The Smiley Smile Message Board

So, is anyone going to the forthcoming gigs by Mike & Bruce and can report about it? I wonder if they'll play any of the new songs...

Yes, no question about it.

My understanding is Mike and Bruce are referring to it as the "TWGMTR Tour"

I think if I went to a M&B show after seeing the real deal at Wembly it'd just feel really weird.

No way.  Mike is a mega jerk (which I know from first hand experience).  I'm moving to Lincoln City Oregon area in Nov and they are coming to the Chinook Winds Casino (date forthcoming)
but I refuse to put any $ directly into ML's pocket other than via the box set, reissues, etc.

I was just in Biloxi,last night Frank Sinatra Jr. played, next week Louis Prima Jr. is playing and then Mike & Bruce, seems like Biloxi is getting the reasonably facsmiles of all the artists!

I might go and bring a megaphone where I condemn Mike loudly during his in-between song banter.

Talk about  cheapening the "Brand Name" and over-exposure.  Back to being a oldies show at crappy venues.

After seeing Brian in concert in I think 04 I thought my BB live journey was over and stated so. Of course like most here I got caught up in the 50th and am glad I did but this time I think its done for good. The chances of any formation being better than this years PLUS a nice album are zip IMO.

For those that need more though...Enjoy!

After the great reunion concerts this year, the Mike and Bruce shows will be anticlimactic.  I'll be staying away in droves.

No Wilson, no Jardine, no Marks, no Mikie.

There will still be at least one Mikie at each show; maybe alot of Mikies at some of them...

Just got this in email from Ticketmaster:  On sale 10/1 at 10am.  It would appear that they are booking dates at least as far out as April of next year.

The Beach Boys

TD BANK ARTS CENTRE
519 Hurffville-Crosskeys Rd., Sewell, NJ 08080
Fri, Apr 5, 2013 08:00 PM

To answer the thread question, I'd consider going but I was really hoping the New Year would bring better news.

I'll start to worry when I see new summer dates being booked 8)

But regardless if they reform or not...I shall see any of the Beach Boys in whatever bands they're in if they come through my area. 

Still no reason it can't -- if the full band do a summer tour like this year,that would probably start late April/early May again, or maybe later. And this year Mike & Bruce were performing as late as late March.

I'll go and see any line-up that comes to the UK, if any of them ever do again, and be glad of it. It won't be as good as the reunion tour, obviously, but hopefully the reunion tour has shown people that Mike's band has some great musicians in it, too.

I would go, but also because I know what to expect. Hearing fun and tight versions of the BB hits with a sprinkle of rarities.  Won't be shocked and awed, and mesmerized, but will enjoy the music.

.

Excellent point, and to be fair to the M+B team, I was most positively surprised by John Cowsill and Scott Totten having never seen them before.  So, I'd definitely consider the M+B show if life allows.

And, Andrew, I am very much looking forward to your second book in the Beach Boys on CD series!

I'll have to wait and see what the first few set lists are like. If it's like previous years then I will pass. I don't want to cheapen the great time I had back in May of this year!

Sounds good! I'll pay for your ticket and buy the beer. ;D

I'm probably gonna go to that one in New Jersey, but I don't think I'll buy a ticket until like February.

I don't agree with the sentiment "if it's not all of them, there's no point". Never stopped anyone from seeing Brian solo. Hell, I'd see Foskett solo singing Beach Boys songs if he was in the area. Why not?

No Adrian Baker, no Beach Boys.

A good friend of mine who went with me to the Tahoe show this summer is going to the October 6th show in Austin. I'll relay whatever info I get from her.

I know absolutely nothing, but I would be really surprised if they did another tour next summer. Better to wait two years between tours, albums. I know they're all getting up there, but not even Springsteen tours every year. And that guy's a machine.

Can we still have threads advertising their shows as "Show 75", "Show 76", etc.??? Keep the illusion of the 50th going in our minds even if the actual reunion is (hopefully temporarily) over.  ;) ;) ;)

There's one on New Years Eve in my state... I really want to go, but I really don't at the same time. I mean, if I went, it would be the most exciting New Years that I've had in forever. But it's also Mike and Bruce... Mike will probably pick out "his" set list, which wouldn't be of much interest to me. And like people have said before, the M&B Show would feel weird after seeing a reunion show. I think they should at LEAST have Al and David on the tour. No Brian I would understand.

FWIW, the last time I saw this lineup of the touring band was at a symphonic show at the Sydney Opera House.  And that was a solid show -- deep tracks including "You Still Believe In Me", "Disney Girls", "Betsy", "Heroes and Villains" (a killer lead from John Cowsill), and "Cottonfields" (which is hardly a deep track down here).  Being the Beach Boys Lite is still a damn good show...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

That's the thinking! And it'll keep it alive for all the new 'converts' from BB50, who've got a lot to catch up on...

After the final show at Wembley, i'm far too spoiled to want to go to a Mike+Bruce show, Al show or even a Brian solo show anytime soon. I want the whole shebang! ;D

I'll go, should they return to these shores, because I'm a fan. It's what I do, and because I happen to rather like the music, and because the guys in Mike & Bruce's band are all nice people.

As for a full-on reunion next summer... I don't see that happening, and in truth, I hope it doesn't.

I'd agree with all of this, except for the hope. I won't be upset if they never play again -- the Wembley show was clearly as close to a perfect ending as you can get -- but I'd love to see them again, and again, and again...

