New Mike interview in HuffPost

[jamsvet]

 After all, BW getting his way only gave us the best music of his career, like PS.



Damn right. The great BW should be given free reign to compose and direct TBB. His brilliance and strong leadership skills will enable TBB to get back on top recording new material that hits number one on all charts. The evil that is ML will be relegated to being a backup bit player forever screeching in interviews, fallacies and falsehoods concerning the real God in the band.

[CenturyDeprived]

After all, BW getting his way only gave us the best music of his career, like PS.



Damn right. The great BW should be given free reign to compose and direct TBB. His brilliance and strong leadership skills will enable TBB to get back on top recording new material that hits number one on all charts. The evil that is ML will be relegated to being a backup bit player forever screeching in interviews, fallacies and falsehoods concerning the real God in the band.

To me, "BW getting his way" doesn't mean that ML is shut out of the creative process. Unfortunately there are massive egos involved. And much, much history.
Nor does  "BW getting his way" mean that ML = evil. It's not a black and white situation, never has been.

[Sheriff John Stone]

Who exactly are you arguing with that has that position, tho? Then they could answer your questions.

I thought my post was pretty clear. Sorry. I'll try to make it clearer.

Since the end of the reunion, there have been endless posts and shots aimed at Mike for supposedly, prematurely ending the BB reunion. An overwhelming number of these posts were written by Mike haters/Brian lovers. An overwhelming number of those posters also opined that Brian Wilson is better off without Mike Love, both in concert and in the studio. If that is what they believe - and that is how I interpret their opinions - then they should be happy that the reunion is over - AND THANKING MIKE! Brian is now free from Mike Love! In my opinion, wanting the reunion to continue, with Brian and Mike in the same band, and at the same time wanting Brian Wilson far, far away from Mike Love, is hypocritical.

I think many people, even if they have major issues with the Lovester, still think that his place in the band gives the project a deeper, emotional meaning, and adds something positive of value to the project (or at least has the potential to be positive).

But that isn't what they expressed in their posts. There is a direct relationship between the posters who are most negative about Mike Love, yet want(ed) Brian to continue to be associated with him in the reunited Beach Boys.

I keep using the term overwhelming but I can't think of a more accurate word. An overwhelming number of posters said that they DIDN'T want any more of Mike's "Beaches In Mind" and "Spring Vacation" lyrics with Brian's music. An overwhelming number of posters said that they prefer a BAD setlist as opposed to the surf & turf "hits" that Mike prefers. An overwhelming number of posters wanted no part of a Mike Love composition like "Daybreak Over The Ocean" on a Beach Boys' album. An overwhelming number of posters are looking forward to Brian's new solo album because it will be (and I'm paraphrasing posters) more artistic with possible suites - the kind that Mike wasn't isn't in favor of.

In this thread alone posters are calling Mike arrogant, divisive, and mentally ill. Posters are claiming that Mike is insensitive, mistreats a mentally ill individual, and doesn't love certain family members. They are criticizing his answers in BB-related interviews and even criticizing his wearing of hats.

And yet, those are the posters who wanted Brian Wilson to continue in a band with Mike Love? To continue to tour with Mike and record another album with Mike? For, as you stated, a deeper emotional meaning and something positive? It doesn't sound positive to me. Hey, I'm repeating myself and beating a dead horse. And, this is all I really wanted to say on the matter anyway. Thanks for reading. Seriously.

[CenturyDeprived]

Who exactly are you arguing with that has that position, tho? Then they could answer your questions.

I thought my post was pretty clear. Sorry. I'll try to make it clearer.

Since the end of the reunion, there have been endless posts and shots aimed at Mike for supposedly, prematurely ending the BB reunion. An overwhelming number of these posts were written by Mike haters/Brian lovers. An overwhelming number of those posters also opined that Brian Wilson is better off without Mike Love, both in concert and in the studio. If that is what they believe - and that is how I interpret their opinions - then they should be happy that the reunion is over - AND THANKING MIKE! Brian is now free from Mike Love! In my opinion, wanting the reunion to continue, with Brian and Mike in the same band, and at the same time wanting Brian Wilson far, far away from Mike Love, is hypocritical.

I think many people, even if they have major issues with the Lovester, still think that his place in the band gives the project a deeper, emotional meaning, and adds something positive of value to the project (or at least has the potential to be positive).

But that isn't what they expressed in their posts. There is a direct relationship between the posters who are most negative about Mike Love, yet want(ed) Brian to continue to be associated with him in the reunited Beach Boys.

