The Smiley Smile Message Board

A thought: equally annoying as these threads are the threads with "vague" titles, such as:

"Whoa, look at that!"
"What if?"
"Interesting video."

or, and these are authentic, recent examples:

"Grande Coincidence?"
"and now, to entertain you tonight"
"Suggestions?"
"Umm What?"
"Here is a mystery..."
"cool"
"Um..."

(as you can see, my first three imaginary examples were far from being exaggerated)


More often than not, threads with these titles are the kind of pointless threads you'll be monitoring more closely from now on. But sometimes a genuinely interesting thread might be hidden behind such a stupid name.

So, wouldn't it be nice if everyone tried to come up with titles that describe what one can expect to find in the thread?  :)

But that's so limiting.....

See also revived threads on same subject - a la three "which Beach Boy is best" threads, all dug up simultaneously…?

RangeRoverA1 in every case. I think he is just trying to inflate his post count because he thinks that's related to your cred here.

A common fallacy and one I have personally dis-proven.  ;D

Did any one get hurt?  Is everyone OK?  Alright, let's move on shall we?

I'm new here, though I suspect I've been following BW and the boys for as long as just about any of you, so forgive me if the following seems to be overstepping one's bounds....but from what I've been reading of late, The Real BB may need to rethink his sub-handle just a bit. "Mr. Positivity" seems a bit challenged at the moment...

I don't think RangeRoverA1 is polluting the board at all. Let's remember that the Beach Boys love all girls and wish they all could be...well, you know the rest! If RR's avatar is actually her own picture, then we should all be a lot nicer!! And if it's not--RR: "Girl Don't Tell Me"....  ;D

I would like to point out that when everyone was upset about new threads being created about previously discussed topics, posters were actually encouraged to revisit and bump up older threads in order to cut down on clutter. Shouldn't fresh perspectives be welcomed? Perhaps the problem is that the veterans simply think noobs don't have anything worthwhile to contribute. Although that is sometimes the case (Check out all of my posts), some of the new folks have a lot to offer.

So which is it? Anything discussed over a month ago is considered settled? Or can old threads be resurrected without shrieking and the rending of garments?

I've been here for quite a while, don't know if I'm a vet or not, but I welcome all n00bs! If it's a simple question to answer, I find joy in helping someone else out that doesn't know previous knowledge I learned on the board or through books or other research.

Precisely.  If we're adopting the philosophy that 'serious scholarly work' goes on here and thus old points of discussion are no longer valid, then would-be-members should have to submit a resume and have it approved by a panel before being able to contribute.  And that would be lame.

Don't forget where we are:  the internet.  This is a message board for fans of 'The Beach Boys'.  We're not curing cancer.

I've enjoyed some of the old threads getting "revived" (zombie threads?), having missed them the first time around.  It's interesting to read fresh takes on old subjects, and better than creating more threads.

But also, if the Mods can merge other new threads into more logical places, I'm all for that too.

The Noobs are OK by me. I love seeing people taking an interest in the Boys' music. I have to say that I'd rather see an old thread re-opened than cluttering the board with new ones on the same subjects. It can be tough doing some searches in here.

I think people are sort of getting hung up on all the wrong points here, and confusing the actual issue.

It's not like I'm actually upset about it, and to try and make this just about how we dislike new people is stupid. That's not what anyone is complaining about.

I hate discussing stuff like this because it really is so silly. I think we all recognize that. But both points of view are completely valid. Personally, I don't like seeing multiple, similar threads all resurrected at once just so somebody can add their opinion to a discussion that ended a long time ago.

These threads aren't really stone tablets brought down by Moses, they're discussions. For the most part they existed in a particular moment and a particular set of circumstances. You don't have to rush off to chisel in your opinion at the bottom of the tablet just because it's there. Especially when all you can add is just a list of your favorite band members with no commentary. If you want to start a discussion, do so by making a new thread and put a little bit of thought into it.