I don't think I can.

The magic of those 5 guys together could only be surpassed by having Carl & Dennis up there.

I'd never go see a greatest hits show by any other line up but if Brian came around my parts promoting a new album I wouldn't have to think twice.

Ok, thanks for all the replies. I hope to see some info regarding those shows.

I would certainly go and see them again , and believe me would be first in the queue for tickets (again) should they return to the UK or an accessible European location.
First saw them in 2001 (not bad , but not great) , and with the big shake up in late 2007/early 2008 with Scott being made MD  Randell to Bass and John to Drums and the introduction of Christian , they have progressed to be a superb band.
I caught all of the 2008 UK shows (bar Manchester) and they were without doubt the best Beach Boys shows I had seen/heard , the C50 shows were a completely different animal and EPIC.
I totally concur with Andrew in that 'i'm a fan of the music' and will always support M&B shows when the opportunity arises.   

Agree with everything said there mate, I thought seeing Mike, Bruce and David together would be the closest thing to a BB reunion. How glad I am to be proven wrong!

The Mike & Bruce shows are excellent - if the opportunity arises, GO!

A healthy attitude!

I'd go and see them, too (just to hear Scott Totten tackle more of my favourites) - if they'd only come to a convenient location in Germany...

I'd probably wouldn't go. Not that I don't like them - I think thanks to Totten they're a very good band - but The Beach Boys are over for me. I saw Brian presenting Smile in 2004 and I saw The Beach Boys this year in Berlin. Don't need nothing else. And I guess the same thing goes for a Brian concert (maybe, MAYBE if he'll do new stuff).

I won't continue to beat on this point, but I just don't get this. We lost out on 14 years of the possibility of these guys playing together, and they blew us away with an amazing show this year. Seeing it in person, and seeing that they could pull off a 61-song setlist, and that they rehearsed stuff like "Surf's Up" with Al singing his original part, I just can't understand both actively supporting the idea of Mike and Bruce continuing to tour and wanting them to exclude Brian and/or Al and/or David by virtue of actively not wanting any more reunion shows.

These guys don't have a lot of years left of touring in them. But they have it in them right now, so while I understand the realities of the unliklihood of them doing more reunion stuff, I can't imagine actively hoping against it just to have some sort of theoretical "high point" to go out on.

There's "caution" for hoping for another reunion perhaps because some of us are consciously aware that there is no guarantee that another tour would succeed as well as this one has.  I don't mean succeed in terms of revenue or ticket sales but rather the original members behaving themselves in order to make the tour work.  Everything about this tour fell into place the way it should have.  The occasion of it being the 50th Anniversary brought out the best in each member and the goodwill carried them through the entire tour. I can see Mike not want to A) push their luck with their rekindled relationships and also B) have the public take for granted the reunited group.  I don't doubt Mike loved all the media hype this last summer but I think Mike only wants to make sure this reunited group constantly recieves maximum publicity for whenever they do go back out on the road.  There is no guarantee that the group could complete another tour...but Mike knows that his old group will.  There's no drama there, no walking on egg shells in his group...he can rely on that 100%.  Him putting his eggs in a new basket (permanently ditching his old group for the new reunited group) is a little risky and it's something I wouldn't expect him to accept overnight.

My comment in this particular point was purely to express how shocked I am that a fan would actively advocate for no further reunion shows. I understand that everybody has their own opinion, etc. I'm just super surprised specifically that someone would actively advocate for that.

Well, here's another one who doesn't want another reunion tour. For me it's over. They had a big finale and I don't think they can top it. That's what I've been saying for quite a while now (regarding new album and/or tour): if they can't top the recent one they shouldn't do it.

When I realize the alternative to how things could have ended here...it makes me understand/accept that this tour was a miracle in every sense of the word.  To anticipate that it could be duplicated with the exact same results...I'm not 100% certain.  I may have believed that early in the tour but this whole Mike/Bruce booking shows and Brian and Al starting to make a fuss about it made me realize that things could turn sour at any given moment.  Things seem to have ended alright but I am weary to see how bad things could go if they ever tour again.  

Bottom line: I'd love for them tour as often as Paul McCartney or the Stones but given the risks/concerns involved...I completely understand if they don't and we only see them together every 2-5 years from now on.

Only if Hogpig opens.

I don't get this logic, on Mike's part.  


Mike complained about 'saturation'. If he was really worried about that, he would not be touring in a group called The Beach Boys this autumn.... saturating the market with, and I know I'm going to get shat on for this, inferior product to the shows this summer. I mean, not two days after The Beach Boys finished their 50th anniversary reunion, they did a concert (not a typical concert, I know. But a concert), even with Stamos.

How often does he expect to 'reunite' with the band? Every summer? Every time Capitol gives them a record deal? Until Al/David/Wife&Managers' good will runs out?


If you take a step back, it's remarkably callous of him, especially if you consider his only gripe with the tour was that he doesn't get paid as much and Brian wants to do atypical songs in the set.


And anyway, last time they were in England I didn't see them - I was broke. But... IDK. I am genuinely not that impressed with the way Mike's band as a whole sounds (Cowsill is of course all-time). Maybe if it was cheap.

Dunno about anyone else, but I didn't really feel like there was much of a sense of the occasion at the Wembley gig, considering the greatest band of all time just did what is more than likely their final show...ever. Just sort of did a couple of the surf numbers as an encore and left the stage. Not sure what I was expecting (surfs up and tears all round?), but...

