ARTIST: Beastie Boys
TITLE: Some Old Bullshit
YEAR RELEASED: Compilation
CHART ACTION: #46 US
SINGLES: Cookie Puss
OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Egg Raid on Mojo
LINEUP: Michael Diamond, Adam Yauch, Kate Schellenbach, John Berry – later Adam Horovitz replaced Berry.
WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: NYC punk rock band releases an 8-track EP, Polly Wog Stew, then after a subtle lineup change, releases the prank call single “Cookie Puss”.
SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: I’m starting at the beginning for the Beastie’s, chronologically. This combines their EP and single that they made before turning to hip-hop.
You can tell the snotty attitude is there that would carry them through the first part of their more famous incarnation, but as a punk rock band they were snotty kits with guitars. The future Mike D. is the vocalist, Adam Yauch plays bass. When Horowitz joins, he replaces Berry at guitar.
I don’t think anything much more was expected of them, until “Cookie Puss” becomes an underground sensation. This leads them to adding more samples and rap into their sets, and well…there you go.
The Polly Wog Stew EP isn’t that great, and “Cookie Puss” loses its charm on repeat listening. You don’t really need this whole thing, but “Egg Raid on Mojo” is definitely worth seeking out.
NOTES & MINUTAE: Kate Schellenbach, the drummer (who may be the best musician at this time and place) left the Beasties and later joined Luscious Jackson
IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: No.
GRADE: C-: Laugh at “Cookie Puss” once, keep “Egg Raid on Mojo” and “Transit Cop”. The rest is exile worthy.