The Smiley Smile Message Board

http://news.radio.com/2013/03/12/mike-loves-beach-boys-or-brian-wilson-friends-who-is-the-real-deal/

Kinda of a rehash article but the poll results are surprisingly one sided. Whoppingly so!

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 :lol :lol :lol Ha, sorry no.  That dead horse has been kicked enough.  Whole different subject - the competing tours.  Will, no doubt, be the subject of numerous threads to come.

I just found it amazing that it's like 97 % to 2. I would have guessed 60-40.

F that third option had been "the five Beach Boys reunited" I suspect it would be way out in front.

Could be after reading the article people are biased against Mike and voting for the other guys.

You can write in a third option and vote for it. Poll is still open.

Aye, but my theory is most folk can't be bothered phrasing a third option – and you're probably right, the skewed article probably does Mike in before it's started.

I hereby solemnly declare that I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed in the poll results so far.

M&B can suck it..... ;D

Given a free hand, I'd rather see Brian, Mike, Alan, Bruce & David... but that's hardly likely to happen again. If both bands were playing the same town on the same night, I'd probably go see Brian: realistically, I'd go see either while I still can.

There is a third option, "other", which I clicked adding "Brian, Al, David, Mike & Bruce"

I'm left wondering why anyone would have a thread of desire to see a watered down, faux, imposter oriented version of a band. The poll speaks very clearly about who the real deal is. mYke and Brooth and their Oldies Jukebox Revival Act is a complete waste of one's time and money-triple that sentiment when The Brian Wilson band is touring. Really have no interest whatsoever  in seeing M or B ever again in any incarnation. :smokin

I've not seen the Mike & Bruce show....but people who have say that it's a very enjoyable experience.

While I would be more interested musically in a collaboration between Brian/Al/David....I don't ignore that fact that the M&B show has successfully toured for around 15 years, pleasing audiences worldwide.

I think we all agree that the C50 lineup, with Brian, Mike, Al, Bruce and David, is what OUGHT to be out there on any given night. Clearly that's not going to happen all that often, if at all.

What we should all realize is that no matter what we say here one way or another, none of it is going to keep Mike from doing what he's been doing for quite some time--which is to take his guys out on the road and relive a version of the "good times" that he's been part of in one form or another for the last half-century. And, to be fair, he's not really doing any harm by doing so...those who want to see a different incarnation of the band still have some options. What happened in '12 was unprecedented, and wonderful--but, things like that, in the real world of water under the bridge, differing states of health, etc., clearly can't and "won't last forever." (A related question: should we risk shortening the remaining lifespans of these guys, including Brian, by insisting that they tour together at 2012 levels?)

Please also note: hating Mike has clearly not had one iota of impact on his career or his decision-making.

About the only way to force the group to tour together would be to boycott all the shows until everyone caved in--but, let's face it, there are hundreds of thousands of fans who will go to see one form or another of this band, thus crossing any "picket lines" designed to coerce the C50 lineup back onstage.

As someone said, a true poll would have provided the option for the C50 band, which would have swamped the other two choices. We could do a poll here along the lines of "Do you think the C50 lineup will ever give another live concert together?" and see what the group believes--but I think we know that this group, with its somewhat elevated levels of "Hate for Love" and its penchant for wallowing in the storied details of the band's all-encompassing dysfunctionality, will vote "no" in about a 4-to-1 ratio (that's 80/20).

And they would have voted that way in late 2011, too, I suspect...

"Do you think the C50 lineup will ever give another live concert together?"

I think (and hope) they would (and I seriously think reports of their differences have been greatly exaggerated in the press and here) but the problem will be whether they all live that long before they make the time to do it.

I'd rather see all the boys come together for another studio album rather than a tour.  I love concerts as much as the next guy, but I don't get why posters here place so much emphasis on touring at the expense of recording.  Which is a better contribution to their legacy- a handful of concerts or an album?  Which would mean greater exposure to the public?  I'd go see either band play, but I'd rather have an album hands down.

That article is not particularly venomous towards Mike. It's on Brian, Al and Dave's side but not excessively so.

My first choice would be the C50th lineup, which is why I selected "other" in the poll.

I want the C50 BBs back as well!

