New Mike interview in HuffPost

[Bicyclerider]

Nobody knows what went on behind the scenes for the reunion. People saying that Brian should be in full control of the Beach Boys neglect to notice that Brian now says that he no longer sits down to create at a piano unless Joe Thomas is there. I'm glad that Brian has three albums in the pipeline, but part of me is wondering how much is Brian and how much is Joe Thomas. Nobody knows what Joe Thomas brings to the table because it's a little secretive what he does and what Brian does. We do know that autotune has increased since Joe Thomas has been around. I sort of wish the reunion had taken place without the use of Joe Thomas. Even if Brian needs a collaborator and he doesn't particularly want to write songs with Mike again, he has a band full of people he could collaborate with, and has in the past, including Scott and Darian. But I guess that's sort of off-topic. Then again, who knows how much dealing with Joe lead to pressures in the reunion that wouldn't have been there had he not been there. 

In any case, you can't force Mike to want to work in a situation that he doesn't like, and BRI is to blame for giving him an out and the ability to work as he has for years, and Brian voted for Mike to be able to do that a long time ago, so it's going in a circle again.  Mike isn't getting any younger, either, and stress is bad for him, too. Stress is bad for Brian, but he's happy being solo and working with Joe Thomas. Maybe Brian wanted to sabotage the reunion in his heart, if not in his mind or publicly. Al is the one with the biggest beef, and I do feel bad for him. In fact, I feel worse for Al than for Brian in that regard and wish that Mike would take him back in the touring band even if Brian does not tour with the BB anymore.

I hadn't heard this before - how did Joe Thomas go from persona non grata after Imagination to indispensable?  He can't sit down at a piano without  Joe, or is that hyperbole?  I suspect Joe's presence and influence in the album and the tour, and not just his songwriting partnership with Brian, may be behind Mike's bad feelings about the reunion tour and album, or at least his frustration.  But with Brian's history, Joe could be gone again tomorrow and never heard from again in the Beach Boys world.  However it's difficult to criticize his work with Brian on the final suite songs on TWGMTR, some of Brian's best work in years - or is it Joe's work?

[leggo of my ego]

 and everytime Mike is getting bashed Cam Mott Nicko Pinder show up to defend him.  

So... life goes on.

EDIT: And sometimes SIP Mike or Juice Bronston. sorry to leave you out. 

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Ok, let me look at it from a different angle.

>>> Brian never really grew up. He doesn't take reaponsability for his actions, dumps new best friends and collaborator like used underwear, was a crappy father to say the least.

>>> Dennis never grew up, was a womanizer, often had an asshole side when not sober.

Those are facts. I don't think anyone will dispute them. How would it feel to have dozens of active threads about Dennis and Brian making those same damn ponts everyday since... internet was invented? I mean, instead of 'Mike said don't f*** with the formula"... change it for "Brian gave cocaine to his daughters" and "Dennis threw away his solo career because he was a screwup". Every thread. Every day. For decades.

Boring, isn't it? I thought so.

This is exactly what I'm talking about! Excellent point, and no response from those that want to gripe about Mike Love.

Must.....not......respond........Must.....let .....this......condsending......whiney.........post.........speak......for.....itself.

[drbeachboy]

Ok, let me look at it from a different angle.

>>> Brian never really grew up. He doesn't take reaponsability for his actions, dumps new best friends and collaborator like used underwear, was a crappy father to say the least.

>>> Dennis never grew up, was a womanizer, often had an asshole side when not sober.

Those are facts. I don't think anyone will dispute them. How would it feel to have dozens of active threads about Dennis and Brian making those same damn ponts everyday since... internet was invented? I mean, instead of 'Mike said don't f*** with the formula"... change it for "Brian gave cocaine to his daughters" and "Dennis threw away his solo career because he was a screwup". Every thread. Every day. For decades.

Boring, isn't it? I thought so.

This is exactly what I'm talking about! Excellent point, and no response from those that want to gripe about Mike Love.

Must.....not......respond........Must.....let .....this......condsending......whiney.........post.........speak......for.....itself.

He's entitled to his opinion as much as you are to your own. I've seen you run off out of here when people disagree with your point of view on something. It's really hard to respond to different points of view in here, because everyone either gets in a snit over it or the dissenting point of view posters always act like smartasses in their replies. This "everyone has to be a comedian" thing is what causes most argumemnts. Here is a novel thought; how about we respect each others point of views and give well-thought out replies when we disagree on a point?

[Cam Mott]

and everytime Mike is getting bashed Cam Mott Nicko Pinder show up to defend him.  

So... life goes on.

EDIT: And sometimes SIP Mike or Juice Bronston. sorry to leave you out. 

You are welcome.

I miss OSD.

[Micha]

and everytime Mike is getting bashed Cam Mott Nicko Pinder show up to defend him.  

So... life goes on.

EDIT: And sometimes SIP Mike or Juice Bronston. sorry to leave you out. 

I feel left out. 

[leggo of my ego]

and everytime Mike is getting bashed Cam Mott Nicko Pinder show up to defend him.  

So... life goes on.