I keep using the term overwhelming but I can't think of a more accurate word. An overwhelming number of posters said that they DIDN'T want any more of Mike's "Beaches In Mind" and "Spring Vacation" lyrics with Brian's music. An overwhelming number of posters said that they prefer a BAD setlist as opposed to the surf & turf "hits" that Mike prefers. An overwhelming number of posters wanted no part of a Mike Love composition like "Daybreak Over The Ocean" on a Beach Boys' album. An overwhelming number of posters are looking forward to Brian's new solo album because it will be (and I'm paraphrasing posters) more artistic with possible suites - the kind that Mike wasn't isn't in favor of.

In this thread alone posters are calling Mike arrogant, divisive, and mentally ill. Posters are claiming that Mike is insensitive, mistreats a mentally ill individual, and doesn't love certain family members. They are criticizing his answers in BB-related interviews and even criticizing his wearing of hats.

And yet, those are the posters who wanted Brian Wilson to continue in a band with Mike Love? To continue to tour with Mike and record another album with Mike? For, as you stated, a deeper emotional meaning and something positive? It doesn't sound positive to me. Hey, I'm repeating myself and beating a dead horse. And, this is all I really wanted to say on the matter anyway. Thanks for reading. Seriously.

I can't speak for others, but for me, I was really happy to see ML + BW working together again, and it seemed (likely due to glossy interviews which made things look more harmonious than was really happening) that their personalities could somehow mesh again. I would have liked to have believed that a corner was turned in their artistic/personal relationship. Maybe a corner was turned, to a degree. But it went sour anyhow soon enough.

I think people just wanted Mike to change in some way, to turn over a new leaf.  To be able to compromise (for longer than a few months) and be a team player. They want to see BW work again with that guy. But ain't gonna happen with that 72 year old feller, if he has (and ML does have) an out to the situation that makes him happier, damn the consequences. Hence the frustration. And the endless, admittedly circular discussions.

These guys are too different to be able to work together anymore. </stating the obvious>
 

[Dancing Bear]

One-trick ponies get very stale, very quickly, especially when that one trick is born out of true spite and anger. That he is no longer welcome here is the measure of exactly how "funny" he was.

He was a true fan who went to BBs shows for over 40 years, bought sunflower when it came out, and was always willing to tell BBs stories when asked.

There was no truer fan than oldsurferdude, the whole reason he didn't take a liking to Mike Love was he saw Mike's bad behavior and stage hogging in real time.

Too bad you never got to know Rob McCabe. You'd love him, I assure you. Our big "Lovely Conspiracy" kicked both out of this board. You may be next, behave.

[KittyKat]

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.

[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.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

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.

Yes, boring. Let's ban you too. 

[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.

Yes, boring. Let's ban you too. 

I'd open another Male Ego Meassage Board, it would great for everyone involved. 

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

It's also hard nowadays to know who actually hates Mike and who's just trolling this board

[SIP Mike]

I dont think anyone actually hates Mike. there's no reason for such negative rays amongst the sunshine

[Andrew G. Doe]

One-trick ponies get very stale, very quickly, especially when that one trick is born out of true spite and anger. That he is no longer welcome here is the measure of exactly how "funny" he was.

He was a true fan who went to BBs shows for over 40 years, bought sunflower when it came out, and was always willing to tell BBs stories when asked.

There was no truer fan than oldsurferdude, the whole reason he didn't take a liking to Mike Love was he saw Mike's bad behavior and stage hogging in real time.

Thanks for that clarification. Word up, people - if you didn't buy Sunflower when it came out, or went to shows for over 40 years, you are not, I repeat NOT, a true fan. Form an orderly queue for the exit, please, you're not wanted here unless you're a TRUE FAN. 

[Andrew G. Doe]

Because it's funny. You said it right there: him being such an asshole is part of the fun!

Bashing Mike is bashing Brian in a large part, as also it's bashing Dennis, Carl, Dave, and Al, Bruce as well.

Why stop there? Bashing Mike is like bashing America, freedom, the beach, oceans in general, kittens, Israelis AND Palestinians, your beloved grandma, Tesla cars, Tesla coils, and the band Tesla. It's a bit too late to de-asshole him, tho.  


 

You cropped off the best bit. 

[Jonathan Blum]

Since the end of the reunion, there have been endless posts and shots aimed at Mike for supposedly, prematurely ending the BB reunion. An overwhelming number of these posts were written by Mike haters/Brian lovers. An overwhelming number of those posters also opined that Brian Wilson is better off without Mike Love, both in concert and in the studio. If that is what they believe - and that is how I interpret their opinions - then they should be happy that the reunion is over - AND THANKING MIKE! Brian is now free from Mike Love! In my opinion, wanting the reunion to continue, with Brian and Mike in the same band, and at the same time wanting Brian Wilson far, far away from Mike Love, is hypocritical.

I'm not one of the people you were bitching about, but I do get where they're coming from.