My comments to the question in general:
 - I'd assume that the answer of just about every person that posts on this site would be (and it is my preference as well) that the C50 line up would be preferred to any other configuration.
 - I do agree with those who have expressed the sentiment, whether in this thread or others that dealt with the similar question, that one (unless you have a particular personal bias against one of the performers) should see either version performing if at a venue near you if one can do so as both versions put on a good performance and, of course, the music is always enjoyable.
 - If I personally had to choose between the two (for example both at nearby venues the same day and time), I'd see Brian, Al, Dave because that's a configuration that I have not seen before.
 - With the prospects of another C50 type tour slim at this time (at least for the immediate future), I would hope that they can return to the studio and put out another album/CD at least on the level of TWGMTR that fans can enjoy.

bonkers - you can vote as often as you like.

The article is interesting in that it states that Mike likes to stick with just the hits.  This is a popular misconception.  In the past 10 years, Mike has done just as much digging into the archives as Brian has.

Here Today
Let Him Run Wild
Til I Die
Don't Back Down
Bluebirds Over The Mountain
All This Is That
Everyone's In Love With You
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
Forever
Disney Girls
Salt Lake City
It's OK
Sail On Sailor
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
Still Cruisin
Summertime Blues
Summer In Paradise
Cool Head Warm Heart

It could be argued that Mike does a better job at representing all the different phases in the Beach Boys' career.

I'd go see a band with Al and David alone, without Brian, before I'd see a band with Brian alone. Seriously. I've been watching a few clips of Brian singing over the past 10 years + and realizing, no, he just doesn't have it in terms of singing voice or presentation. I've seen Brian more than once, but I don't think I would again. Even with Al and David.  Which is why I'd rather see those two tour without Brian. I'm not a Mike fan, either, which is why I wouldn't see the Mike and Bruce band.

Same here.

Brian's band is far and away the better of the two bands, and is more likely to play a set I'd want to hear, but Mike's band are still very, very good. I'm actually more upset that I'll not get to see Scott Totten and John Cowsill playing alongside Probyn, Nelson, Darian and the rest again than I am that I'll not see the principals reunited.

I actually think it's a shame that David is playing with Brian and Al rather than Mike and Bruce, though -- he worked very, *very* well with Mike & Bruce's band in 2008, and probably added more to their show than he did to the reunion tour or will to Brian's band.

As for Al -- I'd watch him any time, with any band or on his own.

A handful of concerts would mean greater exposure to the public.

TWGMTR performed well on the charts, indeed it was a big hit. Yet it only sold as many copies as people in the audience of one big gig...

In terms of giving us something new, adding to the great canon of music that we will still be able to listen to long after the Beach Boys themselves have passed away....a new album would be good. Brian has made it clear that he still has a lot of material.

Frankly, I'd much rather have a new Brian album than a new Beach Boys album -- I vastly prefer his solo albums (other than Imagination) to That's Why God Made The Radio, and suspect that some of what I don't like about the latter is down to considerations about what sort of music the Beach Boys should do.

Of course, what I *really* want is a new album of Brian Wilson songs sung by Al. (And Van Dyke Parks to do the lyrics and orchestral arrangements, if I'm dreaming...)

I've only seen Mike and Bruce once, and I saw the reunion tour once. The Reunion was far better, no doubt. It was far more entertaining, far more musical, and far more creative. BUT, Mike and Bruce still put on a stellar show. And who cares what the ticket says? In my opinion, they aren't The Beach Boys. It's Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Scott Totten, John Cowsill...and some other guys. The sound wasn't as full, but the band is half the size of Brian's, so that's to be expected. But based off what I saw of Brian at the reunion show, I'd imagine the Mike and Bruce show is far more entertaining in a visual sense, than auditory.

That being said, I'm glad I made the decision to see them this summer  ;D

I don't know if I'd see them again after this summer, but who knows. After the reunion fizzles I said I wouldn't see any of them again because it couldn't top that. And while that is true, I'd be missing out on great times to come.

The main thing is Mike and Bruce are a band, while the Brian/Al/Dave trio are not a bad as of yet. Now if they formed a band and it was actually going to be a regular lineup, then of course Brian's band would be better...Brian is the only one with anything new going on musically of note, and Al is the best singer of the surviving Beach Boys.

You know what you are getting with M&B: a solid show but nothing else. But with the rest of them, we don't know what's going on.

I'd just as soon see Brian, Al, Dave and Jeff form a new band than see the C50 group continue since Mike was not too into it. If Mike was into it, it would be completely different.

The bottom line is Mike doesn't want to deal with the others and he has no obligation to. Nobody should want him involved if he isn't fully committed and excited about playing with the other guys.

Agree it remains to be seen what kind of band the Brain, Dave and Al show will be. Will it turn into an album. Will Al wer out his welcome?  Will David and Al sing more leads?

I do predict more deep cuts and better venues than Sea World and run down casinos.