EDIT: And sometimes SIP Mike or Juice Bronston. sorry to leave you out. 

I feel left out. 

 

[Dancing Bear]

Ok, let me look at it from a different angle.

>>> Brian never really grew up. He doesn't take reaponsability for his actions, dumps new best friends and collaborator like used underwear, was a crappy father to say the least.

>>> Dennis never grew up, was a womanizer, often had an asshole side when not sober.

Those are facts. I don't think anyone will dispute them. How would it feel to have dozens of active threads about Dennis and Brian making those same damn ponts everyday since... internet was invented? I mean, instead of 'Mike said don't f*** with the formula"... change it for "Brian gave cocaine to his daughters" and "Dennis threw away his solo career because he was a screwup". Every thread. Every day. For decades.

Boring, isn't it? I thought so.

This is exactly what I'm talking about! Excellent point, and no response from those that want to gripe about Mike Love.

Must.....not......respond........Must.....let .....this......condsending......whiney.........post.........speak......for.....itself.

It will, for the ages. The lack of responses speak for itself, too. But I'd rather have my posts labeled as condescending than whiney, thank you sir.  

PS: I notice that maybe Newcombe's response was about Paul J's post, not mine. In this case I feel left out, too. 

[Iron Horse-Apples]

I notice that maybe Newcombe's response was about Paul J's post, not mine. In this case I feel left out, too. 

Yes, it was directed at Paul JB's.  In response to this continuous, dismissive "them and us" idiocy, (which is what actually what  creates the most arguments drbeachboy. I'm all for different points of view and am consistent in this matter)

To answer your point though Dancing Bear, I personally don't think the Wilson's are above criticism and your point does have some truth to it. However I can postulise  several reasons why there are multiple threads criticising Mike and hardly any on Dennis and Brian. These are not necessarily my opinions.

1) To most people Dennis and Brian (and Carl) were the main creative forces in the Beach Boys, and were very humble with it. Mike, to some, is the polar opposite.

2) Dennis and Brian lived rock n' roll lifestyles which,  rightly or wrongly is still seen as "cool". Mike is more like a conservative businessman.

3) Dennis and Brian come across as sensitive, artistic people. Mike comes across as arrogant and dismissive. He doesn't exactly make people want to nurture and protect him.

I could go on (and on and on), but I'm so fed up of this argument now.

[Cam Mott]

I notice that maybe Newcombe's response was about Paul J's post, not mine. In this case I feel left out, too. 

Yes, it was directed at Paul JB's.  In response to this continuous, dismissive "them and us" idiocy, (which is what actually what  creates the most arguments drbeachboy. I'm all for different points of view and am consistent in this matter)

To answer your point though Dancing Bear, I personally don't think the Wilson's are above criticism and your point does have some truth to it. However I can postulise  several reasons why there are multiple threads criticising Mike and hardly any on Dennis and Brian. These are not necessarily my opinions.

1) To most people Dennis and Brian (and Carl) were the main creative forces in the Beach Boys, and were very humble with it. Mike, to some, is the polar opposite.

2) Dennis and Brian lived rock n' roll lifestyles which,  rightly or wrongly is still seen as "cool". Mike is more like a conservative businessman.

3) Dennis and Brian come across as sensitive, artistic people. Mike comes across as arrogant and dismissive. He doesn't exactly make people want to nurture and protect him.

I could go on (and on and on), but I'm so fed up of this argument now.

Maybe, as someone else has said, all of that is because he was actively robbed of his due and money for his art and creativity for decades but held his tongue.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Believe it or not, I can see both sides.

Can you?

Can there be a general acceptance of the FACT that Mike is a controversial figure, without a single mention of haters, bashers or Brianistas. Maybe then we can have a proper discussion about this, to add to the other 299 discussions 

[Mike's Beard]

To answer your point though Dancing Bear, I personally don't think the Wilson's are above criticism and your point does have some truth to it. However I can postulise  several reasons why there are multiple threads criticising Mike and hardly any on Dennis and Brian. These are not necessarily my opinions.

1) To most people Dennis and Brian (and Carl) were the main creative forces in the Beach Boys, and were very humble with it. Mike, to some, is the polar opposite.

2) Dennis and Brian lived rock n' roll lifestyles which,  rightly or wrongly is still seen as "cool". Mike is more like a conservative businessman.
3) Dennis and Brian come across as sensitive, artistic people. Mike comes across as arrogant and dismissive. He doesn't exactly make people want to nurture and protect him.

I could go on (and on and on), but I'm so fed up of this argument now.

I honestly think this is roughly 80% of the reason people love to rag on Mike. That and the whole bald thing. To many Mike is the polar opposite of what a cool rock star should be. Mike, Al and Bruce were never 'cool'. They couldn't be if they tried. I can understand some teen fan finding that a problem but once you get past a certain age I think stuff like that should cease to be important. I know it did for me.

[Cam Mott]

Believe it or not, I can see both sides.

Can you?

I just did.

[Robbie Mac]

Conservative businessmen can be successful in the music biz, no question about that.