I'd love it if Al brought a band over to the UK. Would definitely go and see him. His vocals were the unquestionable highlight of the show for me, along with Bruce doing Disney Girls.

I personally think that Mike's comment about "saturating the market" is only part of the reason why he won't tour with the rest of the guys.  While I do believe that he wants to preserve the band's ability to succeed if/when they do tour again, Mike's actual reasons are ones that he wouldn't dare mention in any kind of press release.  I inferred earlier that I believe Mike's reasons for not touring are a combination of these factors: 1) the scale of the tour is much bigger than he prefers 2) the costs of such a tour is not in the budget he's used to spending but most of all: 3) his not wanting to deal with BW and his organization.  I think Mike's concers lie between those 3 issues.  These are rather awkward (for lack of a better word) reasons for him to put in a press release so he uses a more innocent "not wanting to oversaturate the market" as his only reason.  But I think it's that in addition a few more issues.  

Even if were to really take his "saturate the market" comment seriously...do we actually think that the Mike/Bruce shows make the same waves as this summer's reunion shows?  Not even close.  They're practically touring off the radar...playing second city markets or smaller venues in the sticks.  What kind of hype are we talking about here?  An ad in the local newspaper?  A commercial in the local TV stations?  Compared to the monster of media attention they got this summer---it's not even comparable.  The Mike/Bruce shows get so little attention that they barely cause a blip on the general public's radar.  It's as if they don't tour at all (if you want to compare it to other big name acts who get publicity in magazines, websites, Ticketmaster and Facebook).   I dont' believe the Mike/Bruce show has ever been on a scale where the general public actively follows them on tour or even blinks an eye if they come through their town.

I sincerely hope that the "License" gets amended because, now, the Mike/Bruce show, no matter it's quality. IS NOT THE BEACH BOYS!

The should go out as Mike Love and Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys.

And I'd love to see David, Brian and Al go out and do the same.  If not, get their own license and tour as the Beach Boys.

A double standard if I ever saw one.

That wouldn't be the Beach Boys either

Could you elaborate on this one? I know about Brian wanting to add a song (or two, which Mike agreed to, and they went over well) but I'm not aware of other issues.

The thing is....these guys are 70.  Anything could happen to them at anytime and I can already hear people saying "they could have done more together What a waste..."  This idea of touring every other year or every 5 years just is not totally realistic. They've all been in good health recently except for some back issues , but that can change at the drop of a hat.  Time is not on their side and that's my biggest worry.

I appreciate the clarify with which your opinion is made. I just don't share it, and it boggles my mind especially if someone really liked this reunion tour, why they wouldn't want to see it continue, at least for a while. "TWGMTR" is a good album, but far from their greatest, and this tour has been amazing but not neccesarily the clear candidate for their best tour ever, so they already aren't literally doing the best work they've ever done. They're just doing really, really well. Extended it for a bit is something I can't fathom being against.

That's not even addressing the possibility that another album and tour could actually be better in some way.

(1) To answer the question posed; yes, I will go see M&B if they appear near my way in the future. We have done so before and will again. And, we'll see Brian and his band and also Al and his outfit (though they hardly ever appear in the east coast (or at least less than major MSA's). Agreeing with what AGD said earlier, I rather like the music!

(2) This whole debate really hinges on 1 underlying thing: many other major acts go on a tour for a period of time and then the tour ends - in some instances the individuals then tour as solo performers until a future time when they regroup and tour again: the difference here is simply that this group (ie the members) has licensed out the right to use the name - it really isn't anything more than that. If M&B went out as anything other than The Beach Boys there probably would be no issue; its just that ML has the right (granted by BRI) to use the name and he is doing so. That some of the others would like to continue past this point in time was not part of the reunion arrangement as it seems from the posts related to this issue. 

(3) One thought about the M&B shows over the years and that is they have appeared in some smaller locales than just the "big cities" and that has allowed many fans to see the shows and hear the music that might not otherwise have been able to do so. Brian did so too, but on a lesser scale.

No, obviously.  I didn't say that. But three original members vs one.  The best voice - Al. And as Dennis supposedly said, "Brian Wilson IS the Beach Boys".

In any case you can't seriously defend the Mike/Bruce show as "The Beach Boys".  They shouldn't be billed that way any more, in my opinion.
Be interesting to see if anything happens with the license.

David being an "original member" is just a coincidence at this point, really. Most of the songs the band plays live, he didn't play on. And the ones he did play on, he often doesn't play his guitar part, but Carl's. I don't see how that makes him more legitimate than Bruce.

I'm borrowing a little from Mike's canned response from years passed whenever asked about a reunion he would always blame Brian's agents/management for being so difficult.  He never went into specifics but it was something that lingered in my head.  Couple that with our knowledge regarding just how much Brian relies on his support group (band members, wife and management), we can assume that these were the very issues that Mike had to face head on during the tour.  I mentioned in another thread that Brian is part of a package deal.  You're not just getting Brian but you're getting Brian, Melinda, managers and also Jeff Foskett.  You're not really accommodating just Brian...you're accommodating all those other people whose role is to ensure Brian is presented in a favorable light.  That's a bit more work for someone like Mike who's in control of the setlist and also sharing the stage with another lead vocalist.  Whether or not these issues actually exist, we can safely agree that Mike has absolutely nobody to answer to when he tours with his own group.  That in itself, I believe, is cause for Mike to hold off on anymore shows with Brian and the rest of the group.

