The Smiley Smile Message Board

Hi to everyone in the States! I think i might have mentioned them previously on this site, but there is a great British band (actually they're welsh, but hey ho..) called Super Furry Animals. They're very much a cult band in the UK so i'm guessing they're practically unheard of in the US. Anyway, they've just released a new album called 'Hey Venus!' and it's basically just the Beach Boys album the Beach Boys never made - fantastic, melodic, harmony-filled pop songs throughout! I strongly recommend that any BB fan out there (whom, as you're reading this message, i'll assume you're one of) purchase it forthwith. And while you're at it, get hold of the same bands 'Rings Around The World' album, which is basically a modern-day Surf's Up (it's even got Paul McCartney munching celery on one of the tracks as a homage to 'Vegetables'. Absolutely true! Check out the sleeve notes...)
Anyway, the Furries don't hide the fact that they're so heavily influenced by the Beach Boys (on a recent 'bands that've influenced us'-type compilation album, they picked TWO Beach Boys songs for inclusion: Feel Flows and Lady) and as an absolute Beach Boys fanatic myself i just cannot recommend them enough, so check 'em out! They're experimental, funny, melodic, profilic - basically everything the BB's were when at their best!

(And if anyone else can suggest a similar modern-day group worth seeking out if you're a BB fan than please do...)

I have heard them. They are out of sight!

Actually they're quite well known among fans of modern and indie pop/rock (we could be lazy and call them the Pitchfork set). I agree with you that they're good.

That's 'clean outta sight!', not 'out of sight'.

Oh, and while you're groovin' to the Super Furries give 'Odessey & Oracle' by the Zombies a good spin. Amazing album from the sixties! It's often cited as the British Pet Sounds. Well, it's not as good as Pet Sounds, but it sure gets damn closer than most - buy it forthwith! You'll struggle to believe that 'Maybe After He's Gone' wasn't actually written by Brian....

The Flaming Lips-check out The Soft Bulletin

The Apples In Stereo

Barenaked Ladies (they even have a song called "Brian Wilson"-BW covered it for Live At The Roxy)

Wilco (they do a folky sounding cover of BW's "Love and Mercy")

And though I absolutely despise the All-American Rejects (formulaic top 40 emo-pop), I read an interview in Rolling Stone with their frontman, and he said he loves Pet Sounds and "Good Vibrations".

I like the Apples in Stereo. The guy singer tries to sound like Mike Love, it's funny.

I listened to SFA on youtube. They're crap.

As a Beach Boys fan - a band who's best work is largely unknown - you should know you have to listen to more than just one or two songs before judging a band.. Sod U Tube. Buy an album and sit down and have a good listen before deciding if someone is crap. Ever heard anyone claim the Beach Boys are crap on the basis of their surfing hits or not liking Barbara Ann? Yeh, me too. Listen to the song 'If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You' (availiable on U Tube) and lemme know if you still think they're crap... cheers!

And also 'Run Away'. very funny video and great Spector-esqe tune.

If pot is the gateway drug that leads to heroin, than I would say The Flaming Lips were the gateway that led me to the Beach Boys... There album which I think is the most Beach Boys is Clouds Taste Metallic.. Especially the track called "They Punctured My Yolk"

I remember the FLips were doing a concert here and while they were setting up Wayne Coyne (the Band's leader) played an interview he did for VH1 where he interviewed Brian-who looked kinda scared of wayne.  :lol

On the new Super Furry Animals cd, it's impossible to listen to 'the gift that keeps giving' and not think of circa 1969 BB's. The majority of the album has that vibe.  "Hey, Venus!' should be found, and listened to, especially by the folks on this board, who would appeciate what they are doing in these songs more than most others, I believe.

Damn tootin'! 'Give That Keeps Giving' is essential for anyone who wishes Brian still wrote 'em like he used too

I didn't like that song either. Very boring.