I dunno -- I'm trying to think of an album Brian was involved in that he hasn't played something from in the last ten years.  (A period in which he's also played the whole of "Smile", "That Lucky Old Sun", and various tracks from GIOMH and Gershwin.)  Only ones I  think he's missed out on were KTSA and BB85...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

He hasn't done anything from Love You in the last ten years, either -- The Night Was So Young was dropped from his sets in 2002. And Friends only *just* sneaks in there, as well, being dropped in mid-2003. Also, Surf's Up only gets in through the title track being on Smile (and he hasn't played that in eight years or so). I was going to add Sunflower to the list, because This Whole World was also dropped after 2002, but I just checked and Forever made a brief return to the set in 2005. Obviously Still Cruisin' as well, but that hardly counts as Brian's only on (I think) three tracks on that.

Basically, I think the breakdown since 2004 has been this: Brian and Mike have essentially the same basic repertoire, twenty or so songs they always play. There are a few differences (MIke's basic repertoire includes Kokomo and a few of the car songs that Brian doesn't do, Brian's includes Love & Mercy), but the core of their sets is basically the same, and on a 'normal' tour that's what they'll play.

But they both also do 'special' tours. On Brian's 'special' tours, he'll perform an entire album, and that album will usually be one that will make the fans of the band's artier music happy. On Mike's 'special' tours -- generally out-of-season theatre shows -- he'll add in stuff from Eric's list (which is far from exclusive -- the 2008 tour included almost all of Eric's list but also Good Timin', You Still Believe In Me, Good To My Baby, The Warmth Of The Sun, Betsy, and more).

So far as setlist quality goes, then, it depends on whether you prefer hearing an entire album or want to hear a variety of songs from different years (personally, I thought the Smile and That Lucky Old Sun sets were way ahead of Mike's sets, but the Gershwin shows weren't).

Oh my. Really? Brian has done Smile and Pet Sounds Live. TLOS. Lots of deep cuts. I wouldn't call Disney Girls a deep cut for the Mike?Bruce show. Bruce always does that. It's his signature song.

When did he drop Til I Die?


… which I think is what helped make the C50 shows such a great successful blend. All elements of both bands were very well rehearsed in cracking arrangements of the same songs. Al'd been turning out the same material too. Dave was probably the one least familiar with any of the material played on those shows.

Mike & Bruce do unarguably concentrate on the hits. Know something ? 'Album' tours aside, so does Brian and even then, you're guaranteed a dozen or more no-sh*t, gold-plated, cast-iron hits*. It's a bit of a puzzle that the perception that Brian plays exclusively, or overwhelmingly, non-hits and deep catalog tracks has arisen.

[* first Smile show - 16 hits]

I think it's worth noting that Mike & Bruce included a few more "deep cuts" in the set after Brian toured Pet Sounds.

Brian's shows tend to end with a run of hits, with the more obscure material preceeding them. At least that is my impression from concerts attended and set lists I have read.

2002, I'm pretty sure. I haven't seen (m)any setlists from 2003 (and can't access Eric's site from this machine to double-check), but by 2004 he was doing a mostly-hits first half and a Smile second half. The last time Brian did the tons of rarities type sets people seem to think he does on a regular basis was eleven years ago now.

(I still think that the sets from the Summer 2002 UK tour were the best setlists ever performed by anyone, and find it sad that most of the best stuff from those shows has been dropped, presumably forever).

Brian was a "solo" artist with a "backing band." That is is the difference.  Brian broke out on his own, which for him was courageous.  But, he was still a Beach Boy.  And, no less than Ringo or Paul, that identity was earned.  Even though he had the freedom to sing what he wanted, he did do a lot of BB material.  It is amazing that all three bands, have used a core set of hits.  Disney Girls is a "deep cut," arguably.  It was on one of those older "sound only" YouTubes. And it is not always performed; maybe 20-25% of the time, and that takes into consideration, time allotment, the venue, and the audience, I think.

Brian took a different approach to Pet Sounds, SMiLE and TLOS (all of which I saw) and mixed the show with hits at the opening, the "theme" in the middle, and hits at the end.  It was a good strategy.  It is not perception, it is reality.  They all do play the core hits.  And, why wouldn't they?  

Almost all the "headliners" play the casinos. Some of the best theaters in the entertainment business are there; best acoustics, seating, parking, restaurants, etc.  And what is wrong with playing Disneyworld or SeaWorld?  Disney has everything to think of, there, as well and gives an enhanced value for your admission ticket.  And young people are not excluded, as they are in some age-driven venues such as casinos. Why shouldn't the Beach Boys be a family event?

