The Smiley Smile Message Board

I'm increasing puzzled over the absence of the Beach Boys in relation to the Smile Sessions.

Okay, Al broke the news initially, but has said next to nothing since.

Mike's statement in the first official press release has been used here and there but virtually nowt since.

Bruce spoke up on the BBC Radio 4 section the other evening but I read his statements denying the arguing as being a little on the defensive side, while his suggestion that SMiLE could have been a BW solo project benefited more than a little from hindsight.

Van Dyke Parks has been interviewed quite a bit here and there but seems to be absent from the material in the box (other than his lyrical contribution to the songs, of course, which some might argue is all that is needed).

But Brian's being worked hard. Brian's the one doing the interviews left right and centre. Brian's the one signing limited edition boxes and surf boards. Brian's the one making videos showing off the box on YouTube. Brianwilson.com is virtually the official info source.

Are Mike and Al under some restraining order? Is there a real risk they'd be taken to task by any interviewer over the "don't fook with the formula" stuff?

Rightly or wrongly I sense some politics at work throughout this, and I'm curious. Be nice to get it out of the way before the box lands!

I've read that Mike is allegedly refusing to do interviews for this release

Not suprised, wonder if its because he still hates smile or he just doesn't want interviewers asking the same old questions about his dislike of smile.

The latter, I hope anyway  :lol

It could simply be that Brian is the public face of the group now which in enough of itself is odd being that he actually isn't part of the group anymore.   ???

Brian however, certainly has gotten more face time in the past decade as far as public relations go than any of his former band mates.  With all these tours he's been doing this past decade it seems like he's been everywhere and then some.  New albums, new tours, interviews, accepting awards all that good stuff.    Maybe a collective decision was made to let Brian be the point man on this release being a) he's the creator of the music itself and b) the aforementioned PR issue

Then again the rest of them could all be chizzling at the hamburger stand or shopping for some sweet Halloween costumes?

A music journalist on twitter wrote how he has gotten interviews with everyone expect Mike, Mike was a no show..

He's been a no show for a few interviews so far, sad really

"Got Brian Wilson the other day. Al Jardine tomorrow. But Mike Love remains a no show. Come on Mike... let's talk SMiLE!"

"Now I've got Al Jardine. Along with Brian, Brian's wife, Bruce and archivist Alan Boyd. Come on Mike Love. You gotta talk."

Interesting how this has gone from "Mike allegedly won't do any promo" to him being chewed out for that in seventeen minutes.

Everyone take a chill pill and relax from posting innuendo and conspiracy theories! I'm sure Mike will make some profound statement in regards to SMiLE's release next week.

Hmm, the average  Mike Love 'Smile' interview, let's see how that would go.

Question 1: Why did you hate 'Smile'?
Question 2: Do you still hate 'Smile'?
Question 3: Why did you agree on having 'The Smile Sessions' released now, even though you hate it?
Question 4: Did Van Dyke Parks really quit because you hated his lyrics?

If Mike's not all that enthousiastic about doing interviews about 'Smile', I think I can see why.

It might be that Mike has settled in to keeping the band on the road and continuing to perform a quality act with his very good band.  He seems to see that as his role now, just continuing to keep it alive.  The rest will take care of itself. He continues to meditate and maybe this is what he has arrived at.  A sort of zen state of just letting it be.  What is there to promote?   The continued excellent performances and the Beach Boys as an institution are all that are  reallyneeded to keep it going.    And the SMiLE legend is so closely tied to Brian, it seems natural to leave the promotion to him, and others who might have an interest in promoting SMiLE, or just getting their names in print somewhere.

Now who is this? I´d really like to read those interviews.

Whatever Mike's attitude really is about Smile, I think he ought to man up and own it. Brian has for some time, and imagine how difficult that must be for him at times--people openly discussing his mental illness, the collapse of the project closest to his heart, the subsequent difficulties of his band, etc.

Of course, he can do whatever he wants. And ultimately it's really not that important that he's not saying anything.

Of course, this is the 2nd time Brian has had to discuss SMiLE and its effect on his health in depth with people in ten years!

