Beastie Boys Refute New Live Show Rumors

The Beastie Boys have denied rumors of a live reunion that began after surviving members Michael “Mike D” Diamond and Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz filed a trademark application for the Beastie Boys name in conjunction with “live performances by a musical group.”

A representative for the band, however, reiterated the group’s stance on the matter: “There will never be Beastie Boys live performances without Adam Yauch,” the rep tells Rolling Stone.

Yauch, known as MCA, died in 2012 after a battle with cancer. Both Diamond and Horovitz have gone on to new projects since the loss — including a co-written memoir — essentially placing the Beastie Boys on a permanent hiatus.

Still, the new rumors surfaced after lawyer David Lizerbram discovered the trademark application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Though the specific mention of a live performance seemed to suggest a potential reunion, Lizerbram noted it could serve another purpose.

With the group’s representative asserting that a live performance was out of the question, the trademark application was perhaps a preventative measure against any possible future infringement on the Beastie Boys’ name and music.

Yauch, in his will, stipulated that his music not be used in any advertisements, and both Diamond and Horovitz have been litigious in this regard. The band recently sued Monster Energy Drink for $1.7 million for unauthorized use of their music, and were recently awarded an additional $668,000 to cover legal fees.

Rolling Stone