The Smiley Smile Message Board

Posted on the BW forum. 

http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/music/Brian+Wilson+here+with+best+band+ever+worked+with/11234184/story.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm

nice little article, KDS, thanks !
it is true what Brian says, Al is better than ever.  It is inexplicable.
this interview: "No More Beach Boys".

- previous, and next interview: "maybe"

". . . . . upon completion of the tour, Wilson, Jardine, Marks and Chaplin were thrown out of the band. Mike Love and Bruce Johnston, who owned the name, went back to business as usual. "

Oh, yeah, here we go again. "Thrown out of the band". Never let the facts get in the way of a juicy story.

Not to mention the fact that Blondie wasn't on the C50 tour. 

I just wanted to see how long it took for somebody to point out the inaccuracy of a Pro-Brian article.  People destroyed the writer of the Pro-Mike article from the Observer that was posted yesterday. 

Either way, I think the article makes its point that Brian seems to be very happy with the album and tour. 

The other article seemed to show that Mike was alright with his touring. 

So, as has been pointed out before, both camps have moved on. 

As in the case of the Mike articles, no need to throw a pile of sh*t upon the others to praise the object of the article. No need for that.

"So if there’s anything that sounds divisive there, well, I have nothing but awe and respect for Brian’s musical abilities, and love for him as a person, as a cousin, as a family member. Strip away all the misconceptions and the divisiveness and that’s how it is."   (Mike Love, Observer interview)

- truth

Brian will never have a better band than the one Dennis and Carl were part of.

Just imagine if Mike said this.

And imagine how a quote like this makes Mike feel.

It's a real mystery why this band can't ever get along.  ::)

Falsehoods.  [and truth]  MAN!!!  If you're gonna write a story [or an article] on someone as iconic as Brian and about a group as iconic as The Beach Boys you better have your sh*t 'down'.  This poor boy doesn't either.

What I read in the truth, rather than the falsehoods, sections suggests to me that one camp is now, currently, issuing the expected platitudes and saying all the 'right' words while the other is basically saying nothing whatsoever.  At least THAT is HONEST.

It would appear that TALENTED writers are far, Far, FAR  harder to come by than fellas with computer keyboards.  One wonders what the purpose really is behind these conflicting shots across  bows.

We want to realign? 

No?

Yes.  I'm surprised Brian would say otherwise.

Brian would say otherwise.

He is completely honest, and completely inconsistent interview to interview.

There are errors, just as there were in the one about the myth of the lesser Beach Boys but as for Brian stating his band are the best, I should imagine he was talking as a musician. Brian's band can play more instruments than the original Beach Boys, though of course the Beach Boys' vocals were wonderful. Brian's current band have also been supportive of him, not always the case with all of the original Beach Boys.

I'm not surprised to note that someone has already suggested that the article's claim that there would be no more reunions was what Brian said now but not necessarily what he'd say next time. Of course, it wasn't actually stated that Brian had said it, though he did state that he didn't talk to Mike Love. Well, everyone will believe what they choose to believe.

Here's something I don't think anybody has thought of...

ever thought that Brian could be comparing the *current* configuration of his solo band in comparison to the previous incarnations? If so, I would definitely agree, as having Matt on falsetto and having Al and Blondie definitely has made this solo tour sound better than any other solo tour he's ever done.

I disagree Billy.  To me the SMiLE tour was better.  [Also I'm not a fan of Matt's cartoonish falsetto.]

I have a question for you [all] though.  From all of these various 'new' articles with Brian, and Mike and Bruce and Jeff and Mike... I pulled these 2 sets of quotes...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"What has been promulgated is just not real," Love says. "It's annoying to me. I know my relationship with Brian — no one has been involved with Brian Wilson longer than I have. We've been together since childhood. So no one can tell me how my relationship is with Brian."

Well Michael...ONE man can.  That man is Brian Wilson...and I quote...

"There will be no more reunions.  I don’t talk to The Beach Boys,” he notes tersely. “I don’t talk to Mike Love.”

So...WHO is telling the truth?

Lee, we know for sure that Brian is completely honest, and completely inconsistent.

