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SXSW 2006 - The Beastie Boys vs. The Audience

Beastie Boys Audience Interview
The Beastie Boys couldn't keep a straight face as they held court for on Wednesday afternoon at the Austin Convention Centre for a slew of inane audience questions.

Don't fuck with anyone... just try not to make
some whack shit.On the top of mind was their soon to be released movie – Awesome; I Fuckin’ Shot That! . The film features amateur footage shot by 50 audience members at a sold out 2004 concert at Madison Square Gardens in New York. The fact that it took considerable time to get approval on the all the samples used in the film was a theme that kept coming up throughout the queries. Throughout their 20 plus year career they have dealt with the pros and cons of playing original material versus sampled music, and the struggles endured to get the approval rights.

Without a moderator however, the Q&A session quickly became a running joke on Pampers and Kotex sponsorships and the threat of Scientology and its purported links to Clear Channel. Still the always entertaining masters of alternative hip hop had some insightful advice including, “Don’t fuck with anyone…just try not to make some whack shit.”

When asked if they had any regrets, they quickly responded, “Lots…Fight For Your Right was a goof.” They credit the creation of their compelling music loops to early musical influences and their experimentation with "Some Girls" by the Rolling Stones, "ABC" by the Jackson 5 and even – "Fly Like an Eagle" by The Eagles.

Keeping well clear of anything serious Mike D spoke about who they’d like to work with next saying, “Prince, Dolly Partner (sic) … she was definitely robbed of that Oscar…Did you know Prince can play any instrument? And he sings like a bird.” Reflecting on L.A. rappers Three 6 Mafia winning the Academy Award for Original Song in Hustle and Flow Mike D continued, “Dolly Partner clearly was the victim – robbed!”

In terms of the direction of hip hop today, Mike D explained, “It’s interesting how (hip hop) it’s now the biggest form of music. They credit the creation of their compelling music loops to early musical influences And it’s gonna be different three to four months from now cause it changes constantly.” Apparently the most noteworthy aspect of working with Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons was how he orders drinks – “I’ll have two screwdrivers. One now, and another one when this one’s finished.”

And to get the interview back on the increasingly whimsical side of the rails someone asked if the guys smoke a lot of pot, to which MCA shot back, “Is that a formal invite? Personally, I don’t. But I’d be open to like seeing your stash.”

One audience member even asked if there were any questions they wanted asked. “Yah, who are our sponsors – go to Pampers.com,” answered Mike D.

And shortly after the interview, the boys did a surprise show mixing old and new material for anyone clever enough to get on the special e-mail invite list the day before. Awesome.

For more information visit http://www.beastieboys.com/ and http://www.awesomeishotthat.com/main/