The Whole Is Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts

[Sheriff John Stone]

Mike and Bruce provide a fine touring band, who effectively present the Beach Boys' music with a comprehensive setlist, performed by outstanding musicians and singers.

Al can also assemble a nice band of old and new faces and voices who present a positive, "folky", professional show to a small but loyal following.

David is a talented guitarist (and singer) who should be seen and heard - more!

And, Brian not only has a band of loyal, dedicated, and talented musicians, but is the only Beach Boy recording albums on a consistent basis.

So, each individual faction has something unique to offer, and we should be grateful that we have those options, but....

As a loyal fan of The Beach Boys - and that's what you are if you're reading this message board - are the above configurations something you really want? After hearing The Beach Boys new album and hopefully seeing them in concert, is this something you want to go back to?

I'm not asking what you think will happen....or maybe I am. What I really want to know is - What do you honestly wish would happen after the reunion tour wraps up? And why?

I'll go first. Mike and Bruce do a good show, but with Al, David, and Brian they do a great show. I have no desire to hear any more solo records from Al, and I probably will never attend one of his Endless Summer Family And Friends Of The Beach Boys' concerts. I still don't know the real reason(s) why David was not the replacement for Carl when Carl passed, but he should continue as a member of the Beach Boys.

And then there's Brian. For me personally, I think his live shows have run their course, and, as far as his recordings go, doesn't That's Why God Made The Radio demonstrate what was missing from his solo albums, and how much more The Beach Boys can ADD to his records. Do you really want more of his solo albums? Well, maybe you do. Please discuss....

[Exapno Mapcase]

I would have much preferred to hear the Boys' voices on Brian's solo work, but I draw the line at the kind of lyrics Love seems to have supplied to Spring Vacation and Beaches in Mind.

[Lowbacca]

I will continue to buy and love everything Brian puts out, solo or with the BBs. I love most of his solo stuff (91,3% of it, counting each released track).
Al's next solo LP is probably slated for a 2015 release, which means we will get a digital version in 2018 and a physical release in 2020 (if music is still being physically released then). So.. yeah...
Mike and Bruce probably won't release anything new (that isn't a new BBs LP) in their remaining time on earth.

As to the various touring bands.. living in Germany there's really only either Brian's summer tours or the rare Mike&Bruce concert for me. I've seen Brian twice, both times are among the best days of my life (hitherto), and I would go to see him again - although at this point I can't expect anything really new (maybe 2-3 tracks off a new solo LP of his... MAD in 2009 war breathtaking), and I know chances of another European tour are getting thinner each year.  

Realistically speaking, Mike&Bruce will continue to do their shtick without missing a beat (maybe accompanied by Al and/or David), while Brian will be psyched to have some peace and quiet after the reunion. After some recreation he will produce another studio effort - maybe for the BBs, but probably solo. Although I'd love to see another group effort in the wake of TWGMTR, then to be released in summer 2013.  

[mjforever]

In a perfect world, Brian would continue to tour for another five years with the Beach Boys but these days it seems he is bored, not doing well physically, and is just there cause he was talked into it and nostalgic reasons. I don't want to see the Beach Boys end cause Brian is not a part of the group. I would pay to see Mike and Bruce with or without David ANY day of the week. I would also love to see Al with Family and Friends.

The world will not end because Brian is taking a break. In fact, I am sure he will have another solo tour in the future.

[JohnMill]

In a perfect world, Brian would continue to tour for another five years with the Beach Boys but these days it seems he is bored, not doing well physically, and is just there cause he was talked into it and nostalgic reasons. I don't want to see the Beach Boys end cause Brian is not a part of the group. I would pay to see Mike and Bruce with or without David ANY day of the week. I would also love to see Al with Family and Friends.

The world will not end because Brian is taking a break. In fact, I am sure he will have another solo tour in the future.