David isn't a hired gun like Bruce was. David grew up with the band in Hawthorne.

Total speculation on my part, and I'm basing it on attending one V.I.P. Package concert, numerous articles/interviews, TV appearances, and the odd YouTube videos, but I did not view any displeasure with Jeff Foskett on Mike's part. Also, I was looking for possible interference from Melinda - but didn't notice any. I did note with interest her hanging out with Mike's wife frequently(?).

I'm only bringing up this subject because I was wondering how Brian could be a factor in Mike NOT wanting to continue the reunion, when, frankly, as far as Mike WANTING to be associated with Brian - IN ANY MANNER - I feel exactly the opposite of your view.

I've NEVER understood the whole "Bruce isn't a Beach Boy" thing.  He's been with the band since freakin' 1965...only 4 years after the group was actually formed.  Not an official member?  What the hell?  Stones don't fans don't write off Ronnie Wood for joining the band thirteen years after the group formed....I really don't get why Bruce is dissed so often.  He's on more BB albums than the ones he's not on.

It would be a hell of a lot more genuine and legit than Myke Luhv and his butler-and a lot more successful in the studio and on the road.

That's more the band than the fans, isn't it? If they wanted him to be a full Beach Boy, they'd cut him in and give him a vote. What's hard to understand about that?

Well, aside from the song choices being a point of compromise, we should also remember that it was mainly Brian's band who backed them up on this tour.  They are obviously the best band for the job but we also know that Brian needed to see his own guys up there to feel more at ease himself.  So yet again we have an example of Brian being a "package deal"...not only do you get Brian (plus Melinda, managers and the possible drama with all that) you also get his entire band to come along.  What follows is a significant domino effect:  bigger band --> bigger crew --> bigger costs.  And now we're dealing with Mike's issues about the costs of touring such a big show. 

With that said, I do believe Mike when he says he'd love to work with Brian again.  I don't doubt that.  But I do acknowledge that Brian can be a handful to deal with which is probably why Mike is cautious to make any further plans with Brian and the rest of the group.

I'm not inclined to think of that as a wholly bad thing, seeing as Brian Wilson probably needs an entourage to make sure he takes his medication, help him about with his dodgy back and keep his nerves in check. And we know he loves his band. He's been touring with them for 13 years, has known them for longer (Jeff for much longer), and regularly collaborates and hangs out with them! Plus, they're f***ing amazing!

He's also quite canny, but IDK whether the band, Melinda, and everyone else is solely there as his PR, y'know? He's a pensioner with well-documented mental issues. And, if presenting BW in a favourable light = playing Our Prayer and Marcella, who's complaining?

I think the 'no-one to answer to' thing is key. Both Brian & Mike think that they own the band, I think - the prevailing thing that springs to mind is during the nineties, where Brian kept trying to regain control with songs, and in the studio (he never really stopped even after going solo according to what we know now). He finally got that on TWGMTR, although not without struggle. What's odd is that Mike's domain has always really been the stage - If Brian decided never to record with the group again, Mike wouldn't dare record under The Beach Boys' name (I wonder if the licence provisions ever got into THAT minefield) just as no-one ever suggested that Brian tour solely as The Beach Boys. But Brian's been walking on Mike's turf - suggesting songs that he's never played, that Mike might well like but sees as anathema due to their obscurity. After all, he's a businessman, and a born entertainer - he wants safe, cheap, repeatable thrills. Brian just goes 'let's play Marcella, I love that song, my band know it, GO' (if the Rolling Stone article is any indication), even though I don't think BW's band have played Marcella for years!

Maybe Brian and Melinda spend their spare moments plotting Mike's downfall by playing 'Summer's Gone', but I seriously doubt that. But I think the impression that presenting the spectrum of The Beach Boys music, from Kokomo down to CATP, is being perceived as a threat or a controversial move by certain parties is really quite sad.

It's weird. All Mike's ever wanted is to write with Brian again, sell records, do big shows. And now he's got that! And it's not good enough. He wants control of his band that he's been touring for the last 50 years whilst Brian's been doing god knows what.

Conversely, all Brian wants is his band back doing what he wants them to, like they should - I reckon Brian's always seen them as 'his' band, maybe abdicating it to Carl in more difficult times or the nineties, with Mike 'King of the Road'. But Brian always took care of the music, he was always called on for it even when he was 300lbs and inhaling cocaine in a bathrobe. I don't think calling it his band, and that him being in charge as a state of affairs is unreasonable, if only because when the band opposed him in the nineties we missed out on a new Beach Boys album full of Paley session songs (that would probably have saved the world) and a Pet Sounds symphonic tour, both with Carl Wilson. Terrible ideas.  ::)

I'm just thinking out loud, as this whole business has been stewing in my head since Wembley - I'm not picking on you, Justin, if that's what you think!

I never said he was not a BBs, I said he was a hired gun to replace Brian in the touring band. Also, he was great in the studio with the group in 1965-1970 and wrote a couple great songs during his first stint in the group.  He has done very little with the group in studio or onstage since he has returned to the group. In short, he joined an established group, while David helped build the group from the ground up.

Is David Marks cut in and given a vote?  

I don't understand what David Marks has to do with your question about Bruce not being considered a "real" Beach Boy, or mine that isn't it more the band and their management that decided that...

