Official thread for Brian & Al's Official Response to Mike/Bruce Band Tour in the LA Times

[HeyJude]

I think the tour and the album was a classic case of lightening caught in a bottle: to try and repeat it again next year without the impetus of the 50th anniversary could very well be a huge mistake. I never expected the shows to be this good or the album to be anything like as great as it is. Go out on a high. Leave them wanting more. Preserve the legend.

However, this being The Beach Boys, the likelihood of them trying to repeat an unrepeatable triumph is pretty high.

This is surely why it's easier for some to dismiss those who are upset with Mike stalling more reunion activities. If you actively WANT the reunion to disband and go away forever, then it's easy to start with the "sheesh, you KNEW it was going to go back to Mike and Bruce" stuff.

I again can only reiterate that while I can understand a sort of resigned "well, it was good while it lasted and this is what was probably going to happen anyway" attitude from a fan, I just don't get actively wishing against more of those amazing shows we saw this summer. 61 songs on a single night with FIVE Beach Boys on stage. That's worth attempting to continue, even if it did fall flat on its face (though I see no reason why it would).

The Beach Boys' legacy will not change based on the reunion continuing in 2013 and maybe not living up to some arbitrary expectations.

[Mikie]

Hey, Ontor Pertwat.  

What the hell's wrong with being a Brianista.  You say that like it's a bad thing - like he's revealing that he's a Nazi or somethin'.

[Wirestone]

Nothing to do with my contact with Bruce, rather a lot to do with considering the current farrago dispassionately and ignoring all the media assumptions. Everyone agreed to do 50 shows, then agreed to do 20-odd more. Then Brian & Alan decide they want to carry on, and of course that makes Mike - who also agreed to the extension - the Bad Guy. Tell me, if it was Mike wanting to carry on and Brian sticking to the mutually agreed and contracted gameplan, would there be such a fuss ?  That's a rhetorical question, BTW: we all know the answer to that one.

But this is true. Brian and Al want to do more shows. Mike doesn't. That DOES make Mike the bad guy in this scenario, because he's putting the breaks on it at this moment in time.

As for if the situation was reversed, I can't speak to anybody else's opinion (or the weird "blue board" straw man that keeps getting brought up), but I would be JUST as bummed if Brian was saying no to more reunion shows in the face of everybody else wanting to do it. Even then it probably wouldn't be the same scenario, because of course Brian would then be turning around to do SOLO shows, not "Beach Boys" shows.

The major part of Brian's vocal fanbase carries far more weight then the more common-sense oriented folks here. So a discussion of that viewpoint should factor in. If The Beach Boys never work together again, that virulent group of people are partly to blame, though they shouldn't, because The Beach Boys should take no notice whatsoever of what anyone thinks, other than those in the group itself. Even the handlers and managers should be tossed aside.

By this logic, people who are Mike's fans should therefore be credited if we end up with peace in the Middle East.

[ontor pertawst]

Hey, Ontor Pertwat.  

What the hell's wrong with being a Brianista.  You say that like it's a bad thing - like he's revealing that he's a Nazi or somethin'.

Ooo, I see what you did there. Clever.

Yeah, apparently it's an insult! Tho not as much as twat...

[HeyJude]

  When we didn't know there was any ability to compose a greater "Beach Boys" touring band, then Mike using the name for his show was accepted (or at least tolerated), but some fans feel differently now.

If the fanbase didn't know that ability even existed, what does that say about their faith?

I don't even think about how much "faith" fans have in the BB's. It makes no difference to me. Results are what matter. The reunion tour was awesome, and a fan that "knew it all along" and a fan that "never thought it could happen" can agree on that, so our faith or skepticism beforehand doesn't matter.

[ontor pertawst]

(nervously kicks Al Jardine prayer beads under desk and whistles innocently)

Yeah, I have to admit I just want more shows. I even moved to LA last year so feel like if they continue, I've got a nice shot at seeing slightly more shows than back east. So it's purely selfishness at witnessing such fine entertainment and wanting it to continue... which I admit, didn't think I would feel by this point. When I first heard about it, it sure seemed like a bad idea but they kinda proved me wrong. So if it can change for a dopey fan, I can see why it could change for some of the BBs...

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

I think the tour and the album was a classic case of lightening caught in a bottle: to try and repeat it again next year without the impetus of the 50th anniversary could very well be a huge mistake. I never expected the shows to be this good or the album to be anything like as great as it is. Go out on a high. Leave them wanting more. Preserve the legend.