I agree and disagree.  I understand realistically that it is not feasible for BW to tour with The Beach Boys everywhere they go from here on out.  Touring has never been Brian's thing to be quite honest and I've always felt privileged to see him when I get the chance for that very reason.  That being said I've never considered what Mike and Bruce have taken on the road since Carl's passing to be "The Beach Boys".  I can't really describe it but in the same vein I've never understood people who go to see Paul McCartney simply because it's the closest you can get to seeing a "Beatles concert" these days.  I've seen Macca a few times myself back in the nineties but I haven't gone in recent years because I know he's going to base the majority of his show around "Beatles songs" and I'm just not into hearing Paul and a backing band perform Beatles songs.

I don't know if that makes any sense but it's probably why I avoid the Mike and Bruce incarnation of The Beach Boys as well.

[rab2591]

Al's next solo LP is probably slated for a 2015 release, which means we will get a digital version in 2018 and a physical release in 2020 (if music is still being physically released then). So.. yeah...

_______

What would I like to see happen?

I don't know. Part of me wants another Beach Boys album. The other part of me wants TWGMTR to be their final statement to the world.

[Lowbacca]

I don't know if that makes any sense but it's probably why I avoid the Mike and Bruce incarnation of The Beach Boys as well.

Because Mike and Bruce have such an impeccable combined solo catalogue they could fill their setlists with?  

Just imagine a gig exclusively consisting of (released and unreleased) solo stuff by Mike and Bruce...   Oh, the horror.

[JohnMill]

Al's next solo LP is probably slated for a 2015 release, which means we will get a digital version in 2018 and a physical release in 2020 (if music is still being physically released then). So.. yeah...

_______

What would I like to see happen?

I don't know. Part of me wants another Beach Boys album. The other part of me wants TWGMTR to be their final statement to the world.

Honestly I'm at the point now that whatever makes the band happy is fine by me.  That isn't so much an altruistic statement as it is the fact that these guys at this stage in their career have earned the right to perform and record under whatever guise they please.  Now that the obvious is out of the way, realistically I believe that unless BW puts his foot down and refuses to participate in any further "Beach Boys" projects that this probably isn't the end.  These guys aren't oblivious to the fact that this tour is probably drawing them more coin than anything they've done in decades and given the overall positive reactions both the album and tour have gotten I just don't think it's realistic to believe that the band is going to call it a day after this tour.

I'm not even sure that BW wants to see that happen as Joe Thomas mentioned that BW purposely changed the title of the record because he didn't want it to be or at least sound like it was going to be the final Beach Boys record.

[guitarfool2002]

In a perfect world, Brian would continue to tour for another five years with the Beach Boys but these days it seems he is bored, not doing well physically, and is just there cause he was talked into it and nostalgic reasons. I don't want to see the Beach Boys end cause Brian is not a part of the group. I would pay to see Mike and Bruce with or without David ANY day of the week. I would also love to see Al with Family and Friends.

The world will not end because Brian is taking a break. In fact, I am sure he will have another solo tour in the future.

I agree and disagree.  I understand realistically that it is not feasible for BW to tour with The Beach Boys everywhere they go from here on out.  Touring has never been Brian's thing to be quite honest and I've always felt privileged to see him when I get the chance for that very reason.  That being said I've never considered what Mike and Bruce have taken on the road since Carl's passing to be "The Beach Boys".  I can't really describe it but in the same vein I've never understood people who go to see Paul McCartney simply because it's the closest you can get to seeing a "Beatles concert" these days.  I've seen Macca a few times myself back in the nineties but I haven't gone in recent years because I know he's going to base the majority of his show around "Beatles songs" and I'm just not into hearing Paul and a backing band perform Beatles songs.

I don't know if that makes any sense but it's probably why I avoid the Mike and Bruce incarnation of The Beach Boys as well.

