Go to Man vs Clown for Stephan Love's most recent comments.

[oldsurferdude]

OhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhYeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! If this is really Steve, he's the mahn! Have fun reading,

[Danimalist]

"He really got into transcendental meditation, and just wouldn’t stop writing shitty songs about it."

Priceless.

[drbeachboy]

All This Is That is not even close to being shi**y and it's about TM. Question, why do you guys keep bringing this sh*t up all of the time? You guys really need to grow-up, just a little, even.

[stack-o-tracks]

Kind of strange how a bunch of people "in the know" have popped out of the woodwork in the past couple months. Lorren Daro, Ray Lawlor, now Steve Love.

[drbeachboy]

Kind of strange how a bunch of people "in the know" have popped out of the woodwork in the past couple months. Lorren Daro, Ray Lawlor, now Steve Love.

That Man vs Clown posting is from 2006. Old news and sour grapes.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Kind of strange how a bunch of people "in the know" have popped out of the woodwork in the past couple months. Lorren Daro, Ray Lawlor, now Steve Love.

That Man vs Clown posting is from 2006. Old news and sour grapes.

Erm, carefully re-read the title of the thread.

[Danimalist]

On Chinese blogs and message boards, there are people called "wu mao dang" (50 cent party). It is said that they are given 50 cents for every time they shoot down a post that says something negative about the Communist Party.

It seems that Mike has a similar group of defenders here. I'd suggest that Mike is paying them each 50 cents a post, but we all know that he'd take at least a half of that for his co-writing credit.

[drbeachboy]

On Chinese blogs and message boards, there are people called "wu mao dang" (50 cent party). It is said that they are given 50 cents for every time they shoot down a post that says something negative about the Communist Party.

It seems that Mike has a similar group of defenders here. I'd suggest that Mike is paying them each 50 cents a post, but we all know that he'd take at least a half of that for his co-writing credit.

No, we use Common Sense when assessing the music and the band. Unlike the few of you who never give up the ghost no matter how much it is proved to you that Mike was not the sole evil incarnate person in the group. I see it as Common Sense versus Idiocy.

[Danimalist]

On Chinese blogs and message boards, there are people called "wu mao dang" (50 cent party). It is said that they are given 50 cents for every time they shoot down a post that says something negative about the Communist Party.

It seems that Mike has a similar group of defenders here. I'd suggest that Mike is paying them each 50 cents a post, but we all know that he'd take at least a half of that for his co-writing credit.

No, we use Common Sense when assessing the music and the band. Unlike the few of you who never give up the ghost no matter how much it is proved to you that Mike was not the sole evil incarnate person in the group. I see it as Common Sense versus Idiocy.

That was fifty cents well earned! I'd suggest finding "Looking Back with Love" in the cutout bin and purchasing it. You can use the other quarter for "Rock 'n Roll City."

[drbeachboy]

On Chinese blogs and message boards, there are people called "wu mao dang" (50 cent party). It is said that they are given 50 cents for every time they shoot down a post that says something negative about the Communist Party.

It seems that Mike has a similar group of defenders here. I'd suggest that Mike is paying them each 50 cents a post, but we all know that he'd take at least a half of that for his co-writing credit.

No, we use Common Sense when assessing the music and the band. Unlike the few of you who never give up the ghost no matter how much it is proved to you that Mike was not the sole evil incarnate person in the group. I see it as Common Sense versus Idiocy.

That was fifty cents well earned! I'd suggest finding "Looking Back with Love" in the cutout bin and purchasing it. You can use the other quarter for "Rock 'n Roll City."

That was over 30 years ago. There are lots of things over that time that can hashed to death, but what really matters is how things are going in the here and now. I have Mike's solo album, as well as every other band member's, as well. Bar Dennis' album, they were all hit & miss, so what does that prove with Mike? Nothing that doesn't also apply to Bruce, Al, Carl or even Brian in some cases. So what's the point? None that I can see.

[JanBerryFarm]

Mike's album is actaully more listenable than either of Carl's albums on which many of the songs sound like out-takes of the previous song or verse-vica.

[Danimalist]

On Chinese blogs and message boards, there are people called "wu mao dang" (50 cent party). It is said that they are given 50 cents for every time they shoot down a post that says something negative about the Communist Party.

It seems that Mike has a similar group of defenders here. I'd suggest that Mike is paying them each 50 cents a post, but we all know that he'd take at least a half of that for his co-writing credit.

No, we use Common Sense when assessing the music and the band. Unlike the few of you who never give up the ghost no matter how much it is proved to you that Mike was not the sole evil incarnate person in the group. I see it as Common Sense versus Idiocy.

That was fifty cents well earned! I'd suggest finding "Looking Back with Love" in the cutout bin and purchasing it. You can use the other quarter for "Rock 'n Roll City."

That was over 30 years ago. There are lots of things over that time that can hashed to death, but what really matters is how things are going in the here and now. I have Mike's solo album, as well as every other band member's, as well. Bar Dennis' album, they were all hit & miss, so what does that prove with Mike? Nothing that doesn't also apply to Bruce, Al, Carl or even Brian in some cases. So what's the point? None that I can see.

