In the vibrant world of music, where trends shift like sands and eras fade into legend, figures like Adam “Ad-rock” Horovitz of the Beastie Boys stand as enduring monuments. At 48, Ad-Rock, an icon who helped shape the landscape of hip-hop, engages in a candid conversation about aging, relevance, and the indelible mark his band left on music culture. This isn’t just about reminiscing; it’s a raw, insightful look at grappling with time’s passage when your identity is deeply intertwined with a youthful, revolutionary sound. Join us as we delve into Ad-Rock’s thoughts on navigating the complexities of getting older in a culture obsessed with youth, much like exploring the timeless formations of rock itself.
Hello, Adam. While We’re Young explores a couple in their 40s seeking rejuvenation by connecting with younger, hipper individuals. At 48, does this resonate with you?
Absolutely. There’s a universal moment as you get older where you realize, “Oh, wow, I’m not in my twenties anymore.” You carry this image of yourself as eternally young, and it’s a surreal jolt when reality catches up. For me, the idea of staying “relevant” in the way youth culture defines it doesn’t hold much appeal, and honestly, I find a certain comfort in that. It’s like appreciating a weathered rock – its value isn’t in being new, but in its history and resilience.
Is there something inherently wrong with trying to recapture youth, even if you’re no longer a kid?
Not at all! In moderation, that youthful spirit is vital. But there’s a line, right? Nobody wants to see someone trying too hard to fit into a scene where they clearly don’t belong. It’s about finding that balance, much like how natural rock formations find equilibrium over millennia.
Your twenties were far from typical (1). What was distinctive about that era for you?
The twenties are this incredible period of discovery, largely unburdened by the full weight of responsibility. You’re living in the moment, soaking in all the experiences you dreamed of as a kid. Everything feels fresh and intensely exciting. But as you age – well, the mundane aspects of life, like rent and bills, definitely lose their thrill. That youthful exuberance shifts, much like how the sharp edges of a new rock soften with time.
Do people still expect the 48-year-old Ad-Rock to be the 22-year-old version they remember?
I think there’s definitely an element of that. That’s the double-edged sword of being in a band. Fans often want you to remain frozen in time, to always embody what you represented to them in a specific era. Only a rare few, like the Ramones, managed to maintain that singular, timeless essence throughout their career. It’s like expecting a rock formation to never erode or change.
In While We’re Young, the younger characters reject modern conveniences like Netflix for VHS tapes and prefer to figure things out manually rather than immediately Googling. Do you understand this kind of nostalgia?
While I appreciate the sentimentality, I’m a firm believer in embracing the tools we have. The internet is an incredible resource – why not use it? I know some younger folks are getting into cassette tapes now, which is baffling to me. Cassette tapes are objectively inferior to digital music! Why choose that over the convenience and quality of an iPod? The iPod is still amazing! This cyclical return to older formats is interesting, much like how certain rock types become fashionable again in landscaping and design.
Isn’t their fondness for outdated technology just an attempt to recapture a sense of magic?
Every generation believes their current moment is the pinnacle, yet simultaneously romanticizes eras before their time. I do the same thing. I watch old British movies and think, “Man, I would have loved to experience London back then.” But then I remember I’d be missing out on shows like The Walking Dead, cable TV, and diverse pizza options! It’s about recognizing the charm of the past while appreciating the advancements of the present. It’s like admiring ancient rock carvings while still valuing modern sculptures.
How are you processing the shift from being an active Beastie Boy to something else?
It’s undeniably strange. For over 25 years, being a Beastie Boy was my entire identity. It was who I was, through and through. Now, I’m in this phase of figuring out what that “is” now. It’s like a major geological shift, reshaping the landscape of your life.
Adam “MCA” Yauch passed away in 2012 (2). Do you think the Beastie Boys would still be active if he were still with us?
My hope is that we would have naturally transitioned to a point where the band was less central, allowing Adam to focus more on his filmmaking (3). That progression would have felt right. This current reality… it just doesn’t make sense. It’s like a foundational rock being removed from a structure – everything feels unstable.
How are you coping with his absence?
Honestly, I don’t know if I am. Maybe I’m in denial? It’s… profoundly depressing. He wasn’t just a bandmate; he was one of my closest friends. We were kids together at 14, and we navigated all of life’s major milestones side-by-side. How do you even begin to process something like that? It’s like losing a piece of yourself, a rock-solid foundation.
Image alt text: Ad-Rock, the iconic Beastie Boys member, rocking the stage with his signature energy, a testament to his enduring presence in music.
Do you think a loss of that magnitude teaches you something, or is that just a cliché?
I haven’t personally experienced any profound lesson from loss. You hear the platitudes about living each moment to the fullest, but you also know the practicalities, like you’re also “supposed to” avoid smoking and excessive drinking… Life’s complexities are rarely neatly packaged into lessons.
While We’re Young seems to suggest that staying engaged with pop culture is a way to stay vital.
Pop culture is a double-edged sword – part pure enjoyment, part escapism, maybe even a bit of denial. If I spend four minutes watching a Kanye West video, yes, it’s arguably four minutes “wasted,” but it’s also four minutes I didn’t spend dwelling on the heavier aspects of life. It’s a trade-off, a balance – both wonderful and, at times, awful. Like finding beauty even in rough, unpolished rocks.
How does it feel knowing that younger generations in the film might perceive the Beastie Boys as a “vintage” band?
Well, we are! We’ve become a band of the Led Zeppelin ilk. Every generation discovers Led Zeppelin anew, and similarly, kids are still discovering the Beastie Boys and getting genuinely excited. That’s incredibly rewarding. It signifies an enduring quality, like certain rock formations that remain captivating across generations.
Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl mentioned that new fans approach him unaware of his Nirvana past… Is there a liberating aspect to that – the idea that someone might love To the 5 Boroughs (4) without ever hearing Paul’s Boutique (5)?
That’s never actually happened to me! But it would be amazing if it did. Ninety-five percent of the time, if someone stops me in the street, they only know us for Licensed To Ill. I’m serious. They’ll reminisce about having it on cassette tape. People literally ask, “What have you guys been up to since then?” It highlights how a band’s legacy can be perceived differently over time, like layers of geological history being revealed.
While We’re Young was released in the UK on April 3, 2015.
Footnotes
1) By 22, Adam had connected with Adam Yauch and Michael Diamond, forming the Beastie Boys. Their debut album, Licensed to Ill, surpassed 4 million copies sold. They evolved into one of hip-hop’s most influential groups.
2) Yauch was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2009. The group released Hot Sauce Committee, Part Two in 2011, their final album before disbanding after his death.
3) Yauch directed Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot, a film about promising high-school basketball players, and co-owned Oscilloscope Laboratories, a distribution company known for films like We Need to Talk About Kevin, Howl, and Meek’s Cutoff.
4) The Beastie Boys’ sixth album, a response to the events of 9/11.
5) Paul’s Boutique, their landmark 1989 album, revolutionized hip-hop sampling. Miles Davis reportedly “never got tired of listening to it.”