Mike is consistent and persistent.

- Aug 8 !

God forbid people's feelings change from day to day

I'm sure what Brian means, and he has said this before, is that they are the best playing band. That the original Beach Boys playing band was not perfect was recognized both by Brian in the 60s when he began hiring outside musicians and the band itself when they began to augment their stage act with many other performers. It wouldn't come as a surprise if several Beach Boys would say that say the the band played better with the additional musicians from the In Concert era (without Brian, I might add) than they did in, say, 1963.

This guy didn't put together a particularly well-researched article either; another article that incorrectly references Mike (and Bruce in this case) "owning" the name.

This and the Observer Mike interview are both oddly relatively antagonist, snide approaches (not to their respective subjects, but to the interviewers' perceived adversaries of their subjects) to doing a piece on a subject they seem to hold in such high esteem.

And they both are not particularly well-written. Sheesh, if you wanna say Brian's band is awesome and Mike's blows (or vice versa), there are actually ways to do it without sounding like a 13-year-old.

I'd say this Brian article leans more toward the "lazy" side whereas the Observer piece was more douchey for lack of a better term to use.

Regarding the "best band I've ever worked with", I will not attempt to parse or twist it to completely deny the possibility that he specifically means his current band is better than the Beach Boys. If he feels that way, I disagree. However, I don't think he's attempting to denigrate any or all of the potential BB lineups. I think he's just saying the musicians backing him are the best he's worked with. I tend to doubt he specifically has it in his mind that this band is better than the circa 1966 vocal blend of the classic Beach Boys lineup. I think he means it's the best backing band on tour that he's worked with (and even then, it's kind of a floating, vague reference considering his backing band has rotated some folks in and out); and perhaps means that it's the best configuration (e.g having Al and Blondie along) among the solo tours he's done. Other than the BB vocal blend (meaning all five or six BB's of a given era), Brian's band is probably the best live touring backing band I've heard or seen. I think some of the 70's lineups would give it a run, that's about it.

I'm not surprised one iota.  Brian had a vision for how his songs should sound.  He wrote 'em and he arranged them.  Then he went into the studio and recorded them...PAINSTAKINGLY...until he got them exactly how he wanted them...or at least as close to it as was humanly possible at the time.  Brian spent oodles of time and money doing and redoing songs to the point where Mike called him "dogears" because Brian heard stuff no one else could hear.

Brian's band play those songs the way Brian wanted them to sound.  NO ONE else ever has.  The Carl and Dennis version was great for us.  They even modernized the tunes to an extent.  But the versions that don't sound dated...the ones which have stood the test of time...are the ones Brian Wilson performs.  The voices aren't exact...but they're usually pretty damn close and the rest is also VERY close to spot on.

The Beach Boys were only close to that in 2012.

I duno the BW band is amazing and awe inspiring... but they don't know how to "rock." Brian doesn't either. Rocking was a strictly Carl/Dennis thang.

Blondie and Ricky helped out in that regard too.  I liked it.  BUT...We're talking about Brian.

The BW band plays the songs closer to the studio versions like Brian wants. The BBs had to change the songs since being five guys Playing live during the glory days.

Have you been to one of the current shows?

+1. And that's not a slight against the BBs either, anymore than Brian using the Wrecking Crew as his preferred instrumental musicians (either entirely or partially) during the '60s is a slight against the Boys.

Wild Honey with Blondie rocks like crazy.

Hell, I like the 1964 live shows with raw punk energy a lot. But BW wanted something different in the studio, and the BW band is great for carrying that out in a live setting.

you are correct, sir.  Call it raw punk garage energy '64.
and BM, Blondie is KILLING this 2015 tour.  I was amazed !
Brian was 4Fresh.   Dennis was great, but not a musician.

- energy and rock came from 11 & 13 yr old David and Carl

yah it's like a chamber orchestra featuring a guy that rocks (blondie). not complaining! just callin it how i sees it. brian's never been interested in rocking the f*** out.

When Brian says something controversial, he's given the benefit of the doubt that he didn't mean it, and instead it was totally innocuous and twisted by the author or reader.

