In the basement of this address, Dave Ratcage (a.k.a. Dave Parsons) ran Rat Cage Records, a popular record store/hang-out for the hardcore scene in the early 80's. The editor of Mouth Of The Rat 'zine and a NY contributor to MRR, Dave would keep the shop open until 4 in the morning for the kids.

In August of 1981, Dave went to the see the Beastie Boys first show. He approached the Beasties about recording, they were enthusiastic, and he arranged for them to record at Studio 171-A for their first release, the Polly Wog Stew EP on Ratcage Records.

Later, he released the Beastie Boys Cooky Puss 12" on Ratcage Records. This was a departure from the hardcore punk sound for the B-Boys; it was an experimental hip-hop(ish) release that was a crank call over a series of beats. The track started to get played in discos, and the Beasties had something of a hit on their hands...

A transexual, Dave later became Donna, moved to Europe, and died of cancer in 2003.

view full location details...

On August 5th, 1981, the Beastie Boys played their first show in guitarist John Berry's loft. It was Adam Yauch's 17th birthday.

It was at this party that Dave Parsons of the Rat Cage record store said that he wanted to start recording bands, and asked the Beastie Boys if they were interested. They said yes, and the Polly Wog Stew EP was the result.

The name BEASTIE is actually an acronym: Boys Entering Anarchistic States Toward Internal Excellence.

view full location details...

In September of 1980, Jerry Williams opened up 171-A Studio. A former glass shop, Williams put in a stage and a sound booth and threw after hours parties with bands (like The Cooties). The NYFD closed it down before a New Year's party, so it was converted to a rehearsal space.

The space had 15' ceilings and was 60' long, so the dimensions were similar to CBGB's. Bad Brains recorded their original ROIR tape at this location in 1981.

In 1982, the Beastie Boys recorded the Polly Wog Stew EP here with producer Scott Jarvis (later released on Some Old Bulllshit). Utilizing a four-track and an Echo-plex, they were kicked out of the studio after two days so they mixed it in Jarvis's apartment.

The original line-up was Kate Schellenbach on drums (later in Luscious Jackson), Adam Yauch on bass, John Berry on guitar, and Mike D vocals.

view full location details...

After Rubin and Simmons signed a distribution deal with CBS in late 1985, they bought this building for Def Jam Recordings (and Rush Management). This was their first real location for Def Jam Records outside of Rick Rubin's dorm room at Weinstein Hall on the campus of New York University.

In 1987, the Beastie Boys and Run-DMC had a photo shoot on the roof of the Elizabeth St. building to promote their up-coming "Together Forever" tour. The tour featured the two largest hip hop acts at the time, and was one of the few tours that featured black and white artists of equal stature.

The building's address was listed as the Fan Club in the Licensed to Ill liner notes.

view full location details...

Also seen in the liner notes of the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill (1986).

view full location details...