I'd like to know what Mike thinks, really. But we have no idea why he's reluctant to talk. Being chewed out by journalists probably the most likely reason, his responses to SMiLE talk have hardly been friendly at best.... The 'You owe me $20' response springs to mind  ;D

Interviews with both Brian and Mike are reportedly coming in the December ish of Goldmine.  :)

I agree. By "Brian's wife," I assume this journalist means Marilyn. Interviews with Brian, Al, Bruce, Alan Boyd, and Marilyn? Yes, where do I read?

Mike is fucking cool.

isn;t alab boyd that guy from incubvus. dio not want.

All is as it should be.  All the fanboys would go apeshit if Mike Love was giong around saying ANYTHING about Smile.  Remember, the story is Mike hates it.  So if he gave any interview at all about anything to do with it, it would clash with the legend.  Mike, Al, or Bruce didn't write any of it, it's Brian's baby so he should be the one doing the interviews, imho. 

He works for the Boston Globe, here's his twitter

http://twitter.com/#!/gedgers1 (http://twitter.com/#!/gedgers1)

Don't think his interviews have been published yet, Mike is stalling

Trying to finish Smile story but slow going. In reality, putting off inevitable in hopes my hero Mike Love will finally call.

Regarding Mike's apparent refusal to be involved in the promotion of Smile...

Believe me, I generally hate sticking up for this guy, but...in this case I need to...it might not be so much that he "refuses," but probably DECLINES quite simply because he literally knows he can't contribute much; his involvement in Smile was little, if anything, more than vocals here and there. He wasn't around during the creation, he doesn't know where Brian's head was at, what the atmosphere was like, etc. Remember the Smile portion of Endless Harmony where Mike laughs and says something like "Why are you asking me about that?" Quite simply, he's probably saying/implying, "Look, if you want input about Smile, I'm not going to be a good source. Talk to someone who was more involved. Hey, instead, let me sing you a song I wrote. It's called 'Wrinkles.'"

That's exactly how I see it too.  It would be a bit disrespectful of Mike to even talk about it, seeing as how he's been painted, and also seeing as how he had little to do with the album. 

On the other side of it, which I'm sure most people won't really agree with, but oh well.... it's kind of disrespectful (unless done in the most casual way) to even ask Mike about it.  The only possible reason somebody would ask Mike about Smile is to stir up some sh*t. 

Marilyn would be cool but it's probably Melinda.

Mike's working on his '..the crow flies..' line for next year. ;D

http://gothamist.com/2011/10/27/brian_wilson.php

Have you considered touring with The Beach Boys who are still alive, and performing the Smile material?

Brian: I don't know, we haven't discussed that yet.

I read that interview earlier today.  Kind of your standard "yes, no" BW interview but I did enjoy this part:

What do you think about the raft of newer musicians, such as Panda Bear, who see you as an influence. Do you listen to their music at all? No I don't actually. I listen to oldies but goodies records.

Are there any contemporary bands or singers that you enjoy? Oldies but goodies.

What was that interviewer trying to do?  Get Brian to admit he is a regular follower of American Idol?

Good on Brian fronting all these interviews about Smile. I would want to have a sign or T-shirt saying 'Same as 2004!' as my answer.

No offence to the others but it is better to talk to the organ grinder. With the box signings, PR etc he is earning what I'm sure is a bigger cut of the earnings aside from his writing percentage.

I'm reading this thread and thinking that 15 years ago, I would have thought it IMPOSSIBLE that a media campaign to promote the release of the SMiLE sessions might be fronted by Brian Wilson.

You know what? I'm really happy. Brian Douglas Wilson fronting a major media campaign to promote SMiLE. I'm still pinching myself.

Hahaha.  You need to add that little exchange there to that thread on here somewhere about Brianisms.  That's a good one.  Brian's turned into a cranky old man in some ways, lol.  The only way it would have been better, is if somehow Brian cut the guy off with the second line. 

HERE are the guys (all of them):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot7vCQisW_4&feature=channel_video_title

This was interesting too:

Do you write a lot on a day-to-day basis? Do the songs pour out ever? I've been having a creative explosion lately, I really have. Just lately. I've written some good songs.

