-->
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 07:00:37 PM

Login with username, password and session length
Search:     Advanced search
News: peteramescarlin.com
Home Help Search Calendar Login Register
+  The Smiley Smile Message Board
|-+  Non Smiley Smile Stuff
| |-+  The Sandbox
| | |-+  Somewhat painful Bruce Johnston interview in a Dutch magazine
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 ... 18   Go Down
Print
Author Topic: Somewhat painful Bruce Johnston interview in a Dutch magazine  (Read 140467 times)
0 Members and 2 Guests are viewing this topic.
The Shift
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Online Online

Posts: 7427


Biding time


View Profile
« Reply #25 on: July 24, 2012, 02:53:51 PM »

Too much geographical generalising already. Stereotyping bordering on dangerous territory. All Europeans are Socialists, all Americans are Republicans? Hmm...

Let's get the complete transcript and wash this thread clean.
Logged

“We live in divisive times.”
Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 3744



View Profile
« Reply #26 on: July 24, 2012, 03:04:06 PM »

Is Bruce at all aware of the fact that his success is due in a massive part to the fact that an ALREADY successful band basically just let him hop on the bus for life with only the most minimal of contributions necessary from him?
« Last Edit: July 24, 2012, 03:13:33 PM by Erik H » Logged
Rocker
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Online Online

Posts: 10622


"Too dumb for New York City, too ugly for L.A."


View Profile WWW
« Reply #27 on: July 24, 2012, 03:06:45 PM »

Is Bruce at all aware of the fact that his success is due in a massive part the fact that an ALREADY successful band basically just let him hop on the bus for life with only the most minimal of contributions necessary from him?


In all fairness, "I write the songs" had nothing to do with the Beach Boys and that's where Bruce probably gets more money from than of the tours
Logged

a diseased bunch of mo'fos if there ever was one… their beauty is so awesome that listening to them at their best is like being in some vast dream cathedral decorated with a thousand gleaming American pop culture icons.

- Lester Bangs on The Beach Boys


PRO SHOT BEACH BOYS CONCERTS - LIST


To sum it up, they blew it, they blew it consistently, they continue to blow it, it is tragic and this pathological problem caused The Beach Boys' greatest music to be so underrated by the general public.

- Jack Rieley
SBonilla
Guest
« Reply #28 on: July 24, 2012, 03:07:37 PM »

PR sensitive inner sanctum person to BJ: "OK, when your onstage, plug in your mic and unplug your keyboard. And when your offstage, unplug your mic and we won't care what you do with the keyboard."
Logged
Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 3744



View Profile
« Reply #29 on: July 24, 2012, 03:12:21 PM »

Is Bruce at all aware of the fact that his success is due in a massive part the fact that an ALREADY successful band basically just let him hop on the bus for life with only the most minimal of contributions necessary from him?


In all fairness, "I write the songs" had nothing to do with the Beach Boys and that's where Bruce probably gets more money from than of the tours

Yes, but being a "former Beach Boy" probably didn't hurt when he was shopping the song around nor did the fact that he didn't have to worry about getting a job thanks to the kindness of The Beach Boys.

And socialism may indeed be bankrupting Europe, but look at the Economy over here? Because Capitalism does very well for only the smallest sliver of the population, it's just fine?

OK, OK. I'll stop. I'm just saying Bruce could try a little humility.
Logged
Don Malcolm
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Online Online

Posts: 1108



View Profile
« Reply #30 on: July 24, 2012, 03:15:12 PM »

The Beach Boys never really came close to putting over a "counterculture" image...the closest they came to that was in the Rieley years. Carl was probably on board the most with the "political aesthetic" that dominated the rock world from 1966-75 (or so), with the primary evidence existing in "The Trader," which clearly shades toward the "new left" view of colonialism. Bruce clearly left the band because of a profound antipathy with what Carl and Rieley were doing in the immediate post-Surf's Up era...there wasn't going to be much room at that time for tunes like "Disney Girls," which pretty much telegraphs the direction Bruce's politics would take in the ensuing years.

I do love KittyKat's comment about Bruce have been born on third base and thinking he hit a triple...some of the folks who've been the most fortunate have a strange inability to acknowledge that fact.
Logged
Cabinessenceking
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 2164


View Profile
« Reply #31 on: July 24, 2012, 03:15:42 PM »

Well, he's right about Europe. I know that's a bitter pill for some, but hey.

As a young person having lived in DC, London and Norway, I can tell you that when you try our 'social democracy' which is not socialism, its pretty good. Our moderate right wings are about as right as the democrats are. At least our terrible democracy works in the sense that parties work together, and everything is more conformed, transparent and honest compared to the US. Who on Earth would vote for a president, then take away all his powers by getting the other party into a house majority? I lulz at America all the time, it happens to be we are all in the sh*t right now... Actually, we aren't. Damn southern europeans pull all the sh*t down. Germany, Benelux and Scandinavia are doing great, especially Norway. Btw I go to free top-notch university, all paid by tax payer money.

heard of poverty? ye, lots of it in America. Poverty is unknown in Norway, the same with unemployment, Norway has full employment (and no I am speaking the truth, not some government indoctrinations jargon, take a look at how this country handled the idiot mass shooter last year....?)