Mike gets taken at face value.

Isn't this slightly degrading? Are we saying Brian can't speak for himself and we have to interpret everything he says?

Brian said he's playing with the best band he ever worked with. He worked with the Beach Boys. Unless he clarifies that he's speaking as a solo artist, then I believe he should be interpreted at face value.

And once again, imagine of Mike said this. Granted, Brian has a much better claim because of the talent of his backing musicians and vocalists, but you'd better believe if Mike said this, it would be taken as a shot against Brian, Dennis, Carl and Al.

Maybe true.  But Brian has a history of being a pretty nonconfrontational guy with a very nice way about him in terms of his demeanor.  Mike?  Perhaps he's been a little more in 'yer' face along the way?

Maybe THAT'S why things are taken the way they are?

I think, in 1998, he said "Imagination" was the best album he's ever made. Brian seems to sometimes say whatever he's working on at the current moment in time is his best ... not a bad way to work.

Wasn't saying that's what Brian actually meant, just playing devil's advocate.

Brian can make that comment with a straight face because he never toured with the band during it's Blondie/Ricky peak years.

I'm sure Brian also means they are better than the 'Wrecking Crew' not just the Beach Boys.

Very true.

Wrecking Crew wasn't a live performing band...apples and oranges.

In my opinion, Brian Wilson can do and say anything, and largely NOT be held accountable for it, because he is mentally ill. Brian's illness pretty much excuses the negative aspects of his life and career, especially on this board. And, if it becomes too painful to go there, you can always blame "others". That usually works, too, because they didn't give us Pet Sounds.

I think Mike is the mentally ill one due to the bile he says about his "cousin" Brian he "loves" so much.

s'true.  Brian has always played it up as well, he's done a lot of passive agressive stuff over the years himself because he has a ready made excuse.  Just how it is...

(http://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/54729317.jpg)

Absolutely, SB. He'll go to his grave being a jealous, insecure wannabe with an enormous ego infested inferiority complex.  ::) ::)

Your point is? 

“The guys from The Wondermints are with me. They’re the best band I’ve ever worked with". - Brian Wilson

Where did Brian mention live performing bands?  He worked with a band collectively known by many as the 'Wrecking Crew' in inverted commas.  His current band are like a concert version of the studio guys he had in the 60s. Do you agree?

So now that Brian is controlled and on prescription medications (to get that mental illness curbed) can he finally be held accountable for what he says?

But then again, according to Mike, it was hallucinogenic drugs that set Brian back two decades. Or it could've been the indiscriminate use of illegal street drugs. So as a Brianista which of these excuses works best to defend the negative aspects of Brian's life and career?

Give me a f*cking break. Brian is Brian - witty, humorous, doesn't like interviews, and frankly, what Brian says in an interview isn't harming anyone...it isn't tactless personal comments, it isn't passive aggressive snark directly aimed at people who Brian works with. NORBIT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE GOD FORBID WHAT BRIAN. GOK was written in 15 minutes? But the last interview you said 30....what the hell you're doing great damage to everythingggggg

This is how I took it.

Once again, very little interview and a lot of interpretation by the writer.

My take away: Brian is enjoying what he's doing now.  As much as he loved his brothers and cousin, I'm guessing he wasn't always happy as a Beach Boy. He seems happy now and enjoys performing with this line up.  That makes this band the best ever.

Well said

I take it he is saying the guys from Wondermints that are with him are the best band he has ever worked with.  The rest of his current band and past band not so much I guess.

Brian appears to be enjoying performing now more than he ever has before. I can't help but think that it is due, in large part, to having a band that is totally behind him 100%.

1962 - 1964
Brian is touring, writing, producing etc. Too much pressure and the touring is keeping him from what he wants to do.

1976 - 1996
Brian is an occasional member of the touring band shunted off to the side in the hope he wouldn't screw up the show.  When he is there it is like a side show - he contributes little. The band is playing arrangements of songs different from how he produced the music.

1998 -
Brian has a band that is devoted to his vision of the music.