The best situation, in their book, would be for Mike to accept his rightful place as one of Brian's messengers, and let the Beach Boys be run the way Brian wants:  touring together as much as Brian wants, making the records Brian wants.

But if they can't get a subservient Fantasy Mike?  Screw 'im.  Brian's better off without Actual Mike.

Me, I think it's *way* more complex than that -- but I can at least see their thinking there.  Why thank Mike for making Brian settle for the second-best thing?

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[Andrew G. Doe]

Since the end of the reunion, there have been endless posts and shots aimed at Mike for supposedly, prematurely ending the BB reunion. An overwhelming number of these posts were written by Mike haters/Brian lovers. An overwhelming number of those posters also opined that Brian Wilson is better off without Mike Love, both in concert and in the studio. If that is what they believe - and that is how I interpret their opinions - then they should be happy that the reunion is over - AND THANKING MIKE! Brian is now free from Mike Love! In my opinion, wanting the reunion to continue, with Brian and Mike in the same band, and at the same time wanting Brian Wilson far, far away from Mike Love, is hypocritical.

I'm not one of the people you were bitching about, but I do get where they're coming from.

The best situation, in their book, would be for Mike to accept his rightful place as one of Brian's messengers, and let the Beach Boys be run the way Brian wants:  touring together as much as Brian wants, making the records Brian wants.

Ah. I see someone changed the definition of "compromise" when my back was turned. 

[smile-holland]

A quote from Oldsurferdude:

wanna stay on this board? It's easy-just don't say anything negative about the lovester. He is a wonderful man who has a great voice and and is a true artist. He will go down in history as one of the greatest entertainers of all time far surpassing Frank Sinatra in phrasing, voice and charisma. Really.

Yup! And now OSD is permanently banned for criticizing the luvster.

We don't ban people here for being critical, whether it's being critical on ML, or BJ, of BW, or Capitol, or whatever one can be critical about. And OSD - not really a Mike Lover - wasn't banned for being critical on ML. It was the constant and repetitive character of his input that eventually got him banned permanently, despite several warning (and apart from the hooker-remark incident). Same happened with- for example - Phil Cohen with constantly questioning and critisizing the BB, BRI, management, and/or Capitol on - at the time not yet - BB releases (like MIC and the SMiLE sessions box). Criticism is fine, a messageboard can't exist without it. But when we notice that someone succeeds in – purposely – derailing a thread in a way that topics go out of control, we act on it.

As you all know – as we announced this earlier this year – the moderators have decided to be more strict on the rules (see welcome section). That doesn’t mean that by definition we take the right decision. But please do know that we don’t take decisions on banning light light-heartedly. And if you want to question on of our decisions, feel free to do so.

As for the “pot calling the kettle” remark (Oregon > AGD). Yes, AGD has a history as well, and since we started following the rules more strictly, there were 2 sanctions already. And we all know what a 3rd would mean. And I really hope that doesn’t happen, as I really also hoped it wouldn’t happen to OSD, or might happen to PhilC or any other member that already got a 1st or 2nd warning. We don't give warning-bans to people because we want to get rid of them, but because we want to make them aware that they should be aware of how they act on this board. And if you don't want to take those warnings seriously, then you have to question (as we do) if you have a future here as a member of this board.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

A quote from Oldsurferdude:

wanna stay on this board? It's easy-just don't say anything negative about the lovester. He is a wonderful man who has a great voice and and is a true artist. He will go down in history as one of the greatest entertainers of all time far surpassing Frank Sinatra in phrasing, voice and charisma. Really.

Yup! And now OSD is permanently banned for criticizing the luvster.

We don't ban people here for being critical, whether it's being critical on ML, or BJ, of BW, or Capitol, or whatever one can be critical about. And OSD - not really a Mike Lover - wasn't banned for being critical on ML. It was the constant and repetitive character of his input that eventually got him banned permanently, despite several warning (and apart from the hooker-remark incident). Same happened with- for example - Phil Cohen with constantly questioning and critisizing the BB, BRI, management, and/or Capitol on - at the time not yet - BB releases (like MIC and the SMiLE sessions box). Criticism is fine, a messageboard can't exist without it. But when we notice that someone succeeds in – purposely – derailing a thread in a way that topics go out of control, we act on it.

As you all know – as we announced this earlier this year – the moderators have decided to be more strict on the rules (see welcome section). That doesn’t mean that by definition we take the right decision. But please do know that we don’t take decisions on banning light light-heartedly. And if you want to question on of our decisions, feel free to do so.

As for the “pot calling the kettle” remark (Oregon > AGD). Yes, AGD has a history as well, and since we started following the rules more strictly, there were 2 sanctions already. And we all know what a 3rd would mean. And I really hope that doesn’t happen, as I really also hoped it wouldn’t happen to OSD, or might happen to PhilC or any other member that already got a 1st or 2nd warning. We don't give warning-bans to people because we want to get rid of them, but because we want to make them aware that they should be aware of how they act on this board. And if you don't want to take those warnings seriously, then you have to question (as we do) if you have a future here as a member of this board.

