Greek gigs end in violence

Two Athens concerts came to a nasty end at the weekend. Crowds leaving a gig in the Gaki area attacked a plainclothes policeman outside a tube station, while the Ejekt festival collapsed into riot after a gang gatecrashed the venue. Carrying weapons and teargas, the gatecrashers broke in during the Beastie Boy's set, and in the ensuing violence Rick Smith of Underworld was injured. After hospital treatment, Smith returned to the UK.

Electrelane offer support to boys

With the taint of 'experimental' that's hanging over the current, all-instrumental Beastie Boys project, choosing to go and see them when they play the Roundhouse on September 6th might seem something of a gamble. The odds on it being a good night have shortened considerably, though, as Electralane have signed on to provide support.

Beasties: There are no words

So, not only have The Beastie Boys dumped the rapping, and the sampling, from the forthcoming album, it's going to be all instrumental. All live instrumental. Mike D admits this might not be the most-chart friendly move:

"The more we kept working on these songs, the happier with them we became, and the more confused in terms of where there was room to put vocals on them.

"If we were trying to maximize our demographic or whatever, I'm not sure we'd come with an instrumental record right now, but I think we have to give people who've been listening to us some credit.

"They've gone to different places with us already, in terms of the influences we bring to the music we make, so hopefully they'll be able to hang with this curveball as well."

Well, their fanbase has managed to overlook the early sexism and faux-shockery, so a jazzy noodling album they should take in their stride.