New Mike Love interview

[Cam Mott]

If you want to think Mike is a prick you are going to find evidence to support your belief. It is an interview with him and he praises Brian out the ying yang but he's a hindend because he talks about himself in an interview of him. I swan.

SMiLE would have been great but it is unfinished. Is that a dodge or untrue?


http://brianwilsonfans.com/page10.php

[Mikie]

Quote:

He should just listen to the box without his bias and see how the SMiLE box contains beautiful material that is not just "snipits" I don't even think he has listened to BWPS. Comparing SMiLE to Sweet Insanity is just is nasty and uncalled for. Mike just can't seem to let grudges go, hell he probably would still yell at Tony Asher or Van Dyke Parks for taking his lyricist role all those years ago. Mike shouldn't even use Kokomo as an example of a hit song without Brian, the song was written mostly by Papa John Phillips.
 

Yeah!  But he can't get too down on Smile these days because he's about to get a chunk of change in royalties for it.  

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Brian talks himself up too!

Only difference is the interviewers goad him on!

Yes. But that difference is crucial.

Really?

Of course. There is a difference between someone asking you to talk about your work, and you bringing it up on your own. That's elementary.

Sure, but maybe the interviewer should not have opened up the interview by telling Mike what a dick he is. But he did, therefore Mike felt the need to back himself up a bit and speak about his contributions.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Brian talks himself up too!

Only difference is the interviewers goad him on!

Yes. But that difference is crucial.

Really?

Of course. There is a difference between someone asking you to talk about your work, and you bringing it up on your own. That's elementary.

Sure, but maybe the interviewer should not have opened up the interview by telling Mike what a dick he is. But he did, therefore Mike felt the need to back himself up a bit and speak about his contributions.

 

It seems that the first question is "You're still hitting those high harmonies after all these years?" Granted, it's not informed, but it's hardly "telling Mike what a dick he is." Furthermore, as several posters have suggested, this is Mike's usual position in interviews (he's gone further and claimed responsibility for the Beach Boys success elsewhere), so it typically doesn't really matter what the interviewer asks.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

SMiLE would have been great but it is unfinished. Is that a dodge or untrue?

I would say that saying the album was "nothing" and just fragments, as he has done in the interview you provide, is untrue and something he knows very well given his participation in the album.

[Cam Mott]

That interview was from 1993. The SMiLE album was nothing, there was no album, and it was fragments. Is that untrue?

[oldsurferdude]

Some questions I would like to ask Mike Love:

Name some songs that you think have been overlooked (what songs would knock the casual fan off their feet if they heard them for the first time)?

What do you think each member brought to the band?

What do you miss most about Dennis and Carl?

What do you tthink of 'Love You', 'Wild Honey', 'Friends' and 'Smiley Smile'.

Why are you the most hated man in rock and roll?
            Did you go all the way through clown school or are you a dropout?
            What is your explaination for wearing turbans?
            Do you feel that you were justified in making the R&R HOF speech?
            Do you think that if the real surviving BBs get together for a show will you bring your own bottle of salad dressing?

Go ahead, ask those questions-make my day.

[tpesky]

In general I think it's a good thing that more truth has come to light about Mike recently and I would venture to say his reputation on these boards and amongst many fans has actually improved over these past few years.   It seemed like several years ago what was said about Mike was FAR WORSE on these boards than what takes place currently and that's a good thing. I am all about giving Mike credit and I believe his accomplishments should be noted.
What concerns me is an opposite backlash. I worry that people are defending Mike Love JUST to defend Mike Love and searching too hard to trumpet his accomplishments. This is no better than being one sided about Brian's accomplishments. Mike did a lot of good but let's face it some of the negative things in his reputation are there for a reason and to try to justify and rationalize each one is not good either.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

That interview was from 1993. The SMiLE album was nothing, there was no album, and it was fragments. Is that untrue?

Yes. If you want to pretend that by "nothing", Mike Love meant "unreleased" then fair enough. But even by that time (the link you give suggests that the interview was in 1995) the Good Vibrations box set was out and made legitimate a good deal of the Smile recordings which illustrate how substantial the recordings were. Not only that the fragments could be easily placed together - sure some things didn't have a home, but it was quite clear how many of the songs could be structured and pieced together. Hell, it was clear enough to The Beach Boys in 1968 how Cabin Essence could come together. More over how could anyone who sang on Our Prayer and Wonderful simply say that the music was fragments? Again, to repeat, the terms used are pretty shameful.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I find it difficult to have respect for the Mike haters. I have to admit it. I find it difficult because they don't even attempt to utilize any logic or empathy or natural human consideration. It's like they've been indoctrinated to a train of thought and, like the George W Bush mentality, they will hang onto it no matter what opposing evidence/common sense might attempt to present itself.