Excellent post. I can absolutely relate to what you say about Paul McCartney. I was one who simply could not wait to see the man live when he hit the road again back in, what was it, 89 or 90? I can't remember the year, but it was his first tour in years, and the band with Hamish, Wix, Robbie, Linda, etc. Flowers In The Dirt? I still have the program, buttons, t-shirts, etc...I have to dig them out to confirm. I remember so many details about the preparation for this, including calling a ticket hotline repeatedly on a Saturday morning at 10AM to get tickets, which turned out to be upper-deck at the old Veterans Stadium at Philly. I was super excited as a Beatle freak, and this was the closest I'd get especially at that time and at that age. Great show, I was moved to tears several times, and the band was spot-on terrific. A fantastic show and experience, quite expensive at the time but well worth it.

I did the same for Brian's "comeback" solo tour, hanging on the phone for tickets, seeing him with some really good seats at Symphony Hall in Boston, waiting on the street entrance to backstage clutching the DCC Pet Sounds cover for a signature, as the band filed in followed by Brian...incredible. Again, moved to tears and feeling like this was a watershed moment for me as a fan. The Smile tour...same way.

But having had numerous opportunities to see Paul McCartney live in the 20+ years since, I have not gone. While he has expanded the setlist and released new material with a crack new band (I went to school with the drummer  ), I chose not to go. I felt as if I had seen what I needed to see and could cross it off my "bucket list". I'm happy with the memories, and honestly I saw him do Hey Jude and have the crowd extend the singalong ending with everyone waving and belting out the na-na's, I don't need to experience that again even though it would be a nice show to see. It's not as much of a priority now as it was then.

That takes nothing away from Paul or Brian, but those earlier shows were such a catharsis and an intimate experience for me, I'm content to leave it at that. I don't mean that to sound dismissive or derisive in any way, but what JohnMill says about McCartney live is something that rang true for me as well.

[c-man]

Well said, Sheriff.  I agree.

[JohnMill]

In a perfect world, Brian would continue to tour for another five years with the Beach Boys but these days it seems he is bored, not doing well physically, and is just there cause he was talked into it and nostalgic reasons. I don't want to see the Beach Boys end cause Brian is not a part of the group. I would pay to see Mike and Bruce with or without David ANY day of the week. I would also love to see Al with Family and Friends.

The world will not end because Brian is taking a break. In fact, I am sure he will have another solo tour in the future.

I agree and disagree.  I understand realistically that it is not feasible for BW to tour with The Beach Boys everywhere they go from here on out.  Touring has never been Brian's thing to be quite honest and I've always felt privileged to see him when I get the chance for that very reason.  That being said I've never considered what Mike and Bruce have taken on the road since Carl's passing to be "The Beach Boys".  I can't really describe it but in the same vein I've never understood people who go to see Paul McCartney simply because it's the closest you can get to seeing a "Beatles concert" these days.  I've seen Macca a few times myself back in the nineties but I haven't gone in recent years because I know he's going to base the majority of his show around "Beatles songs" and I'm just not into hearing Paul and a backing band perform Beatles songs.

I don't know if that makes any sense but it's probably why I avoid the Mike and Bruce incarnation of The Beach Boys as well.

Excellent post. I can absolutely relate to what you say about Paul McCartney. I was one who simply could not wait to see the man live when he hit the road again back in, what was it, 89 or 90? I can't remember the year, but it was his first tour in years, and the band with Hamish, Wix, Robbie, Linda, etc. Flowers In The Dirt? I still have the program, buttons, t-shirts, etc...I have to dig them out to confirm. I remember so many details about the preparation for this, including calling a ticket hotline repeatedly on a Saturday morning at 10AM to get tickets, which turned out to be upper-deck at the old Veterans Stadium at Philly. I was super excited as a Beatle freak, and this was the closest I'd get especially at that time and at that age. Great show, I was moved to tears several times, and the band was spot-on terrific. A fantastic show and experience, quite expensive at the time but well worth it.