When everyone just talks over one another in order to provide their list of favorite whatevers the board devolves into noise. I mean, it's really just such a common sensical thing. Just use a little judgement, a little self control. Do things in moderation. There's nothing inherently wrong with posting in an old thread, but why do you have to post in three? Temper yourself a little, your actions are annoying other members of the board.

And that's not an insult against you, nobody dislikes you as a person. Nobody hates noobs, we're just annoyed at some of the excessive posting habits on display recently. If you want to post in an old thread, that's cool, but couldn't you show a little regard for how other members of the community feel? Couldn't you say "oh, I already bumped an old thread recently, that's probably enough for now."

I honestly don't think that's especially unreasonable. Nobody is saying you aren't allowed to post what you want, we're just asking you to show a little consideration for the other people who may not be into the same thing as you are. I don't get what's so outrageous about that...

Also, please keep this kind of stuff out of here, it's just creepy. I've noticed that whenever we have a girl posting here, people can't control themselves and things get carried away to the point of melodrama. I know, it's novel that there's a girl posting here, super awesome, but if want to flirt, take it to private messages or something.

I feel the same way, actually.

:bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow :bow

 :police:

I'm glad somebody pointed this out. I agree, very creepy.

I thought as long as it was on topic it was welcome.

I've been posting here and on previous BB boards for many years, beginning with the Cabin chatroom.  I can't remember everything that  has or has not been discussed before.  On occasions, I have  asked  a question or offered a comment and someone will direct me to athread where it has already been covered thoroughly.  I will go back and read those.  Often very informative and revealing info has been well covered and my BB mental encyclopedia is enlarged.

But we should be patient with those more casual  fans who aren't walking BB  historians.

And sometimes, those "small topic " threads are entertaining.

What is truly unfortunate is when people stop posting altogether as has happened to some formerly really good BB boards.

Then where do we go?

Good proactive move IMO, I'd also suggest being as proactive with those who have a history of launching personal attacks, name-calling, and other crap that goes beyond a normal heated or intense debate, or even back and forth jibs and jabs. A bunch of spam topics that go nowhere are an annoyance, but I'd say less of a harm than those attacks especially for those who might not have a thick skin. My 2 cents.

I think that almost anybody that comes in here anew either grows a thick skin fast or takes off into the woods as fast as their feet will take them. It can be a nasty place for the uninitiated. ;)

Can you be a bit more prejudiced, hypocritical and condescending ?

Just wondering..... nothing personal.

 :smokin

I'm an occasional writer, more a reader. Still since finding the message board have a habit of reading some 5-3 year old threads mixed up with the newest for seeking the answers to my questions and learning about the band. That's all. I mean, it's okay if someone revives oldies but there's no way I would one of those people. As I said I'm more of an observer/reader.

Crap always gets out of hand, that's just the way it's been as long as I've been reading here. There was a big fragmentation of the community over just this type of thing years back. Recently there was Denni's Child, who stirred up a bunch of crap. I don't know where the prejudice or hypocrisy comes in, but sorry I would just really encourage people to steer away from that type of thing. It's like as soon as we find out a poster is a girl, certain members won't be able to stop themselves from...well, you know...

I think the bottom line here is that everybody, I mean EVERYBODY needs to be careful about how they post their comments.  Writing what's on your mind can translate a lot differently when read by others, as opposed to casually speaking it in a conversation.  If you type in something cute and quaint as if you're speaking it, there's a chance it might read as something inappropriate.  There are so many situations where this can happen.  Friendly sarcasm can come across as an insulting assault.

Best thing to do is read your post carefully before you hit that 'post' button.   :)

Well...that's more than a bit creepy.

*sighs* ok, sure. I mentioned prejudice because it 'seemed' as though you were judging before finding out what somebody was up to. I dunno.

But, I called hypocritical because at one point you were saying that post count didn't mean anything, but then you seemed to be accusing RangeRover of doing that exact thing, or at least suspecting her to have that motive.


