An Interview With David
David is a well known member of the Beastie community, although to some of you is better known to you under his old alias Mavsman. If you don't know his name you must know his work, he re-designed Beastiemania to what it is today and has created more than a few wallpapers and Winamp skins as well (available from Beastiemania's downloads page).
This interview was conducted by Jim Gaunt on the 11th of July 03.
First up, where did the name Mavsman come from and why the change back to David?
I was quite the Dallas Mavericks fan when we first got the internet. Jimmy Jackson, Jamal Mashburn, and Jason Kidd were much more exciting than anyone Cleveland put on the court. It stuck until I decided that David was much more me than mavsman.
How long have you been listening to the Beasties?
Growing up I had heard all the singles from Check Your Head up to Hello Nasty, but nothing really stuck until hearing Intergalactic.
Are you a big collector?
Reasonably. I have about fifty t-shirts give or take. I also collect posters of which I have maybe 30, but most are common which I am trying to get away from. No vinyl. Just cds, and I only get one. None of that multiple pressings business.
How long have you been working at Beastiemania and what do you do?
Geez. I'll give you the full story. I actually recorded the BS2000 show in Cleveland and traded it to the 9thbeastie. His website graphically sucked at the time (as archive.org can attest to) and I offered to clean some stuff up.
In about the Winter of 2002 I got an email from him and AstroBBoy asking me to submit my work to get a chance to totally redesign Beastiemania.com. They liked what I showed them and I got the gig soon thereafter.
As for what I do, I am the menial labor of Beastiemania.com. Every pixel on the website goes through me. I also do lots of the html and occasionally some content.
Speaking of pixels, you have mad skillz with photoshop, as can be seen by all the stuff you've made for BM. How long have you been useing Photoshop for?
I started using graphics programs when I first got the internet in 1995, I think. I made my first webpage and it started from there. My first copy of Photoshop was the Light Edition of 5, which I got several years ago. I have since upgraded to each subsequent full version.
You've also made some really nice skins for Winamp. How hard is it to make them?
It's hard to make a good one. You need to know the limitations of the skinning engine and work around them. As with everything, you get better with time. I made a Licensed To Ill skin and an Ill Communication skin three years ago that you'll never see because they suck. Badly.
Ha ha, thats a pitty. Do you skin for any other programs?
Nope. There really aren't any other programs that I use that can be skinned.
Have you seen the Beasties live? If so how many times and what was it like?
Never live. I wasn't that into them when the Hello Nasty tour rolled around. Obviously, the Rhyme and Reason tour got cancelled. But, I have seen BS2000 live, which is something that not so many Beastie Boys fans can say they've done.
What would you like to see more or less of on the next Beastie Boys album?
I like the balance that they had on Check Your Head and Ill Communication. Those albums flow through different styles of music, which I love.
Do you think IAWGM should a) be on the album as a main track. b) as a hidden track. c) not be on it at all?
Choice C. I don't like being preached to. I like positive music, but in general terms. IAWGM is much too specific for my tastes.
What do you love and/or hate about the Beastie comunity?
I love the diversity of fans in musical terms. Some people only like the hardcore tracks, while others like the hip hop. It makes it fun that we all like something different about the Beastie Boys. I hate the hoarding and taunting of music.
What other music do you listen to?
Punk. More specifically, two sub genres, pop punk and ska. I like to dance to music and have fun, which both of these types of music provide. The Beastie Boys are the only hip hop that I own.
Why don't you like The Hurra?
He sucks. The better question is why do you like the Hurra? Have you heard his rhymes? He is mediocre in a genre saturated with rhymes about bitches, drugs, and bling bling. MMM doesn't attempt to rap. He DJs, and he does that damn well. How anyone can prefer the Hurra or even like the Hurra after hearing Mix Master Mike at a Beastie Boys show is beyond me.
Have you heard Hurra's first album? Its really good!
I haven't. My dislike for the Hurra stems from his live stuff with the Beasties and the collaborations with the Beasties. Perhaps I haven't given him a chance, but I truly detest that body of work.
Definately give him a chance.
Do you have a favourite Beastie Boys, or related, Video?
I like the anthology. It is amazing as everyone knows. I guess I like most every video they have put out.
Do you have a favourite website (beastie related or not)?
What type of question is that? What do you expect me to answer with?
Alright. Punknews.org is invaluable. So is the Beastieboys.com Official Messageboard.
Any last comments or shout outs?
Nah. Just good luck with the $5 Extra. It would be nice if it could get started again. Thanks for this fine opportunity as well. Keep doing what you're doing too, Jimmy. You do solid work.
Thanks.