I did the same for Brian's "comeback" solo tour, hanging on the phone for tickets, seeing him with some really good seats at Symphony Hall in Boston, waiting on the street entrance to backstage clutching the DCC Pet Sounds cover for a signature, as the band filed in followed by Brian...incredible. Again, moved to tears and feeling like this was a watershed moment for me as a fan. The Smile tour...same way.

But having had numerous opportunities to see Paul McCartney live in the 20+ years since, I have not gone. While he has expanded the setlist and released new material with a crack new band (I went to school with the drummer  ), I chose not to go. I felt as if I had seen what I needed to see and could cross it off my "bucket list". I'm happy with the memories, and honestly I saw him do Hey Jude and have the crowd extend the singalong ending with everyone waving and belting out the na-na's, I don't need to experience that again even though it would be a nice show to see. It's not as much of a priority now as it was then.

That takes nothing away from Paul or Brian, but those earlier shows were such a catharsis and an intimate experience for me, I'm content to leave it at that. I don't mean that to sound dismissive or derisive in any way, but what JohnMill says about McCartney live is something that rang true for me as well.

Well I kind of see Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson as two different animals when it comes to their solo performances.  To put it simply, I don't think Brian "needs" The Beach Boys as much as Paul McCartney "needs" The Beatles in a live setting.  For me the infamous comment made by the anonymous backing band member regarding the differences between a BW solo tour and the current tour kind of sums it up for me as far as Brian goes:

Brian is one of those unique performers who can fit in comfortably in both theater and arena settings.  What he does as a solo performer is sustainable in it's own right because it's almost like you are going to see a great composer perform his catalog instead of a rock show.  The Beach Boys on the other hand are a rock show and having Brian integrated into that atmosphere has worked out pretty well because he's not required to MC the shows or to ham it up with the audience.  He leaves that stuff to Mike and is therefore able to focus the majority of his attention on the music which is essentially what he does at his solo gigs.  Now obviously there are always going to be some ripples in the road when it comes to Brian and live performances but I think most of the fanbase understands and accepts that.

With McCartney, I just think that he's never been a solo performer and he has admitted as much himself on several occasions.  But I think ever since Wings disbanded and John Lennon was assassinated, he's never truly found his niche.  Now he's obviously made some great music since 1980 but I think he stopped challenging himself creatively as a performer since that time.   He kind of allowed himself to become "rock's elder statesman" and certainly has become the torch carrier of The Beatles' legacy neither role which at least in my opinion has suited him well.  To be fair perhaps these roles were thrust upon him but after the loss of John Lennon it seemed to me that McCartney lost that fire in his belly that he had in the sixties and seventies.  I think he gradually came to terms with the fact that his legacy will always be tied to The Beatles, something he desperately tried to fend off when he was with Wings and has comfortably settled into a routine where he takes to the stage with young musicians who won't challenge him creatively and simply serve as his backing band and they give the audience "The Beatles Rock & Revival Show as interpreted by Paul McCartney"

For me it was never like that with Brian Wilson.  While I'll admit there are some similarities between how both men tour (young backing band, basing their shows around sixties hits) with Brian it seems he has found a way to change the game up just enough to keep things interesting whether it be the album tours of "Pet Sounds" and "SMiLE" (which in enough of itself was a occasion of some significance given that record's long history) or touring TLOS as a complete record instead of just dropping a few songs off the record into a set filled with sixties standards which is how most of his contemporaries map out their shows.  

I'll close here because I've written a lot and am starting to ramble but to me there is a fundamental difference between what Brian Wilson has done with his solo gigs and what Paul McCartney does with his.

[Alex]

Maybe the reason Macca lost his fire is because he died in `66 and Billy Shears just never had that fire to begin with.

[guitarfool2002]

I wasn't comparing the two, Brian and Paul, either, I hope what I said didn't translate that way. I mentioned Brian because going to *his* solo shows was a necessity for me as a fan and as someone influenced by his music, especially on his first tour/shows and when Smile first hit the road. I had to see them, as I just had to see Paul. But I've seen Paul, and am happy with that. Depending on the project and what was being presented, I wouldn't hesitate to see Brian again. None of the shows I've seen Brian do so far have felt like I was watching something I had already seen, and that's what kept it vital for me.