However, this being The Beach Boys, the likelihood of them trying to repeat an unrepeatable triumph is pretty high.

Mike and Bruce alone calling themselves the Beach Boys is a huge mistake.
They just flat out sound better together.
If anything, those two doing that alone, is hurting their legacy.

[Wirestone]

I think the tour and the album was a classic case of lightening caught in a bottle: to try and repeat it again next year without the impetus of the 50th anniversary could very well be a huge mistake. I never expected the shows to be this good or the album to be anything like as great as it is. Go out on a high. Leave them wanting more. Preserve the legend.

However, this being The Beach Boys, the likelihood of them trying to repeat an unrepeatable triumph is pretty high.

Mike and Bruce alone calling themselves the Beach Boys is a huge mistake.
They just flat out sound better together.
If anything, those two doing that alone, is hurting their legacy.

This is precisely where I part ways with Andrew's logic as well. If the triumph is never to be repeated, then surely it destroys the rationale for further Mike and Bruce shows under TBB banner, yes?

And if it doesn't, then where's the harm in pushing for a larger, more representative group? I don't think anyone would necessarily expect the exuberance of this summer to continue, but I could sure go for hearing Al and Dave in the lineup, with Brian dropping by when he can. Even without the 50 backing band members!

[I. Spaceman]

Nothing to do with my contact with Bruce, rather a lot to do with considering the current farrago dispassionately and ignoring all the media assumptions. Everyone agreed to do 50 shows, then agreed to do 20-odd more. Then Brian & Alan decide they want to carry on, and of course that makes Mike - who also agreed to the extension - the Bad Guy. Tell me, if it was Mike wanting to carry on and Brian sticking to the mutually agreed and contracted gameplan, would there be such a fuss ?  That's a rhetorical question, BTW: we all know the answer to that one.

But this is true. Brian and Al want to do more shows. Mike doesn't. That DOES make Mike the bad guy in this scenario, because he's putting the breaks on it at this moment in time.

As for if the situation was reversed, I can't speak to anybody else's opinion (or the weird "blue board" straw man that keeps getting brought up), but I would be JUST as bummed if Brian was saying no to more reunion shows in the face of everybody else wanting to do it. Even then it probably wouldn't be the same scenario, because of course Brian would then be turning around to do SOLO shows, not "Beach Boys" shows.

The major part of Brian's vocal fanbase carries far more weight then the more common-sense oriented folks here. So a discussion of that viewpoint should factor in. If The Beach Boys never work together again, that virulent group of people are partly to blame, though they shouldn't, because The Beach Boys should take no notice whatsoever of what anyone thinks, other than those in the group itself. Even the handlers and managers should be tossed aside.

By this logic, people who are Mike's fans should therefore be credited if we end up with peace in the Middle East.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

I think the tour and the album was a classic case of lightening caught in a bottle: to try and repeat it again next year without the impetus of the 50th anniversary could very well be a huge mistake. I never expected the shows to be this good or the album to be anything like as great as it is. Go out on a high. Leave them wanting more. Preserve the legend.

However, this being The Beach Boys, the likelihood of them trying to repeat an unrepeatable triumph is pretty high.

Mike and Bruce alone calling themselves the Beach Boys is a huge mistake.
They just flat out sound better together.
If anything, those two doing that alone, is hurting their legacy.

This is precisely where I part ways with Andrew's logic as well. If the triumph is never to be repeated, then surely it destroys the rationale for further Mike and Bruce shows under TBB banner, yes?

And if it doesn't, then where's the harm in pushing for a larger, more representative group? I don't think anyone would necessarily expect the exuberance of this summer to continue, but I could sure go for hearing Al and Dave in the lineup, with Brian dropping by when he can. Even without the 50 backing band members!

Mike and Bruce are great in their own right, but they hadn't wrote a darn thing for like 20 years. As soon as Brian came back, stuff got done. Amazing stuff. Just give the guy his rights back. Win-win for everyone!

[Mikie]

You know, this same damn argument has been going on since Mike aquired the Beach Boys name after Al was fired after Carl died in '98.

Seems like it took the reunion this year for you to realize the Mike & Bruce show ain't like the REAL Beach Boys and that the there's nothing like the original members on tour. Many of you think the M & B band are good (they are) but pass off the fact that the Mike & Bruce band consists of Mike's kid and ex Papa-Do Run Run members (and other Beach Boys knock-off bands) and have finally concluded the facts after seeing the originals perform live and are giving preferential treatment where it's due.

