BOTB: R.E.M. vs. The Beastie Boys--The Beastie Boys Win!

[VaderFin]

Opening Round Match Up featuring #25 seed R.E.M. vs. #40 seed The Beastie Boys. Two bands with totally different styles going at it. Voting will end Wed. at 8pm EST.




R.E.M.

R.E.M. was a rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in early 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and vocalist Michael Stipe. The band's politics, aesthetics, and hardworking ethos - largely inspired by punk rock and art rock of the 1970s - allowed the band to establish itself as a key element of the burgeoning alternative rock scene of the late-80s. With major label success at the turn of the 90s, the band found themselves able to put forth political and environmental concerns from within a popular music scene that often chose not to take a stand. Hit songs include "Stand", "Everybody Hurts", "Man on the Moon" and "What's The Frequency, Kenneth".




The Beastie Boys

The Beastie Boys are an American rapcore group from New York City: Brooklyn and Manhattan. The main members are Mike D (real name Michael Diamond), MCA (Adam Yauch), and Ad-rock (Adam Horovitz)—all are of Jewish ancestry. Beastie Boys were the first successful white rap group and one of the few acts from the early days of hip hop that still enjoy major success. Their rock- and punk-influenced rap has had a significant impact on artists both in and outside the hip hop scene. The band recorded Licensed to Ill in 1986 and released the album at the end of the year. It was a smash success, becoming the best selling rap album of the 1980s and the first rap album to go #1 on the Billboard album chart, where it stayed for five weeks. It also reached #2 on the Urban album charts. It was Columbia Records' fastest selling debut record to date and sold over five million copies. The first single from the album, "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (to Party)," reached #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Beastie Boys won two Grammy Awards in 1999. Other hits include, "No Sleep Till Brooklyn," "She's On It," "So What'cha Want," "Sabotage," and "Intergalactic."

[mutantseabass]

I dont like either of them, but i would rather listen to the beastie boys. I cannot stand Micheal Stipe.

[Dr. Duran Duran]

I have to agree with MSB, I can't stand Michael Stipe. Beastie Boys' License to Ill was one of the first albums I bought as a child and I still listen to it quite often. Beastie's all the way.

[mutantseabass]

I have to agree with MSB, I can't stand Michael Stipe. Beastie Boys' License to Ill was one of the first albums I bought as a child and I still listen to it quite often. Beastie's all the way.

I will say the Beasties did impress me the first album they all played instruments. I dont know which one it was, like i said was never a big fan.

[VaderFin]

I remember when R.E.M. was an unknown college band. Never liked them then and still don't like them now. Beastie Boys are one of the very few rap groups that I do like.

[moonhead]

beasties broke more barriers than REM. plus they sample led zeppelin. michael stipe was #1 on my deathlist in highschool. that was a list i created of people i wanted to kill or see killed. my favorite method was harpooning. although i think stipe got "preferential treatment".

[Popcynical]

Gotta love the Beastie Boys. Licensed to Ill is a sick album.

[The_Captain]

Can't stand the Beastie Boys - went with REM. One of the classic 80's New Wave bands to emerge from the booming (at the time) Athens, GA scene.

[DelhommesFan1]

went w/ rem...dont a big fan of the bb

[Dirt Bag]

Beastie Boys easily get my vote here...

Liscense to Ill is really the only album i listened to of theirs, though. It was real good and kept me occupied for plenty a' time