Somewhat painful Bruce Johnston interview in a Dutch magazine

[JohnMill]

Every time this thread pops up I think about the guy who posted earlier that had a negative experience with Bruce at a VIP Meet & Greet. After a fan lays down hard cash for a Meet & Greet during the 50th Anniversary Tour, NOBODY should be treated like that.

Especially by a guy who continues to hold onto coat tails.

Disagree about the coat tails bit but agree with everything else.  I see the situations as two separate issues and I do think that Johnston was out of line for how he treated that fan.  It's already been much discussed so there is no need to rehash it again.  As I said at the time, if nothing else at least fans are forewarned that Johnston might not be the most approachable member of the group.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Every time this thread pops up I think about the guy who posted earlier that had a negative experience with Bruce at a VIP Meet & Greet. After a fan lays down hard cash for a Meet & Greet during the 50th Anniversary Tour, NOBODY should be treated like that.

Especially by a guy who continues to hold onto coat tails.

I chatted with Bruce backstage - NO VIP $ involved.  He was way cool.  We talked England, surfing, Kona, his kids.  I totally disagree with his politics X 1000000000 but I found him nice.

[Mr. Cohen]

We talked England, surfing, Kona, his kids.

Bruce on England: "England is a socialist nightmare. If only Thatcher was still alive!"

Surfing: "I didn't surf. None of us except Dennis surfed. Surfing is a great way to get yourself injured or - worse - killed. Who actually still surfs?"

Kona: "Oh God, who wants to trek all the way to the Kona coast? Are you kidding me?! Everything is happening in Honolulu, anyway, and there is plenty of nature to take in on the mainland. Although, you know,  I do wish Hawaii had more of an economy than siphoning off rich white men and the Japanese. I just feel so filthy when the natives talk to me. It's like, here's $5 bill, now go away."

His kids: "I don't know why I ever had kids! Headaches and money."

Some guy.

[guitarfool2002]

One point to consider with all of this surrounding Bruce's comments:

Has any of this had any kind of visible effect on The Beach Boys in 2012? His comments from a few months ago were featured on TMZ and posted/copied on other blogs, yet how many remember it now? These current comments...apart from the handful of folks posting here, who else would actively seek out this particular issue of this Dutch magazine? And is there really that much disdain over what Bruce said that it may drive some fans to say "f*** it, I'm done with that band!" because Bruce's comments didn't sit well?

It hasn't meant a thing to The Beach Boys' current activities. I haven't heard examples of groups of liberals protesting the band's concerts, nor groups of conservatives demonstrating their support at the venues. The first story was a non-starter, it came and went as a one minute segment on TMZ, then they were back to covering Kanye and the Kardashian family in the next breath.

The lack of any kind of reaction outside the niche market of fans discussing it here might show just how unimportant these things really are in the big picture. In this instant news cycle, it's gone in a matter of hours unless there is something more substantial for the media to latch onto and keep alive.

[runnersdialzero]

We talked England, surfing, Kona, his kids.

His kids: "I don't know why I ever had kids! Headaches and money."

And he'd be absolutely right, there.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

We talked England, surfing, Kona, his kids.

His kids: "I don't know why I ever had kids! Headaches and money."

And he'd be absolutely right, there.

How many kids do you have?

[the professor]

One point to consider with all of this surrounding Bruce's comments:

Has any of this had any kind of visible effect on The Beach Boys in 2012? His comments from a few months ago were featured on TMZ and posted/copied on other blogs, yet how many remember it now? These current comments...apart from the handful of folks posting here, who else would actively seek out this particular issue of this Dutch magazine? And is there really that much disdain over what Bruce said that it may drive some fans to say "f*** it, I'm done with that band!" because Bruce's comments didn't sit well?

It hasn't meant a thing to The Beach Boys' current activities. I haven't heard examples of groups of liberals protesting the band's concerts, nor groups of conservatives demonstrating their support at the venues. The first story was a non-starter, it came and went as a one minute segment on TMZ, then they were back to covering Kanye and the Kardashian family in the next breath.

