Rams Head The Blog

Knees still knocking, hands still shaking… most boney body parts tender from receiving thrown bows – and throwing a few of our own; Lastnight’s Beastie Boys show was huge.

98 Rock is already calling it an instant classic and the Baltimore Sun’s Sam Sessa may have summed it up best when he shared one fan’s sentiment: “I can’t believe I am only ten rows back from the Beastie Boys!”

Indeed, last night’s show here was something special. “Balltown”….er, B-More, represented well, responding appropriately to the Beasties’ song choices: moshing furiously during hardcore sendups like “Heart Attack Man”; grooving oh so sweetly on the slow jam instrumentals and, in general, vibing out with a Chesire size #@*%-eating grin. Encores aside, the most memorable moments for me were the big-timing entrance to “Root Down”, and the sheer playfulness of “Remote Control” and “Something’s Gotta Give.” Oh yeah…lets not forget about Mix Master Mike. He somehow managed to outshine the amazing set piece that the Beasties are carrying with them for Bonnaroo. Its always great when hyped shows live up to the billing – this one did so and more, and by the time the Beasties get to Manchester, Bruce and Phish better watch their backs: it seems like Mike D, Ad-Rock and MCA got show-stealin’ on their mind.

Photograph by Jim Hendershot

Photograph by Jim Hendershot

Photography by Jim Hendershot

Want more pics like the one below? Check out the Baltimore Sun’s stash on flicker.

Baltimore Sun

Top 5 – we’ve all played it. Our offices favorite: “Okay okay, top 5 American bands of all time. Remember! They have to be a band, not an individual singer…. American….. Mark, you’re first – go.” Together, “eclectic” doesn’t begin to describe our group’s range of taste and musical preferences. And somehow we’re all able to agree that one of those “oh, this is too hard” slots definitely, absolutely and without a doubt goes to the Beastie Beastie Beastie Beastie Boys.

In february, to mark the 20th anniversary, the Boys reissued their classic Paul’s Boutique via a digital download that included 3D interactive digital artwork. The remastered reissue is available on their interactive album-specifc site where they invite fans to upload photos and stories, tour the band’s crawlspace, and make some noises and rhymes of their own.

The Boys have also issued a Collector’s Edition of Check Your Head that includes the deluxe remastered album on 4 seperate pieces of Vinyl, immediate album and b-sides download, and a digital download of 7 music videos and one commentary video directly from the fellas. Recently, the Boys performed “So Whatcha Want” with The Roots on NBC’s Jimmy Fallon – who did not pull a Letterman and  hide under his desk.

Finishing up their soon-to-be-released Hot Sauce Committee, just two years after their fully instrumental release The Mix-Up, and now on their way to Bonaroo the Beaste Boys are showing their Baltimore fans a little gratitude – reference intended. Pay attention.

They’ve scheduled just two stops as they travel from NYC to Manchester,  the first being at our very own Rams Head Live in Baltimore on Tuesday, June 9th… Surprise!

Tickets go on sale today at 4pm. And with local radio stations betting on sell-out time down to the minute,…. what rhymes with punctual?