Al joining Mike and Bruce for Jones Beach show

[Mikie]

Rob was -- and is -- a quality guy and real fan of long standing, as are Andrew Hickey, TDHabib, and a bunch of people who used to post.  I can't speak to the circumstances of their departure (although I recall that some were treated quite nastily), but they are missed. And the departure of informed, well-spoken fans from a forum like this should never be celebrated.

Poor McCabe. Too bad he was a quality guy and a real fan with a bad habit of harassing other folks through Private Messages. May he rot wherever he is.

That ain't nice at all. Maybe he said something bad to you or your family on a personal level to warrant that hostile bitterness? Otherwise, it sure is easy to defame or discredit someone who doesn't have the ability to respond to your accusations in this public forum.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Guys! Can we please stop acting like we're The Beach Boys or something?

[Dancing Bear]

Rob was -- and is -- a quality guy and real fan of long standing, as are Andrew Hickey, TDHabib, and a bunch of people who used to post.  I can't speak to the circumstances of their departure (although I recall that some were treated quite nastily), but they are missed. And the departure of informed, well-spoken fans from a forum like this should never be celebrated.

Poor McCabe. Too bad he was a quality guy and a real fan with a bad habit of harassing other folks through Private Messages. May he rot wherever he is.

That ain't nice at all. Maybe he said something bad to you or your family on a personal level to warrant that hostile bitterness? Otherwise, it sure is easy to defame or discredit someone who doesn't have the ability to respond to your accusations in this public forum.

He can respond sending me a PM..... Wait, he's banned for life! Good riddance! 

[Dancing Bear]

Guys! Can we please stop acting like we're The Beach Boys or something?

You only are in this band because you owned a mellotron!

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Guys! Can we please stop acting like we're The Beach Boys or something?

You only are in this band because you owned a mellotron!

Hey, it's in the garage somewhere :/

[Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard]

Thanks Ray for a touch of sanity. I hope people read it and realize it is not just another opinion to be weighted equally with the ramblings of people who have NO idea.

I appreciate the post by Ray but...

This forum truly confounds me sometimes.  Lets put some more people down.

For real. Why sh!t on people for discussing their opinions on a DISCUSSION FORUM. I thought Sheriff was very respectful and sincere about vocalizing some genuine concerns. I'd argue his, and other posts similar, are not without merit.

[RioGrande]

Guys! Can we please stop acting like we're The Beach Boys or something?

You only are in this band because you owned a mellotron!

Hey, it's in the garage somewhere :/

You rang?

[RioGrande]

Few of them have also been outright banned.

OSD was not banned for being anti-Mike. Nobody here has ever been banned for having an opinion, and as long as I'm here, nobody ever will be.

So, for what?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Numerous things that I don't care to get into at this point*...it was his third time being banned (first  one was 7 days, 2nd was several months). As for the others mentioned as being banned...I don't know the particulars, because I'm not the one who banned them. IIRC, Andrew H was suspended along with another member for a week for the same thing, although he never returned. I for one do miss his input.

*= for the same reason why the digs at Rob McCabe above need to stop...if a former member is not here to defend themselves, it's bad form to keep throwing digs at them. Just my two cents.

[RioGrande]

I tallied the rabid Brian bashers here and found, much to my surprise, that they are probably less than 10. They are so loud and obnoxious, and they post so much, that I was thinking they were more like 20/25.

[RioGrande]

Numerous things that I don't care to get into at this point*...it was his third time being banned (first  one was 7 days, 2nd was several months). As for the others mentioned as being banned...I don't know the particulars, because I'm not the one who banned them. IIRC, Andrew H was suspended along with another member for a week for the same thing, although he never returned. I for one do miss his input.

*= for the same reason why the digs at Rob McCabe above need to stop...if a former member is not here to defend themselves, it's bad form to keep throwing digs at them. Just my two cents.

Thanks for the answer.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I tallied the rabid Brian bashers here and found, much to my surprise, that they are probably less than 10. They are so loud and obnoxious, and they post so much, that I was thinking they were more like 20/25.

I don't know of any off the top of my head, although to be perfectly honest, if it was recent then I probably missed it. Haven't been on as much because the negativity is driving me nuts. Anybody who's known me for a while knows that members are generally warned through PM by me as opposed to being called out on the board, and I've had to do far too much of that lately. My God, we're talking about my favorite band in the world, but a band that has been around for over 50 years...with a band with that kind of longevity and such a vast catalogue, there's not going to be a universal consensus. So, for f*ck's sake, be more respectful to each other, please. Friendly debate is fine, but I'm tired of people being dicks to each other. Last comment on the matter...back to the subject!

[Mujan, 8@$+@Rc| of a Blue Wizard]

I tallied the rabid Brian bashers here and found, much to my surprise, that they are probably less than 10. They are so loud and obnoxious, and they post so much, that I was thinking they were more like 20/25.