It's not like I can't understand their logic and where it comes from. But if you look at Mike as an actual human being and put yourself in his shoes or try and relate his experiences to any of your own that have created jealousy resentment, lack of due credit: it makes sense. I'm not defending any of the silly things Mike has said over the years, but I can certainly empathize with the emotions that may have caused some of these things.

It would be simple if Brian wasn't presented as such a helpless soul/wounded bird. If Brian was taken on his words and actions alone, the story would be different. But he's crazy and helpless and THE genius, so there it is: critical thinking isn't necessary.

Pete Townsend scrapped "Lifehouse" in part due to the indifference/criticism of his fellow bandmates, but no one feels sorry for Townsend, so it's not even an issue.

"It was a great mistake to put Brian in full control.
He was always the ultimate Producer, but little did he know
that in his absence people grew up. People became as sensitive
as the next guy. Why do I relinquish my rights as an artist?
The whole process was a little bruising"

That's a Dennis quote (regarding 15 Big Ones) that I don't hear anyone complaining about or trashing him over. But let's just imagine if it was Mike who'd said that! There would be 10000 page threads on that very quote blowing up this forum if that had been the case.

[Mikie]

That interview was from 1993. The SMiLE album was nothing, there was no album, and it was fragments. Is that untrue?

There was plenty to Smile in 1993 - a lot more than fragments. A few things from Smile made to Beach Boys albums previously and the 1993 box set, in addition to material booted many years before that. Look at all the session material that was compiled for the SOT sets in 1999 and even more after that. And I'm sure Mike was approached with the idea of releasing Smile on quite a few occasions over the years. He even mentioned an impending release of Smile in a concert back in 1972. Not much has changed with him since then. He knows what's out there. But again, I can't see him bitching about it too much these days because he's making a couple of bucks off of it.

[Wirestone]

I have to say, after reading the comments here I expected one thing.

Then I read Mike's actual interview.

He is plainspoken and frank. He defends himself, acknowledges Brian and promotes his show. He clearly has a few issues and hobbyhorses, but who at age 70 wouldn't?

Nothing to see here.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

I find it difficult to have respect for the Mike haters. I have to admit it. I find it difficult because they don't even attempt to utilize any logic or empathy or natural human consideration. It's like they've been indoctrinated to a train of thought and, like the George W Bush mentality, they will hang onto it no matter what opposing evidence/common sense might attempt to present itself.

Erm, excuse me? There have been endless quotations in this thread alone from Mike and you go off about hanging onto opinions "no matter what opposing evidence/common sense might attempt to present itself"? Sorry, you're right, next time I should trust the evidence you entirely made up about the interviewer being a dick to Mike. I suppose that would be the kind of common sense you would appreciate.

But if you look at Mike as an actual human being and put yourself in his shoes or try and relate his experiences to any of your own that have created jealousy resentment, lack of due credit: it makes sense.

It does not make sense for him to take credit for The Beach Boys success. Period. It does not make sense for him to call Smile "nothing". Sure, Mike was screwed for some things and, unfortunately, that has absolutely nothing to do with his behaviour which he exhibited as far back as the Surfin' demo when after Brian jokingly threatened to "pop" Dennis in the mouth and that Dennis could pop him back, Mike took it his eloquent step further by saying that he would pop Dennis in the mouth so hard, he couldn't pop him back.

Pete Townsend scrapped "Lifehouse" in part due to the indifference/criticism of his fellow bandmates, but no one feels sorry for Townsend, so it's not even an issue.

Speculative.

"It was a great mistake to put Brian in full control.
He was always the ultimate Producer, but little did he know
that in his absence people grew up. People became as sensitive
as the next guy. Why do I relinquish my rights as an artist?
The whole process was a little bruising"

That's a Dennis quote (regarding 15 Big Ones) that I don't hear anyone complaining about or trashing him over. But let's just imagine if it was Mike who'd said that! There would be 10000 page threads on that very quote blowing up this forum if that had been the case.

Speculative. And this demonstrates precisely that you don't even understand why people dislike Mike Love. For you, you have created in your mind the reason - which is that people don't like Mike Love because he's Mike Love. No wonder you have such a problem with these arguments.

[Wirestone]

It does not make sense for him to call Smile "nothing".

