It always seemed inevitable but this week Michael ‘‘Mike D’’ Diamond confirmed what fans of his band had feared since the death of Adam ‘‘MCA’’ Yauch from cancer in 2012: Beastie Boys are no more.

Diamond is in Sydney to launch the latest issue of superfly surf/skate/art magazine Monster Children, which he guest-edited, and admitted that he has nonetheless begun to dabble in music again.

Michael "Mike D" Diamond, formerly of New York City hip-hop crew Beastie Boys. Credit:Edwina Pickles

‘‘Since Adam’s death ... I’m not ever gonna repeat my band experience,’’ Diamond said. ‘‘I had the best experience in terms of being in a band, but being in a band is kind of like a full-contact sport. It’s a young person’s sport!

‘‘At the same time I still love music and listening to music and making music, so ... later this summer I’m producing a record by this band called Portugal. The Man, just because I like them.