I don't know of any off the top of my head, although to be perfectly honest, if it was recent then I probably missed it. Haven't been on as much because the negativity is driving me nuts. Anybody who's known me for a while knows that members are generally warned through PM by me as opposed to being called out on the board, and I've had to do far too much of that lately. My God, we're talking about my favorite band in the world, but a band that has been around for over 50 years...with a band with that kind of longevity and such a vast catalogue, there's not going to be a universal consensus. So, for f*ck's sake, be more respectful to each other, please. Friendly debate is fine, but I'm tired of people being dicks to each other. Last comment on the matter...back to the subject!

Just wanted to say that I think it's very good form of you to give warnings in private and not take part in any kind of public shaming. I respect that.

That blog post that was linked to a while back is very interesting. "You mean, you don't want a Number One?" Classic Brian.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Agreed, which is why Brian's new album's sessions see Brian apparently working his ass off. Even at this stage he still thinks of having hits, and that's something he's always thought of.

[Nicko1234]

Rob was -- and is -- a quality guy and real fan of long standing, as are Andrew Hickey, TDHabib, and a bunch of people who used to post.  I can't speak to the circumstances of their departure (although I recall that some were treated quite nastily), but they are missed. And the departure of informed, well-spoken fans from a forum like this should never be celebrated.

I agree that it`s a shame when any long standing fan chooses not to post anymore but it would be wrong to say that any group of fans are particularly responsible for that. It would be great it Andrew Hickey started posting regularly again, for example, but he made it clear at the time that he was unhappy with general negativity (both anti-Mike and anti-Brian) so it can`t be pinned anyone in particular.

[Nicko1234]

To get back on topic, AGD has stated on another board (I trust it`s ok to post it here) that after chatting with Mike and Bruce the other day his impression was that, `bridges have been burnt beyond rebuilding.`

If that turns out to be true and Al does never perform again with these guys then it will be a shame but maybe not really a surprise any more.

[HeyJude]

To get back on topic, AGD has stated on another board (I trust it`s ok to post it here) that after chatting with Mike and Bruce the other day his impression was that, `bridges have been burnt beyond rebuilding.`

If that turns out to be true and Al does never perform again with these guys then it will be a shame but maybe not really a surprise any more.

I'm hoping maybe Howie Edelson, or Al in an interview, or someone can at some point shed more light on this. It would have to be something pretty heinous to burn bridges beyond repair.

I'm especially curious if Bruce has expressed that attitude, as that would take some balls for someone to be outraged when they have no control or stake in the situation and are just following what another band member does.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Concisely, I brought up the topic of the Jones Beach Massacre and the ambient temperature immediately dropped about 15f and the subject was changed. Got the distinct impression that what I've said here in previous posts isn't that far off the mark. That aside, great show and fine times meeting up with the band again: the soundcheck was a hoot, although Scott might dispute that. I'd second the notion that Cowsill is the best drummer they've ever had. Jeff fit in seamlessly. Great songs, great band, great sound. What's not to like (assuming you have an open mind) ?

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

What exactly constitutes "Brian bashing?"

I don't even mean in comparison to Mike bashing because that simply raises the bar too high.

[JohnMill]

Concisely, I brought up the topic of the Jones Beach Massacre and the ambient temperature immediately dropped about 15f and the subject was changed.

Thanks for sticking your neck out for the rest of us Andrew.  Sorry to hear that you didn't get more positive news (to celebrate).

[Andrew G. Doe]

May be talking with Mike at greater length - and on the record - next month. I think the topic may crop up again.

[Nicko1234]

I'm hoping maybe Howie Edelson, or Al in an interview, or someone can at some point shed more light on this. It would have to be something pretty heinous to burn bridges beyond repair.

I'm especially curious if Bruce has expressed that attitude, as that would take some balls for someone to be outraged when they have no control or stake in the situation and are just following what another band member does.

I don`t know... Al hasn`t appeared on stage with Mike and Bruce for a regular concert (C50 excluded) since 1998 I guess. Now if M&B feel that they`ve been let down then you can imagine it might be years, which they may not have, before Al is invited to appear with them again.

[Alan Smith]

May be talking with Mike at greater length - and on the record - next month. I think the topic may crop up again.

+1 on the thanks for asking, LAGD - I'm looking forward to hearing the on the record chat - are you working on something for an upcoming ESQ or otherwise?

[Andrew G. Doe]

Not sure, but I have a few questions to ask.

Oh, btw, the shows that were posted on mikelove.com then swiftly removed are still set to happen.

[ToneBender631]

Not sure, but I have a few questions to ask.

Oh, btw, the shows that were posted on mikelove.com then swiftly removed are still set to happen.

Thanks for asking the tough questions in a situation where that must've been more than a bit uncomfortable. That takes a brass set and I'm sure the rest of the fan base is grateful that you put yourself out there for it.