Remember, you came out of the gate basically accusing her of dredging up old threads and so forth.

I dont' know ... it just seemed a bit hostile to me. I happen to like RangeRover and feel that she contributes thoughtfully and seems to have a good nature. She's been maligned here before unnecessarily which kind of ticked me off.

I've gone back over this thread and it still reads the same to me. If you can convince me otherwise, I'm willing to listen.  :hat

BTW... I appreciate that you didn't just go ballistic and start calling names; but actually addressed my comment in a reasonable manner.

I could write a 5 page response, and you could write one back, and we could spend days having a pointless argument about nothing really, but I'm not going to.

If you were offended, or thought I was attacking someone or whatever, you're just going to have to deal. I'm not out to hurt anyone's feelings, I just want to see the board run smoothly. Part of the board running smoothly is just people taking things in stride and restraining themselves from reading insults into every comment.
Again, I think it's pretty simple, if you're posting is pissing off other members, just tone it down. Nobody can tell you what to do, but if you want to be a part of the community you're going to have to make some concessions here and there. If you're reviving a lot of old threads, and people are expressing their annoyance, maybe just revive fewer threads. It's not asking a whole lot. Likewise if people are telling you to tone down some of your flirtatious posts, maybe just tone them down a little bit or send a private message.
Let's try and not make a big deal out of this, don't allow yourself to develop a persecution complex because you think older posters dislike newbies. You know full well that that isn't the case. Nobody dislikes any of you, you're just being asked to use a little judgement and show a little discretion before posting.

So why don't we all just move forward, and try and get along.

All that SOUNDS reasonable. But let's be clear that it's not ME you're advising.
I have neither a persecution complex nor any history of flirting.

OR people could just be themselves and everyone can work on not taking teh internets so srsly.



I don't post much so I don't really have a place in this discussion, but I do find the discouragement of reviving old threads REALLY weird. I own/operate a forum for another musical artist and we love it when that happens.

Obviously posters are finding the older threads because they did a search of the messageboard so if it means people are doing their due dilligence and doing a search first (which is the mantra around these parts)--I'm not sure why we would be against that?  If I had to choose which of the two scenarios would piss me off less between seeing a new thread of an old topic or a member posting in an old/zombie thread--I"d go with the latter. 

If you've already posted what you had to say on the subject...why would you prefer to see a new thread on the same topic over a thread that already had yours (and everyone else's) thoughts already included?

While I'm all for reducing clutter, the "insignificant questions" thread is absolutely huge, at this point, and is a bit aimless for obvious reasons. If you're looking for a particular bit of info it may be a bit of a challenge as opposed to it being its own thread. Just a thought.

This is why we need a wiki, folks! %^_^%

My thoughts exactly.

I would suggest that is a poster does not want to have all their comments/posts taken in the worst way possible no matter what their validity: DO NOT use a picture of David leaf as your avatar!!!!  >:D

Besides, the avatar is Jenny Boyd, younger sister of Pattie "Layla" Boyd and former wife of Mick Fleetwood.

I wish all these threads about opinions ("do you like it better when Carl sang A5 or G4?" "what do you think is the 23rd best song they recorded?" "Smile versus Still Cruisin?") and stupid counterfactuals ("what if John Stamos was an original Beach Boy?" "what if The Beatles were time travelers and managed to record Pet Sounds before Brian did?" "what if Mike Love raped and killed a girl in 1990 and we just don't know about it?") would be counted as nonsense.

More signal, less noise, please. I come to this board for information, not speculation.

Re people discussing topics which have already been discussed: I really struggle to see why this bothers anyone?? If someone is new to the board how on earth are they supposed to know whether or not a topic has been previously discussed? Or are they expected to trawl through every single previous thread before posting? There's a rather unpleasant 'I've been here longer than you' attitude amongst certain people on here, which is rather pathetic. Look, if a topic has already been discussed and you don't want to have to go over old ground then just DON'T ENGAGE IN THE CONVERSATION! Just skip on to a different thread and let those who weren't on here whenever said topic was discussed previously enjoy their debate without a load of petty sneering. I personally really enjoyed the recent 'Who's your favourite Beach Boy?' thread. I wasn't on here when it was originally discussed, as presumably rather a lot of other people weren't either, so it was a fun topic to discuss. It's the Beach Boys - lighten up!