There aren't many occasions where the Beach Boys played a version of a song radically different than the recorded version. The most obvious example I can think of is the early 70's versions of "Help Me Rhonda". No, I think the guys were pretty faithful to the original versions. Some things do change over time as you play the songs show after show, year after year - and that's not a bad thing IMO. it's part of keeping some life in the music.

That's actually an interesting topic. "Heroes and Villains" is another notable example from the 70s.

Tom Harrison is generally a very good reviewer/rock writer. One comment called his work a bit lazy.

How do you figure that?

It seems to me that the reason some are unwilling to believe Brian means such comments is because they don't want them to be true.  Would those who are asking 'what will he say next time?' have asked this question had Brian said he wanted to get back with Mike and Bruce again?

I agree that had Mike claimed his current band were the best ever, it would be taken as a slight against the Beach Boys. But as I have already mentioned, perhaps Brian is just referring to the skill set of his current band. The Beach Boys vocals were great but I've never heard them play Surf's Up live and make anywhere near as good a job of it as Brian's band did during SMiLE for example.

I've been a BB fan/researcher/historian/eminence grise/overall smartass for over 40 years now, and one of the constant non-musical joys is Brian's consistent inconsistency. Wait long enough and he'll say exactly the opposite, and that's not in any way a criticism: it's just Brian being Brian, either coping with a tedious interview or having a giggle. That's all.

I'm just surprised to see that when talking about NO PIER PRESSURE Brian didn't use that old cliche he always falls back on:

"Oh yeh...we recorded this album with a lot of love.  There's a lot of love in it".

But he will, sooner or later.  It's somewhat automatic!!

And it's not just the Wondermints who back him up...there's many others as well.  Either way...I wonder if he ever gives the whole band
a bonus for the amazing performances they put in for him gig after gig.  I hope they get an extra chunk of dosh every once in a while. 

Dogbone

He has said in the past when referring to his band that the Wondermints are the best band he has worked with and wishes he had them around in the 60s when recording.

Give me a f*cking break. Brian is Brian - witty, humorous, doesn't like interviews, and frankly, what Brian says in an interview isn't harming anyone...it isn't tactless personal comments, it isn't passive aggressive snark directly aimed at people who Brian works with. NORBIT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE GOD FORBID WHAT BRIAN. GOK was written in 15 minutes? But the last interview you said 30....what the hell you're doing great damage to everythingggggg
[/quote]

So if Mike said in an interview that this was the best band he'd ever worked with you wouldn't take that as passive aggressive snark and there wouldn't be a ten page thread about it?

I love Brian and the Beach Boys but some posters are determined to take sides when there is no need.  A little balance would go a long way.

Because Brian said “The guys from The Wondermints are with me. They’re the best band I’ve ever worked with".

I don't dispute that Brian can be inconsistent. However, in this respect some of the fans are exactly the opposite - they point out his inconsistency when it's something they don't want to believe and don't mention it when it's something they do.  Had Brian said that he was hoping for a reunion, I'd probably have consoled myself with the idea he might change his mind. But as - at the moment - I agree with his take, I'm hoping he sticks with it.

“I don’t talk to The Beach Boys,” he notes tersely."

-  Alan and Blondie must be bewildered

They're not in the Beach Boys any more. Ask Mike.

The author mentioned that Blondie Chaplin was thrown out of the C50 lineup. That’s pretty freaking lazy research I’d say. It wouldn’t take extensive research to determine that Blondie Chaplin was nowhere near the 50th reunion. 

The author also says that Mike and Bruce own the Beach Boys name. Even the Beach Boys Wikipedia entry explains that Mike licenses use of the name for touring.

I’m not saying every person that interviews Brian absolutely *has* to know all this stuff. But just leave the stuff out if you don’t know what you’re talking about.

I don't remember which interview, but he did indeed say that about NPP. 

:)

Right, but the controversy is in what Brian said about his current and past bandmates.

My point is that the two shouldn't be compared....and I'm directing that towards Brian as well.

I notice that many tend to refer to the whole backup band as the Wondermints. I've gotten so used to reading that that I didn't even catch it!

