Mike Love Talks to Rolling Stone about the Reunion

[AndrewHickey]

How do people feel about John Cowsill ending up with the drumming spot?  I feel like I've heard from multiple places that they drums have been a real weak spot in the BBs touring shows for a while, as compared to Brian's band.

Don't know where you've heard that. The best thing about this reunion for me is that along with most of Brian's band, Cowsill and Totten are involved. Cowsill is a wonderful drummer - one of the two or three best live drummers I've seen - as well as having a great voice (and even though we'll have all five Beach Boys on stage, I'm sure the backing band will thicken those harmonies that are double-tracked on record). He's got fantastic stage presence, and seems to be a genuinely nice person too from the one time I've met him. He's the best thing about Mike & Bruce's current (very good) band.

You might be thinking of older, pre-2008, reviews. Mike Kowalski, who played with the band up to then, was an utter shambles at times, and a consistently poor player even at his best.

[anazgnos]

You might be thinking of older, pre-2008, reviews. Mike Kowalski, who played with the band up to then, was an utter shambles at times, and a consistently poor player even at his best.

That's probably it.  Happy to be corrected on that.

[Ron]

Well, if you think about it, it's 50 years of "Fun, Fun, Fun."   

We're very fortunate to 'Do It Again,' so to speak




I'd be really happy if Mike won't do that stuff. It's silly and in no way funny. I know so many people who think it's ridiculous and I agree.

I know, right?  I'd also like for dogs to stop barking, and I"d like to have an alligator sit in my lap like a kitty kat so I could pet it. 

[hypehat]

*raises eyebrow comically*

[D409]

How do people feel about John Cowsill ending up with the drumming spot?  I feel like I've heard from multiple places that they drums have been a real weak spot in the BBs touring shows for a while, as compared to Brian's band.

Don't know where you've heard that. The best thing about this reunion for me is that along with most of Brian's band, Cowsill and Totten are involved. Cowsill is a wonderful drummer - one of the two or three best live drummers I've seen - as well as having a great voice (and even though we'll have all five Beach Boys on stage, I'm sure the backing band will thicken those harmonies that are double-tracked on record). He's got fantastic stage presence, and seems to be a genuinely nice person too from the one time I've met him. He's the best thing about Mike & Bruce's current (very good) band.

You might be thinking of older, pre-2008, reviews. Mike Kowalski, who played with the band up to then, was an utter shambles at times, and a consistently poor player even at his best.

Have seen the touring BB's twice - once in 2004 with Mike Kowalski drumming, and once in 2008 with John Cowsill - Cowsill's a far better drummer, and his vocals add a lot to the mix.

[absinthe_boy]

I'm sure it's been posted but it deserves it's on thread

Pretty interesting, most of Brian's band will be used and dates are booked in Japan already

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-mike-love-talks-beach-boys-50th-anniversary-tour-20111219

That is a very balanced and open interview from Mike, and for sure I feel able to take everything he says there at face value.

[Cam Mott]

Andrew Hickey? Well I swan.

[Wirestone]

That is, if Brian wants Mike to write lyrics. Maybe the songs were already finished with another lyricist. Of course a new Wilson/Love tune seems to be inevitable, stranger things have happened....

I think, as "executive producer," Mike will rewrite lyrics on previously finished tunes to get a co-writing credit. Just a guess.

[Rocker]

That is, if Brian wants Mike to write lyrics. Maybe the songs were already finished with another lyricist. Of course a new Wilson/Love tune seems to be inevitable, stranger things have happened....

I think, as "executive producer," Mike will rewrite lyrics on previously finished tunes to get a co-writing credit. Just a guess.

I've often wondered what exactly an executive producer does. Can anyone tell me ?

[PongHit]

I've often wondered what exactly an executive producer does. Can anyone tell me ?

Sometimes it means, 'the guy who invested money.' But not sure in this case. Other times it means, 'a behind-the-scenes' mover/shaker, but not a hands-on creative person.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

*raises eyebrow comically*

[Alex]

How do people feel about John Cowsill ending up with the drumming spot?  I feel like I've heard from multiple places that they drums have been a real weak spot in the BBs touring shows for a while, as compared to Brian's band.