Was that supposed to be some devastating point that makes me go "oh! ya got me!" or something? Because obviously you know he doesn't have a vote and I have no clue what financial arrangements he made for the 2012 tour and album. I sure hope he did well out of it, he added a helluva lot and it made me very happy to see him up there!

Doesn't it suck that we're even having this conversation? This tour was unbelievable. Finally it was The Beach Boys. It was arguably the best they've been since '75. Brian's band with Totten and Cowsill -- this thing was an embarrassment of riches. Everybody was there nailing it. And it's over before it even began. It's heartbreaking is that it has to go back to what it was before April. Mike and Bruce's show is tight and professional, but Mike's voice is shot from never taking a break over the years and the show includes a FULL HOUR of someone else singing the tunes while Mike points at his temple and waves. Al's show has never gained enough traction to ever evolve past rehearsal/soundcheck levels, and Brian's gigs have devolved at times into "Weekend At Bernie's" territory. But somehow when they all get together -- and together with David, who's happy, healthy, and batting .1000 -- it amazingly all fits. The carry each other and reach incredible heights together. It was masterful.

The "timing" of the announcement is a moot point. I think a week into this tour everybody kinda looked at each other and thought, "Wow -- not only is this happening, but this is actually ART. This thing is what it was always SUPPOSED to be and always fell flat. It's not cheap, it's not lame." That this thing is running the risk of being a one-off is a sin. And I sincerely believe that despite a tour wrap set for England, the fact that this was the best live show running made everyone believe -- ESPECIALLY due to the fact that Mike Love has been pining to finally get Brian "back" for 15 years -- that this would be how it will play out (e.g. with panache and class and Brian Wilson for once wanting to be a Beach Boy.) Instead it's like a kid getting adopted by a rich family and being sent back to the orphanage after a year. Pointing out that that was always the plan doesn't mean anything in the grand scope of things. A choice was made and it was a poor choice. It was the wrong choice.

I'm sure we could go on endlessly about this issue and we'd still be in the same spot.  David may have been there to "build the group from the ground up" but by the time Bruce joined, the group had long passed the surf music and morphed into nearly a different band with a huge shift in their sound.  Bruce had come at a pivotal point in the Beach Boys career just as importantly as David was there to create the band in the beginning.  I don't see one member being "more" critical than the other.  The fact is, David was there to help create the band when they started and was in the band for about a year while Bruce joined during a crucial turning point for the band and has been there ever since.  I don't see how one is more "legitimate" than the other.  That is obviously just me.

Howie, you are killing it lately. I agree 1000%

Great post but this is the important thing, isn't it? It was the wrong choice. It actually worked. Why should we make excuses for greed and need for control in the face of such beauty and magic? It worked and Mike is making a big mistake going back to the way things were in the face of this (till now) amazing press and amidst a slew of wonderful performances.

Maybe he doesn't NEED to do 270 performances the next year, huh? His cousin who basically gave him his career with those amazing melodies, has more up his sleeve and wants to continue the work they started. And he's picking casinos and his lean n' mean operation instead? And we're supposed to applaud that because of the aggravation of dealing with Brian's wife and his spectacular band? He still got to control the setlists and I'm sure made a decent profit. He built up so much goodwill this past year that a couple penny ante gigs flushed down the toilet. He says he wants to write more songs with Brian, when exactly? In between gigs in Waco?

it's a g*ddamn shame, Mike Love!

I was asking information on David so then I could understand why perhaps people feel that David is "more" of a member than Bruce.  Considering how much David is respected and viewed as a "real" Beach Boy (and rightfully so)...I was expecting to read that he was cut in.  But now I see that both men are not part of BRI and have no vote or say in matters at all.  So really they are in essence (on paper, anyway): equals.   I was taking your "point" and taking it a step further. 

Ah, I see. But in the end, it doesn't really matter what I think or if he gets some corporate vote. When he dies, that obituary is gonna read BEACH BOY BRUCE JOHNSTON.

Maybe he just needs a career rehabbing bio right about now.

David is more respected due to him not being a phony like Bruce, who has said at times he is only in the BBs for the money.

Good luck arguing that one with Jon Stebbins dude.

I think Bruce had a share/vote in BRI and sold it.  AGD went over that way back when.
Bruce is a valid member/real Beach Boy in my eyes, he's just not an original like David. Just sayin Brian, Al and David are three originals.

Nice post!  Thanks for a great exchange here.  I think we're essentially on a similar page but we're just focusing on a few separate ideas.  We could agree that this whole thing is way too complicated to answer in a few words...or even a quick press release!  ;)  There are so many strings criss-crossing across this topic that it's difficult to pin down one sole reason.  But I'm starting to realize that each issue is strongly connected to the other and eventually creates a domino effect that could effect any future plans.  I, of course, don't think Brian and Melinda were there plotting schemes and plans because I truely believe they also were lenient and open on this tour (I'm not as confident things would remain as serene if they were to tour together on a consistent basis, though).  Like I said earlier, everyone on board put the BS aside to try to get through this tour and it proved to work in everyone's favor.  Your point about the tug of war on control of the band is spot on.  Both Brian and Mike have their own way of presenting the music but I believe that Mike had to concede to Brian and his team to execute this tour.  Basically I feel that Mike had to put aside his issues and simply allow things to go as they were planned.  For Mike, I think it took a lot.  He obviously survived and came out (practically) unscathed but it was more "accommodating" than he's been used to.  I'm sure he was happy to do so it but I wouldn't guess he'd be up for all that "accommdating" being a permanent thing--and that is in itself what we're arguing here:  why won't Mike accept this reunion as a permanent thing?