Dam, and I missed it??   He's said this about most everything over the years.  About PET SOUNDS, About SMiLE, about recording with the Beach Boys in general. 
Glad to see he didn't miss a beat with NO PIER PRESSURE.

Brian is the king of "Bullshit", when it comes to interviews!!

Dogbone

Brian has also said (paraphrasing here) 'how good The Beach Boys were to produce and how he would rather produce them than anyone else.'

Quite a compliment and I'm assuming he only means vocals.......Just as I have always assumed his 'best band' comments over the years have meant musicianship skills.

Yeah, he's done so many interviews for NPP that I can't recall which, but I know it was there somewhere. 

Isn't it amazing that Brian gets a free pass for stock answers, but not Mike? 

He's been saying that for decades,  though, and for those who know him, can confirm that's how he really feels.

And he certainly doesn't get a free pass, especially here, and especially lately. Mike can say something that some have a problem with, and  others will point out that Brian did such and such in 19-whatever, with glee.

Concerning all the debates over whether Brian is held to the same standard as Mike when it comes to questionable interview comments, I would say that Brian has maintained a much more ample supply of benefit of the doubt from myself and probably many fans. These guys occasionally say out-of-character stuff, but for the most part they are relatively consistent in terms of their general demeanor and apparent agenda (or lack thereof) in these interviews. So when each guy says something that might be inflammatory, the guy who has constantly tapped out his supply of the benefit of the doubt is much more likely to be called on it, given his track record.

When Brian says the Wondermints are the best band he’s worked with, I don’t think he’s even thinking about Mike Love, let alone trying to get in digs on him. Whereas, stuff like that David Beard interview with Mike, or the continual references to the “people around” Brian, or Brian’s decades-old drug issues, etc., appear to be filled with, at best, defensiveness and pain and hurt, and, potentially, actual disdain, regardless of how many times he tells us he loves Brian and how they were buddies 50 years ago.

If Brian gives an interview where he says something like “I love Mike, we grew up together. He’s going through some decades of having some ego issues, which has been painful for me to witness”, and starts mentioning over and over in countless interviews the “Smile” lawsuit that got laughed out of court in Brian’s favor, then maybe we can start equating what these guys say. 

Again, doesn’t mean Brian is incapable of saying something negative or hurtful (whether intentionally or not) in an interview. But their track records speak for themselves when it comes to this stuff. The irony is that Mike earned back a TON of goodwill and benefit of the doubt during C50, both by the simple act of DOING the project, and for being so gracious and positive in interviews during that time. *He* undid that, no one else did.

Bruce strikes back..... :lol

I never thought at 72, I was getting the best vocal reviews I had in my life, and I thought this is the best band we ever had."


http://www.qconline.com/life/boys-to-men----years-of-sunny-summer/article_c1df8059-7c16-5375-a8d6-120d9a622bd9.html

"...Brian's consistent inconsistency." Just an acute case of him being far more clever than anyone here can ever hope to be. I absolute admire his amazing ability to keep everyone guessing, which when translated means no one, not you or anyone else here is capable of knowing what is really going on. Just like back in the day when he had it all goin' on in his head before most of it made it to the record. 

Bruce's interviews continue to astound me! I've read in the past, and now he states again that "I called 10 people; they weren't available" to replace Glen Campbell. Did you ever really think about that. Ten people turned down an offer to join The Beach Boys, albeit just the touring band! What was their excuse? WHAT POSSIBLE EXCUSE COULD'VE THEY HAD? They had an appointment to get a root canal, they wanted to keep their commitment to their current band (whoever that was), The Beach Boys weren't big enough, they wouldn't make enough money? I mean, I'm assuming that Bruce was calling people who he thought were qualified musically. You would think that out of 10 people, a couple would jump at that opportunity. Another perplexing thing surrounding Bruce...

Oh yeah...I'll beat you to it. Maybe they didn't want to be a band with Mike Love. Save your insults for the next 37 threads.

On the brit site many years ago I asked him who turned the gig down and the name I remember was Ed Carter.

Hey, man, for once I think you're on to something! Perfectly salient theory that makes so much sense.

