In 1982 the Beastie Boys re-unite to promote the release of their Polly Wog Stew E.P. What started out as a joke, has at this point gained the Beastie Boys recognition noterity as an up and coming New York Hardcore band. So much so, that they also get included on the ROIR label's NY Trash Compilation. To this day, this release is thought by many to be the embodiment of New York Hardcore Punk.
January
New York hardcore band the Cro-Mags begin their first rehearsals. The band is originally made up of
John Berry (Beastie Boys), Harley Flanagan (Stimulators),
Dave Hahn (Bad Brains manager), and Dave Stein (
Even Worse). Following a line-up change, a new guitarist Parris Mitchell Mayhew joins the band as well as the drummer of
Frontline, Mackie Jayson. The line-up consisting of John Berry, Harley Flanagan, Paris Mitchell Mayhew, and Mackie Jayson later record a thirteen track demo (now available to fans on the cd entitled Before the Quarrel) which got them signed to the Profile Records label.
About this very time, a band of consisting of
David Scilken,
Adam Horovitz,
Adam Trese,
Arthur Africano, and for a brief time Abby Stoddard forms. Calling themselves the
Young the Useless, they become a mainstay in the New York Hardcore scene opening for bands like Even Worse and Regan Youth. Throughout this period David Scilken puts out a punk ‘zine called Blister Magazine which gets him backstage at performances by bands like the Anti-Nowhere League and the Dead Kennedys.
June
On June 20th, 1982 just prior to the release of the Polly Wog Stew E.P, ROIR Records releases the New York Thrash album. A compilation of several of New York’s punk acts including Even Worse,
Bad Brains, and two songs (
“Beastie Boys” and
“Riot Fight”) by the Beastie Boys. This brain child of Dave Hahn and Tim Sommer puts the bourgeoning New York music scene on the map, and provides the first exposure for a few bands that did not already have a record out.
July
Polly Wog Stew E.P. is released as a 7” record on the Ratcage Records label and is distributed by Important Record Distributors Inc. With a renewed interest in the band, the original Beastie Boys lineup of
Yauch,
Diamond,
Schellenbach, and Berry get back together and go on to play a few New York Hardcore shows.
During 1982,
Russell Simmons continues to find success with managing Kurtis Blow and his DJ Davey D. By this point, Kurtis Blow had earned Rush Management two gold albums, including one for the legendary song “The Breaks.” Russell Simmons had Kurtis Blow signed to Mercury Records and opening for such acts as the Commodores and Pattie LaBelle.
With the New York Hardcore movement growing with more bands, more shows, and more followers, the Young and the Useless decide to go into Hi-Five Studio and record the
Real Men Don’t Floss E.P. Dave Parsons puts the 7” record out on his Ratcage Records label, and due to its limited pressing (800 copies) it quickly becomes one of the most sought after NYHC records.
By December of 1982, the Beastie Boys had made a name for themselves playing gigs in New York clubs with other bands like Regan Youth, and The Young and the Useless now opening for them.