Throwback Thursday: When the Beastie Boys Played CBGB (1982)

Speaking of Beastie Boys and CBGB…

Yes, we all know that the Beastie Boys started as a hardcore punk band in 1979 before changing tracks and finding their groove with hip-hop. During those formative years, the band was a four-piece that also included Kate Schellenbach, who later became the drummer for Luscious Jackson, and John Berry. King Ad-Rock (from Young and the Useless) wouldn’t arrive until 1983 as replacement for Berry. The boys (and girl) were known to gig around with Bad Brains, Dead Kennedys, Misfits, and Reagan Youth.

One of their earliest shows was at CBGB – November 20, 1982 – alongside Reagan Youth for a matinee, clocking in at a paltry twenty minutes. The audio from the performance survives on the internets, and here’s the brief set list:

1. Beastie Boys (listen below)
2. Unknown Track
3. Transit Cop
4. Jimi
5. Holy Snappers
6. Improvised
7. Unknown Track 2
8. Ode To
9. House Of The Rising Sun
10. Michelle’s Farm
11. Sampson Is King
12. Riot Fight
13. Egg Raid On Mojo

The Pollywog Stew 7″ EP was recorded at 171A studios on Avenue A the same month.

[Photos via and via]