There were only five Beach Boys who were in the band called the Beach Boys that rose from a local group playing to 50 kids to massive fame and success playing to audiences of 10,000 screaming fans. Only three of them are still alive. Dave is one of them.

As I recall, Dave one of the two guys the girls really screamed for (Dennis the other).  He was a teen idol, amongst other things. A lot of young teenage girls related to Dave because of his age.

Until I heard David play the lead on "Pet Sounds", I might have agreed with you.  But that made it clear, he's contributing spectacular stuff to the music which goes beyond his original role.  In terms of how much they're representing this ongoing entity called "The Beach Boys" on stage, I'd say Dave's leapfrogged ahead.

No disrespect to Bruce, but at the show I saw, it was his rather wispy rendition of "Disney Girls" versus a whole stack of powerhouse guitar parts.

Cheers,
Jon Blum

I'm buying tickets out of spite to support The Mike And Bruce Show. I am not attending the shows.

Yes, there were some superb creative decisions that made it into the tour--David's "Pet Sounds" showcase being one of the best.

But too much of something good is all too obviously something to which our "boys" are simply allergic. That said, I suspect that this will all blow over in due course. But if for some reason it doesn't, please keep in mind that we got more than we could have possibly expected.

Brian and Mike have playing ring around the rosey with respect to the band for so long that I doubt they could stop doing so even if they were enjoined by a court order. You've got to take the wacky weirdness with the greatness--they are, for better and/or worse, totally and completely inseparable.

I'd be happy to see the Mike and Bruce show if it happened to come over to Japan (unless it was at a big festival, in which case I'd probably skip it).  I just wouldn't think of it as the Beach Boys.  A couple of BBs members doing a good version of the BBs stuff--that's fine with me.  /

I always get puzzled, though, when people credit Mike with keeping the BBs name and music alive through his endless touring.  From my point of view, the BBs music survives for the same reason that The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix and The Doors' music survives...  because it's great and timeless.  The vast majority of rock fans I know were interested in the BBs reunion, but had no idea that there has actually been a "Beach Boys" touring all this time.  Shows at county fairs and casinos just fall off the radar for most people.  It's not that I feel that they are harming the band's legacy or anything, but they aren't really significantly helping it, either. 

Mike & Bruce setlist, September 26, 2009 (from Eric's setlist archive). I will note whether either David or Bruce where in the band and arguably either played or sang on the track.

1. Surfin’ (intro) - neither
2. Catch A Wave - David
3. Hawaii - David
4. Do It Again - Bruce
5. Surf City - neither
6. Surfin’ Safari - David
7. Surfer Girl - David
8. Getcha Back - Bruce
9. Darlin’ - Bruce
10. I'm So Young - neither
11. When I Grow Up (To Be A Man) - neither
12. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - neither
13. Be True To Your School - David, maybe
14. Don’t Worry, Baby - neither
15. Little Deuce Coupe - David
16. 409 - David
17. Shut Down - David
18. I Get Around - neither
19. Ballad Of Ole’ Betsy - David, maybe
20. God Only Knows - Bruce
21. Good Vibrations - Bruce
22. Kokomo - Bruce
23. Then I Kissed Her - Bruce
24. California Girls - Bruce
25. Sloop John B. - Bruce
26. Wouldn’t It Be Nice - Bruce
27. Help Me, Rhonda - Bruce
28. Barbara Ann - Bruce
29. Surfin’ U.S.A. - David
Encore:
30. Summertime Blues - a case could be made for David, but Mike & Bruce don't perform Brian's arrangement of the song but Adrian Baker's from the 90s, so, neither
31. Fun, Fun, Fun - neither

grand total:
David - 10, including two maybes
Bruce - 12

Not saying David shouldn't be respected. I own Dave/Jon's book, have two The Moon albums and two Colours albums, and have listened to The Marksmen's stuff and Dave's solo album "I Think About You Often" on Spotify. when I saw Mike & Bruce in 2007 and David appeared on stage unannounced, I was freaking out with joy. I have the youtube video of Dave singing "Forever" with Mike & Bruce in Edinburgh saved to my favorites and I watch it often.

But you shouldn't have to take down Bruce to bring up Dave.

I do think Bruce should be given props for his longevity but at the same time it was David who grew up in Hawthorne with the Wilson's and Love's. He was almost family, if the Beach Boys hadn't retained their success and remained a small local California band they never would have even met Bruce!

That, I have absolutely no idea about. Especially considering Mike seems to have a massive chip on his shoulder about the artistic legitimacy of the band - why else would he crow about The Beatles all the time, and in terms of superiority? With BW, it's a different approach although possibly the same motivation - 'Paul McCartney really likes my song, I must be good' - but Mike trotting out the 'NME #1 group in the world' anecdote over and over again belies a different approach. He wants to see whether The Boss can get up onstage and jam, or whether The Moptops can match 180 shows a year. Of course, The Boss or Paul McCartney would not be seen dead playing in the venues Mike plays in, and everyone seems to realise this.... except Mike.