I appreciate your response and applaud the new efforts of rule enforcement.

As to OSD derailing a thread, I think his crazy emoticon filled posts more often than not defused heated debates with his tongue in cheek humor. Personally, what I read from him seemed harmless, yet I admit I am not aware of his history and full antics in the board.

[Micha]

One-trick ponies get very stale, very quickly, especially when that one trick is born out of true spite and anger. That he is no longer welcome here is the measure of exactly how "funny" he was.

He was a true fan who went to BBs shows for over 40 years, bought sunflower when it came out, and was always willing to tell BBs stories when asked.

There was no truer fan than oldsurferdude, the whole reason he didn't take a liking to Mike Love was he saw Mike's bad behavior and stage hogging in real time.

Thanks for that clarification. Word up, people - if you didn't buy Sunflower when it came out, or went to shows for over 40 years, you are not, I repeat NOT, a true fan. Form an orderly queue for the exit, please, you're not wanted here unless you're a TRUE FAN. 

Hey Andrew - you finally learned how to twist the words in people's mouths! I can't imagine though you're not a true fan by that definition...

Man, I tell you, I really suffered from OSD's postings, poor me. Glad he's gone.

[Niko]

I agree with Smile Brian. While he may have bothered people with his excessive Mike slandering, he was a real, passionate fan. The Beach Boys are his favorite band in the world, and he cares more than most about what happens to them.

Thanks for that clarification. Word up, people - if you didn't buy Sunflower when it came out, or went to shows for over 40 years, you are not, I repeat NOT, a true fan. Form an orderly queue for the exit, please, you're not wanted here unless you're a TRUE FAN. 

The fact he bought Sunflower 40 years ago just shows he's been a fan for a very long time, not that everyone who didn't buy the album at that time is not.
If you were serious in making that argument, I don't see why. Context was clearly given, and you chose to ignore it. The only case I would do something like that if I were trying to wind someone up.

[SMiLE Brian]

Another day, another attempt by AGD to wind people he doesn't agree with up....

[Dancing Bear]

OSD's amount of posts that didn't concern how much of a scumbag mike love is / mispelling names / praising mike bashing couldn't fill a page.

Whoever misses him can copy and paste his two main kinds of posts to their sig. It was almost a copy and paste exercise for him anyway... Then his spirit will live on. 

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

OSD's amount of posts that didn't concern how much of a scumbag mike love is / mispelling names / praising mike bashing couldn't fill a page.

Whoever misses him can copy and paste his two main kinds of posts to their sig. It was almost a copy and paste exercise for him anyway... Then his spirit will live on. 

Thank you. And he was not banned for his views expressed concerning Mike Love, either, like some seem to think. He'd been suspended twice previously before his banning.

I don't even know why I even bother continuing explaining as this keeps coming up.

[Cyncie]

Mike talks to an interviewer. He says stuff. People talk about the things he says, and talk about Mike himself. Opinions vary. Isn't that the way it's supposed to work on a discussion board?  Because of his history and bad PR, Mike is a polarizing figure. That's not going to change any time soon.

Maybe Mike just needs to stop giving interviews. Then there will be world peace.


And no. I'm not serious.

[Paul J B]

I agree with Smile Brian. While he may have bothered people with his excessive Mike slandering, he was a real, passionate fan. The Beach Boys are his favorite band in the world, and he cares more than most about what happens to them.

Thanks for that clarification. Word up, people - if you didn't buy Sunflower when it came out, or went to shows for over 40 years, you are not, I repeat NOT, a true fan. Form an orderly queue for the exit, please, you're not wanted here unless you're a TRUE FAN. 

The fact he bought Sunflower 40 years ago just shows he's been a fan for a very long time, not that everyone who didn't buy the album at that time is not.
If you were serious in making that argument, I don't see why. Context was clearly given, and you chose to ignore it. The only case I would do something like that if I were trying to wind someone up.

OSD is not a bigger fan than most and his posts here were nothing but trolling. The fact that Smile Brian is defending him should tell you something, because I have noticed that every time there is a thread about Mike Love, Smile Brian is right there with an unfavorable comment about Mike. There have been some great points raised in this thread, and as usual, those that don't like Mike never respond to said great points. They just continue to try to make the case that Mike sucks ignoring a lot of facts.

I brought Endless Summer when it came out and saw nearly 20 BB's concerts between 1975 and up until Carl died. And since Carl died 5 Brian shows and the BB's 50th. So what does that make me.

[Paul J B]

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.