[Runaways]

i'd like brian to work in the studio at his leisure while the rest of the band tours.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Yes.

[EgoHanger1966]

I am so glad The Beach Boys got together for this tour over the summer. They made (and are making) a lot of their fans happy and raking in the $$$ too.

It's awful hard for the Mike/Bruce band to go back travelling as The Beach Boys - although I wonder how many people actually care that Brian's there? (obviously, all of us, but I mean people who aren't obsessed with this band but just like to go to the concerts).

I would like to see Brian do more solo albums. TWGMTR is a really good Beach Boys album, but now that we know Brian can write stuff like Shelter and From There To Back Again, I would like to see as many albums with material in that vein without the Mike Love beaches/having a blast now that we're 70/etc element.
I'm not trying to hate on Mike, but imagine a full album of new Brian material, all sung by him.

[Paulos]

i'd like brian to work in the studio at his leisure while the rest of the band tours.

 Agreed!

[JanBerryFarm]

Variety is the spice of life.

[Sheriff John Stone]

None of the shows I've seen Brian do so far have felt like I was watching something I had already seen, and that's what kept it vital for me.

I'm not disagreeing or picking on you, guitarfool2002 ; I respect your opinion. But that ^ is one of the reasons why I am NOT excited about going back to the old set up.

At first, absolutely it was thrilling seeing Brian in concert. For a couple of shows actually. But, the novelty kinda wore off and I was experiencing diminishing returns. The music was always the star, but I think you need more. With Brian is was always him sitting in the stool behind an inaudible piano, looking terribly uncomfortable being the center of attention, not interacting with the band, not interacting with the audience, workmanlike going through the songs, and getting the hell out of there.

I don't mean to diminish the shows. Some of them I enjoyed very much. But, I don't have the enthusiasm or even curiosity anymore. I know what I'm gonna get - too much so actually. Now, some of you will say that Brian is acting precisely that same way on this current reunion tour. Well, yes and no. I'm enjoying watching Brian more relaxed, playing more keyboards, interacting (albeit sparsely) with his bandmates, not feeling the pressure to sing every song (including Mike's leads which were awkward for him). This set up seems to make more sense for a 70-something year old Brian Wilson. And, with this lineup and backing band, there's so many cool ways to go. Even with contending with Mike's stubbornness, this incarnation of The Beach Boys could do almost any kind of concert. I get excited just thinking about it.

We've had the debate before about whether or not touring is good or enjoyable for Brian, with his condition(s) and everything. I have several opinions about it - pro and con - but I do think it is good therapy for Brian. He has to get up, move around, associate with people, keep commitments, and be creative. Those are good things I think. I just think, if he's gonna do any live shows, it would better for him - and of course the fans (who am I kidding) - if he did it the way he is doing it right now. As part of the group, not THE solo artist. I'm not talking about full tours, but maybe the occasional show or group of shows.

[Justin]

One detail we seem to be all overlooking is the logistics of the backing band.  Since most of them are Brian's guys...they will most likely follow him wherever he goes.  So if Brian decides to take some time off...would the Wondermints stick with the Mike/Bruce show?  Eh, doubt it.  If Brian decides to come back would he feel comfortable playing with Mike's usual team instead of the Wondermints?  Or would he bring back the Wondermints again?   Would they come back? 

It seems to me that consistency puts Brian at ease; makes him comfortable.  Having his old crew up there during this tour is a huge help.  I can't see him being this "at home" when he's up there with a whole batch of different musicians that he's not worked with before.  The Mike/Bruce show is already set for  South American shows in October...no doubt with their old group backing them up.  I can't see that making it easier for Brian to jump in again any time he wants...

