2002 proves to be a very quiet year for the Beastie Boys. The band does not perform at all during the year, but each member stays busy working on various side projects and making an occasional public appearance.
February
On February 22nd, Adam Yauch performs at the annual Tibet House freedom concert, not to be confused with the Tibetan Freedom Concerts. The concert at New York's Carnegie Hall featured the likes of David Bowie, Pattie Smith, and the Kinks' Ray Davies. During the course of Bowie's performance Yauch came on stage to play bass on the 1972 hit "Space Oddity."
The Jet Set Radio Future game is released on February 26, 2002. This game features an amazing soundtrack with contributions from Mike D's side-project:
The Latch Brothers. Other bands of note on the game's soundtrack include: Cibo Matto, Scape Goat Wax, Bran Van 3000 and BS 2000.
March
On March 10th, Adam Yauch speaks for five minutes at a rally held outside of the United Nations building in New York. The rally is held to commemorate the Tibetan Uprising. Following the presentations, a group of about five hundred protesters walk down to the Chinese Mission building and position themsleves in front of it. They maintained their position there by lying down (out in the street) and covering themselves with Tibetan flags, until twenty of the protesters were arrested.
May
Thousands of Los Angeles commuters tune in to hear Mix Master Mike’s appearance on the Kevin and Bean morning radio show. Mike’s interview and performance was part of Los Angeles, CA radio station KROQ’s promotion of his Friday night Spin Psycle show. The weekly show which began on Friday the 31st of May 2002, went on air through August 2003.