I don't get why people keep ignoring what the complaint being made was.

When this thread was made someone had bumped three dead topics, all very similar to one another, in order to make a low-content, low effort post.
I log into the board, check out any new topics on the front page, and get a real feeling of deja-vu. "Haven't I already read this exact same thread before?" [before you run off to respond to this, I'm not just talking about the same general topic of an old thread, I'm talking about the *exact* same thread] followed by "Didn't I post in this very thread?", followed by "oh wait, this thread was originally posted in 2008".
At that point I go to the last page of the thread, in order to read the new posts and see what had\s been added to the discussion.

"my favorite beach boy is Al!"

Who gives a flying f*** honestly? Everyone is overly complicating the issue and trying to read some subtext into the annoyance that a few members expressed at this sort of vapid, impulsive posting. It clutters up the board plain and simple, it pushes off newer more active topics, and those topics get lost in the shuffle. It's just obnoxious.

Listen, you guys can all post whatever you want, you can do whatever you want, there's nobody who's going to stop you. I get it, it's fun to post lists and things like that. But, jeeze, you don't have to dig through the archives and mindlessly tag on your personal best of list to every thread that's ever been made. Seriously, put a little effort into your posting, don't bump an old thread (especially one from freaking 2008) just to post your banal list of favorite whatevers.


This whole thing is so ridiculous. Nobody has any problem with newbies, nobody is making any sort of unreasonable demands, nobody is trying to censor anybody, nobody is trying to tell people they can't post their opinion. Just use some stinking common sense, some moderation, some self control. It just sucks coming here and seeing interesting, new threads bumped off the front page by a half dozen threads from 2008 that feature nothing but zero effort lists. That's not interesting, that's not discussion, that's just posting for postings sake, and it sucks. So just don't do it.

I feel stupid for writing all that. Again, I'm not posting in this thread to insult anyone or make anyone feel bad. If there are 5 basic rules that I think people should be following, I'd say these are them...

1. If you have a question that can be definitively answered, i.e. Who sang lead on song X, or when was song Y recorded, check AGD's site or the archives before making a new thread.

2. Don't post in any thread that's fallen off the first two or three pages of active discussion. The exception being cases where you're fulfilling some promise you had previously made in that thread, or updating it with a new piece of news or information relevant to discussion.

For example, "Hey I took some pictures at that 19XX show, I'll post them for you all when I get the opportunity.", or "I'm going to be interviewing Brian for the website I work for, what questions should I ask him?" In cases like that, once you've had a chance to upload the pictures, or once the interview has been published, it's more than reasonable to update the original thread. The general rule here is, if you're posting in an old thread, make it count.

3. If you're posting a gag thread, a nonsense thread, a joke thread, or any other thread along those lines, you're welcome to do so as long as it's in moderation. Don't overdo it, or post silly threads just for the sake of posting silly threads. It's perfectly acceptable to make goofy topics occasionally, just try not to go over board. If there are a couple of other joke threads floating around already, maybe hold off a bit before posting your own.

4. Don't flirt with other members, make suggestive comments, or carry personal discussions over into the regular forums. Use the sandbox, private messages or emails instead for that type of thing.

5. Don't solicit bootlegs from other members. Discussion of bootlegs is fine, just don't request links to them in public threads. Use private messages or emails or google search if you are trying to find that type of thing.

Actually this might make a pretty interesting thread.

First two or three pages? Given the huge amount of recent activity, stuff from several pages back is still pretty relevant.

Whoever said using the search function to see if what you're looking for is already here and bumping it if need be (additional questions, new info, corrections etc.) had it right, imo. If we're trying to minimize clutter, this is the right approach. Bumping of ancient threads is only really becomes irksome when it's bumping a very old thread with a response like "Oh yeah, I agree!" or something.

