April 26, 2007 10:00

World exclusive - Beastie Boys name new album

Mike D gets ready for new record and Live Earth gig

Beastie Boys have revealed exclusively to NME.COM that their new album will be called ‘The Mix Up’ and will be released in June.

Bandmember Mike D said the follow-up to 2004’s ‘To The 5 Boroughs’ will be “radically different” to its’ predecessor. The rockier record will instead hark to the style of the band’s classic albums ‘Check Your Head’ and ‘Paul’s Boutique’.

Mike D said: “We play instruments on the whole album, as opposed to sampling. There’s more rock on there. If you know us you can trace the influences and they’re no completely surprising. Someone who listens to us casually might think ‘What the hell are these guys doing?’

“It might make you flip your wig right off, or your hairpiece, if you’re a casual listener.”

The star also talked about the band’s forthcoming appearance at the London leg of the Live Earth shows, which aim to promote action to confront global climate change.

Beastie Boys will perform at Wembley Stadium alongside the likes of Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snow Patrol.

Speaking about the cause, Mike D said: “It’s come to the point where drastic measures have to be taken now. To really create a mass consciousness of what needs to be done, mass action, it’s gonna take mass awareness. And these huge concerts around the globe are probably one of the best means of doing so.”

Asked if he would be playing any new material at the event, the star replied: “By that point we’ll already be playing new songs. But I dunno – you don’t wanna do ‘Jazz Odyssey’ in front of a crowd of 60,000.”