Bruce gets political

[malpakoza]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beach-boys-bruce-johnston-blasts-obama-20120511

i feel that everyone has a right to their opinion, but save it for after the 50 year anniversary tour no matter what political affiliation.

am i over reacting or did others feel this could've waited?

also i can't picture bruce saying f*ck lol

[rab2591]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beach-boys-bruce-johnston-blasts-obama-20120511

i feel that everyone has a right to their opinion, but save it for after the 50 year anniversary tour no matter what political affiliation.

am i over reacting or did others feel this could've waited?

also i can't picture bruce saying f*ck lol

I can: when he's lambasting the album Friends in the Songwriter DVD he's basically saying "f*ck you"

Also, this tidbit is turning into an interesting debate here: http://smileysmile.net/board/index.php/topic,12223.msg273762/topicseen.html#msg273762

[AndrewHickey]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/beach-boys-bruce-johnston-blasts-obama-20120511

i feel that everyone has a right to their opinion, but save it for after the 50 year anniversary tour no matter what political affiliation.

am i over reacting or did others feel this could've waited?

He's absolutely wrong -- maybe not about Obama or Romney's personal character, but about Obama being a socialist (the US right's repeatedly calling Obama 'socialist' has become as tiresome as the left's old habit of calling everyone vaguely right-of-centre 'fascist', and is about as accurate). Just as a matter of simple fact, he's wrong.

BUT -- that's no reason he shouldn't state his opinion. It's not like he got up on stage and started singing "Romney Girls" or something, he just talked candidly to a fan, in a conversation that he presumably thought was meant to be private, and actually stated his honest opinion. The real 'asshole' here is not Obama or Romney, or Bruce, but whichever 'fan' decided it was a good idea to make a video recording of that conversation and post it to the internet. All that'll do is make him less likely to talk openly -- or at all -- to fans. Even though I disagree with Bruce's politics, I've actually got more respect for him now than I did before, for actually *talking about his opinions* with fans, rather than just spouting platitudes.

"Elderly rich Republican not Obama supporter" is not really news, and not even really worth discussing, but Bruce should not have to be on guard twenty-four hours a day while the reunion tour is on, in case he accidentally has the temerity to express a controversial opinion while someone nearby has a phone.

[guitarfool2002]

There is room enough for all sides of the political debate to have a say, whether recorded at a podium, a rally, or a fan meet-and-greet.  Bruce has as much right to say what he said there as anyone else in the industry, I give him credit no matter how much I may agree or disagree. It's the folks who would say Bruce was out of line because they don't agree politically with his comment, and therefore should not have said it, that would be more troubling than what Bruce said.

[Waspinators]

I've made it a point to never give half of a crap about a musician's political views if they don't bash you over the head with it in their music. I could care less about Bruce's opinion on Obama or any candidate. I would've been a bit upset if he inappropriately stated all this during a show or publicized interview, but in a conversation with a fan? Talk all you want Bruce, as long as you show up and sing Disney Girls with its lyrics intact.

Going to see Ted Nugent for the second time in August. I think the guy is a total loon, but man can he make a guitar howl. Musicians are welcome to have any opinion and affiliation they want; I listen to them for the music.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

There is room enough for all sides of the political debate to have a say, whether recorded at a podium, a rally, or a fan meet-and-greet.  Bruce has as much right to say what he said there as anyone else in the industry, I give him credit no matter how much I may agree or disagree. It's the folks who would say Bruce was out of line because they don't agree politically with his comment, and therefore should not have said it, that would be more troubling than what Bruce said.

Agreed, although what he said does speak to a fairly large problem happening in the States right now.

[the professor]

I had posted this on another thread, but it applies here; I will not discuss politics nor the election with my fellow fans beyond this; I only care about the tour's success.


first time in 42 years, says Bruce.. . .

Now we are going beyond all dreams and expectations: the BB singing a cut from Sunflower, around the piano with Brian playing, ol' Al taking Carl's verse, elegant minimal accompaniment, Jeff being lovingly reverent and supportive (he has totally adjusted his Dodger stadium strategy).   This is not real. . ..

In other news, I see that Bruce offered some political analysis of the election. . .
Though a Republican, I prefer when my heroes stay out of politics, if only because I hope there is no backlash that hurts the BB and the sales. It's not "hip" among the young to be a Conservative (unless you're Johnny Ramone). I just hope it goes away.

Also, some thought my response o the Village Voice essay was harsh, but I want to do all I can to combat error and analysis that might dissuade any  listener from getting the album or listening to the single, etc.  Just trying to apply by craft to some BB defense.

 I also agree the the performance of TWG is evolving toward clarity and precision.  I hope that who ever is producing the official DVD that we will be buying from PBS of from whomever soon is vigilant about going a good job; they ought to have recorded various shows and chosen the best performances instead of banking on one.

thanks and best wishes to all my co-celebrants of all these marvelous events

[Les P]

All I can say is "ugh"...now in every interview, we'll probably have Brian and Mike, et al, asked their political opinions, or to comment on Bruce's comments.  Bruce does have the right to express his opinions, and it is unfortunate that someone felt the need to make the video public.  Gotta keep those good vibrations happening...

[Mr. Cohen]

I can respect Bruce for at least hating both candidates, but is Bruce not the epitome of the strangely conservative, money grubbing side of the Beach Boys? It reminds that Bruce probably never liked Smile and still doesn't like Smile.

[Aegir]

you guys are trusting a tabloid website? I can't imagine Bruce saying anything that profane or offensive in public. ever.

[Shady]

I saw this on TMZ, It's getting a lot of buzz..

