New Mike Love Interview

[Pacific Coast]

My friend Carl Koz did an interview with Mike Love recently.

Wide-ranging conversation (27-min)  including: new music in the live shows, early Beach Boys songs versus mature art, the battle for songwriting credits and other insider drama, the reunion and future plans.

Check it out: http://archives.radiotitans.com/Kozversations/Kozversation%20w%20Mike%20Love%202.mp3

[HeyJude]

My friend Carl Koz did an interview with Mike Love recently.

Wide-ranging conversation (27-min)  including: new music in the live shows, early Beach Boys songs versus mature art, the battle for songwriting credits and other insider drama, the reunion and future plans.

Check it out: http://archives.radiotitans.com/Kozversations/Kozversation%20w%20Mike%20Love%202.mp3

I won't get a chance to listen to this until later in the day at the earliest. Anyone able to do a quick recap/paraphrase? I don't want to be the lazy ass that asks someone to transcribe the whole thing.

Also, if this isn't answered in the interview itself, can we get the date that interview took place?

[filledeplage]

My friend Carl Koz did an interview with Mike Love recently.

Wide-ranging conversation (27-min)  including: new music in the live shows, early Beach Boys songs versus mature art, the battle for songwriting credits and other insider drama, the reunion and future plans.

Check it out: http://archives.radiotitans.com/Kozversations/Kozversation%20w%20Mike%20Love%202.mp3

Candid, thorough, straightforward.  Your friend Coz did a good job.  And, Mike.

[Dutchie]

Thanks for the link. nice  Always good to hear new interviews

[HeyJude]

Okay, well curiosity got the best of me, and I listened to this.

For those who are wondering whether to burn nearly 30 minutes listening to this, there is not really anything new in this interview. The interviewer sounds like a nice guy and all, but these are SUPER softball questions. When he asks a rather vague question about, I guess, the perception of Brian vs. Mike (basically itself a softball question to allow Mike to defend himself again some sort of criticism about something that is out there), he even coats that softball question in a bunch of “feel free to decline to answer if you want.”

A lot of leading, softball questions, and questions we’ve heard asked and answered a million times. I don’t know if the interviewer wiki’ed the band ten minutes before the interview, or was told what not to ask, or simply sensed he had to ask a bunch of soft questions about TM and whatnot.

You can tell when Mike doesn’t really want to get into something. When asked essentially simply to confirm that the 50th tour was a good time (nothing about the demise of the tour was asked, the question was literally along the lines of “wasn’t that tour a cool thing?”), he immediately jumps into a canned, stock answer where he immediately goes into listing who is *currently* in his *his* band. This is probably the most “meh” I’ve ever heard Mike when talking about C50. He has been rather patronizing about it since its demise. But now he can barely ever muster anything at all to say about it, barely even willing to go beyond “the fans enjoyed it.” I can’t tell if he just disliked C50 that much, or if he’s simply pre-emptively going into hyper-defensive mode to explain, without being asked, that everybody does things their own way and he’s doing his own thing, and then lists who is now in his band, etc.

I’m thinking that, looking at how it looks/sounds right now, unless some promoter pulls like $100 million out of his a** or something, or Brian, Al, and Dave agree to join Mike’s band and record an album of 100% Love co-writes, we’re not going to see these guys do anything together again. SUPER sad. Not at all surprising. But I haven’t heard Mike this “bleh” about Brian and Al and reuniting since the late 90’s or early 2000’s. Even his mid-2000’s interviews sounded a bit more hopeful.

[Eric Aniversario]

The interview cuts off at 27:40. Is there a part 2 out there somewhere?

[tpesky]

I would like to start a Bingo  or better yet a drinking game of Mike Love interviews. You could cover your card or drink each time positivity, Wilson drugs, TM, Maharishi, George Harrison, John Stamos, India, Full House, Pisces Brothers, Cousin Brian's conservators, lawsuit, Fun Fun Fun, surfing, Back in the USSR, Tony Bennet, Chuck Berry, India, songwriting credits are said.

In all seriousness though, nice interview from Mike. Not much new, except maybe reunion stuff but he answers questions well and thoughtfully.

[HeyJude]

I would like to start a Bingo  or better yet a drinking game of Mike Love interviews. You could cover your card or drink each time positivity, Wilson drugs, TM, Maharishi, George Harrison, John Stamos, India, Full House, Pisces Brothers, Cousin Brian's conservators, lawsuit, Fun Fun Fun, surfing, Back in the USSR, Tony Bennet, Chuck Berry, India, songwriting credits are said.

In all seriousness though, nice interview from Mike. Not much new, except maybe reunion stuff but he answers questions well and thoughtfully.