This is just thinly-veiled snobbism.

There are casinos and therr are casinos. I've been in several the Mike/Bruce show play and they are dumps. Tthere is a casino circuit for washed up acts and the Mike/Bruce show playing many of these venues. It's sad, kinda pathetic and  it tarnishes the Beach Boys legacy.

Apologies if this has been posted already. David Beard interviewed Mike Love about the future of the band, Mike Love responded: "Whatever will be, will be."

http://www.examiner.com/article/mike-love-says-que-sera-sera-to-beach-boys-future (http://www.examiner.com/article/mike-love-says-que-sera-sera-to-beach-boys-future)

C50 - two nights in Mohegan Sun. (one I really don't  care for, but the arena size lends itself to higher capacity) Foxwoods MGM has a fabulous theater, state-of-the-art.  The entertainment business has changed dramatically.  

I've seen The Touring Band there, as well as C50.  They used the same venue. It is an objective fact.  Eric's set list archive might support that.

It is not about the place; it is about the music.  

And as demonstrated, the three bands each play more or less the same music… to me it's about integrity and soul of the reunited Beach Boys as well as their music.  They can play in a festering barn for all I care – just let 'em play.

:love :kiss

OSD voted 90 times.

In response to some of the posts above...I totally love hearing the hits in concert, just as much as I love hearing the album cuts!  I think that all the bands (Brian's, Al's, and Mike's) do both!  Just trying to say that some like to pigeonhole Mike & Bruce as exclusively playing the hits.  In the vast majority of their shows, they include some lesser known songs, without eliminating the hits.  I just wanted to clarify that that was my point, NOT that Brian didn't do the same.  And I am fully aware that Brian played Pet Sounds, TLOS, and BWPS live.  I was at those shows! 

Most who post this stuff claim they wouldn't or haven't been to a Mike & Bruce show. They are ignorant responses and we all know that ignorance is bliss. ;)

Hmm let's see.. If I were to see Mike & Bruce, I would hear Be True To Your School, Barbara Ann, 409 & Hawaii in a casino or fairground. If I were to see Brian with Alan & David, I would prolly hear The Warmth of The Sun, Kiss Me Baby, I Just Wasn't Made For These Times & 'Til I Die in a theater hall or amphitheater.. I think this is a no-brainer!

I've seen Brian do Hawaii, and he's done Barbara Ann at every concert. Mike and Brian both do the hits and the deep cuts.

So are you on team mike or team brian...?

No you wouldn't. Brian hasn't performed Til I Die in eleven years now, and other than the reunion tour shows hadn't done I Just Wasn't Made For These Times since 2006 -- he only does that on Pet Sounds shows. Kiss Me Baby's been out of his set since 2002, and so has The Warmth Of The Sun. He does do Barbara Ann and sometimes Hawaii, though.

On the other hand, Mike & Bruce have had Warmth Of The Sun, Kiss Me Baby and Til I Die in their sets at two of the last three gigs I saw them do -- all of them since the last time Brian performed any of those songs.

Honestly, I don't know how often I have to point this out before people realise it -- if what you want to hear is the artistic back catalogue stuff, you're *infinitely* more likely to hear it at a Mike & Bruce show than at a Brian one. Brian's set has been essentially the same since 2004, with practically no changes, except for special tours where he performs whatever album he's promoting in full.Those performances of full albums are where you have to look for interesting songs in Brian's set now -- the rest of his set is an essentially unchanging meat-and-potatoes set.
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/brian-wilson/2009/bergen-performing-arts-center-englewood-nj-4bd4ff66.html is a typical example of a non-album show from Brian.

Do It Again, Dance, Dance, Dance, Girl Don't Tell Me,  Then I Kissed Her, In My Room, Salt Lake City, Custom Machine, Soul Searchin', Desert Drive, Please Let Me Wonder.Don't Worry Baby, I Get Around, Sail on, Sailor, Heroes and Villains, California Girls, Monster Mash (thrown in for Hallowe'en), The Little Girl I Once Knew, Your Imagination. All Summer Long, Add Some Music to Your Day, Shut Down, Little Deuce Coupe, Do You Wanna Dance?, Sloop John B, Wouldn't It Be Nice. God Only Knows, That Lucky Old Sun, Goin' Home, Southern California, Good Vibrations, Surfer Girl, Johnny B. Goode, Help Me, Rhonda, Barbara Ann. Surfin' U.S.A., Fun, Fun, Fun

Do you see I Just Wasn't Made For These Times or Til I Die in that list? I certainly don't.