[Sheriff John Stone]

Good points, Justin. And, major issues to consider, no doubt. What would you personally like to see after this reunion tour concludes?

[guitarfool2002]

None of the shows I've seen Brian do so far have felt like I was watching something I had already seen, and that's what kept it vital for me.

I'm not disagreeing or picking on you, guitarfool2002 ; I respect your opinion. But that ^ is one of the reasons why I am NOT excited about going back to the old set up.

At first, absolutely it was thrilling seeing Brian in concert. For a couple of shows actually. But, the novelty kinda wore off and I was experiencing diminishing returns. The music was always the star, but I think you need more. With Brian is was always him sitting in the stool behind an inaudible piano, looking terribly uncomfortable being the center of attention, not interacting with the band, not interacting with the audience, workmanlike going through the songs, and getting the hell out of there.

I don't mean to diminish the shows. Some of them I enjoyed very much. But, I don't have the enthusiasm or even curiosity anymore. I know what I'm gonna get - too much so actually. Now, some of you will say that Brian is acting precisely that same way on this current reunion tour. Well, yes and no. I'm enjoying watching Brian more relaxed, playing more keyboards, interacting (albeit sparsely) with his bandmates, not feeling the pressure to sing every song (including Mike's leads which were awkward for him). This set up seems to make more sense for a 70-something year old Brian Wilson. And, with this lineup and backing band, there's so many cool ways to go. Even with contending with Mike's stubbornness, this incarnation of The Beach Boys could do almost any kind of concert. I get excited just thinking about it.

We've had the debate before about whether or not touring is good or enjoyable for Brian, with his condition(s) and everything. I have several opinions about it - pro and con - but I do think it is good therapy for Brian. He has to get up, move around, associate with people, keep commitments, and be creative. Those are good things I think. I just think, if he's gonna do any live shows, it would better for him - and of course the fans (who am I kidding) - if he did it the way he is doing it right now. As part of the group, not THE solo artist. I'm not talking about full tours, but maybe the occasional show or group of shows.

My view of seeing an artist live is probably different from others' views, especially in seeing them multiple times. I am glad I only saw Brian do Smile live one time, though I could have seen more. I'm glad I only saw him do (fill in the year, fill in the album...) tour one time, because ultimately I'd feel like I was watching the same thing all over again. I'm also not near as much of a live fan as I am a studio fan, especially with certain artists or bands, so I may actually be more excited about a new studio project than any new tours. There are tours and albums which I have avoided, for my own aesthetic reasons, but they will remain nameless. Basically I just wasn't that into them. That's my bag. So I never felt that Brian was repeating himself because I never saw him do it in person.

It's something of a conundrum wrapped up in a Catch-22 held together by a Gordian Knot whenever talking about the appeal and careers of Brian, The Beach Boys, etc. One size definitely does not fit all when it comes to fans of this group and the members, and mine can be a little unorthodox. I'm not one who runs out to buy anything Brian does, or whatever product may be the one being offered at any given time unless it really appeals to me.

I think, as mentioned, Brian has established himself as a solo artist and has what appears to be a very loyal inner circle of musicians who will stay with him...at least that's the way it would seem. I can see Brian releasing more albums, actually I hope he does, and whether or not he tours behind those albums will of course be his decision.

Ultimately I think 2012 happened because everyone not only wanted to do it but I have to think they really felt like they had to do it. The notion that these guys among all the battles and the drama would never get back on stage with each other or had nothing more to contribute with each other musically seems to have been false all along, and they showed us that with a very, very solid album and tour.

But I also wouldn't go too far and suggest that what each entity had going on their own, as solo artists or even as Mike and Bruce, or Brian and his band, will be dismissed entirely in favor of a permanent Beach Boys touring show. I don't think that was part of the plan when all this got worked out logistically.

