somewhere there are tracks that were originally slated for the scheduled release that may not see the light of day, because they have been altered for the delayed release. Maybe filler for an anniversary release in 2020. Or if they are smart each track released as a digital download from http://topspin.net/ renamed as "original mix" or "2009 mix". Or if they got really inventive... pressed on colored 7" vinyl. I know I'm a freak about this kind of stuff, but I can't bear the thought that we may never hear the original versions and that they me be sitting in the vaults next to the submarine version of Hello Nasty.

The difference between The Aquatic Sessions and original masters of Hot Sauce Committee is a wide yawning chasm of incomparability.

[Brother McDuff]

i suppose it doesnt as long as the tunes are good. maybe i am being a conspiracy theorist or something but there is no way of knowing if they have improved some of the tracks cos no fucker outside of the band has heard them. i was just being wary of the fact mike had said that, possibly labouring the point. i just dont 100% believe everything i read or see thats all. i dont think he is lying i just was thinking out of the box, my point is that aside from 4 tracks you have no idea if he's lying or not. i'm not trying to be an arse here i just think its good not to take everything at face value.
also, i am no expert on sound quality on stuff but how come it needed improving in the first place? Does that mean they would have put out sub par sound recordings had it not been delayed. is sound recording that fast moving a technology that it needs updating already.


once again, they have no reason to lie. there's always something that can be improved, whether major or minor. if you've got the time, and something sounds iffy, why not tweak? it's simple as pie. i think you're making something out of nothing my man. :)

[Kid Presentable]

I mean, how do you even know if it's a Claret or not?

[laurie_hammy]

Love HSC updates. Keen for more email updates too.

[Guy Incognito]

right, well i dont want to be one of those twats who just winds people up and starts bleating cos nobody else shares my views but :

. I thought mr diamond laboured the point a bit too much, thats all. It got me thinking that there is no way of knowing for some of the tracks. I'll stand down on this one because i would hope to god that they do some tweaks, it would be a very nice gesture seeing as we have had to wait a longer time (as long as its not going to delay shit even longer!).

I still dont know how to tell the difference from a remastering for stuff done less than 12 months ago.

Kid P, you are hilarious and annoying at the same time

[bigfatlove06]

The difference between The Aquatic Sessions and original masters of Hot Sauce Committee is a wide yawning chasm of incomparability.

that is more of a joke. the point is that we may never here the mixes that were originally intended for the album.

[Brother McDuff]

the point is that we may never here the mixes that were originally intended for the album.

if it's solely the mixing and mastering that they're more or less tweaking, then the songs will still be identical arrangement/production/music wise. therefore i'd assume the changes wouldn't be all that apparent. If noticeable at all, they'll just be more sonically improved.

i guess what i'm saying is, i wouldn't fret on the assumption that you're missing out on a whole different version. if anything, the older mixes would just sound less fine-tuned. :o

[Kid Presentable]

I went to Prof D's page and listened to the Too Many Rappers instrumental, and there is lots we're missing out on in the final mix. Maybe Mario will do them a solid and pop in for a visit /unnecessary wish

[cj hood]

I'm not looking forward to the album version of HALSFY.....I love the Shadow version too much...

[pshabi]

I'm not looking forward to the album version of HALSFY.....I love the Shadow version too much...

Word. Not sure how you could improve the track over that BEAT.(!)

[fonky pizza]

french wine(y)