America is great, I really admire the industrious nature of it and it's ideals. I don't think I could really enjoy living there in the long run.
Logged
Zach95
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 893


View Profile
« Reply #32 on: July 24, 2012, 03:16:23 PM »

The topic itself is confusing; it is BJ or politics?  I will just say that Europeans are always trying to get Americans to say something to acknowledge our role is creating social injustice, so BJ is right.  I always find that Europeans will inject some scorn and provoke self-criticism from us--it's certainly true in academia.  So BJ was trying to escape that trap, which I appreciate, maintaining the apolitical nature of spiritual music, though he may not have made a complex, Maharishi-inspired explanation of spirit and music, as Carl would have. So, let's not fight about politics or call BB names; I have tried simply to gloss the event by identifying the cultural paradigm it reveals.  Good for you Bruce to resist the silly Euro-trash-trap.

Ugh, this guy's fancily-worded BS continues to annoy the heck out of me. Especially when he think he's some kind of moral and intellectual superior and then throws in that arrogant last line as if it's the last word on the subject. Ugh, people bring out the worst in politics and vice versa.

Anyway, yeah I don't understand Bruce, his attitude or his politics but I enjoy his music and voice. I'm just too small a human-being to let the trivial things not bother me.

Well that's sort of a low blow.  Just because someone uses intellectual and intelligent language doesn't mean they're trying to act superior to anyone else.  If you're an academic, you're going to speak and write like an academic, because that's the language and style you apply when talking among your peers.  Why would someone dum down their lingual style just so people like you don't get "annoyed"? And to think the Professor spews "bs"? Have you read any of his posts? He only talks about how he wishes for the Boys music to be spread to the far corners of the world to be enjoyed and recognized. Now I'm sure the professor can defend himself here, but I enjoy his contributions to this board and such a ridiculous statement such as yours really "annoyed" me.
Logged

Ain't nothin' upside your head!
Cabinessenceking
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 2164


View Profile
« Reply #33 on: July 24, 2012, 03:18:04 PM »

He goes on to slam drugs and just give off the stereotypical version of The Beach Boys, the image Brian tried hard to shred.




I don't think Brian cares about image. He's making music that he wants to make but let's the public business to others. Except for the short Derek Taylor periode I can't think about any time where I would say he actively tried to "shred" the image the band had at that certain time. Brian more than once jumped on that train, most recently with "Beaches in mind".
That said, I think Carl and Dennis (mostly Carl though) had the biggest issues with the surfer image.




BTW, could we get a transcript of the complete interview (in english), pleaese ?


He cared from 1966-1967  Grin, after that he never gave a sh*t  about the Beach Boys, but he could not bear to not be a beach boy....
Logged
MaxL
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 408


"It's a damn shame"


View Profile
« Reply #34 on: July 24, 2012, 03:36:38 PM »

Well that's sort of a low blow.  Just because someone uses intellectual and intelligent language doesn't mean they're trying to act superior to anyone else.  If you're an academic, you're going to speak and write like an academic, because that's the language and style you apply when talking among your peers.  Why would someone dum down their lingual style just so people like you don't get "annoyed"? And to think the Professor spews "bs"? Have you read any of his posts? He only talks about how he wishes for the Boys music to be spread to the far corners of the world to be enjoyed and recognized. Now I'm sure the professor can defend himself here, but I enjoy his contributions to this board and such a ridiculous statement such as yours really "annoyed" me.

Ok, whatever. I'm a clever guy but I don't feel like being overly verbose to prove a point. Anyway that wasn't my intention, it was his last line I took issue with. Anyway I don't want to weigh in anymore, things get awful touchy when politics get involved.
Logged
drbeachboy
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 5214



View Profile
« Reply #35 on: July 24, 2012, 03:42:58 PM »

Bruce is just.....weird..

I was watching some interview him and Mike did on youtube today during the promotion for the "Warmth of the sun" comp. He really likes selling the Beach Boys as a surf/car band. "The only four letter words we used in our music was, 'surf', 'girls' and 'cars'". He goes on to slam drugs and just give off the stereotypical version of The Beach Boys, the image Brian tried hard to shred.

He's an incredibly dorky guy and a bit of a dick too it seems
So, are you saying he should talk up drug taking? If slamming drugs is stereotypical Beach Boys talk, then that is cool with me. Also, talking up the old music; what do you expect him to say? It is what they play in concert, which in essence is what he is talking up.
Logged

The Brianista Prayer

Oh Brian
Thou Art In Hawthorne,
Harmonied Be Thy name
Your Kingdom Come,
Your Steak Well Done,
On Stage As It Is In Studio,
Give Us This Day, Our Shortenin' Bread
And Forgive Us Our Bootlegs,
As We Also Have Forgiven Our Wife And Managers,
And Lead Us Not Into Kokomo,
But Deliver Us From Mike Love.
Amen.  ---hypehat
SMiLE Brian
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 8432



View Profile
« Reply #36 on: July 24, 2012, 03:51:23 PM »