Don't know where you've heard that. The best thing about this reunion for me is that along with most of Brian's band, Cowsill and Totten are involved. Cowsill is a wonderful drummer - one of the two or three best live drummers I've seen - as well as having a great voice (and even though we'll have all five Beach Boys on stage, I'm sure the backing band will thicken those harmonies that are double-tracked on record). He's got fantastic stage presence, and seems to be a genuinely nice person too from the one time I've met him. He's the best thing about Mike & Bruce's current (very good) band.

You might be thinking of older, pre-2008, reviews. Mike Kowalski, who played with the band up to then, was an utter shambles at times, and a consistently poor player even at his best.

Have seen the touring BB's twice - once in 2004 with Mike Kowalski drumming, and once in 2008 with John Cowsill - Cowsill's a far better drummer, and his vocals add a lot to the mix.

Kowalski used to be really good, too...

[Jon Stebbins]

You might be thinking of older, pre-2008, reviews. Mike Kowalski, who played with the band up to then, was an utter shambles at times, and a consistently poor player even at his best.

At his best, in the 60's and 70's Mike Kowalski was a fabulous drummer, and anyone pointing out his deficiencies in his later days should be made aware of that fact.

[D409]

You might be thinking of older, pre-2008, reviews. Mike Kowalski, who played with the band up to then, was an utter shambles at times, and a consistently poor player even at his best.

At his best, in the 60's and 70's Mike Kowalski was a fabulous drummer, and anyone pointing out his deficiencies in his later days should be made aware of that fact.

Can't say fairer than that, humble pie duly eaten !

[Roger Ryan]

If I'm understanding Mike correctly, David has an idea for the title of the album so maybe the thing won't be called DO IT AGAIN which I suspected. Then again, why does Mike feel he needs to "work" with David on the title? Does Mike always have to have his hand in the titling of albums? Or, is he referring to a "title track" that David thinks would be good for the record?

All the same, the weak puns and the constant hyping on greatest hits sales is tiresome. Really, this is almost the same interview Mike has given for the last decade right down to his wish to work with cousin Brian again...which feels a bit odd considering they have already announced a new album they're recording together!

[Jon Stebbins]

If I'm understanding Mike correctly, David has an idea for the title of the album so maybe the thing won't be called DO IT AGAIN which I suspected. Then again, why does Mike feel he needs to "work" with David on the title? Does Mike always have to have his hand in the titling of albums? Or, is he referring to a "title track" that David thinks would be good for the record?

All the same, the weak puns and the constant hyping on greatest hits sales is tiresome. Really, this is almost the same interview Mike has given for the last decade right down to his wish to work with cousin Brian again...which feels a bit odd considering they have already announced a new album they're recording together!

A writer will often refer to a song as a "title", in this case I think Mike is referring to a song of David's that he wants to collaborate with him on, and/or perhaps Dave has a title or concept for a song that Mike thinks will be appropriate for the new record.

[HeyJude]

You might be thinking of older, pre-2008, reviews. Mike Kowalski, who played with the band up to then, was an utter shambles at times, and a consistently poor player even at his best.

At his best, in the 60's and 70's Mike Kowalski was a fabulous drummer, and anyone pointing out his deficiencies in his later days should be made aware of that fact.

I’ve heard what I believe are very early examples of his drumming with the BB’s, and it did indeed sound just fine. I don’t know what happened or what the circumstances were, but pretty much every recorded example I’ve heard from BB shows once he rejoined the touring band in the early-mid 80’s had sounded passable at best, and pretty shaky at worst. The drums at so many of these shows just sound really stilted, and often with beats and fills totally dropped. Dennis’ drumming at shows from 1980 that we have on film/video or audio sounds far better. Something like the great late 1993 Paramount Theatre show with the 43-song setlist is hampered by some really weak drumming (and some dated-sounding 90’s keyboards I suppose).

I haven’t heard many examples of Cowsill’s drumming, but what I have heard sounds miles better than any drumming in any version of a “Beach Boys” touring band since Dennis and Bobby Figueroa were drumming in the 80’s. 

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Cowsill rocks and make The Beach Boys sound/feel like a band!

[Aegir]

Kowalski was a great drummer... 40/50 years ago. He played on Nick Drake's "Bryter Layter" ! But his last few years with the Beach Boys, he was pretty bad.

[Justin]

Getting Cowsill was a good move...I always enjoyed his work with Mike's group.  