I think that inconsistent praising and spreading his "favorites" out amongst different people/bandmates/songs/albums, etc from one interview to the next is ultimately partly out of Brian trying to please everybody by spreading the love/praise. I think that's ingrained in his nature.

Exactly. Have any BB bandmembers publicly ever talked/complained/referenced Mike's ego issues? The closest I could think of is Denny passive-aggressively stating that the band was just Brian's messengers (if indeed that was a partial attempt to put Mike in his "place", as I think it may have partly been), but as far as any direct statement of such, I don't think there's ever been one. Mike must think that behavioral patterns of people are only to be pointed out if he can directly link those behaviors to substances (or in the rare exception case of sober Al, a "bad attitude").  

With the exception of Mike, I think BB bandmates have respect enough to not keep harping about another bandmember's behavioral issues (however destructive they may be) in public, out of common decency, even though you can be certain that all BB members (maybe not Bruce, who at least on the surface seems to just accept and not ever be put off by Mike whatsoever) have more than likely had many private conversations about Mike's ego issues with friends/loved ones, complete with many eye rolls.

I think anyone would be *crazy* to doubt that.

I really don't think they don't repeatedly speak about Mike's ego issues out of somehow not thinking he has ego issues (as perhaps some Kokomoists would like to pretend is the case). For Al, Brian, Carl, etc doing that would only come off as being divisive within one's own band (or one's own former band). Mike should take that lead, too. Nobody is going to not take drugs because Mike over and over again points out that Brian did lots of drugs, especially because Brian himself is a living survivor who openly talks with regret, in effect warning others about drugs himself.  

I wish Brian would first try to please the interviewer. I feel sorry for some of these interviewers. Brian not only DOESN'T give thoughtful answers, sometimes he doesn't answer the question at all.

You really don't like BW at all....

Except Brian now always says he didn't.  He had an idea of the melody and chords but not how it would all sound.  He also mentions this in a scene in Love and Mercy when, I think, Melinda asks him.  Maybe anoher inconsistency, or modesty.

I'm pretty sure it went down like this:

The Beach Boys: Hey Bruce, do you know anyone who could fill in for Brian?

Bruce: Uh..okay, I'll ask around.

Later that night....

Bruce: (to himself) What the hell? Do I "know anyone"???? Why not me? Geez, I'm doing Beach Boys knock-off records. They know I can sing. What the hell?

(stares at phone for an hour....goes to sleep)

The next day....

The Beach Boys: Hey Bruce, did you find anyone to join our super successful rock group?

Bruce: Yeah..(ahem)..y'know what? I called...er..um...10 people. Yeah, that's it. 10 people and couldn't find anyone who wanted to get on the fast track to make millions. So..(chuckles)..what about using me instead?

 

It depends on his comfort level with the interviewer, it seems. I've seen plenty a time where he hasn't gotten a good vibe, and has completely blown the guy out the water.  There's one interview where the guy is asking some of the most inane questions ever, and Brian's acting like he's deaf.

 :-D

Knowing how myKe luHv squeaks when it comes to money, br00th is still on "probation" and waiting for his first raise. C'mon man, he's the best hand clapper and myKe stand adjuster in the business.  :-D

I think, Billy, it depends on how you feel about interviewers. Some people might think that some interviewers actually deserve to be blown off or dismissed, based on the (perceived) quality of their questions. I understand that point of view, I really do. However, other people might feel that, hey, you agreed to do the interview - for YOUR benefit - so be nice, be patient if necessary, and try to make the best of it. There are many less painful things in life to endure.

I don't care if people think I am singling Brian Wilson out, but he is rude to many of these interviewers. First, he does not think before he answers. The question is barely out of the interviewer's mouth and he is starting his answer. It is obvious he is not being thoughtful because he has not taken the time to actually THINK about the question. One word answers. One sentence answers. Answers that have nothing to do with the question. Answers that are coached and rehearsed. To me anyway, that is disrespectful.