Please provide links to Mike's solo equivalent to these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVlIFVJLP8I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEPXYBNMcfs

What's in the "here and now" is Mike, in his late years,  trying desperately to rehabilitate his image and ride the Wilson coattails even further by suddenly dishing out praise for both PS and Smile...but still somehow always dropping in the genius of "Kokomo."

[drbeachboy]

On Chinese blogs and message boards, there are people called "wu mao dang" (50 cent party). It is said that they are given 50 cents for every time they shoot down a post that says something negative about the Communist Party.

It seems that Mike has a similar group of defenders here. I'd suggest that Mike is paying them each 50 cents a post, but we all know that he'd take at least a half of that for his co-writing credit.

No, we use Common Sense when assessing the music and the band. Unlike the few of you who never give up the ghost no matter how much it is proved to you that Mike was not the sole evil incarnate person in the group. I see it as Common Sense versus Idiocy.

That was fifty cents well earned! I'd suggest finding "Looking Back with Love" in the cutout bin and purchasing it. You can use the other quarter for "Rock 'n Roll City."

That was over 30 years ago. There are lots of things over that time that can hashed to death, but what really matters is how things are going in the here and now. I have Mike's solo album, as well as every other band member's, as well. Bar Dennis' album, they were all hit & miss, so what does that prove with Mike? Nothing that doesn't also apply to Bruce, Al, Carl or even Brian in some cases. So what's the point? None that I can see.

Please provide links to Mike's solo equivalent to these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVlIFVJLP8I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEPXYBNMcfs

What's in the "here and now" is Mike, in his late years,  trying desperately to rehabilitate his image and ride the Wilson coattails even further by suddenly dishing out praise for both PS and Smile...but still somehow always dropping in the genius of "Kokomo."

Hey, what else is an aging rock star to do? You can't change what's already been done, but you can acknowledge your errors and move on, which I think this Reunion has taught us well. I'd rather see this from Mike than reading this tripe that you have been posting. What Mike and the band is doing, heals. What you do is try to rub salt in old wounds. I'll take what Mike is doing, thank you.

[Wirestone]

I don't know anything about Mike's personal motivations. I've heard the most recent solo album, and it's certainly better than previous exposure to Mike's solo work would suggest. That doesn't mean it's good, exactly, but it's certainly listenable. And at least a couple of songs (Cool Head among them) are excellent.

That all being said, I think a lot of recent reconsideration of Mike on this board isn't based on thinking that he's a creative equal to Brian Wilson, or even Carl. It's about appreciating the very real abilities he brought to the group in their most popular years -- that is, as an agile Chuck Berry-style lyricist, a compelling front man and a distinctive lead vocalist. You don't even have to think he's a nice guy to appreciate these things -- they're just self-evidently true.

I've been a huge critic of Mike over the years. I think he's done some appalling things. After the suit over BWPS, I swore I'd never forgive him. And yet, Brian did. And in watching two full shows of the reunited band, there's no question who was the glue that held the stage show together. It was Mike. And he wasn't doing it solely for himself -- he was doing it for his band, and for the music.

[Danimalist]

This myth that Mike's abilities as a frontman were necessary for the early and continued success of the Beach Boys is a complete fallacy. Mike has no particular talents as a frontman; that Brian surpassed him even in this is evidenced here, beginning at 3:05: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdYb3MaJ4K8

Even in the '80s, when Brian was hardly at his best, his stage charisma, connection with the audience and witty banter shine through. Mike looks like a Hee Haw reject in comparison.

[stack-o-tracks]

Brian was so obviously drugged up in that video. No way you'd see Brian Wilson doing that in a straight state of mind.

[drbeachboy]

This myth that Mike's abilities as a frontman were necessary for the early and continued success of the Beach Boys is a complete fallacy. Mike has no particular talents as a frontman; that Brian surpassed him even in this is evidenced here, beginning at 3:05: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdYb3MaJ4K8

Even in the '80s, when Brian was hardly at his best, his stage charisma, connection with the audience and witty banter shine through. Mike looks like a Hee Haw reject in comparison.

I've seen Brian many times and witty he is not. Funny? Yes, once in a while. Brian does the minimum connecting with his audience and generally needs prodding from Jeff. Brian is, well, Brian and his fans know what to expect out of him. You really need to post at Brian's board. You seem to be a typical Brianista. I shouldn't expect more than what you offer.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

You really need to post at Brian's board. You seem to be a typical Brianista.

Here we go. "Brianista" is now the "commie" of revisionist Beach Boys fans.

[drbeachboy]

And there you are again. We have stop meeting like this. Eveyone here posts their opinion and I am giving mine. This Brian is a better frontman than Mike is seriously stupid. Even Brian would tell you that.

[Aegir]

Just stopping by to post a picture of me and Looking Back with Love, taken the day I got it in the mail after purchasing it on ebay, 6 years ago.