And more people I know like the Beach Boys' surf songs and Barbara Ann than songs like Don't Talk Put Your Head on My Shoulder or Cabinessence.

By the way, while I like SFA, I don't even think that they're even the best Brian-ish Welsh band. Euros Childs, or his former band Gorky's Zygotic Mynci, are better and more interesting to my ears.

I got their new album today, I like it! It really reminds me of Surf's Up/Carl & The Passions/Holland era Beach Boys, especially Carl's songs on those albums.

Yeh they're really good, very under-rated indeed. Anyone who likes 'Hey Venus!' i advise checking out the rest of their stuff, as a huge B Boys fan i can honestly say they're the only modern day band i'm REALLY enthusiastic about. They seem to stand for everything the Beach Boys did in their prime, a really great, exciting band to be able to get into. 'Radiator' and 'Rings Around The World' essential albums, trust me! Purchases you will not regret. And the track 'Something's Come From Nothing'? HEAVEN!! Download IMMEDIATLEY!!!! I promise you will love it!! Lemme know what you think...?

......Oh, and I've never met a non Beach Boys fan in my life who has even HEARD of Cabin Essense, but hey ho.... 'If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You' is a pop masterpiece, but each to their own. ('Gorky's' kick ass, agreed, but not quite as good (and certainly not as consistent) as the Furries..)

I agree on the not-as-consistent part. But as for not as good, that'll just have to be another of our "agree to disagree" points. Have you listened to Euros Childs' solo albums, though? I've heard two of the three, The Miracle Inn and Chops. I think they're both better than most SFA.

No unfortunately not, however just thought of another great UK band worth listening too: Supergrass. Very much under-rated, particuarly in their home country. They're one of those bands who, as they're so consistently good, just seem to get taken for granted... They're not overly BB influenced, though they're certainly on the record as being fans. 'Life On Other Planets' probably there record BB fans most likely to enjoy the most...

Many moments in the two Childs albums I have bring to mind mid-70s Brian Wilson. Relatively straightforward but very melodic, piano-based, sometimes with cool, clunky synth lines, etc. Other times it's more like GZM and others like neither.

Watched the above on youtube and one thing I can tell you is that these guys desperately want to be the Beatles, a lot of lifting from the Magical Mystery Tour film in this video. I've spent the past hour listening to their songs on the iTunes store, and I ain't the hearing the Beach Boys dude. Sorry, these guys can go join the Magic Numbers and every other band CLAIMING to be Beach Boys influenced BUT I CAN NEVER HEAR IT. It's sounds like wannabe jangly 60's pop but the melodies that made those pop tunes from the 60's so great are not there and the harmonies and vocal chops are not there. And of course the production doesn't measure up either.

I do enjoy their cover of Lady except they don't bring anything new to it. Their cover of Lady is a xerox copy of the original sung by Dennis. They do a good job covering it, but they don't improve OR ADD ANYTHING TO IT. Why would I want to listen to their cover when I can listen to the real thing. When the Beach Boys covered a song, like 'There's No Other Like My Baby' by the Crystals, they REALLY made that song their own. Another good example of the Beach Boys doing a great cover is 'Do You Wanna Dance'.

Each to there own... I disagree entirely of course. Have you heard 'Slow Life'? Just unspeakably great! I'll stop going on about 'em, this is after all a Beach Boys site, who are of course better than all these bands we're mentioning put together, and yeh, that includes the Beatles (PS I loathe the Magic Numbers. Now THEY are boring!!!)

(Oh, even you don't dig SFA, see if you can find their lead singer Gruff's comments re the Beach Boys facial hair. Hilarious stuff, especially re Mike...)

Although re SFA 'so wanting to be the Beatles'. Which band doesn't? Four words: 'Girl Don't Tell Me'. I think the video was intended as a homage.

Have a feeling your not interested in researching SFA any further, but I'd recommend the track "Rings Around The World", if you didn't hear that one. 

