Beastie Boys at The Croc

Last night I got to see the Beastie Boys, basically do a best of show for 500(?) people at the Croc. What started out as just a bunch of Lines, Lines and then another line, turned into quite possibly the best live music show I've seen. totally sweet. I mean, I was even stoked on hearing Sabotage...
Thanks to Jami for letting me know about the show, Somehow I got super lucky and at 4:01 my Ticketmaster request went through. Thanks for Amy for checking out the show for me. Thanks to Andy for the shot and then leaving after 3 Songs (that was dumb)!

The below review from the Times is much better.

Beastie Boys take the Croc by storm

By TRAVIS HAY
SPECIAL TO THE P-I

MUSIC REVIEW

BEASTIE BOYS

WHEN: Friday night
WHERE: Crocodile Cafe�


Photos from the show

Maybe it was the scarcity of the tickets (the show sold out in less than a minute and tickets were selling for as much as $400 on eBay), the debut of new material, or the performance of some rarely heard songs -- either way, it was one of the more special shows Seattle has seen in the last few years.

The Boys -- guitarist Ad Rock, bass player MCA and drummer Mike D. -- were accompanied by keyboardist Money Mark and percussionist Alfredo Ortiz for a set of mostly instrumental numbers that kicked off with "B For My Name," the first song off the band's new album, "The Mix Up."

That's right, the Beastie Boys are more than a trio of adulterated, former brat rappers; they're first and foremost a band. The New York rap pioneers hammered this point home by showcasing one of the least known aspects of their arsenal -- the ability to play instruments -- and simply put, they nearly tore the roof off the Croc with their electrifying show.

Their talent with instruments is highly evident on the new record, which consists entirely of instrumentals and hits shelves June 26. Some of the new tracks performed were the fuzzy "Electric Worm" and "Off the Grid," a song that included Ortiz hitting a trash can lid with drumsticks for percussion effects.

While there's no rapping on the new album, there was plenty during Friday's set. Several Beastie standards were given new arrangements with guitars and drums instead of samplers and turntables.

A slowed down "Live at PJs" that appeared early in the night set the tone for older songs that were rearranged. The highlights included a funky "Jimmy James" that featured Ad Rock displaying some Tom Morello-esque guitar skills with crazy squeaks and squeals, while "Root Down" and "Remote Control" were given extra flair and pizzazz with the addition of live instrumentation.

As much fun as it was to hear songs like "Sabotage" and "Ricky's Theme" performed in the close-knit confines of the Croc, it was equally fun to hear the Beasties return to their punk-rock roots with "Egg Raid On Mojo" off 1982's "Pollywog Stew."

Another rare track that surfaced was "Honky Rink," a tongue-in-cheek instrumental B-side off the "Gratitude" single released in 1992. Other punk songs making the set included "Heart Attack Man" and "Tough Guy," both great choices for the evening.

The show was called a "gala event" and the Beasties dressed appropriately, looking rather dapper in three-piece suits. Ad Rock, sporting a black fedora, was the most talkative and boisterous of the group.

As usual, the Beasties were playful, exchanging witty banter throughout the night. At one point Mike D. and Ad Rock broke into a duet of Michael Jackson's "Rock With You." Another playful moment came when a fan called Ad Rock a pimp for his spiffy attire.

"No sir, I am musician, not a pimp by trade," Ad Rock responded in a deadpan, matter-of-fact way. "I don't know if that was a compliment, but if it was I appreciate it."

The Crocodile Caf� set was a warm-up gig for the band's two performances at the Gorge Amphitheatre's Sasquatch! Music Festival this weekend. The band headlines the Wookie Stage at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, performing an instrumental set. The Beasties will close down the festival with a headlining, non-instrumental set, Sunday at 10:30 p.m.

SET LIST

B For My Name
Sabarosa
Live at PJ's
Do It
Electric Worm
Transitions
Son of Neckbone
Something's Got To Give
Off the Grid
Root Down/Get It
Egg Raid On Mojo
Tough Guy
Remote Control
Mark On the Bus
Shambala
Ricky's Theme
Pow!
Jimmy James/Happy Birthday
Sabotage

ENCORE
Sure Shot
Time For Living
Heart Attack Man
The Maestro

In Living Color.

Never thought I would be so excited about Pantone Books. We finally got new books, I can now retire our 1984 versions, ok not 1984, but 1995. fancy case was included also.

James @ Night

Animated Gifs are all the rage!

Some people SUCK, some people are awesome!

Some people who suck are the people and/or person who broke into my car and stole a bunch of stuff. What are you going to do with a photo of Erin and I.

Some people who are awesome:
Gerard Maynard, who made this super huge stitch panorama
do go to the website, its quite amazingthe Wooster Collective site had some photos of awesome milkcrate art
These guys may have even done the milk crate art, i didn't really check out their website/blog.
BTW if you happen to see someone taking photos with my camera(s), while using my clubs on the golf course, be sure to let them know that stealing someones belt is just plain ridiculous. and let them know that all of those gift cards they stole were just for research and had only 1 dollar on them...fuckers!

Boaris - the Sugar Loving straw boar

Ptown Adventure

Took a long weekend down to Portland to check out Will and Bob’s opening on Friday. It's titled Hear The Wind Sing and is up at Small A Projects in a industrial part of Portland. The opening was good, had a few beers and some BBQ at the gallery and then headed out to some bar where they don’t allow smoking. I guess that is a novelty still in Portland.

Check out photos from the opening

We stayed at the Jupiter, which is one of my favorite hotels I have stayed at. It is also connected to the Doug Fir, which is a pretty cool bar!

Saturday Erin and I cruised around checking out shops and random places, had a couple margaritas because it was the 5th of May and there is some Mexican Celebration that day! We met up with Laura (Small A gallerist), Sam, Will and Bob and this guys house, where he opened up POK POK, a resturaunt in his Basement. I guess its all the rage in Portland right now, because the wait was like and hour and they squished all 6 of us on a 4 top. The food was worth it though! Dinner was good times!

Sunday morning we had some food at Le Pigeon, which has some pretty good food, but a better logo!

We then went to Powell's and picked up some books!
Japan guides:
Lonely planet - Japan
Wall Papers guide to Tokyo
Lonely Planet – Best of Tokyo
Rant – Chuck Palahniuk
The Lovely Bones – Alice Sebold
The Bridge of San Luis Rey – Thornton Wilder
Blindness – José Saramago
Motherless Brooklyn – Jonathan Lethem
The Yiddish Policemen’s Union – Michael Chabon

and then headed back to seattle!

Over all GOOD WEEKEND!