I know facts make absolutely no difference to anybody when it comes to this, but the facts are simple. Once the summer 2002 tour finished, Brian stopped playing the artier songs most of the people here prefer. Around the same time, Mike started playing many of them. Brian's sets are still more interesting because he is still creating worthwhile new music, and so you get stuff like Soul Searchin' and Southern California in the set, and Brian's band are far better than Mike's band, but if what you want to hear is Warmth Of The Sun, Til I Die and Kiss Me Baby, it's Mike's band you want to see, not Brian's.

I'm team "Authentic Beach Boys". Prior to C50, I've only seen Mike & Bruce's band once, while Brian six times.

I don't get why people feel they have to choose Brian OR Mike/Bruce OR Al...I like them all!  They are all great bands!!!  ??? 

I haven't been looked at Brian's Blueboard in a while. Is it possible all the Brianistas are stuffing the ballot?

People like being on teams. It's the main reason why sport is popular, and a large reason why politics is. "Rah! My guy's gonna kick your guy's ass!" and so forth.

Personally, I'm on "Team Wanting To See As Many Good Shows By These People As I Can In The Unfortunately Limited Time We'll Have Left, In Whatever Configuration They Are All Most Comfortable Playing In".

I think Brian's band are the best group of musicians I've ever heard in my life, and when they're not playing standard greatest hits sets the shows are life-changingly, miraculously good (and even when they are playing standard hits sets they're a great band). I don't think I'll ever have a greater musical experience in my life than the June 2002 show I saw. So I want to see them do more of those shows.

I think Al is an astoundingly good singer, and that the only way I'll ever see him live again is if he plays with one of the other configurations, so I want him to do that. I don't really care which one -- whichever one will have him.

I think David is a very good guitarist, and added a lot to the Mike & Bruce band, so I hope he eventually starts playing with them again.

And I think Mike & Bruce's band range from the excellent (Totten and Cowsil) to the very good (Kirsch, who's about as good at his job as Foskett is) to the competent (Bonhomme, who plays all the parts fine but who I can't say I've ever been amazed by either) to Christian Love, who could be great if he wasn't such a lazy vocalist and if he actually seemed like he wanted to be there. At their best (like the 2008 tour) they're only a notch below Brian's band, and even at their worst there's an energy that comes from a small garage-band style configuration like this. So I want them, ideally, to get Al in and to add David into the mix. But since that's not going to happen I'll still be more than happy to go and see them any time, though I'd choose to see Brian's band over them every time.

But that's because I'm more interested in hearing the music played well than I am in whose wife fell out with whose, or who hasn't forgiven who for something they said in 1973, or any of that nonsense.

I saw Mike and Bruce at the Sydney Opera House playing You Still Believe In Me, Cotton Fields, and Heroes And Villains.  Horses for courses...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

In case certain people are reading this board, I would just like to put out here that I'll put a vote for the Mike & Bruce camp if they start doing live performances of Do You Like Worms?/Roll Plymouth Rock.  >:D

The final (as far as my updates are concerned) are in and it's quite overwhelming.

For whatever reason - Mike/Bruce have over-toured, BAD are three original Beach Boys set to tour or an anti-Mike vibe, or ..........

People overwhelmingly would prefer to see Brian, Al and David vice Mike/Bruce.

I'd say this date is pretty solid.  I checked the Blue Board and there is no mention of this poll.  If there were, I imagine it be 99% B A D to 1% M/B.

 88.28%         Brian Al & David
    9.5%          Mike/Bruce's Beach Boys
    2.12%        Other

Updated 3/20/2013 at 2:20 am PST

PS - the main reason for this post was to move down he "Rank the Tracks" explosion.

Wow, then BAD better get on the ball and book that 100 show concert tour, right now! Geez, and they only booked 3 shows, so far. ;)

Ummm, it wasn't my poll and the results aren't based on my opinion. Someone on another thread wanted facts arguing against the Bruce/Mike show. This poll would certainly seem to give us some.

I am highly curious on why the three are doing shows. Brian can tour with his band solo, he doesn't need Al or Dave.
Is it a trial balloon for something bigger. Are they doing just a few show cause they enjpyed the C50 and want to keep the vibe going a bit. Are they laying the groundwork to take the BB license from ML.

Or are these just some PR shows to help promote the release of the MIC box set, or a new album featuring B A D.Just groundless speculation on my part. Time will tell.

 SurfriderH, dear friend, as King Lear says "reason not the need."

Ha, well put Professor.  We don't need a reason, yes.  I would be happy just to see them, have them performing.

Must admit, my Shakespeare is very weak.