I'll check it out. Also, where can I find those comments on the Beach Boys facial hair, sounds funny.  :)

http://www.artrocker.com/features/interviews/gruff-rhys

Another one worth a listen, especially if u wanna hear that undeniable-BB influence in all its glory, is:
'Recepticle For The Respectable'.
Wasn't a single, so wont be on U Tube, need to download this 'un methinks. Was on the awesome 'Rings Around The World' album. It's VERY Beach Boys-esqe indeed (well, until the goth metal bit at the end kicks in.. What a band!) Also, listen out for Sir Paul McCartney eating vegetables in the background, an obvious BB tribute.

The Super Furries are a GREAT band, but they're nothing like the Beach Boys. They like the Beach Boys but they don't sound anything like them, unless you could say that any band doing three or more-part harmonies sound like the Beach Boys (Beatles, anyone? Bee Gees? McFly?) The SFAs are far more eccentric than the BBs ever were, though I guess it was bands like the Boys that allowed bands like the Furries to follow through on a particular forrow.

I can't remember who it was earlier in the thread who that said the SFA were clearly crap, well that says more about you, sir, than it does about the Furries. Don't be such a narrow-minded old goat.

While I'm at it, if we're citing bands that love the Beach Boys and make music that is influenced and inspired by them but that doesn't really sound the same, check out Paul Steel (http://www.myspace.com/paulsteel), who used to post on this board, (I think he still pops by occasionally to see what we're up to). His April & I (http://www.amazon.co.uk/April-I-Paul-Steel/dp/B000NTPEDQ/ref=sr_1_2/202-6943408-1908609?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193384590&sr=1-2) is Superb, as is the new album Moon Rock (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moon-Rock-Paul-Steel/dp/B000TAI2UQ/ref=sr_1_1/202-6943408-1908609?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1193384671&sr=1-1), which seems to be available from Amazon UK in a promo version. Anyone who loves the Boys would identify much of with this music. I'm a fan. And the SFAs are one his fave bands too!

Glad to hear you dig 'em too, they are as you say a top band, though I disagree re your comments relating to them/Beach Boys.

Firstly, the Beach Boys WEREN'T eccentric..?! I can't think of a more genuinely eccentric, f***ed-up band in music history! 'Smiley Smile'? Brian's 'Landlocked' material? 'Mount Vernon and Fairway'? 'Love You' is beyond eccentric and into the realms of utterly insane!! The SFA's MUSIC is eccentric but the band themselves are not, whereas the Beach Boys, in particular the Wilsons, and certainly Brian, were both.

Also how can you say SFA don't sound Beach Boys-esqe is baffling. Just off the top of my head, I'd nominate 'Rescepticle..', 'Demons', 'It's Not The End Of The World', 'Rings Around The World', 'Gift That Keeps Giving', 'Show Your Hand', to name but six.

(Oh, and fellow Furry fans: If you not aware, their hidden tracks at the START of 'Out Spaced' and 'Guerilla' - play track one on both and hit that rewind button. Good eh?)

In fact, play 'Atomic Lust' (from Love Kraft) at the same time as 'Feel Flows'.... Or for even more of a blatant steal, play the aforementioned 'It's Not The End Of The World' and hum the tune to Forever as you listen to it. Pretty good fit, no?

No way!  I gotta check that out!!!

As for not "getting" them, I'm sure that there are probably hundreds of bands I've dismissed after hearing one song
(even a portion of).  And i'd probably dig many (well....at least a few) of them if I gave them more of a chance.  But,
there's waaaayy too much music out there to research every band recommended to you.


Amen to that.  I'd suspect just about everyone around here has been hooked by reviews mentioning the Beach Boys influence, and underwhelmed with the results.

That said, I managed to take to the super furry animals, and that first review I read must've mentioned the BB's.  Or, I don't know....maybe it was one of those rare times when I just liked the cover art!

I haven't picked up their albums since Phantom Planet, which didn't hit me right.  Probably due for another try. 