The only thing new in the interview concerning reunion stuff was that he was more firm in saying that there are NO plans to do *anything* together. Not even a "we'll see." More importantly, his tone to me sounds as though he has no desire whatsoever to work with the other guys (meaning Brian and Al).

I think it's hilarious that the interviewer asks simply if the 50th tour was a good time, and somehow the answer contains several citations of the word "contractual" and contains the names Randell Kirsche and Tim Bonhomme. He's essentially answering a different question than the one asked. Kind of the exact opposite of "straightforward" to me.

Reminds me of college when a student would be asked a question to analyze an element of a story or something, and they clearly don't have an answer, so they just start talking about some *other* aspect of the story.

[guitarfool2002]

Reminds me of college when a student would be asked a question to analyze an element of a story or something, and they clearly don't have an answer, so they just start talking about some *other* aspect of the story.

A skill which can be learned and practiced through observation and repetition...just watch any politician appearing on a television interview when they're asked a "tough" question or one they have no reasonable answer for. 

Another way to see the true skill in this would be to shop for a used car, find a flaw in a car that could affect the price, and watch the hapless salesman start spinning wildly off-topic.

[leggo of my ego]

I would like to start a Bingo  or better yet a drinking game of Mike Love interviews. You could cover your card or drink each time positivity, Wilson drugs, TM, Maharishi, George Harrison, John Stamos, India, Full House, Pisces Brothers, Cousin Brian's conservators, lawsuit, Fun Fun Fun, surfing, Back in the USSR, Tony Bennet, Chuck Berry, India, songwriting credits are said.

In all seriousness though, nice interview from Mike. Not much new, except maybe reunion stuff but he answers questions well and thoughtfully.

Sounds like fun, wouldnt be to stand up in no time flat. har har.

well at least Mike in this interview didnt say "Wilson Drugs". that gets old.

[guitarfool2002]

I would like to start a Bingo  or better yet a drinking game of Mike Love interviews. You could cover your card or drink each time positivity, Wilson drugs, TM, Maharishi, George Harrison, John Stamos, India, Full House, Pisces Brothers, Cousin Brian's conservators, lawsuit, Fun Fun Fun, surfing, Back in the USSR, Tony Bennet, Chuck Berry, India, songwriting credits are said.

In all seriousness though, nice interview from Mike. Not much new, except maybe reunion stuff but he answers questions well and thoughtfully.

Sounds like fun, wouldnt be to stand up in no time flat. har har.

well at least Mike in this interview didnt say "Wilson Drugs". that gets old.

"California Girls"  (downs a shot, pours another...)

[Pacific Coast]

My friend Carl Koz did an interview with Mike Love recently.

Wide-ranging conversation (27-min)  including: new music in the live shows, early Beach Boys songs versus mature art, the battle for songwriting credits and other insider drama, the reunion and future plans.

Check it out: http://archives.radiotitans.com/Kozversations/Kozversation%20w%20Mike%20Love%202.mp3

I won't get a chance to listen to this until later in the day at the earliest. Anyone able to do a quick recap/paraphrase? I don't want to be the lazy ass that asks someone to transcribe the whole thing.

Also, if this isn't answered in the interview itself, can we get the date that interview took place?

Airdate was June 22, IIRC.

[Pacific Coast]

The interview cuts off at 27:40. Is there a part 2 out there somewhere?

27-min is the full length.

[SMiLE Brian]

I would like to start a Bingo  or better yet a drinking game of Mike Love interviews. You could cover your card or drink each time positivity, Wilson drugs, TM, Maharishi, George Harrison, John Stamos, India, Full House, Pisces Brothers, Cousin Brian's conservators, lawsuit, Fun Fun Fun, surfing, Back in the USSR, Tony Bennet, Chuck Berry, India, songwriting credits are said.

In all seriousness though, nice interview from Mike. Not much new, except maybe reunion stuff but he answers questions well and thoughtfully.

Sounds like fun, wouldnt be to stand up in no time flat. har har.

well at least Mike in this interview didnt say "Wilson Drugs". that gets old.

"California Girls"  (downs a shot, pours another...)

I am drunk from this game...

[urbanite]

With as many interesting experiences as Mike Love must have had from being in the rock and roll business more than 50 years, it's disappointing that he's such a boring interview.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Wait for the book.

[HeyJude]

Wait for the book.

I'm surprised any of these guys have the balls to work on biopics or authorized biographies or autobiographies considering the possibility of lawsuits flying.