It just seems baffling to me that it achieves a lot of what Mike desires - artistic and critical legitimacy for his work (Kokomo has a way to go yet, but hey), big shows, and all the trappings of a mainstream rock legend that Brian has, to a certain extent, been enjoying with his own work - Brian's been on Leno/Letterman/Kimmel for most of his solo records, until very recently he has had no difficulty selling out prestigious theatres and massive festival gigs all over the world, a steady stream of interviews....

It just seems perfect for him. And yet he needed Brian (and wife&managers, which probably stung a lot more). It would be great if Mike could swallow his pride, is all. This format is what The Beach Boys, their music, their legacy, everything Mike professes to give a toss about, deserve!

Personally I would quite like to see the reunion happen again. But I can also completely understand why some think they should leave it there.

Realistically things couldn't go this well again...

Without the 50th anniversary tag and the noveltyfactorit would probably be more difficult to sell tickets.

The members are only likely to become worse singers and less agile from now on.

Brian used songs from 1998 to make this album. It would be a toug ask for him to follow it up relatively quickly.

And maybe most important is the fact that these guys have had fractious relationships for decades and did well to get through one tour without someone quitting orgetting fired. The current debacle is evidence of the factthat it might be too much to expect it to happen again.

I agree with both of you! My heart tells me that I want more touring and more recording because this has been such an enjoyable and exciting experience, and I do think the guys have "something" left and I'd like to hear it. However, my head is leaning toward Nicko1234's points. Sometimes the truth hurts...

As I'm reading the various quotes, posts, and speculation, this whole recent debacle is starting to have a deja vu-like quality. Is this starting to become another SMiLE-like debate?

Yeah I agree with that too. 

What if Mike actually thinks that his version of the BB is all that he actually needs?  We're of course going into deeper stuff here that none of us can answer but what if maybe Mike had accepted his version of the band as the new standard for himself?  The reunited group may hve elevated the band's stature for a few months but it looks to me that it doesn't really make Mike bat an eye.  Through his mind, he probably thinks he got the same amount of satisfaction on this tour as he usually gets with his own group but with more time and money being spent (and lost?).  Would he weigh the situation like that?  It certainly looks like it since we know he's already moved on with his own band.  I wish Mike could see things our way but Mike is a complicated dude and I have a feeling that there is more than just a chip on his shoulder that pushes him to do the things that he does.....

I don't think David's more legitimate than Bruce. I do think he's more of an original member or co-founder for obvious reasons. He was actually playing music and singing with Carl and Brian prior to any other Beach Boy other than Mike. But Bruce contributed a great deal musically/vocally from the point in time that he joined, and since that point was relatively early (1965) he should be viewed as one of the core Beach Boys. No doubt. But two points that should be made...

To say that David somehow gets a downgrade because he now plays someone else's guitar part in concert instead of his own. Al has been doing that his whole career. Through the whole post '63 period Al played David's guitar part in concert on all those early hits, and he sang Dennis' part in concert on so many of the songs like Surfer Girl and In My Room, even the uptempo stuff he's often singing Dennis' part. And on the SDV2, ASL period material he's playing Carl's rhythm guitar part (since Al was the studio bassist)...my point is that in concert Al has rarely played his own studio part on anything from the classic hit period, and about half the time he's not singing his part either. If we really broke it down it would be obvious that not playing or singing the part you handled on the record is very common in the Beach Boys concert history. And I think most would agree David is a better guitarist than Carl ever was.

The other point is that Bruce joined a band that was at the very top of its success. Al re-joined a band that had just run off a string of huge hits, and had just had the biggest selling rock album of the year. They both joined a safe bet. Dave was there when it was tiny, and he was there when it was huge, and everything in between. That should count for a lot even though his initial tenure was short, it was the most important time for the band's fortunes.

You can't call any band "The Beach Boys" that doesn't include Mike Love on a regular basis. I agree that Mike & Bruce shouldn't be using the name, but unfortunately that's what they are doing. But a band of Bria, Dave and Al wouldn't be much more genuine imho. What we got this year is the only way The Beach Boys can happen nowadays.


Anyway, I started this thread because I hoped we'd get some informations about Mike & Bruce's forthcoming gigs. It wasn't supposed to be yet another thread about the parting of the boys. Hopefully we can read reviews and reports of the shows when they happen.

I thought you understood this site a lot better than that!

I stopped long ago even trying to understand this site...  :3d

Another M&B gig scheduled: Mystic Lake Casino Hotel December 31, 2012

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JD9MKqsJ3t8

For what it's worth, it does seem that they do book a year out in advance.....

Personally, I've heard all those 60's song/Mike leads a million times.  Mike not in the band wouldn't bother me.  I'd rather hear Brian, Al, and  Bruce sing the non surf/car songs (And have Dave sing the Dennis songs and play those awesome licks of his).

 I'm way over the Mike Love show! It's just an oldies show as far as I'm concerned.

Any band calling itself The Beach Boys would have to play the hits though, the promoters would demand it.

If Brian wants to tour again in a non reunion mode then he should go out as himself anyway. I'm sure Al and David would be happy to join him if required.

I think David gets invited to the Mike & Bruce show. Brian wants his own tour bus just for himself and brings all kinds of weirdness and overhead. Al strikes me as a finicky man that thinks he always knows best, hence why he fell out with the Mike & Bruce show and the all-Brian show. I can't blame Mike for wanting to get away from the circus.  He wants to celebrate the emotionally positive sound he crafted for the Beach Boys without moody weirdos dragging things down with persistent melancholia.