What are they about? Well, some of them are about shelter, some are about the private life of Bill and Sue. Different kinds of songs.

Great youtube clip. Wonder if that is going to be for a doco?

I don't know about anyone else but I was really surprised by Mike's appearance...and voice for that matter.  I practically didn't recognize when his voiceover came on and barely recognized him when he came on screen.  He seemed to be in worse condition during the Reagan concert but I'm unsure what to think in this latest video.  He does seem older but I just can't put my finger on it.

I actually thought he looked better than I have seen him in quite some time.

Mike just seemed down..

I don't think SMiLE is a very joyful topic for him

I personally didn't get that impression but I wouldn't blame him if his demeanor when discussing "SMiLE" is just as you described, hindsight being what it is. 

He must feel really awkward .

Poor Mike, doesn't deserve half of the crap he get's for SMiLE

Mike is 70. His speaking voice has aged (you know-- older people SOUND older. McCartney has a bit of "old man voice" now too), as has his face. Obviously all the guys have aged, but people age in different ways. I think it must be awkward for him to speak about an album that MOST people think he hates. But I applaud him for doing it.

Isn't it interesting that Brian seems to light up when talking about SMiLE - even though he has recently said that he still has some negative feelings associated with it. And Mike seems to find it hard to discuss SMiLE.

Still, Mike's view on SMiLE is the same as he was putting about in 2004...that the music was great.

David Beard did an excellent job on the Goldmine article coming up...

Sounds to me like Mike was battling a cold. He sounded very hoarse. It's not at all how he sounds in most other recent interviews (Endless Harmony, for instance, even though that was 12 years ago now -- sheesh!).

Yeah someone was talking about this a few weeks ago, and then produced some shocking video footage of Mike just KILLING IT live about a month ago.  So for whatever reason some days he's really reserved and oldmanny, and on other days he's still pretty perky.  Hell Brian's the same way.  Hell maybe everybody old is the same way. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhzVvY_xr64

May have been this clip. In fine form here Sept. (Sorry about the show pony with him)

http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-national/beatle-news-briefs-beatle-radio-show-features-beach-boy-paul-helps-out-a-piano

Brian doing a live radio show Sunday.

That's the one! He's almost a musician in that one.  You can hear the tamborine and everything.  I love Love Love Mike Love. 

People always want their heroes to never change, to be exactly what they used to be, all through time.  There he is. 

Not everyone thinks so. See the comments.

Sad, really sad.
oldsurferdude1 1 month ago  

 ::)

It's really weird...I've sorta warmed up to Mike in his older age.  Somehow his corniness has leveled out as he's grown older...and it seems to suit him better in his more maturer days.  Back in the day, it was hard to look past the doucheyness but it's seems to have evened out, weirdly enough. 

Performance wise, I've been impressed with Mike's contribution in the last few years.  His voice has held up pretty well and he's geling pretty good with the band.  Here's some video I took last summer in Long Beach...some pretty solid musicianship by Mike on each song....

Sloop John B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35eEmZtYn_Q

Back In The USSR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEWT-6aFYik

Summertime Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjDOY_3ckw0

Is that the same cold he had when he laid the vocals down on Catch a Wave in 1963?

I thought Mike looked great in the Smile vid. He's a great looking 70-year-old. And he finally looks is age... he always looked a little older than he was. Endless touring wore his speaking voice, but his singing voice sounds fantasic most of the time. Plus he probably has a cold.

Re. a no-show. Mike's answered the same questions about smile through the years, he's been consistent about it. He'll be asked the same stuff again. If what he says contradicts the black legend, he'll be attacked. If what he says validates some aspects of that legend (for example liking VDP but not some of his lyrics) he'll be attacked also. He's already talked and will be doing some more, it seems. We know per Scott Totten that backstage Mike had tears in his eyes while praising Wonderful. He Loves his cousin's music. And he's done more for the release of this Smile than his detractors would have dreamed of.

http://www.montereycountyweekly.com/news/2011/nov/03/still-surfing/

Just imagine the reaction if Mike had said that stuff about money.