The lack of any kind of reaction outside the niche market of fans discussing it here might show just how unimportant these things really are in the big picture. In this instant news cycle, it's gone in a matter of hours unless there is something more substantial for the media to latch onto and keep alive.

Wonderful.  I never care about such trivia; even though the professor is an arch conservative and a well-known opponent of liberal academia, BJ's politics does not make me listen to or love the BB "more," just as many liberals will not (if they are true music fans) love the BB "less" because BJ opposes Obama and the jejune longings of Utopian socialism.

It's well known that Dave is my favorite BB, and I strive to support him as a fan; his song "1969," about the US war in Iraq, satirically referencing a "party on the white house lawn" may be a liberal, anti-Bush and anti-war sentiment, but I do not oppose Dave nor the song because of the political stance it takes; I am open to artists speaking on occasion about events in their own time; that is an artist's role, and I will never dismiss an opus nor a song because of the personal politics of the author. In fact, I would never want artists I like to subordinate art for politics overtly; I would die of shame if the BB did an anti-socialism song, and I am more likely to to tolerant of the opposition than of advocates of my own political views. Reconsider the quotation from Shelley I posted a while ago.

I bear no one malice; let's keep listening and enjoying this endless corpus of complex musical beauty, which itself often engages with the chronicle of human history, both culturally and politically.

[Jason]

One point to consider with all of this surrounding Bruce's comments:

Has any of this had any kind of visible effect on The Beach Boys in 2012? His comments from a few months ago were featured on TMZ and posted/copied on other blogs, yet how many remember it now? These current comments...apart from the handful of folks posting here, who else would actively seek out this particular issue of this Dutch magazine? And is there really that much disdain over what Bruce said that it may drive some fans to say "f*** it, I'm done with that band!" because Bruce's comments didn't sit well?

It hasn't meant a thing to The Beach Boys' current activities. I haven't heard examples of groups of liberals protesting the band's concerts, nor groups of conservatives demonstrating their support at the venues. The first story was a non-starter, it came and went as a one minute segment on TMZ, then they were back to covering Kanye and the Kardashian family in the next breath.

The lack of any kind of reaction outside the niche market of fans discussing it here might show just how unimportant these things really are in the big picture. In this instant news cycle, it's gone in a matter of hours unless there is something more substantial for the media to latch onto and keep alive.

Judging from many of the reactions here you'd think Bruce was the first person ever to criticize the Dear Leader or the EU...

[Mikie]

Wonderful. I never care about such trivia; even though the professor is an arch conservative and a well-known opponent of liberal academia

I'm very sorry to hear that.

[ontor pertawst]

Well, at least he's kind enough to be open to artists speaking "on occasion" about events in their own time. It comes as a great relief to the artistic community, I can tell you. Some of 'em are grumbling about scheduling conflicts and want to iron out the exact meaning of "on occasion," tho.

[Jason]

Liberals like when people speak about sh*t they agree with, conservatives like when people speak about sh*t they disagree with "on occasion", libertarians like when people speak their mind, PERIOD.

[LostArt]

I never care about such trivia; even though the professor is an arch conservative and a well-known opponent of liberal academia, BJ's politics does not make me listen to or love the BB "more," just as many liberals will not (if they are true music fans) love the BB "less" because BJ opposes Obama and the jejune longings of Utopian socialism.

What professor is an arch conservative and a well-known opponent of liberal academia?  Who are you talking about in this sentence?

[the professor]

Well, at least he's kind enough to be open to artists speaking "on occasion" about events in their own time. It comes as a great relief to the artistic community, I can tell you. Some of 'em are grumbling about scheduling conflicts and want to iron out the exact meaning of "on occasion," tho.

Good Question:  To "the professor" On occasion means when events inspire a just artistic response that will transcend the specific historical moment, such as the great song "Eve of Destruction," which I stood cheering to hear when BM played it at a coffee house in Pasadena in a concert last year.  I am in no position to permit or deny anything; I am speaking of what works in the larger literary tradition of artistic engagement with history.  "Bonzo goes to Bitburg" is an example of a failed attempt (by a great band) to speak to history; "Eve of Destruction" is a success, thematically and artistically.