But, hey, that's Brian, right? So it's OK. He doesn't have to answer the questions. He's Brian Wilson. Just be lucky you were granted the interview in the first place. Just be thankful he granted you the time. Or, well, Brian has problems, so that's tough; that's the way it/he is; take it or leave it. I often wonder what these interviewers are really thinking. I wonder if they're walking away or hanging up thinking, "What the hell was that?"

The Beach Boys aren't the only group that I have followed, and I have read/heard numerous interviews where the interviewer might not have been the greatest, but the artist showed a little patience, respect, and understanding and made the best out it, sometimes actually going out of their way to make the interviewer comfortable and the content meaningful. Frankly, I haven't seen many recent (the past 20 years!) interviews with Brian where the interviewer - or I - was blown away. What I would like to see is Brian show a little love and mercy toward these interviewers who are probably shaking in their boots in the first place. Take the time to LISTEN to their questions and give thoughtful responses, not canned, rehearsed sentences.

I agree with this even though I know we'll both take a beating for it.  In regards to what the interviewers are thinking, I think it's probably the reaction one guy had in a recent radio interview with Brian when you could tell the interviewer was baffled at Brian's answer that didn't answer his question at all.  After Brian's answer he said "Errr ok".  Some people here like to pass off his answers as Brian being funny, but I don't buy that line of BS at all.  In reality it makes people think there's still something wrong with Brian.  Now that's not to say Brian never gives good interviews, but I've seen way too many examples where Brian wants to end the interview as soon as possible.

Wait. Isn't this he same board that held claims that Brian was a brain damaged puppet of the "Wifeandmanagers"? A shell of a man incapable of making even the most basic decisions, much less giving coherent interviews? Now that same Brian is a master manipulator who is just being plain rude to the hard working press! Amazing turn around that guy has made!

In the past we had claims of Zombie-Brian, who sat stiffly at his piano, forced by his "controllers" to perform for the adoring masses. Now we have "Brian always gets a pass when he says stuff, but Mike doesn't." So, either Brian's our favorite veggie-table, or he's some brilliant Svengali who has fooled us into following him with blind devotion. Well, I have a surprising theory! Brian is a guy who has a mental health issue that impacted, and still impacts, his ability to interact in public.

Brian's not a zombie. He's not a Svengali. He's a very talented person with a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. He's a songwriter who pushed the creative envelope even as the glass structure of his psyche was starting to shatter. He's the guy no one expected to survive… but he did.  He's a performer who still hears the berating voice of his father, and the mocking tones of Phil Spector in his head any time he has to step out there and put it on the line in public.  And, in spite of that, he created a sound that defined youth, California and the 60's. In spite of that, he formed and spearheaded one of the most successful bands in history. In spite of that, he wrote all that music that brought us here. In spite of that, he still performs and gives interviews, even if the voices are trying to drown out those who would encourage him. In spite of that, in his 70's now and with a bad back,  he still goes out there and does what he was born to do. And, you know what, it's a lot more than most of us have had to overcome.

Brian Wilson doesn't need a "pass." But he does deserve a little empathy and understanding.

Sorry you think it's BS. I guess everybody who knows him is lying their ass off.  Didn't realize you know Brian the best.

Can't speak for *every* interview, but the one I mentioned was definitely one of those.  Brian's smirk at the end of it kind of gave the game away.



And sometimes he does give good, thoughtful responses.  And really, much of it isn't him being 'rude' at all.  For the most part, he's not comfortable doing interviews for reasons that anybody whose followed the band should already know, and time has only made it more so.

Oddly enough ( and lucky for us), the *reverse* seems to be happening on stage.


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Cyncie put it far better than I ever could...well said.

As with most things in life, the truth likely lies somewhere in mid-stream. Brian, it's been said to me by more than one close observer down the decades, is the world's laziest guy. Sees a chair, sits in it. Like me. And yes, he's been exploited and manipulated since his teens, both knowingly and unwittingly, and maybe sometimes because it suits. And he's learned from these people: this may be a wake-up call to some here but Brian can be an arch-manipulator himself, when he feels the need. Not maliciously, like a certain psychologist we can all name, but still, he can. And has. On reflection, his original intended career as a psychologist might have been an outstanding choice. If only he'd not been such a towering musical genius...