Surf's up, dude.

Unfortunate but true.  A lot of bands are playing their classic albums.  Can you imagine a show doing the entire "Friends" album. Dang & wow!
Or Smile.  but Mike would put the kabash on that - it ain't the formula.

Back to the original thread topic;   

As has been noted, these guys are all still healthy and performing....but for how much longer?

It was in this spirit that I finally decided to go and see a Mike and Bruce show a few years ago rather than no Beach Boys at all.

Very glad I did.  As anyone who has seen this act knows, it is top notch with great people and musicians  up on the stage with Mike and Bruce.

Disappointed as I have been all of these years with the exclusion of Al Jardine, I would go again.

And I will continue to go see Brian shows which I have always enjoyed.    And I would  go see Al if it were logistically possible whith his limited performing schedule.

If you are a diehard fan like me, go see these guys.  All of them.  In any configuration.  You don't know when your last chance will come.

ABSOLUTELY!!!! :pirate :h5 :rock :happydance :kiss :woot :woot :thumbsup :thumbsup :listening-WELL SAID AND SO TRUE!!!!

So I was thinking about seeing Mike and Bruce on New Years Eve. I didn't have money to buy tickets right away, but figured they wouldn't go too fast. I checked the other day and the tickets hadn't even been on sale for a week and both shows booked that night are close to sold out (literally 10 or less front spots, couple regions of nosebleed).

I can't help but think that a lot of those people thought it was a show for the real Beach Boys.

Clip doesn't mention the anniversary once, doesn't show the C50 logo and uses a photo of the current band. You'd have to be some dumb to assume it's anything but Mike & Bruce.

Not only that but the story about Brian and Al getting fired went right around the world (a Japanese friend of mine received an email to their phone). You would have to be living on Mars to think this was anything other than an M&B show.

People  like something to do on New Year's Eve.  Besides which, Mike Love is an entertainer.  He does have fans.  Not everyone is an emo shoegazer that only likes Brian. 

Alright, alright. Maybe I underestimated Mike's ability to sell out a show within a week lol. I got schooled.

Humans may know, but stubhub robots probably just see "The Beach Boys" and snatch up as much tickets as they can.

Videos of the show in Austin:


Little Honda:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEZKronstiY

Forever:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl89jQA1Da8

Surfin' safari:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ZmWuWQy8Y


Waco:


Kokomo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Uiw00RdsIc

Catch a wave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSXJBRo_ggU

Surfer girl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdrwnhRpyNc&feature=channel&list=UL

I get around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juajHNwSISk&feature=BFa&list=ULKdrwnhRpyNc

Be true to your school:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL_CUZRp03k&feature=BFa&list=ULjuajHNwSISk

Seems weird seeing him on stage without the rest of The Beach Boys now. Just saying.

I'm looking forward to the "Beach Boys At Nutty Jerry's" blu-ray!

Is pre-order available yet?  >:D

Just look at the stage for the Mike and Bruce show, a few box's and the instrument's

The stage for the C50 tour must have killed Mike  :lol

Mike needs to rest his voice.

I'd like to see the setlist from that gig.

As there are 'only' two keyboards onstage with the current M/B show, does that mean Bruce plays actual, audible keyboard at any point during the set?

Great videos Rocker! Stamos is awful in these shows, he needs move on from pretending to be in the BBs.

Well this is my first post so.. hello! I found this board during the excitement of the 50th tour and lurked for a bit before admin approved me.

I'm going to see them on Saturday in Biloxi.  After having just got back from the UK shows I am expecting to be underwhelmed (understatement of the yr) however, I think I will still be able "to have a good time" b/c of how much I enjoy the songs.  Mike's drummer is amazing and I like Scott enough too.

Mostly I want to see this configuration once so I at least have a reference point.  That and the fact it's pretty much right down the street made up my mind to shell out 50 bucks for it.  For the record, I plan on wearing a 50th anniversary shirt and asking everyone where the heck brian, al and marks are.  I also really want to see them try TWGMTR.. I'm learning it on piano and it does have a pretty complicated arrangement. I'll write down the setlist and take some videos.  cheers!

The band still sound good in those clips though obviously I would prefer Brian, Al and David to be there too.

Be True to your School is guff though...thankfully they almost never play it in the U.K.

Tim Bonhomme has two keyboards and often plays both to make up for the lack of Bruce's playing.

Occasionally. He triggers the flute sample at the start of Sloop John B, I *think* he takes the piano solo on Help Me Rhonda still (he used to about ten years ago), a few other bits.  I think he's in the mix for much of the show on Mike & Bruce's shows, actually. But it's not a major part of the instrumental sound -- when they've done corporates and stuff in the past, and there hasn't been much space on stage, Bruce has pretended to play an unplugged electric guitar rather than actually playing his keyboard, so they can definitely work around the absence.

So you can hear him more vocally? That's cool...his voice sounds excellent still. I guess the 'many keyboards, some inaudible' thing has been part of the Beach Boys since what...71/72?

I think I'd pay to see Bruce solo with a piano doing all his soppy early seventies ballads then getting joined by a disco covers band for 'Deirdre(78)' etc

Welcome to the board!
It would be cool if you could give us some informations and maybe a setlist afterwards.

"Kokomo" in Austin, TX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gor_QhU9IO0

I'm just glad I was there to see the last Beach Boys show to date on September 28th! ;)

More like Live in Alaska--how cold was it in Austin?