Beastie Boys – Rock Hard (US 12″)

Burning The Ground Exclusive 1984

“Rock Hard” is a single by the Beastie Boys, released by Def Jam Records on 12″ in 1984. The track contains samples from the AC/DC song “Back in Black”, which was used without obtaining legal permission, causing the record to be withdrawn. When the group planned to include the out-of-print song on their 1999 compilation, Beastie Boys Anthology: The Sounds of Science, AC/DC refused to clear the sample. Mike D spoke to AC/DC’s Malcolm Young personally on the phone when their lawyers refused to clear the sample, and later said that “AC/DC could not get with the sample concept. They were just like, ‘Nothing against you guys, but we just don’t endorse sampling.'” Ad-Rock then added, “So we told them that we don’t endorse people playing guitars.”

John Leland of Spin noted the song’s, “parodic extremes. I mean, no one has a beat this big and this wet. While this platter delivers ample boasts for the buck, the Beasties never take themselves or their genre too seriously.”

THIS SIDE:
Rock Hard 4:57
Party’s Getting Rough 6:03

THAT SIDE:
Beastie Groove 3:37
Beastie Groove (Instrumental) 3:34

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Def Jam Recordings – DJ002
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: Dec 1984
Genre: Hip Hop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
Release in a maroon Def Jam sleeve, with die-cut on one side only.

Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus:  Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp:
Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC:
Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning
: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans
: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!


Password: burningtheground

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Jermajesty
Jermajesty
September 28, 2024 7:28 am

I’ve never even heard of this before, let alone heard it! Thank you so much DJPaul!! It is indeed classic Beastie Boys.

Tom
Tom
September 12, 2024 8:44 am

This is pure gold, thank you Paul for the transfer!
Jay Burnett is the man who made the beat so incredibly fat, and he used the same technique on other tracks, such as Nuance’s Loveride and Animotion’s Let Him Go.
On a side note, the Pet Shop Boys asked Ron Dean Miller to produce them because they loved the beat on Loveride (Miller was the producer), but not much came of it – I only know of Opportunities (Ron Dean Miller & The Latin Rascals Remix). Little did they know they should have asked Burnett instead!

Last edited 1 month ago by Tom
Don Julian
Don Julian
September 11, 2024 10:01 am

I taped this from radio on a late night show that played ‘underground’ music back in ’85, mostly new dancehall and hip hop. Listeners were encouraged to send homemade mixes, mashing up different genres and styles. This tune introduced me to the Beasties, and together with Run DMC’s Rock Box and later King Of Rock, and KRS-One’s Dope Beat were to me the epitome of mid-80s Rap/Rock crossover, tunes that i still enjoy to this day. Always found it a pity they could not re-release it on their compilations, so i’m extra grateful to get a rip in your immaculate… Read more »

Last edited 1 month ago by Don Julian
Craig
September 11, 2024 3:04 am

As a Rap & Hip-Hop radio fanatic [Latin Rascals WKTU], this 12″ was a HUUUUGE deal to me back in 86 when I picked it up…..the edits and the concrete vibrating production on those beats has been magical [and on repeat] for almost 4 decades. That’s bananas! But this super-fresh transfer is much appreciated as ever, thanks Paul.

What’s that ? You are planning more gold school doozies ? Okay, if you must.

NB. This was one of my 1st experiences of hearing [and recording] Beastie Boys music on UK radio…

https://randomrapradio.com/2020/05/22/mike-allen-capital-radio-22-may-1987-run-dmc-interview-remastered/

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Craig
September 11, 2024 1:49 pm

I love that you listened to WKTU for the Latin Rascals’ music mixes and heart palpitating edits. These guys are my Heroes!!!

Jeff

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
September 10, 2024 6:14 pm

Wow Paul, this put a big smile on my face!! First, welcome back, I hope you had a nice and restful break. Of course the big beat and AC/DC sample (more like backbone of the song) is right up my alley. I hadn’t heard the backstory to this… mind-blowing! And I didn’t know they had to pull this single. No wonder it’s unavailable on the Beastie’s compilations, albums, etc. Like others mentioned, I did not expect to see this here!! Thank you as always for keeping it interesting and keeping it real!!

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
Reply to  DjPaulT
September 11, 2024 1:03 pm

Love it!

Martika
Martika
September 10, 2024 5:53 pm

Paul, this absolutely FANTASTIC!!!!! Only you would be able to go away fro a week and come back with such a BANG!!!! THANK YOU A MILLION TIMES!!!! I’ve always loved this single, but I never had it in decent quality; and now I have it SUPERB DJPaulT QUALITY!!!! I’m so excited right now! And that story is hilarious. I never quite understood why any musician would be opposed to being sampled. It doesn’t take away from the original, and in fact, it might turn new listeners onto that band. That first Beastie Boys album is a wet dream come true… Read more »

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
Reply to  Martika
September 10, 2024 6:15 pm

You are so right Martika!!

Martika
Martika
Reply to  Martika
September 10, 2024 6:24 pm

Not a request – just wishful thinking: It would be awesome if you also shared Fight For Your Right (Junkie XL Remix) and Cookie Puss one day!

David S
David S
September 10, 2024 4:44 pm

As a Beasties fan, this really made my day, Paul!
I had read the story about the personal phone call to Malcolm Young, and still getting turned down. I didn’t expect to hear this single ever.
So, many, many thanks to you!

