Linkin Park covers The Beastie Boys & Rare Song By The Cure: Five Finger Death Punch, Linkin Park, Breed 77, The Cure

"BLEED IT OUT / SABOTAGE"   LINKIN PARK

A week ago I saw the Linkin Park concert movie, Live In Berlin.   The band wanted to bring their fans together the night before the next day release of the new CD, Living Things.   Chester's voice is unparalleled, he FEELS every word he's singing, screaming, or rapping.   The concert ended with "Bleed It Out" (as expected) but the band tossed in the Beastie Boys "Sabotage" in the mix!!   The new CD is incredible, if Linkin Park comes to Florida, I'll be seeing them for the sixth time!

"REMEMBER EVERYTHING"  FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH

Their style may not be for everyone but I've become a fan after seeing them dominate the 98Rockfest.   So much energy and emotion in their music, never more evident than in "Remember Everything" from their American Capitalist CD.   The video shows a child growing up in an abusive household and as his life progresses the memories stick with him and affect his future.   Powerful visual imagery!

 

"THIS TWILIGHT GARDEN"  THE CURE

"No one will ever take your place" is repeated by Robert Smith during this tranquil, beautiful love song.    The Cure put this song as the B-Side to their 1992 song "High".   I think it's one of the best songs they've ever recorded and definitely ranks as a "hidden treasure" song.   The Cure added the song to their career spanning box set, Join The Dots:  B-Sides and Rarities 1978-2001.  

"ZOMBIE"             BREED 77
A heavy metal cover of The Cranberries memorable anti-war alternative hit.   "Zombie" was inspired by the endless civil war strife in Ireland.  "Violence causes the silence" and "in your head, they're dying".    If ever a song deserved a mosh pit to get out the aggression, Breed 77's cover is the perfect outlet.   They're a British hard rock band who really sing like they feel the importance behind these memorable lyrics.

Beastie Boys Adam Yauch (MCA): August 5, 1964 - May 4, 2012 Videography

MCA Adam Yauch:  Dead at 47

The original Beastie Boy, Adam Yauch, wanted to create a hardcore punk band.    After some members came and went, the final trio:  Mike D, Ad-Rock, and Mix Master Mike added rap to their style.    They released the landmark album "Licensed To Ill" in 1986 and opened for the Madonna "Like A Virgin" tour.  They changed rap forever!  Beastie Boys  were the first rap group ever to have a #1 Billboard Album.    Rolling Stone described that LP, "Licenced To Ill", as "Three Idiots Create A Masterpiece".   Then came Paul's Boutique, a master course on the use of sampling along with innovative rap rhymes.    

Sadly, we lost their leader, Adam Yauch, on Friday to his bout with cancer.   Within weeks of their induction into the 2012 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.    Adam was involved in NYC causes, politically active, and being a devout Buddhist, he led the Tibetan Freedom Concerts in the late 90's.   

Adam will be missed.   In memorial, here are my 5 favorite Beastie Boys songs of all-time.   "Sabotage", "Brass Monkey", "Egg Man" get honorable mention. 
#1   NO SLEEP TO BROOKLYN (2006)

#2  AN OPEN LETTER TO NYC (2004)

#3 SHE'S ON IT  /  SLOW AND LOW  (2006)

#4  INTERGLACTIC (1998)

 #5    HEY LADIES  (1989)

Old School Rap Dance Party: Whodini, Beastie Boys, Afrika Bambaataa, Big Daddy Kane, Newcleus, and Young MC

"FREAKS COME OUT AT NIGHT"   WHODINI

The first rap group to really reach out to the ladies.  Whodini wanted to put on a show adding dance crews, slow jams, and 3 MC's that traded off party rhymes.    

"SHAKE YOUR RUMP"   BEASTIE BOYS
"That's the joint", NYC's trio of innovative hip hop giants.   "Shake Your Rump" blasts the bass, mixes in Latin samples, and it's got to get you on the dancefloor.

"PLANET ROCK"   AFRIKA BAMBAATAA

The Grandfather of Electro Funk, another NYC DJ who changed the game.   Afrika is credited with inventing the term "hip hop" and "electro-boogie" rap.   

"WARM IT UP KANE"  BIG DADDY KANE

 

#7 on MTV's list of the greatest MC's of all-time.   His rhyming and timing is as perfect as any rapper.   "Warm It Kane" sneaks in a Michael Jackson sample of "Wanna Be Startin' Something".

"JAM ON IT"    NEWCLEUS

Breakdance classic by some NYC teenagers that screams "Old School Classic"!   If you're not bopping your head to this one, you might be dead?

"BUST A MOVE"   YOUNG MC

One of the most popular rap/dance tracks of all-time.   Young MC still tours playing this one and "Principal's Office".   Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers plays on this track and Crystal Waters adds the female vocals.