Beastie Boys @ the Greek Theatre, Sun 8/19

I think I probably saw the Beastie Boys play live more times than any other group during my high school days. They were raw energy – not angry like Rage Against the Machine, just pure fun. But after 1994’s “Ill Communication”, they took an extended inter-album break, only to return later with a string of less-than-stellar offerings. So, at some point, I guess I just figured me and the Beasties were done for. It was good times, but alas, game over…

Fast forward a decade and then some: earlier this year I found myself with this nagging sensation that, you know, maybe this is it, my last good chance to see these old friends perform in a recognizable form. Even though I caught a quick glimpe on the tele of their honky performance at Live 8, I thought I’d give them one last shot.

All in all, it was good fun, if a bit campy. Sometimes it felt like I was watching an SNL skit lampooning the B Boys as over-the-hill rappers. Mike D, especially - he looked, sounded and moved like a complete joke out there (pic below). MCA & Ad-Rock were much better, however.

It was great to see them perform such old favs as “Sure Shot”, “Brass Monkey”, “So Whatcha Want” and my personal all-timer, “Pass the Mic”. But, surprisingly, the brightest moments seemed to be the new instrumental pieces from their most recent offering, “The Mix-Up”. Maybe they’re just tired of the old material, but only during these new songs did their performance seem truly earnest (and not a campy homage to their younger form).

The true hero of the night was actually Mix Master Mike who was a beast on the decks. I’m not exactly the biggest fan of turntablism, but man, he was astounding…providing beats, samples and the live remix treatment to most of the tunes. In fact, the entirely fresh soundscape he laid for “So Whatcha Want” may have been the highlight of the night for me.

The show was just what I expected: a less-than-inspired, but nostalgically entertaining trip down memory lane. I’m glad I saw the Boys one last time before they officially go the way of Mick Jagger.

(pics via LAist)