Brian will release new albums, and possibly do a much smaller-scale mini-tour behind it. Mike and Bruce will continue to carry on the Beach Boys name as they have been doing for years now. Al will release new albums, play shows, and in general be Al. David could fit in with any of these projects apart from his own musical projects as they may happen, and he'd be a welcome addition as he has been one of the brightest highlights of all the shows so far. The backing musicians will probably go back to their own corners and do what they've done for the last 10 years.

If I'm wrong and the full Beach Boys as we're seeing now would suddenly usurp all the other solo careers, it would be interesting, a bit shocking, and of course a great thing to hear the results. But who thinks that would be a real possibility, no matter how much the fans want it?

[Justin]

Good points, Justin. And, major issues to consider, no doubt. What would you personally like to see after this reunion tour concludes?

Thanks Sheriff.  I must say that I can agree with your points about perhaps Brian stopping his own solo shows.  It's funny, ask me a year ago I would've said..."Nah, Brian should tour whenever he wants for as long as he can!"  But now after seeing 7 shows on this reunion: I only want to see Brian back with the Beach Boys.  No doubt we'd all want that for obvious reasons but honestly, I see Brian much more at ease with his old friends for all the reasons you state: more interaction, a little more into the performances and better yet: the load of being the "frontman" is shared with Mike (and the others).  So with that said, I too would love for Brian to permanently stay with the Beach Boys (but if he does decide to do more solo work, I'll accept that too).

In a perfect world, I'd love for Brian to decide that he's going to stop the solo work and focus his attention to all Beach Boy work from here on out: all studio work will be for the BB and he will join them when he's not in the studio.  With Brian's announcement that he's permanently off the road as a solo performer, the Wondermints would stay with the Mike/Bruce group; their only "carrot in the stick" is that Brian will come back to tour when he wants...but they do still have Al and Dave in the group. (And yes, in the real world, this would never happen)  But then Brian would have to find a whole new batch of musicians to record new music in the studio while the Wondermints are out on tour with the Beach Boys!  Sigh.  In a way, this scenario won't even work either.

The bottom line is, things can continue just the way they are if only Mike and Bruce stop the CONSTANT touring and take breaks and basically follow Brian's old schedule (and follow the schedule of any normal band):  Tour....break....record new album....tour....break.  The Mike/Bruce show is CONSTANTLY on the road and that's the main problem here.  That is a huge clash with Brian's schedule and really the one issue that prevents this entire thing from continuing on without any snags.  If only Mike and Bruce decide to lay off the constant touring, there is hope that Brian and the Wondermints can permanently stick around.  Until then, the machine keeps going:  Mike and Bruce will always be on the go.

[Wirestone]

In a perfect world, Brian would continue to tour for another five years with the Beach Boys but these days it seems he is bored, not doing well physically, and is just there cause he was talked into it and nostalgic reasons. I don't want to see the Beach Boys end cause Brian is not a part of the group. I would pay to see Mike and Bruce with or without David ANY day of the week. I would also love to see Al with Family and Friends.

The world will not end because Brian is taking a break. In fact, I am sure he will have another solo tour in the future.

He is doing perfectly fine physically. I watched him two days ago. He is not bored. He was not talked into the reunion; it was his idea. You simply do not have the faintest idea what you're talking about.

[guitarfool2002]

I may be assuming too much, but from the history of the Wondermints going back to the 1980's, the loyalties of the band members and the band in general have leaned more toward Brian than anyone. The contributions to LLVS, the obscure cover songs at gigs, the whole Brian-fandom in general leading up to what was the dream gig of first playing music with Brian then creating music with Brian, and one of the band members even riding in a Rose Bowl float with Brian and his family and becoming by all accounts a trusted friend...doesn't history suggest if Brian isn't signed up for a Beach Boys tour, they'll follow his lead? And it might go back to the way it was, in, say, 2011?

Unless, as I said the last post, all of what we know as "normal" activity for the band members is suddenly replaced by the Beach Boys en masse as they are now. The question is: Temporary or permanent?