Thus listeners and readers will determine whether the "occasion" was just and proper for artistic treatment. I am judging the results, not creating laws and rules for what can or should be done.

I am very busy now, so pardon me if I no not respond to you all further on this matter; my point should be clear.

best to all.

[AndrewHickey]

I never care about such trivia; even though the professor is an arch conservative and a well-known opponent of liberal academia, BJ's politics does not make me listen to or love the BB "more," just as many liberals will not (if they are true music fans) love the BB "less" because BJ opposes Obama and the jejune longings of Utopian socialism.

What professor is an arch conservative and a well-known opponent of liberal academia?  Who are you talking about in this sentence?

Professor S.I. Hayakawa ? He's been dead for twenty years, but the sentence describes him rather better than any poster on this board...

[Jim V.]

Well, at least he's kind enough to be open to artists speaking "on occasion" about events in their own time. It comes as a great relief to the artistic community, I can tell you. Some of 'em are grumbling about scheduling conflicts and want to iron out the exact meaning of "on occasion," tho.

Good Question:  To "the professor" On occasion means when events inspire a just artistic response that will transcend the specific historical moment, such as the great song "Eve of Destruction," which I stood cheering to hear when BM played it at a coffee house in Pasadena in a concert last year.  I am in no position to permit or deny anything; I am speaking of what works in the larger literary tradition of artistic engagement with history.  "Bonzo goes to Bitburg" is an example of a failed attempt (by a great band) to speak to history; "Eve of Destruction" is a success, thematically and artistically.

Thus listeners and readers will determine whether the "occasion" was just and proper for artistic treatment. I am judging the results, not creating laws and rules for what can or should be done.

I am very busy now, so pardon me if I no not respond to you all further on this matter; my point should be clear.

best to all.

Gimme a break.

Liberals like when people speak about sh*t they agree with, conservatives like when people speak about sh*t they disagree with "on occasion", libertarians like when people speak their mind, PERIOD.

These days, most libertarians are also former Bush voters who realize it's uncool to be perceived as "Republican" or "conservative". Many "libertarians" are pro-war and anti-drugs, so yeah, for the most part American libertarianism is bullshit.

[Zach95]

I'd just like to make a quick point. If Bruce was very left leaning, and bashed the Republican party left and right and was vocally outspoken against corporate America and made his views very clear and well known to the Beach Boys community as he has done lately, be it inadvertently, no one would be making much of a fuss. It's because the general music community is left leaning and always has been.  Just look at the anger from this thread. There have been what, three conservative posters who have expressed their support for Bruce and voiced their opinions? Look at the responses to those people.  Everybody likes to say they respect people's opinions and political views, but  you have the professor make a mildly conservative remark and we have four or five people making sarcastic remarks. It's almost as if the conservative posters here dare not speak out against liberal sentiments because, well, how can you possibly be so ignorant, you Republican jerks? It would be nice to see more of what Adam was posting: open, constructive, respectful discussion without all the snide remarks.  Conservatives can be nice people too, ya know.  I know that seems hard for many of you to believe, especially in light of Bruce's somewhat asinine comments, but the "you're a moronic conservative" attitude is really in opposition to the "openness" everyone claims to possess.

Lovely. To prove my point, the above post.

[I. Spaceman]

"Bonzo goes to Bitburg" is an example of a failed attempt (by a great band) to speak to history; "Eve of Destruction" is a success, thematically and artistically.
 

The truth is the exact opposite of that. Eve is a hilariously overbaked attempt by a bubblegum songwriter to emulate Dylan. Bonzo is a truly impassioned, moving, unexpected, catchy topical song that outruns the Clash on their own turf.

[ontor pertawst]

no one would be making much of a fuss.

I would imagine that the conservatives who don't like crazy left leaning musicians would be making a slight fuss, right? I mean, by fuss standards it'd be a tiny fuss. Say, equivalent to the fuss over this. I'm sure it wouldn't be highlighted on say, Hannity or anything. Fox News wouldn't dream of attacking a left-leaning musician and right wing groups would never dream of organizing a boycott.