Congratulations.

[Jim V.]

I think the tour and the album was a classic case of lightening caught in a bottle: to try and repeat it again next year without the impetus of the 50th anniversary could very well be a huge mistake. I never expected the shows to be this good or the album to be anything like as great as it is. Go out on a high. Leave them wanting more. Preserve the legend.

However, this being The Beach Boys, the likelihood of them trying to repeat an unrepeatable triumph is pretty high.

Mike and Bruce alone calling themselves the Beach Boys is a huge mistake.
They just flat out sound better together.
If anything, those two doing that alone, is hurting their legacy.

This is precisely where I part ways with Andrew's logic as well. If the triumph is never to be repeated, then surely it destroys the rationale for further Mike and Bruce shows under TBB banner, yes?

And if it doesn't, then where's the harm in pushing for a larger, more representative group? I don't think anyone would necessarily expect the exuberance of this summer to continue, but I could sure go for hearing Al and Dave in the lineup, with Brian dropping by when he can. Even without the 50 backing band members!

I think you guys are just plain giving Andrew too much credit. He is only arguing in defense of the Love/Johnston scheme because he's buddies with Bruce. There really isn't any rationale beyond that. Just like during a divorce, usually the husbands' friends agree with the husband, and the wives friends agree with the wife. That's why Andrew is so behind ending this thing. It's obvious.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I know I'm the biggest Mike apologist ever, blah blah, but I really wish he's just either give up the name or have it taken away from him.....

It was fine (and even commendable) for Mike and Bruce to be out there carrying the torch when a reunited group wasn't even a possibility and Brian was off saying he couldn't stand Mike Love and all that. But now that the reunited "50 Th" group wants to keep going: it just seems pathetic for the Mike/Bruce show to keep rolling BEYOND whatever already booked gigs there are....... I understand where Mike's head might be, but if it really is about keeping the name alive and the fans, there's only one logical way to go....

I also wouldn't want to go see Brian/Al/Dave to go out as "The Beach Boys" either.

[Pretty Funky]

I know I'm the biggest Mike apologist ever, blah blah, but I really wish he's just either give up the name or have it taken away from him.....

It was fine (and even commendable) for Mike and Bruce to be out there carrying the torch when a reunited group wasn't even a possibility and Brian was off saying he couldn't stand Mike Love and all that. But now that the reunited "50 Th" group wants to keep going: it just seems pathetic for the Mike/Bruce show to keep rolling BEYOND whatever already booked gigs there are....... I understand where Mike's head might be, but if it really is about keeping the name alive and the fans, there's only one logical way to go....

I also wouldn't want to go see Brian/Al/Dave to go out as "The Beach Boys" either.

That!

Will be interesting to see what happens when the rights are next up for renewal.

[guitarfool2002]

I have to admit, without trying to take sides too much, that after seeing "The Beach Boys" perform as one group and hearing their new recordings in 2012, it might be hard to go back to the way it was with the fractured groups each doing their own thing. I suppose that is the pitfall of having an overwhelmingly successful reunion tour and album with everyone available on board and participating to create that beautiful "whole", then having to go separate ways.

[Don Malcolm]

When are the rights up for renewal, BTW?? 

[Andrew G. Doe]

I think you guys are just plain giving Andrew too much credit. He is only arguing in defense of the Love/Johnston scheme because he's buddies with Bruce. There really isn't any rationale beyond that. Just like during a divorce, usually the husbands' friends agree with the husband, and the wives friends agree with the wife. That's why Andrew is so behind ending this thing. It's obvious.

Aside from insulting all those who agree with me off their own bat - which is all of them - if you truly believe what you've written then you're an even bigger fool than I've always assumed you are.  

BTW, I'm in complete agreement with the view that The Beach Boys (2012) are something better than Mike's, Brian's or Alan's bands. I just can't see a hypothetical BB (2013) sustaining, or even approaching, such heights.

[filledeplage]

I think the tour and the album was a classic case of lightening caught in a bottle: to try and repeat it again next year without the impetus of the 50th anniversary could very well be a huge mistake. I never expected the shows to be this good or the album to be anything like as great as it is. Go out on a high. Leave them wanting more. Preserve the legend.

However, this being The Beach Boys, the likelihood of them trying to repeat an unrepeatable triumph is pretty high.

Mike and Bruce alone calling themselves the Beach Boys is a huge mistake.
They just flat out sound better together.
If anything, those two doing that alone, is hurting their legacy.