Which is why he didn't do it.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

"It does not make sense for him to take credit for The Beach Boys success. Period. It does not make sense for him to call Smile "nothing". Sure, Mike was screwed for some things and, unfortunately, that has absolutely nothing to do with his behaviour which he exhibited as far back as the Surfin' demo when after Brian jokingly threatened to "pop" Dennis in the mouth and that Dennis could pop him back, Mike took it his eloquent step further by saying that he would pop Dennis in the mouth so hard, he couldn't pop him back."

Amazing how a founding/core member, frequent lyric writer (including those for some hits)  of a successful band can't even make mere mention of his contributions (while himself giving Brian higher acclaim) without someone coming stampeding up accusing him of taking credit for their success and using this as irrefutable evidence to support their own complex opinions of the guy!

Why do I even try?

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

"It does not make sense for him to take credit for The Beach Boys success. Period. It does not make sense for him to call Smile "nothing". Sure, Mike was screwed for some things and, unfortunately, that has absolutely nothing to do with his behaviour which he exhibited as far back as the Surfin' demo when after Brian jokingly threatened to "pop" Dennis in the mouth and that Dennis could pop him back, Mike took it his eloquent step further by saying that he would pop Dennis in the mouth so hard, he couldn't pop him back."

Amazing how a founding/core member, frequent lyric writer (including those for some hits)  of a successful band can't even make mere mention of his contributions (while himself giving Brian higher acclaim) without someone coming stampeding up accusing him of taking credit for their success and using this as irrefutable evidence to support their own complex opinions of the guy!

Why do I even try?

And you're splitting serious hairs regarding the popping in the mouth B.S.

Brian opened the subject up and Mike just ran with it!

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Amazing how a founding/core member, frequent lyric writer (including those for some hits)  of a successful band can't even make mere mention of his contributions (while himself giving Brian higher acclaim) without someone coming stampeding up accusing him of "taking credit for their success" and using this as irrefutable evidence to support their own complex opinions of the guy!

Why do I even try?

I'm actually referring directly to his comments in the Endless Harmony documentary where he said, verbatim:

"Ultimately I think the Beach Boys meant so much to so many people because of the positivity and that was me."

[Chocolate Shake Man]

And you're splitting serious hairs regarding the popping in the mouth B.S.

Brian opened the subject up and Mike just ran with it!

To be honest, I don't think so. I think the moment is telling of their characters. Brian is playing the role of dominating big brother with Dennis (no surprise) but Mike is the one who puts forth the idea that he is so tough that Dennis won't even be able to fight back. Yes, it's all in good fun, but it is telling of the distinctions between the two.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

I see what you mean, but if there was already underlying tension (which David Marks speaks of) between Dennis and Mike, then it makes sense.

My older cousins and friends actually DID pop me in the mouth for acting up when I was that age, and I don't hate any of them!

[Chocolate Shake Man]

It does not make sense for him to call Smile "nothing".

Which is why he didn't do it.

There's an article given on this very thread where he says exactly that.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

And wasn't it actually Dennis who punched Mike out in the end?

Just saying.

Let's not be sore winners here  

[Chocolate Shake Man]

OK, but it's not the fighting itself that really concerns me here. It's character. Mike Love's character is what bothers people - and mostly, I think, it's the arrogance. I used the Surfin' example to suggest that this was a significant part of Mike's character well before he was screwed out of royalties.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

And Mike's arrogance is a lot of the charm in his early vocals. It comes across, but is an integral part of their early sound.

And yes, I was speculating regarding The Who and Lifehouse, but it was educated speculation.

Below is an interesting page.

Eerily similar to the Smile situation. Only in this case, Lifehouse fell apart and their "cobbled together" replacement album was an absolute classic!

http://www.earcandymag.com/rrcase-lifehouse.htm

[Chocolate Shake Man]

And Mike's arrogance is a lot of the charm in his early vocals. It comes across, but is an integral part of their early sound.

Agreed - but arrogance in art is a different thing than arrogance in real life. And even then, I think, some arrogance is tolerable in particular contexts. But Mike Love strikes me as someone who just doesn't get it - he doesn't know how to socialize properly with other people.

And yes, I was speculating regarding The Who and Lifehouse, but it was educated speculation.

Below is an interesting page.

Eerily similar to the Smile situation. Only in this case, Lifehouse fell apart and their "cobbled together" replacement album was an absolute classic!

http://www.earcandymag.com/rrcase-lifehouse.htm

And that might be part of the reason. I am familiar with Lifehouse. I think in that case, most people can't fathom how Pete Townshend could have put that album together. Smile, though, seemed so close to being finished and the things that needed to be done should have been easily accomplished by the man who had already done such much in 1966.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Well, please remember Mike is a Wilson relative: a rock star: a guy who's never really had to grow up like the rest of us and go get a job. He's just as messed up as a lot of other guys in his position.