Business as Usual for Oscilloscope, Despite Yauch Cancer Diagnosis

It's business as usual at Oscilloscope Laboratories, Beastie Boy Adam Yauch's upstart film company. In the wake of today's news that the Beastie Boys are canceling upcoming concert appearances and postponing the release of their new album, Oscilloscope reiterated its committment to film distribution despite a temporary setback for company founder Yauch.

In a YouTube video on his band's website, Adam Yauch today announced that he has a cancerous tumor in his left parotid (salivary) gland. His upcoming cancer treatment is forcing the band to change some plans, but he reiterated today that he'll still be spending a lot of time focusing on film.

"This will be a good opportunity to dig through that pile of screeners," Yauch said, in a statment sent to indieWIRE this afternoon. "Maybe I'll find a few gems."

The active company, founded last year and headed up by David Fenkel, has been busy of late. O-scope recently announced the acquisition of Oren Moverman’s directorial debut and also launched an exclusive distribution agreement with Warner Bros. Digital Distribution to bring its films to VOD and download-to-own across all platforms including cable, satellite, digital and wireless. 

"I just need to take a little time to get this in check, and then we'll release the record and play some shows," Yauch said today, in a statement. "It's a pain in the neck (sorry, had to say it) because I was really looking forward to playing these shows, but the doctors have made it clear that this is not the kind of thing that can be put aside to deal with later." 

Beastie fans will be particularly happy to hear that the cancer is not in a location that will affect Yauch's vocal chords (and indieWIRE wishes Yauch a rapid recovery).