'Phantom' a great album, but a real grower - give it a few more listens. After that, 'Love Kraft' is an album I absolutely love but which does seem to split opinion amongst fans, some find it just too much (but I say is worth buying, even just for 'Zoom!', possibly the best SFA track of all time!). Also latest album 'Hey Venus!' I promise you will love, particuarly if you like their earlier stuff.....

Yeah, but that intro is a quote, no? Its a Postmodern appropriation rather than in influence.

Re your comments about the BBs not being eccentric - they weren't! They were strictly white bread. Brian became eccentric through being drug-damaged, and he would never have made Solar System of Johnny Carson if his critical powers had still been intact. When I say eccentric I mean the stuff like Wherever I Lay My Phone (That's My Home) and most of the stuff on Guerrilla and Love Kraft.

I've listened to the songs you mention (the ones that I have, anyway) and I still don't see it. They don't sound like the BBs, they just borrow things and use them. Admittedly if I had heard 'Rescepticle..', 'Demons', 'It's Not The End Of The World' I might change my mind, though I'm not sure...!

I know what you mean, but the Boys sounded like they did because that's how they were, whereas everything the SFAs do is calculated in some way.

I am/was a big fan of the Furries, but Love Kraft was very disappointing. Very bland. The lyrics were a bit rubbish too. And the 3 or 4 tracks i've heard from Hey Venus have done nothing to convince me that they are past their best.

Guerilla/Rings Around the World/Phantom Power are tough to beat though. Phantom Power is just incredible, lucid modern psychedelia, which makes their recent stuff so disappointing.


Do any of you like The Aliens? (formed from the ashes of the Beta Band). These guys are making music that the BBs would make if they started today.

The BBs were plenty calculated, especially post-Sunflower.

Agreed. And Brian was ALWAYS a weird, eccentric character, even prior to the drugs. Read any BB book for proof of this...

You misunderstand what I mean by calculated. What I mean is that SFA have an intellectual element to their music, that is thought about, whereas the BBs didn't. After Brian stopped being a Beach Boy it was just a job for the rest of them. There's little or no art to the Beach Boys, they're just about nice songs.

I've read all the books (or at least all the ones that count). Brian wasn't 'a weird, eccentric character' as you say. You just want him to be. If he hadn't been a Beach Boy he would never have stood out.

If he hadn't been a Beach Boy he would never have stood out. ...................................


                    ??????      Now THERE'S an interesting little comment you don't hear every day about Brian.

Well having read all the books myself, full of quotes from people saying that he was always quite a strange type, I'd have to disagree. I don't particuarly want him to have been (or be) weird at all, rather a strange suggestion...

yikes,
had to step in here and show some super furry love. for those who want to hear the BBs influence check these tracks (sometimes it's pretty subtle)


She's Got Spies
Turning Tide
Chewing Chewing Gum
Keep The Cosmic Trigger Happy
Sidewalk Surfer Girl
(Drawing) Rings Around The World
It's Not The End Of The World (pretty much 'Forever')
Receptacle For The Respectable (macca chewing carrots on this)
Piccolo Snare
Father Father #1 and #2
Atomik Lust
Run-Away
Helium Hearts

it's not always neccesarily in the arrangements but it's in the kinds of melodies they sing. I've read in lots of interviews that they used to get together as teenagers and listen to Surf's Up LP on acid which in a lazy journalistic way kind of describes lots of their music. particularly the albums from guerilla through to phantom power. High Llama's Sean O'Hagan often arranges their strings and horns.

it does bug me a little bit when people quickly check them out and dismiss them only because i did this a few years ago only to gradually get into them again and now they're probably my favourite band after the BB's. they certainly wear their influences on their sleeves but they take it all in a direction i dont think any other band have or will. plus they're definitely an albums band

argh! just give them a more of a chance!
p
x

Well now I've been reminded of thomasogg. Damnit.

who was he? was he naughty?