It's almost as if the conservative posters here dare not speak out against liberal sentiments

Right. It's so brave to face this overwhelming wave of... tepid early afternoon liberal sarcasm. Somehow they manage to dare speak out against the oppression, tho. Profiles in courage!

Look, you make provocative comments, you'll get the same back! Twas ever thus.

[Jason]

Liberals like when people speak about sh*t they agree with, conservatives like when people speak about sh*t they disagree with "on occasion", libertarians like when people speak their mind, PERIOD.

These days, most libertarians are also former Bush voters who realize it's uncool to be perceived as "Republican" or "conservative". Many "libertarians" are pro-war and anti-drugs, so yeah, for the most part American libertarianism is bullsh*t.

Way to generalize. Libertarians are very much anti-war and pro-liberty, that includes drug use. Come back when you have a leg for your argument to stand on.

[Jason]

no one would be making much of a fuss.

I would imagine that the conservatives who don't like crazy left leaning musicians would be making a slight fuss, right? I mean, by fuss standards it'd be a tiny fuss. Say, equivalent to the fuss over this.

It's almost as if the conservative posters here dare not speak out against liberal sentiments

Right. It's so brave to face this overwhelming wave of... tepid early afternoon liberal sarcasm. Somehow they manage to dare speak out against the oppression, tho. Profiles in courage!

Look, you make provocative comments, you'll get the same back! Twas ever thus.

I fail to see what was so provocative about Bruce's remarks. I guess opinions are fine as long as they're in line with the angry mob's opinion.

[ontor pertawst]

I was talking about the per'fesser. I don't think Johnston has been provocative for decades. Ever since that summer when he taught me the true meaning of being a woman.

I guess opinions are fine as long as they're in line with the angry mob's opinion.

Right, I'm holding a pitchfork and EVERYTHING! I hate free speech! Once in a while, I even post on a message board.

[Zach95]

no one would be making much of a fuss.

I would imagine that the conservatives who don't like crazy left leaning musicians would be making a slight fuss, right? I mean, by fuss standards it'd be a tiny fuss. Say, equivalent to the fuss over this.

It's almost as if the conservative posters here dare not speak out against liberal sentiments

Right. It's so brave to face this overwhelming wave of... tepid early afternoon liberal sarcasm. Somehow they manage to dare speak out against the oppression, tho. Profiles in courage!

Look, you make provocative comments, you'll get the same back! Twas ever thus.

No, I made very relaxed, in my mind neutral, observations.  You responded with more sarcasm and petty jibes.  I never said anyone is facing overwhelming waves of oppression, but you felt the need to exaggerate my words and blow my observations out of context.

Furthermore, in regards to your references to Fox News and Hannity, I was speaking only in context of this board.  You can't tell me the majority of people here aren't left leaning, and those who may disagree with left leaning sentiments are seemingly chided whenever they voice their opinion, i.e. "gimme a break".

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Aren't conservatives rampant liberals when it comes to gun rights??

I think these two stupid as Fu$k words (Liberal/Conservative) need to be wiped from the English language. The powers that be have us all down here believing that our enemies are our friends and neighbors and poor people. Can you even imagine?

[ontor pertawst]

No, I made very relaxed, in my mind neutral, observations.  You responded with more sarcasm and petty jibes.  I never said anyone is facing overwhelming waves of oppression, but you felt the need to exaggerate my words and blow my observations out of context.

Well, yes. Because all this talk of angry mobs and liberal orthodoxy is a bit exaggerated as well. Nobody is claiming that "conservatives can't be nice people" just as nobody is claiming liberal oppression.

I'll bow out here, I think the Bush years pretty much killed my interest in these sort of conversations and I'm not getting paid enough money to make conservatives feel properly persecuted. Sorry for the vicious sarcasm, but I need to find a thread about stereo remixes to wash the bad taste out of my mouth.

[Jason]

Aren't conservatives rampant liberals when it comes to gun rights??

I'd rather trust the fraction of a second it takes to stop someone breaking into my house than the ten minutes for the police to arrive. That's not liberal or conservative...that's called self-defense.