Surprisingly people seem to be on Bruce's side

you guys are trusting a tabloid website? I can't imagine Bruce saying anything that profane or offensive in public. ever.

http://www.tmz.com/videos/0-quv0jwfc/?adid=rr_raw_uncut

 

[stack-o-tracks]

Lol, awesome. Maybe not a socialist and maybe not an asshole, but a terrible, terrible president. Way to have the balls to speak your mind, Bruce!

[Wirestone]

I think it's hysterical. I mean, I don't agree with the man, and as Andrew said, the fact that anyone accuses Obama of being a socialist is disconnected from the actual meaning of words. (I haven't seen him centralizing any means of production lately, if you catch my drift.) But clearly people can disagree on politics, and it's part of what makes our country great.

I do wonder if Bruce inherited all the Rite Aid money, which would certainly give him a different outlook than the rest of the band.

But anyway, the group has always been politically incoherent, which is one of their charms (I recall Brian saying in 08 that he was going to vote for McCain, because he made him "feel safe"). They want so badly to be hip, but they can't help but be a bunch of old white guys. And they've (as a group) always been so dedicated to abstract ideals (music, beauty, summer, etc.) that I can't ever find myself irritated with them over this kind of thing.

[AndrewHickey]

you guys are trusting a tabloid website? I can't imagine Bruce saying anything that profane or offensive in public. ever.

There's a video on the website. He's just chatting with fans, not saying it angrily or aggressively or anything, more mildly incredulous that they could support Obama.

[Aegir]

I saw this on TMZ, It's getting a lot of buzz..

Surprisingly people seem to be on Bruce's side

you guys are trusting a tabloid website? I can't imagine Bruce saying anything that profane or offensive in public. ever.

http://www.tmz.com/videos/0-quv0jwfc/?adid=rr_raw_uncut

 

well, there you go, he had no idea he was being filmed. I don't think we would've wanted this to get online.

[Wirestone]

I saw this on TMZ, It's getting a lot of buzz..

Surprisingly people seem to be on Bruce's side

you guys are trusting a tabloid website? I can't imagine Bruce saying anything that profane or offensive in public. ever.

http://www.tmz.com/videos/0-quv0jwfc/?adid=rr_raw_uncut

 

well, there you go, he had no idea he was being filmed. I don't think we would've wanted this to get online.

Bruce is a big boy. He's probably more tech-savvy than the rest of the band. He shouldn't be surprised.

[Rob Dean]

Ummm I don't do politics personally BUT every man has his right to freedom of speech , and to be honest who ever uploaded the vid should have thought better HOWEVER its like 1988 all over again , after Mikes rather controversial performance at the RRHOF what happened to the new BB's single YES it went to No1    

[stack-o-tracks]

I dunno about anybody else, but I enjoy hearing the band cussing. Especially now that they're old. Like when Brian is like "that about blew my fucking mind" or something similar in Beautiful Dreamer. I rewinded that like 5 times.

[guitarfool2002]

Rite Aid money? Seriously, how does that tie into this? Is that a thinly veiled critique of some kind?  

If Bruce had not lived and worked among Hollywood's wealthy elite since the 1960's, it might be worth mentioning. But again, all of this comes down agreeing or disagreeing with what he said. That's the bottom line, whether we want to admit it or not, and it has been the bottom line with everyone from Pete Seeger to Toby Keith to Green Day to Ted Nugent. Politics is an ugly business, but if these celebs want to take a dip in the pool, they have the right to do so.

[southbay]

I am sorry, but I found that article absolutely hilarious. I'm just going to move ahead and enjoy the rest of the summer now...

And BTW, did someone upthread intimate one can't be both a republican and a devotee of Smile? That's curious.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

My own personal opinion: Bruce is talking out of his arse, as are most Obama-haters in general. (He wants to get free healthcare available for the poor eh? Gee, what a socialist scumbag! What's that? He supports gay marriage? Well what a lousy president he is! I mean, can't he just stick to starting wars and cutting taxes for the rich...)

But anyway.. more generally Bruce's reported remarks are unhelpful as they reinforce the not-entirely-accurate assumption that the BB's are a bunch of right-wingers.

[Wrightfan]

I am sorry, but I found that article absolutely hilarious. I'm just going to move ahead and enjoy the rest of the summer now...

Exactly what I think. I don't get it when people see that someone is disagreeing with their beliefs and then refuse to watch or listen to any of their work.

I had done this with some liberal celebs years ago. It's just petty and stupid.

[stack-o-tracks]

My own personal opinion: Bruce is talking out of his arse, as are most Obama-haters in general. (He wants to get free healthcare available for the poor eh? Gee, what a socialist scumbag! What's that? He supports gay marriage? Well what a lousy president he is! I mean, can't he just stick to starting wars and cutting taxes for the rich...)

But anyway.. more generally Bruce's reported remarks are unhelpful as they reinforce the not-entirely-accurate assumption that the BB's are a bunch of right-wingers.

Not tryna get political, but how can Obama hand out free healthcare when medical costs are one of the biggest expenses our country? Last I heard he was trying to force everybody to pay for insurance, which one: is a scam, and two: millions of people can't afford.

[slickman9696]

This means the beach boys are back in the pop world's eye. I mean, who cares about mundane stuff like this on TMZ unless you're back! So congrats beach boys, you've done it!! I wonder who'll marry a Kardashian, or if there's another Love child out there (no pun intended).

By the by, I guess I should have stuck around or came early to the Beacon show. It looks like they were right under the main marquee there.

[PongHit]

He sounds drunk to me, anyone agree?