Also, message boards are for discussion, which involves lots of information and speculation, really.

tl;dr non-mods talking like mods and saying nothing interesting

stl;sdr lolololol

I recall differently. I recall that several posters loudly doubted her honesty and that at least one was extremely unpleasant. Which is why she doesn't post here any more.

To me there's four Beach Boys styles/categories...

Malt Shop Beach Boys.  All the hits.  Milkshakes and cheerleaders.  I Get Around, Little Deuce Coupe.
Burn-out Beach Boys.  15 Big Ones, Beaches In Mind.  Johnny Carson.  Too weird to be classic, too classic to be weird.  Okay...it's weird. 
Hi-Art Beach Boys.  Pet Sounds, Smile, Wild Honey.  Let him run wild.  Wild Honey probably straddles Burn-out Beach Boys.
Bad 80's Pop Beach Boys.  Mike Love, Summer in Paradise.  Basically whenever Brian wasn't around.  Or if he was, he was sucked down the synth drum vortex.

You could divide them up into a lot more "eras" and such (i.e.; "The Early days" Surfin' Safari/Surfin' USA, etc) but these, I think, are the big buckets of "styles" you're likely to get.

Brian was a very willing participant during this era. "In My Car" is total 80s cheese, absolutely on par with Mike Love 80s cheese. We know the guy was a big fan of synths, even before the rest of the guys, so it's not as if he was standing in the corner screaming "IT HAS TO SOUND LIKE PET SOUNDS" and Mike was saying "NO FUCK YOU I WANT THIS SHIT TO SOUND HORRIBLY DATED IN FIVE YEARS" or anything.

And uh, so all the odds and ends threads are gonna get tossed in here, it seems? Odd, but hay, I'm not in charge.

Yet.  8)

I agree with you, and it's not just because the only two things I know about you are 1.you're a girl and 2. your avatar is pretty hot. 

Since messageboards are so impersonal, it's really hard for a board like with a ton of information, and intelligent, knowledgeable people to not come off as Elitist, snobby, and looking like a little boys club. 

If people don't like the topics being replied to (oh the horror!) they don't have to read them. 

With that said, though, it's also the moderator's perogative to do whatever he wants with his message board. 

It just reinforces the elitist vibe though, and it's one of the reasons I don't enjoy this board as much as of late.  Too much Bullshit, not enough fun fun fun. 

so basically what you're saying is, "I like 61-74, everything after that is bad for one of two reasons."

and it's absolutely DUMB that we're talking about this in this thread. this makes things more complicated and confusing.

Wha?  ???

this thread is about regulating posting behaviors. and someone your post about different eras of the Beach Boys ended up in it.

Totally agree about Brian in the 80's.  Those are just my categories for BBs music -- Oldies, Arty, Burny, and "light pop."  That's probably a better name for it.  Light, Schlocky Pop.  It goes beyond cheesy 80s, really.  But, whenever Brian wasn't involved (SIP) this is the direction they headed.  But Brian did it too, yes....but when he did it, it typically sounded more like something from the "burny" "arty" or even "oldy" category.  My categories are pretty solid.   :smokin



And, oh yeah...sorry about using the wrong "meaningless" thread.  The title made it seem like a logical place for a "light" post.  But whatever.... I'm a rule breaker!!!  >:D :rock


 :lol

so, I wandered into the sheriff's office.  bummer

someone set us up the bomb, aegir ;(

One can't be bothered to post in the right thread when they have beaches in mind.

Wow, this certainly got derailed!  The train is scattered all over the countryside, and when the dust clears I don't know if I'll wanna laugh or cry! ::)

 :lol

That brings back memories.

I forgot to lock it originally.

My girlfriend told me I have a common fallacy......

RIMSHOT!

...............

Here's some off-topic "junk"...