I haven't been that happy in a long time.

[MBE]

I don't know anything about Mike's personal motivations. I've heard the most recent solo album, and it's certainly better than previous exposure to Mike's solo work would suggest. That doesn't mean it's good, exactly, but it's certainly listenable. And at least a couple of songs (Cool Head among them) are excellent.

That all being said, I think a lot of recent reconsideration of Mike on this board isn't based on thinking that he's a creative equal to Brian Wilson, or even Carl. It's about appreciating the very real abilities he brought to the group in their most popular years -- that is, as an agile Chuck Berry-style lyricist, a compelling front man and a distinctive lead vocalist. You don't even have to think he's a nice guy to appreciate these things -- they're just self-evidently true.

I've been a huge critic of Mike over the years. I think he's done some appalling things. After the suit over BWPS, I swore I'd never forgive him. And yet, Brian did. And in watching two full shows of the reunited band, there's no question who was the glue that held the stage show together. It was Mike. And he wasn't doing it solely for himself -- he was doing it for his band, and for the music.

Great post.

[Sheriff John Stone]

And in watching two full shows of the reunited band, there's no question who was the glue that held the stage show together. It was Mike. And he wasn't doing it solely for himself -- he was doing it for his band, and for the music.

That is true, and thank you for pointing it out.

However, that HAS BEEN TRUE for 50 years. You are commenting on two recent shows. I've seen the Beach Boys in concert about 30 times since 1978, and Mike did the same things at all of those shows that he is doing now. Mike was the funny one; the audience ALWAYS laughed at his jokes and one-liners. Most people that I observed thought the "Be True To Your School" intro/schtick was funny. During shows that Brian was present, Mike ALWAYS acknowledged Brian's genius songwriting. Mike always pointed out the beautiful vocals from Cousin Carl Wilson. He usually made a point to acknowledge another band member who wrote a particular song (like "Disney Girls" by Bruce or "Lady Lynda" by Al) that they were performing. At the few concerts I attended that David Marks was with the group, Mike made a point to acknowledge his presence and his "King Of The Surf Guitar" playing.

I always thought Mike was "doing it for his band and the music". All of the other nonsense was "off the court" if you will. So many fans are NOW commenting about how good Mike sounds and how funny he is and how he mentions the others and on and on. HE WAS ALWAYS LIKE THAT ON STAGE!

[Danimalist]

This myth that Mike's abilities as a frontman were necessary for the early and continued success of the Beach Boys is a complete fallacy. Mike has no particular talents as a frontman; that Brian surpassed him even in this is evidenced here, beginning at 3:05: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdYb3MaJ4K8

Even in the '80s, when Brian was hardly at his best, his stage charisma, connection with the audience and witty banter shine through. Mike looks like a Hee Haw reject in comparison.

I've seen Brian many times and witty he is not. Funny? Yes, once in a while. Brian does the minimum connecting with his audience and generally needs prodding from Jeff. Brian is, well, Brian and his fans know what to expect out of him. You really need to post at Brian's board. You seem to be a typical Brianista. I shouldn't expect more than what you offer.

The great thing about reactionaries is their responses are so predictable. It's not a coincidence that the reactionaries also tend to be Mike Lovers, given their likely shared ideological preferences. Frankly, though, I didn't expect you to swallow this quite so easily. But, you proved my point, hook, line and sinker. Thank you for playing.

[drbeachboy]

This myth that Mike's abilities as a frontman were necessary for the early and continued success of the Beach Boys is a complete fallacy. Mike has no particular talents as a frontman; that Brian surpassed him even in this is evidenced here, beginning at 3:05: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdYb3MaJ4K8

Even in the '80s, when Brian was hardly at his best, his stage charisma, connection with the audience and witty banter shine through. Mike looks like a Hee Haw reject in comparison.

I've seen Brian many times and witty he is not. Funny? Yes, once in a while. Brian does the minimum connecting with his audience and generally needs prodding from Jeff. Brian is, well, Brian and his fans know what to expect out of him. You really need to post at Brian's board. You seem to be a typical Brianista. I shouldn't expect more than what you offer.

The great thing about reactionaries is their responses are so predictable. It's not a coincidence that the reactionaries also tend to be Mike Lovers, given their likely shared ideological preferences. Frankly, though, I didn't expect you to swallow this quite so easily. But, you proved my point, hook, line and sinker. Thank you for playing.

I don't come here to play childish games. Please do not respond to my posts and I will do like wise with yours. Oh, and kiss off.

[pixletwin]

I am not anywhere near anything resembling a "Mike Lover" but I can acknowledge the obvious: Mike is a natural on stage. The audiences eat him up. His jokes are cheesy and some are a bit old. But he has a great stage presence and you can tell he really really enjoys it. Brian, on the other hand has never liked being on stage. His jokes often elicit "WTF" reactions from those who don't know him as well as some here do, and he always (even on his best of days) comes off as not wanting anything more than to finish a performance and get off the stage.