Mike D 5D rocks South Pasadena with his sons playing Beastie Boys cuts and many solo tracks

Last night at Sid The Cat Auditorium, living legend Mike D of the Beastie Boys rocked the sleepy streets of South Pasadena, performing songs from his solo project Mike D 5D and some classic Beasties cuts. O.G. fans were treated to a special surprise when Money Mark, known as the “fourth Beastie Boy” joined Mike D for the finale. As part of two $35 small club shows in Los Angeles, the show was packed to the walls and, of course, sold out instantly.

From the Beastie Boys, Mike D performed two tracks, including “So What’cha Want,” which brought back those old school, rebellious party vibes, especially when joined by Money Mark, who is a wizard on the keys. Longtime fans know the solid contributions he’s made for the Beasties, which go beyond the keys. Considering his work on Check Your Head, seeing him rip the keys on “So What’cha Want” was a wild good time.

Before that Beasties banger, Mike D played another classic with “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun.” As soon as the drum sample for the Paul’s Boutique track kicked in, fans brought the raucous (well, as wild as they could at 45+ years of age). But their kids, who many parents brought their kids to this show, had their fists in the air as they pogoed with joy. The rest of us older folks bobbed our heads as we shouted bar-for-bar.

Mike D 5D also played a rendition of “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force. As soon as the elders heard those iconic beats and grooves, they playfully began to pop and lock as though they were in Beat Street. It definitely took me back; even I was doing my best robot.

Without a doubt, the beloved Beastie Boy and company brought the party to South Pasadena on a Sunday night. There were a lot of familiar faces in the 500-capacity Sid The Cat Auditorium, including Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) and his son, John C. Reilly, Matt Pinfield, and more. Also, a lot of mamas were in the crowd celebrating their Mother’s Day. And grandmas, including Mike D’s sons’ grandma. It was pretty adorable, watching her shimmy to her chair as her “babies”, Very Nice Person, were about to open the show. She endearingly said, “my babies,” as she made her way through the crowd and back to her seat that my friend had been guarding. Grandma soon turned into “Boomin’ Granny” when she got up and danced to “So What’cha Want” as her grandsons thrashed with the rest of Mike D 5D on stage. It was quite the heartwarming family affair.

With that said, as endearing as Grandma was, so were her grandbabies. Very Nice Person had a gentle quality. Maybe it was Davis’ hushed dulcet vocals, or the sweet intros to their songs, whether about his chicken or girls. The quiet vocals reminded me of Cigarettes After Sex, but the beats and production gave some serious Dan Deacon meets Animal Collective vibes.

Very Nice Person pulled some double duty this evening. After their set, they immediately put on their green sweats and became 5D. With Mike D at the helm with his signature nasally voice, heavy on the Check Your Head sound, the band and Mike really put the sweat in those green sweat suits. Sid The Cat Auditorium was roasting. Felt like a rainforest in my neck of the woods, surrounded by some very tall folks. Mike D and company were all shiny with that salty sheen. As they wrapped their show with a sweaty finale of “So What’cha Want,” fans waited and hollered for more. There were a few seconds where we thought they were coming back out, but instead the house lights came on, and we all marched out with Colgage smiles, reminiscing about the living legend we just experienced.

With the passing of MCA (Adam Yauch) 14 years ago on May 4, 2012, it was beautiful to see Mike D back at it and making new music with his sons. There’s clearly a lot of love there, as there was with the infamous trio. The Beastie Boys will never return, we know that. However, seeing Mike D create this new project with his kids and keeping it fun with low-pressure experiments at his home studio really keeps that Beasties ethos alive, but to the tune of him and his sons.

Watch scenes from the show below.

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Mike D just released his debut single, “Switch Up.” It’s the first new music by any member of Beastie Boys since 2011’s Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. And with more tour dates announced, if you want to know when he’s coming to a city near you, we highly recommend you sign up for his email list.

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