Why does this sandbox here NOT have a piano in it?  ???

Because Louie and Banana kept defecating in it.  ;)

Thanks for your 'quick' response Cool. ;)

;)

I'd like to point out how unfortunate it is to have to refer to each other as "SS members."

This is cool.

(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Rich199/13315738_10154111596372088_5872866745514561015_n.jpg)
Supertramp on the way...this is neat... 'Breakfast in America' waitress Kate Murtagh is now 95 years old.

This is a fascinating thread. And very funny at times. Oof!----and so many names from the past...

You're easily fascinated. I disagree, nothing funny back there too.

G'day, RR. You must admit it's funnier (and infinitely more fascinating) than all that crazy Douche business. *long yawn*

Hello - yes; I enjoyed when everybody was Jarhead but this is boring.

A Beatle car you rarely see. John and Yoko's mashed up Maxi in the grounds of Tittenhurst, 1969.

(http://i1272.photobucket.com/albums/y395/Rich199/13346796_10201627886374842_7128290059917795601_n.jpg)

 :hat

I would like to apologize for reviving old posts, especially those, as specified by Mr. Dunderhead, old than the third page. As a new member, I am still getting acquainted with posting culture. As a reader of several years, however, I have experienced a great deal of frustration having to red over information on the same topic in multiple threads an therefore assumed that reviving an old one by posting a response was preferable to creating a new one. As for you, RangeRoverA1, I enjoy your posts and was a bit offended, for your sake, at the claim that you revive posts for the purpose of increasing your numbers.

You are good, things have been slow these days...

Makes perfect sense to me for you, RangeRover and anybody else to revive these really old threads. Interesting to see how perspectives change over the years, particularly with threads going back to 2006.

I was thinking that as well. New information comes out, music/events/the word changes in the intervening years. 

For example, someone in the revived John Lennon thread asked if anyone had heard John's father's record. It is now on YouTube, so BINGO!

Thanks, glad you like my posts. Not many do. You decided to register in time when it looks like people mellowed to the issue "Posting in old threads". Hello.

Btw, welcome! Tell the reason to choose username "Buckethead". It's cool slang?

Thank you! "Buckethead" was what my three older brothers called me when I got a pixie haircut a 8 years old (before a family trip featuring "primitive camping" in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico) - they thought that my head was a funny shape. I decided to own it, as use it for various on=line purposes. Why did you choose yours?

I was hoping it was after the guitarist.

Why, I've never heard of a guitarist with the name. Just googled him- he plays with a bucket on his head!!!!  Otherwise, I've only heard it as a nickname for a particular enforcer in the mafia. What one learns on SmileySmile...

Yep, he actually plays with a KFC bucket on his head.  It's a pretty dumb gimmick that overshadows his playing.   He was actually in Guns N Roses for a few years. 

IMO, the gimmicks do tend to distract from the actual presentation. Another example is the Sia person from Australia. My only experience of her was
when she was a guest on Saturday Night Live. I have no recollection of what she sounded like, whether or not she was any good because I just kept thinking and saying to my kids, "WT_?" (No F word, really!) Perhaps this is my problem and I should be more open-minded. Or, perhaps, I shouldn't have to work so hard to see past the schtick? I remember Gladys Knight in an interview talking about, IIRC, then new-to-the-scene Madonna and other female singers who put so much focus on T & A and in-your-face sexuality. She said that if she had one piece of advice, it would be "let your talent speak for itself, let it be the focus."

With Sia, I think a lot of her music sounds quite similar to other female pop stars out there, so maybe her weird image was her way of differentiating herself from the pack.   

I think if the music is good enough, it overpowers the schtick / image.   Take Alice Cooper, KISS, or more recently, Ghost. 

True that music that is good enough can overpower the schtick. I am an Alice fan. However, as a child of the 60s and 70s, I first heard his music on the radio, so the weirdness was apparent to me after the fact and had no effect on me.   

Right, and I feel with Alice, he put the music first, and designed his show around it.