The Smiley Smile Message Board

Apologies if this was discussed elsewhere, but this is the first I'm hearing or seeing anything about this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AeCa8cLbP4

New drummer for the Beach Boys Tribute Band...he sounds ok, no great shakes either way, especially for what has become a Tribute Band.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Per5fkRelEk

Atta boy, Tony! Just another nail in the sad, sad old coffin of Mike Love's, overwith years ago, copy band. It's difficult to realize that anyone in their right mind would waste their time following this ancient junket. While the music is timeless, the performers are pathetically NOT. GIVE IT UP!!!

Tribute bands are a big thing now. Just recently, we had The Guess Who tribute band play in my area. I see Little River Band tribute band is coming soon. We've also got tributes to Firefall, Pure Prairie League, Spin Doctors, Smash Mouth and the Temptations due here soon. Some people never got to see the real groups, so they go see the tribute bands. I never got to see the Beatles in concert, but I've seen Rain, 1964, Yesterday, Creme Tangerine, and Wings 'N' Things. No harm done.

I sure hope that John gets back with The Cowsills. They just put out a new CD and are still sounding good. The touring bboys band has become a joke.

I'm sure Mike's beach boys will be playing Trump rallies next year.

Better be careful! The other board is threatening to delete comments and shut down threads at the slightest mention of politics being involved in the firings.

There is a reason I never posted there, even though I read that board almost daily.

"Firings?" Plural?

Totten and Cowsill were both replaced at the same time.

John has apparently said he was fired, but I don't recall that Scott has indicated that he (Scott) was fired.

As far as I can tell, Totten has not said anything about his departure beyond the fact that it occurred.

Cowsill has said he was "let go."

They both played their last show on the same night.

I don't think it's far fetched to think it's pretty darn likely Totten also did not choose to retire from the band.

As for the reasons, I've talked to a few folks and heard some possible reasons. The stuff I've seen elsewhere (e.g. Bruce had them fired for not being Republican enough, and other goofy stuff to that effect) is not accurate. I absolutely believe John Stamos has more sway on Mike Love's personnel decisions than Bruce Johnston, so I highly doubt Bruce would ever be the brainchild of someone's firing.

If what I've heard is accurate, there's no big crazy, particularly dramatic reason for their departure. It's just more of the part and parcel for how the backing band thing has gone for decades and decades. It wasn't like literally for *no reason* obviously. But nothing extraordinary in my opinion.

I don't know the details. But I thought the Mike Love is evil stuff was just an internet fad like 15 years ago! Obviously, I haven't been on this message board as much as I used to because I have been busy.