If a Mike bio reads anything like that interview, then I'll pass. Mike appears to be an eloquent writer; an actual honest book would be nice. Even eloquent writers often have their autobiographies "ghost written" unfortunately. At least the "co-authored" authorized biographies give credit to whomever actually schlepped their way through writing it.

[urbanite]

"Wait for the book."  Have you seen a draft?

[Eric Aniversario]

The interview cuts off at 27:40. Is there a part 2 out there somewhere?

27-min is the full length.

Hmmmm I was listening and the audio abruptly ended in the middle of a response, and the time bar had reached 27:40?

[Ron]

I’m thinking that, looking at how it looks/sounds right now, unless some promoter pulls like $100 million out of his a** or something, or Brian, Al, and Dave agree to join Mike’s band and record an album of 100% Love co-writes, we’re not going to see these guys do anything together again. SUPER sad. Not at all surprising. But I haven’t heard Mike this “bleh” about Brian and Al and reuniting since the late 90’s or early 2000’s. Even his mid-2000’s interviews sounded a bit more hopeful.

I'm an optimist... so the only thing I would say to you is , never underestimate the power of Human Beings to completely change their minds.  Love, even when it's brotherly love or cousinley love, or Mike Love has the power to heal any wound, and getting Mike on board with a reunion might not happen with 99 million dollars, or an album of only 90% cowrites.... but it might happen with Brian taking him out to lunch and talking it over. 

Never say never.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I’m thinking that, looking at how it looks/sounds right now, unless some promoter pulls like $100 million out of his a** or something, or Brian, Al, and Dave agree to join Mike’s band and record an album of 100% Love co-writes, we’re not going to see these guys do anything together again. SUPER sad. Not at all surprising. But I haven’t heard Mike this “bleh” about Brian and Al and reuniting since the late 90’s or early 2000’s. Even his mid-2000’s interviews sounded a bit more hopeful.

I'm an optimist... so the only thing I would say to you is , never underestimate the power of Human Beings to completely change their minds.  Love, even when it's brotherly love or cousinley love, or Mike Love has the power to heal any wound, and getting Mike on board with a reunion might not happen with 99 million dollars, or an album of only 90% cowrites.... but it might happen with Brian taking him out to lunch and talking it over. 

Never say never.

Clearly, the problem is not between Mike & Brian.

[tpesky]

thewivesandmanagers?

[RiC]

What a boring interview. Even Mike himself sounds like he's bored to death.

[Pacific Coast]

The interview cuts off at 27:40. Is there a part 2 out there somewhere?

27-min is the full length.

Hmmmm I was listening and the audio abruptly ended in the middle of a response, and the time bar had reached 27:40?

The interview ends cold with no outro music. Mike finishes his answer and its over.

What I think was revelatory in the interview was Mike's future plans...he talks retirement---fewer dates and perhaps setting up permanently in Vegas. I suppose that is some fans' worst nightmare.

[HeyJude]

The interview cuts off at 27:40. Is there a part 2 out there somewhere?

27-min is the full length.

Hmmmm I was listening and the audio abruptly ended in the middle of a response, and the time bar had reached 27:40?

The interview ends cold with no outro music. Mike finishes his answer and its over.

What I think was revelatory in the interview was Mike's future plans...he talks retirement---fewer dates and perhaps setting up permanently in Vegas. I suppose that is some fans' worst nightmare.

If you look back, Howie Edelson mentioned a Vegas residency as something the reunion lineup should have eventually moved into, after a few more legs around the world.

While such a scenario would not be at all convenient for most fans (and goes completely counter to Mike’s stated idea that he needs to get to all those “smaller markets”), it’s definitely something the reunion lineup could have explored. I think the point by Edelson was more that the band not entertaining things like that was another example of the reunion being bungled.

I’m not sure Mike’s “Beach Boys” could get the kind of lucrative, high-profile, long-term Celine Dion-type residency that I think the reunion lineup perhaps could get closer to. But I’d rather see the reunion lineup, or something closer to the reunion lineup, doing an exclusive Vegas residency than a more splintered lineup touring the country. A Vegas residency is perhaps one of the only scenarios where the “Brian dropping in for strings of shows” concept might work. Get Al, Dave, Mike, and Bruce doing the full run, and get Brian in for as many of the shows as possible.

As for the note above about being hopeful for another reunion, I suppose I still am. I definitely think it’s still possible these guys could flip their positions in an instant. I’ve seen enough bands that have played together mere weeks or months after interviews emphatically stating they’ll never play with so-and-so again. I do think that such a venture will take another Joe Thomas-type, even if not Joe Thomas. But some guy, again to paraphrase how Edelson described Thomas, who has a lot of dough clapping his hands and telling the band “okay, here’s what we’re gonna do.”