The Capital Times (13th March 1987)
Thursday night’s lineup at the Dane County Coliseum was Murphy’s Law, Fishbone and the Beastie Boys — a combination that promised to be interesting, if nothing else.
And it was. It was also, at various times, obnoxious, sexist and downright moronic. Only Fishbone showed any musical originality or talent, and one left the show wondering how the other two bands managed to get recording contracts and a nationwide tour.
Murphy’s Law is a hard-core heavy metal outfit from New York that seems to think the punk movement is still important. However, with lyrics that have nothing more important to do than praise barbecues and beer, all they manage to do is prove that Frank Zappa was probably right a few years ago when he made the claim that most humans are “dumb all over, and a little ugly on the side.” Quite simply, Murphy’s Law was pathetic.
The Beastie Boys were also pathetic, but for different reasons. On record, the Beasties are good, witty rappers with a knack for combining rap and heavy metal that works pretty well.
In concert, however, they presented the most reprehensible display of poor taste I’ve ever had the displeasure to see. Their set began with the curtain rising to show a huge bird-cage on the left side of the stage, containing a scantily clad female dancer. If that wasn’t bad enough, by the third song, the Beasties had enticed a female audience member to come on stage and join the dancer.
Throughout the show, the Beastie Boys displayed their lack of taste and intelligence by making obscene comments, simulating various bodily noises, and as if that wasn’t enough, running down a list of two dozen or more crude substitutes for the word “breasts.”
Fortunately, the evening was saved by the red-hot Fishbone. The band plays a maniacal blend of ska, funk and rock ’n’ roll, coming up with one of the few original sounds in music today. Fishbone manages to at once be thoughtful, funny and danceable, which is no mean feat. Their 30-minute set showed that they were as hyperactive on stage as on record.
Only 1,500 or so people, mostly teens, saw the show. It’s unfortunate that most people weren’t exposed to the talents of Fishbone. But it’s even more unfortunate that even that many had to witness the sexism and basic tripe of the Beastie Boys.