But the innovators are the ones who dare to take risks and  because of this will be remembered much more so than those who play it safe. Think of a businessman who doesn't dare to dream big in their field as opposed to someone like Steve Jobs who went for broke and watched his gamble pay off in astronomical ways.

Mike is a smart guy, but his innate unwillingness to take risks when they counted is one of many reasons why. I can't get aboard the Love Train.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Believe it or not, I can see both sides.

Can you?

I just did.

You did?

[Iron Horse-Apples]

Come on, who wants a hug?

[Cam Mott]

Believe it or not, I can see both sides.

Can you?

I just did.

You did?

Yes, I see how you are right about the other Boys and wrong about Mike.

[Iron Horse-Apples]

But....I'm not wrong about Mike. You are.

Your turn. 

[drbeachboy]

Conservative businessmen can be successful in the music biz, no question about that.

But the innovators are the ones who dare to take risks and  because of this will be remembered much more so than those who play it safe. Think of a businessman who doesn't dare to dream big in their field as opposed to someone like Steve Jobs who went for broke and watched his gamble pay off in astronomical ways.

Mike is a smart guy, but his innate unwillingness to take risks when they counted is one of many reasons why. I can't get aboard the Love Train.

The Beach Boys had a good mix within the band to be both conservative in business decisions, as well as innovators in music. Having a good mix of both keeps both sides in check. You also had Carl in the mix, as well. A middleman who could weigh in on both sides and help in the decision making and help steer the band. Even with all that in place, they still made many questionable decisions throughout their career.

[Cam Mott]

I don't remember if this is the right thread or not but here is what I found so far regarding Tony Asher. This was 1998, so first I was wrong on the date.

Me: Did you and Brian continue to work together into March and April when the "Boys" were doing most of the vocals? Did you have any input in the mixing?

Tony: I had gone back to work by then.  So, I was invited to a lot of sessions that I couldn't make it to.  I went to some, mostly in the evenings.  I also wasn't terribly well received at those sessions by "the boys".  I mean, there were often comments about the lyrics from the studio when they didn't know I was in the booth.  I didn't feel I particularly wanted to sit and listen to that crap.  I remember being at a couple of sessions with Danny Hutton and some other people in the booth.  Input?  Not really.  I suppose when I was there, Brian might have asked what I thought.  But I don't recall any particular input.

Me: Can you recall the titles done at some of those sessions and was one Boy bitching more than the others?

Tony: Not really.

I still remember Tony telling me or someone he wasn't really sure if the Boys were critiquing his lyrics or goofing around and also quoting some of the Boys' comments. Anybody remember seeing anything like that? I guess I'll dig through the old paper copy files.

[Cam Mott]

But....I'm not wrong about Mike. You are.

Your turn. 

I'm not either. Your turn.

[Nicko1234]

and everytime Mike is getting bashed Cam Mott Nicko Pinder show up to defend him.  

I think a lot of that comes down to the fact that some of the hatred of Mike is so extreme. As some other posters conform to the, 'Mike Love is worse than Hitler' viewpoint then it means that anyone who disagrees with that comes across as a 'Mike defender'.

Now if there were people saying, 'Mike is 100% wonderful' then, like many others, I would be listing his numerous faults including the crappy retro lyrics, the second lawsuit, the terrible clothes, nasal vocals etc.

The interview being discussed in this thread is innocuous and the fact it has 9 pages of replies sums up how extreme some of the anti-Mike feeling is...

[SurfRiderHawaii]

and everytime Mike is getting bashed Cam Mott Nicko Pinder show up to defend him. 

I think a lot of that comes down to the fact that some of the hatred of Mike is so extreme. As some other posters conform to the, 'Mike Love is worse than Hitler' viewpoint then it means that anyone who disagrees with that comes across as a 'Mike defender'.

Now if there were people saying, 'Mike is 100% wonderful' then, like many others, I would be listing his numerous faults including the crappy retro lyrics, the second lawsuit, the terrible clothes, nasal vocals etc.

The interview being discussed in this thread is innocuous and the fact it has 9 pages of replies sums up how extreme some of the anti-Mike feeling is...

Yeah, the interview is pretty benign (except for the humble remark). Just another chance  for a rumble of the two sides. All that's missing is the crazy, tension breaking, hilarious insanity of an OSD emoticon explosion.

[Jonathan Blum]

Yeah, the interview is pretty benign (except for the humble remark). Just another chance  for a rumble of the two sides. All that's missing is the crazy, tension breaking, hilarious insanity of an OSD emoticon explosion.

...More like "tension building".  This round's still grouchy, but way less snotty, and I'm preferring it that way.

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Yeah, the interview is pretty benign (except for the humble remark). Just another chance  for a rumble of the two sides. All that's missing is the crazy, tension breaking, hilarious insanity of an OSD emoticon explosion.

...More like "tension building".  This round's still grouchy, but way less snotty, and I'm preferring it that way.

Cheers,
Jon Blum

If his insane comedy posts gave you tension Jon you are taking it all way too seriously. Too bad you couldn't get the joke. It's only less snotty cause people don't wanna get banned, not because OSD is missing. In his last month, he posted like 10 times. Cheers indeed!