Beastie Boys Get Bookish

Modern Rock

By Kristi Kates | June 30, 2018

The Beastie Boys are the subject of a new print memoir that will finally hit stores this fall, after much anticipation from their fans and much effort from Mike D and Ad Rock, who have been working on the book since 2013. The tome tells readers all about the growth of the trio (third Beastie Boy MCA passed away in 2012) in their own words and contributions from the likes of Spike Jonze, Wes Anderson, Luc Sante, and Amy Poehler. At 592 pages, this is a big get for Beastie fans; the hardcover book will also include a cookbook, a graphic novel, mixtape playlists, a map of the Boys’ New York stomping grounds, and more. It’ll be in stores Oct. 30 …

Classic prog-rocker Utopia — now called Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, after the band’s frontman — has just hit the tour road again, 33 years after their last U.S. tour. The band, which now includes Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Willie Wilcox, and Gil Assayas, will perform a two-set show at each venue, mixing R&B and pop into its usual progressive rock sound. No Michigan dates are booked (yet!) — but their closest show so far looks like Aug. 13 in Nashville, if you’re willing to travel.

Buzz indie band The Oh Sees is returning to outlets (and hopefully the charts) with a new studio album, Smote Reverser, this summer. The album has been prefaced by its first single, “Overthrown” and features cover artwork by artist/illustrator Matt Stawicki. It’ll be in stores on Aug. 17. If you’re a fan of the band’s live performances, make sure you snag tickets for The Oh Sees’ upcoming fall tour, which is sure to sell out fast …

Also heading your way with a new studio album — his third — is Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky, whose latest was unveiled at the end of a performance art piece (“Lab Rat”) that the artist staged in Manhattan, New York, where he encased himself in a large transparent box and took on a number of challenges, which included answering questions and dunking himself in ice water. The album, dubbed Testing, is focused on Rocky trying out some experimental sounds on his tracks, as showcased on Testing’s first single “ASAP Forever” which also features Moby …

LINK OF THE WEEK
Great moments always happen during summer festival season, and one of the sweetest so far had My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James and indie folk rocker Angel Olsen hopping on stage together in New York City last week to cover the Sonny and Cher track “Baby Don’t Go.” Check it out at https://tinyurl.com/y8uddet8 …

THE BUZZ
Grand Rapids indie-folk band Watching for Foxes has just downgraded into a duo, and renamed itself Winnow …
If you’re a fan of ’80s garage rock, get your tickets now (they just went on sale) for Dinosaur Jr.’s upcoming Aug. 27 show at St. Andrew’s Hall in Detroit …

Also reconfiguring the band are Jesse Ray and the Carolina Catfish, who recently separated from their bass player and are now just a twosome …

This week brings the Common Ground Music Festival to Lansing (July 5–8), featuring performances from Halsey, Logic, Gucci Mane, Hunter Hayes, and more … and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.

Comments, questions, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ’em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com.