This is precisely where I part ways with Andrew's logic as well. If the triumph is never to be repeated, then surely it destroys the rationale for further Mike and Bruce shows under TBB banner, yes?

And if it doesn't, then where's the harm in pushing for a larger, more representative group? I don't think anyone would necessarily expect the exuberance of this summer to continue, but I could sure go for hearing Al and Dave in the lineup, with Brian dropping by when he can. Even without the 50 backing band members!

I think you guys are just plain giving Andrew too much credit. He is only arguing in defense of the Love/Johnston scheme because he's buddies with Bruce. There really isn't any rationale beyond that. Just like during a divorce, usually the husbands' friends agree with the husband, and the wives friends agree with the wife. That's why Andrew is so behind ending this thing. It's obvious.

Andrew merely pointed out inconsistencies.  It did not impress me that there was favoritism or a position at all.  I agree with this.  

But, there is likely to be some amelioration and strategy to find a hybrid formula that will allow for whole group involvement as well as non-whole group.  I find it pretty disrespectful to disregard the work and time invested by the
Touring Band who "played by the rules" to the benefit of all.  

Everyone grew by leaps and bounds; Brian, with all this really fabulous work, Al, with his album, and Mike, who kept it all going, since the loss of Carl.    

It isn't a fan decision.  It is a band decision, ultimately, with all the facts before them.   This is not a time for attack, I don't think but, to step back and assess the situation and find their own bearings.  I bet they will.  

[Doo Dah]

This is rapidly turning into one of those endless circular political debates; they commence with well worded, well researched observations and then degenerate into 'you're a NAZI' and 'you're a Libtard' etc., etc., etc...

And the fact that Andrew is quick to tar and feather anyone who doesn't share his myopic pro-M&B opinion as a 'Blooey' or a 'Brianista'...well, I've lost a lot of respect for you Andy. A lifetime of research into the band doesn't entitle you to lord over us great unwashed Brianistas.

To all you unrepentant Mike supporters, hang in there. Soon the traveling donkey show will come to your town and you can get all jiggy wit' it. As for me, I'll stay home and remember it how it was (and should be).  

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I don't think most unrepentant Mike supporters WANT the Mike/Bruce show to come to their town! You don't have to hate Mike with a passion in order to scratch your head at his seeming determination to keep the economy class "Beach Boys" rolling......

In fact no one HAS to hate Mike with a passion either..... It's so easy to just love the Beach Boys warts n all.

[ontor pertawst]

Stop being so damn reasonable, Erik! Yeah, I do love 'em all. I hope they manage to work it out for next year, I want to spring for better seats at the Bowl!

[Doo Dah]

You know, this will be quickly ridiculed in some quarters I know, but should M&B visit the Pacific NW I'm really considering picketing the show. I picketed a Browns game during the '87 NFL strike (in support of the striking players) and while I got lots of abuse from arriving fans I also received a lot of support from the NBC network union members.

A simple sign - "Tonight's show is bullshit. This is not the Beach Boys"

It appeals to my inner martyr. Might just do it.

[Wirestone]

The thing is, if you had a fuller band -- but operating at half the intensity of this summer's shows -- it would (to me) be twice as preferable as going back to the status quo.

You know, this will be quickly ridiculed in some quarters I know, but should M&B visit the Pacific NW I'm really considering picketing the show. I picketed a Browns game during the '87 NFL strike (in support of the striking players) and while I got lots of abuse from arriving fans I also received a lot of support from the NBC network union members.

A simple sign - "Tonight's show is bullsh*t. This is not the Beach Boys"

It appeals to my inner martyr. Might just do it.

I was wondering who would be the first to suggest that. If you could get sizable groups doing the picketing, think of the news stories!

[Andrew G. Doe]

A lifetime of research into the band doesn't entitle you to lord over us great unwashed Brianistas.

I think you'll find it does. Check the small print: paragraph 6, section 3, clause vii.  

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

You know, this will be quickly ridiculed in some quarters I know, but should M&B visit the Pacific NW I'm really considering picketing the show. I picketed a Browns game during the '87 NFL strike (in support of the striking players) and while I got lots of abuse from arriving fans I also received a lot of support from the NBC network union members.

A simple sign - "Tonight's show is bullsh*t. This is not the Beach Boys"

It appeals to my inner martyr. Might just do it.

If you do so, PLEASE swing by and pick up OSD on your way and hand him a megaphone!!!!