| Jeremy
Shatan
This Who’s Who entry picks up
where the Jeremy Shatan’s memories of the time he spent
as a member of the Young
Aborigines leaves off and reveals that, among other
his other contributions, Shatan participated in photographing
the cover of Paul’s
Boutique. “By the time I got to SUNY Purchase
in September, 1983, "Cookie Puss" was pretty popular
and many of my friends wanted to come back to my room to
hear it. I can also remember that back in 1983, Mike
D and the boys had a huge party at their loft on Christie
Street. They were living in fairly abject circumstances.
The tub was in the kitchen and the bathroom was in the hall,
etc. I guess they were trying a little too hard to get away
from their upper middle-class roots.”
”After that I didn't see Mike
D or any of them for awhile. Licensed
to Ill happened and I couldn't believe how big they
blew up with that album. Even my mother was dancing to "(You
Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)" at the après-ski
club that winter! Eventually Michael Diamond and I reconnected
and re-established our relationship around 1988-89. They
were working on Paul's Boutique and one day at lunch
with Mike D and his brother Stephen, Michael mentioned their
idea for the cover of Paul’s Boutique. I can remember
him saying that, ‘We want to do a 360 panorama of a
lower-east-side intersection and we'll all just dance around.’
Since I had studied photography at Purchase and was working
for a photographer, as well as doing my own work, I figured
that I could help them out. ‘I know how to do it,’
I said, ‘I'll rent the equipment and hire an assistant.
Just tell me the time and place.’”
Although Nathanial
Hörnblowér was credited with having photographed
Paul’s Boutique, Shatan explained to Beastiemania.com
in a January 2003 conversation that was not entirely correct.
“We all showed up at the appointed time and I was impressed
that they had made up a fake ‘Paul's Boutique’
sign and had brought all these props. We shot about 30 rolls
down there and then went to the roof of 101 Park Avenue
in midtown and did more panoramics up there. I don't think
those have ever seen the light of day. In the car between
locations, they played me some of the Paul's Boutique
rough mixes. I was knocked out. This stuff sounded really
good! The Paul's Boutique cover won plenty of recognition
and even a few awards. The cover photo was credited to Nathanial
Hörnblowér, the collective nom de plume of the
Beastie Boys. Matt Cohen, the guy I hired, and I were listed
as ‘photo assistants.’ It didn't really bother
me as it really was their idea, but wouldn't that actually
make Mr. Hornblower the Art Director? At least they spelled
my name right!” From some odd reason, Jeremy’s
last name was spelled incorrectly in the liner notes of
the Beastie
Boys Anthology: Sounds of Science as well as in
various other print sources.
“The photography work on Paul’s Boutique
was about the end of my professional connection to the Beastie
Boys. I have not been too much of keeper of the flame as
far as the Young Aborigines were concerned. For a long time
mention of the Young Aborigines was consistently left out
of all official histories. My feeling was just that if they
were going to be included, at least get the facts right.”
Currently Jeremy Shatan works as Development/Public Relations
Associate for the Children's Brain Tumor Foundation, a national
non-profit organization. He lives in Manhattan with his
wife Karen. They have had three children, Jacob (who they
lost to a brain tumor at 2 ½ years old), Hannah and
Noah. Jeremy still does some photography work from time
to time. “However, I haven't had time to make music
in quite awhile. My Fender Precision is still in my closet,
though.”
When Beastiemania.com inquired as
to whether or not Shatan was still in contact with any of
his old band mates from the Young Aborigines he said the
following. “I am still in touch with Mike D. He spends
a lot of time in California, so I don't see him all that
often though. I'm pretty close with the whole Diamond family.
As far as Kate Schellenbach
goes, I would have to say that I was barely in touch with
her when we were in a band together. It's not that I had
anything against her, we just didn't click. I think maybe
I had a little more sarcastic, Jewish, New York attitude
than she liked. Little did she know how far that attitude
would take the Beastie Boys!”
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