Tom
Tom
September 10, 2024 2:47 pm

Latin Rascals! Thanks Paul.

Tom-tjj
Tom-tjj
September 10, 2024 2:46 pm

I HAD this 12 inch when it was released. I heard it on the Las Vegas University non profit radio station.
I then haunted the local used record store until it showed up.
The flip side has a 3 or 4 song collection of samples from LED ZEPPELIN made into a song.
I wore out my original cassette recording fromy 1st listen from that station !

Joey
Joey
September 10, 2024 1:53 pm

I did not expect to see this here, thanks Paul, this rocks! This is a difficult record to find especially in good condition.

Fred
Fred
September 10, 2024 1:20 pm

Thanks for the cool track, Paul! I was wondering why a 1984 song had sample issues and I’m sure it’s because 1)this was released December 1984 as sampling really started to pick up and 2)Beastie Boys really sampled the hell out of Back In Black. I bet if the song didn’t 100% revolve around the sample, it would have likely slipped by or maybe AC/DC wouldn’t have cared. Also, folks, Jay Burzootie’s real name is Jay Burnett who was the master mixer for this incredible 1986 jam: https://www.discogs.com/master/631828-Hoyt-Curtin-The-Jetsons-Main-Title-Jane-Get-Me-Off-This-Crazy-Thing Thanks again for this unique track, Paul!

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Fred
September 11, 2024 2:02 pm

Hey Fred, Very cool Info on “Jay Burzootie” which you shared. Jay Burnett did awesome things on a lot of records. And thanks for reminding those about that Jetson’s record, of which Paul did a meticulous job on mastering it for BTG!! Various Artists – The Jetsons Main Title / Jane, Get Me Off This Crazy Thing! (Canada 12″) – Burning The Ground: DjPaulT’s 80’s and 90’s Remixes Interesting also to note of Mark Kamin’s involvement on the Beasties’ record. He was Madonna’s first producer. Madonna even had the Beastie Boys opening up for her on an early tour. I… Read more »

Jeff
Jeff
September 10, 2024 11:38 am

PAUL!!! This is a sonic wet dream for me come true!!! This is a record I’ve coveted since my college days! My great friend, Kevin, introduced it to me! I knew of the Beastie Boys because of their classic, “Cookie Puss” which was a funny song about an ice cream cake. Anyway, this record you posted had me salivating from every orifice!! I love AC/DC and this “Rock Hard” record is the jam!! The drum machine pounds like a MoFo! Coupled with the guitar samples, it was like a derm skin peel! WOW and OMG! But, then, there is the… Read more »

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  DjPaulT
September 11, 2024 1:52 pm

Forever grateful to you, Paul, for generously sharing this EAR-GASMIC piece of vinyl!! My body and ears are blushing in bliss!!

Hug!

Jeff

Retro Hound
Retro Hound
Reply to  Jeff
September 10, 2024 6:22 pm

So great to see you here too Jeff!! You are so right! Such a big backbeat, not for the faint of heart! I need to get familiar with the b-sides again, especially if they sample Led Zeppelin. The best part is, as Martika said, having this in ‘Paulity’!! Your euphoria is rubbing off on all of us and making us ROCK HARD!! Excuse the pun.

Martika
Martika
Reply to  Retro Hound
September 11, 2024 8:37 am

Well-placed pun, Retro Hound! And I love the portmanteau “Paulity”!

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Retro Hound
September 11, 2024 1:43 pm

I love the pun, Retro Hound!!! Again, I kept on thinking of you specifically when Paul posted it!!! I love your tastes!!

Stay Hard!!

Jeff

Martika
Martika
Reply to  Jeff
September 10, 2024 6:28 pm

Jeff, I love how excited you are about this record. I feel the same way. I can hardly contain myself. I only have MP3 versions of this EP and Cookie Puss, so I’m mega excited to blow some speakers tonight!

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Martika
September 11, 2024 1:45 pm

Ah, Martika, I am thrilled that you were aware of this record!! You are like an encyclopedia of musical knowledge!! I get so fired up whenever you and Retro Hound comment!! It’s awesome!!

Jeff

Last edited 1 month ago by Jeff
Martika
Martika
Reply to  Jeff
September 12, 2024 12:35 pm

The astounding thing is that they never thought of re-recording the riff like they did for “Fight For Your right”. Slayer was recording their 3rd album (Reign In Blood) in the studio next door and Rick Rubin (who produced both artists at the same time) asked Kerry King to quickly play a riff similar to “Smoke On The Water” so they could avoid having the same issue as on Rock Hard [and then Kerry King also quickly recorded a guitar solo for No Sleep Til Brooklyn … lol]. You would think that this would have inspired Rick Rubin to also… Read more »

Jeff
Jeff
Reply to  Martika
September 12, 2024 2:43 pm

Hey Martika,

Thanks for your wonderful and astute observation about the record. This makes perfect sense to me. I wish Mr. Rubin re-recorded the riff. It’s so sad this record was pulled because it does draw attention to both bands.

Love your stellar insight again, Martika!!

Jeff

Tim
Tim
September 10, 2024 11:17 am

What a treat, thanks Paul!