Claim: Beastie Boys was never a punk band.
Evidence: Originally formed as a four-piece hardcore punk band , the Young Aborigines , in 1978 by Diamond -LRB- vocals -RRB- , John Berry -LRB- guitar -RRB- , Yauch -LRB- bass -RRB- and Kate Schellenbach -LRB- drums -RRB- , the band appeared on the compilation cassette New York Thrash , before recording their first EP , Polly Wog Stew , in 1982.