[Roger Ryan]

If I'm understanding Mike correctly, David has an idea for the title of the album so maybe the thing won't be called DO IT AGAIN which I suspected. Then again, why does Mike feel he needs to "work" with David on the title? Does Mike always have to have his hand in the titling of albums? Or, is he referring to a "title track" that David thinks would be good for the record?

All the same, the weak puns and the constant hyping on greatest hits sales is tiresome. Really, this is almost the same interview Mike has given for the last decade right down to his wish to work with cousin Brian again...which feels a bit odd considering they have already announced a new album they're recording together!

A writer will often refer to a song as a "title", in this case I think Mike is referring to a song of David's that he wants to collaborate with him on, and/or perhaps Dave has a title or concept for a song that Mike thinks will be appropriate for the new record.

Yes, re-reading that portion of the interview, I agree that your interpretation is the most likely. Okay, I'm putting money down again that the album will be called DO IT AGAIN. 

[Pretty Funky]

....and that will be the song they play at the Grammys.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

If I'm understanding Mike correctly, David has an idea for the title of the album so maybe the thing won't be called DO IT AGAIN which I suspected. Then again, why does Mike feel he needs to "work" with David on the title? Does Mike always have to have his hand in the titling of albums? Or, is he referring to a "title track" that David thinks would be good for the record?

All the same, the weak puns and the constant hyping on greatest hits sales is tiresome. Really, this is almost the same interview Mike has given for the last decade right down to his wish to work with cousin Brian again...which feels a bit odd considering they have already announced a new album they're recording together!

A writer will often refer to a song as a "title", in this case I think Mike is referring to a song of David's that he wants to collaborate with him on, and/or perhaps Dave has a title or concept for a song that Mike thinks will be appropriate for the new record.

Jon, you seem to be ignoring the fact that David wasn't on the original video or sessions.  Care to fill us in on how David coming on board happened?  If they had planned to add David later, there would have been a parking sign with David's name on it.

I'm still flabbergasted that he wasn't included from the get go!

[Jon Stebbins]

If I'm understanding Mike correctly, David has an idea for the title of the album so maybe the thing won't be called DO IT AGAIN which I suspected. Then again, why does Mike feel he needs to "work" with David on the title? Does Mike always have to have his hand in the titling of albums? Or, is he referring to a "title track" that David thinks would be good for the record?

All the same, the weak puns and the constant hyping on greatest hits sales is tiresome. Really, this is almost the same interview Mike has given for the last decade right down to his wish to work with cousin Brian again...which feels a bit odd considering they have already announced a new album they're recording together!

A writer will often refer to a song as a "title", in this case I think Mike is referring to a song of David's that he wants to collaborate with him on, and/or perhaps Dave has a title or concept for a song that Mike thinks will be appropriate for the new record.

Jon, you seem to be ignoring the fact that David wasn't on the original video or sessions.  Care to fill us in on how David coming on board happened?  If they had planned to add David later, there would have been a parking sign with David's name on it.

I'm still flabbergasted that he wasn't included from the get go!

I think you might be thinking that leaked "full" version of the video is authorized, and i think its just an early cut that was leaked by someone who had a "in progress" version. I know Dave has been talking to Mike and Al about reunion possibilities since last year. I also know he wasn't at the initial Do It Again session (as I reported on this board many months ago), but that he was subsequently brought in at Brian and Mike's request to put both rhythm and lead guitar on the Do It Again track. Whether the other Beach Boys, the video's director, or whomever were all on the same page regarding David's place in this I don't know. But I know Mike and Brian basically insisted he be involved. I have no idea of the actual chronology in which this occurred in relation to the aforementioned video production. Maybe the cart got a bit ahead of the horse, or something like that. I assume the whole concept has evolved from its May inception to now, and will probably evolve a bit more until we hear the actual released version. Like you, I'm real happy Dave is included, and I know he's looking forward to touring and recording more with the other guys.

[b00ts]

Kowalski was a great drummer... 40/50 years ago. He played on Nick Drake's "Bryter Layter" ! But his last few years with the Beach Boys, he was pretty bad.

Yes! Bryter Layter is a hell of an album. I asked Kowalski about it when I met him; I wanted to confirm that it was the same Mike Kowalski who played with The Beach Boys.

Edit: I know this is a fascinating story. I may option it for a film one day.