Bruce knew the BBs sound in 1965 because spent the previous three years making BBs knock off songs that pale in comparison. His whole "couldn't find a replacement bass player for Brian Wilson" story sounds like bunk too. I honestly don't get why he is so nasty, he should count his blessings that his role as touring replacement for Brian Wilson led to so much more in his life with being the 6th beach boy (out of the classic lineup) that everybody knows. 
Logged

And production aside, I’d so much rather hear a 14 year old David Marks shred some guitar on Chug-a-lug than hear a 51 year old Mike Love sing about bangin some chick in a swimming pool.-rab2591
Rocky Raccoon
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 2393



View Profile
« Reply #37 on: July 24, 2012, 03:56:33 PM »

A few things Bruce mentions throughout the interview:
- It doesn't really bother him that there are a lot of people that are unemployed, he thinks it's always been that way.
- He thinks Summer In Paradise is a pretty good album.
- If he'd be young now, he'd want to be like Bruno Mars...

So far, so good.

I disagree.  None of what I highlighted strikes me as good.
Logged

hypehat
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 6311



View Profile
« Reply #38 on: July 24, 2012, 04:07:10 PM »

So what, not every country needs to be the USA. Bruce didnt expect a european to act european?

Socialism is bankrupting the EU and is about to bankrupt the USA. But that's a topic for the Sandbox. Let's keep this on topic as best we can.

As a apparently politically savvy dude, I would expect you to know what socialism actually constituted, and that that concept is exceedingly far from whatever the hell is going on with the eurozone. Are you perhaps suffering from the American POV that anything left of centre is socialism?


In case no-one has noticed, America does not have the exclusive rights to having an obnoxious capitalist 1%-ing shower of bastards at the reigns. I am, after all, faced with the horrifying prospect of finding work under a Tory government.
(Oh yeah, Sandbox)

Disney Girls makes more and more sense when I read that Bruce Johnstons political compass and scope is utterly f***ed by being a wealthy SoCal resident who does not give a sh*t about anybody. He can get f***ed, honestly.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2012, 04:20:31 PM by hypehat » Logged

All roads lead to Kokomo. Exhaustive research in time travel has conclusively proven that there is no alternate universe WITHOUT Kokomo. It would've happened regardless.
What is this "life" thing you speak of ?

Quote from: Al Jardine
Syncopate it? In front of all these people?!
adamghost
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Online Online

Posts: 2107



View Profile
« Reply #39 on: July 24, 2012, 04:21:46 PM »

I just get generally tired of people having very strong political opinions based on adopting a very narrow and surface ideology which they apply to nearly every issue, without really knowing that much about the nuts and bolts and realities of the things they feel so strongly about.  Real life is complex and people who only see those with other opinions as strawmen or characatures are not wielding knowledge -- they're shielding themselves from being intellectually challenged and really engaging with solutions.  I tend to lean a bit left of center but I have no problem with thoughtful conservatives who can state their case with intelligence -- what few of them seem to be left now that moderate ideas -- you know, the idea that you can discuss something and reach a mutually acceptable agreement -- have been purged or discredited by the right.  (I know some will jump in and say the left too, but look...there are still moderates and even conservatives in the Democratic party, so it's not the same thing at all)

When people start throwing around words like "socialism", however, my eyes glaze over.  Labels like that are just a way of trying to win an argument without really earning it.  So yay to Bruce as guy who sticks to his guns, boo to Bruce as lazy thinker.  Or anyone else for that matter, left or right.  People throw out labels when they don't want to listen and figure out where other people are coming from.  Not down with that, and there's way too much of it all 'round IMHO.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2012, 04:24:21 PM by adamghost » Logged
hypehat
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 6311



View Profile
« Reply #40 on: July 24, 2012, 04:26:10 PM »

Aye. (Even if my prior post might not bear it out, I agree with all of that)
Logged

All roads lead to Kokomo. Exhaustive research in time travel has conclusively proven that there is no alternate universe WITHOUT Kokomo. It would've happened regardless.
What is this "life" thing you speak of ?

Quote from: Al Jardine
Syncopate it? In front of all these people?!
Doo Dah
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 590


One man's troll is another man's freedom fighter.


View Profile
« Reply #41 on: July 24, 2012, 04:27:47 PM »

That's my Bruce. A lazy thinker indeed.

Hey Bruce, make sure you clap really hard for the European socialists. Get 'em on their feet during the Car Medley. That's your job. You're a cheerleader. Not a musician. Not by a long shot.

What a jackass. And yes, I'd say that to his face. Good voice, bad attitude. A real piece o' crap.
Logged

AGD is gone.
AGD is gone.
Heigh ho the derry-o
AGD is gone
MBE
Guest
« Reply #42 on: July 24, 2012, 04:45:58 PM »

Bruce doesn't surprise me because I've been told for years what he is like. I'm surprised he is becoming so public with his flaws, but not that he has them. He just isn't a straight forward guy. I know for a fact that Brian or Al or Dave would never bad mouth people like that. Even Mike is far more pleasent in truth. Oh well, but hey he did some cool stuff from 1963-72.
Logged
Justin
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 2244



View Profile
« Reply #43 on: July 24, 2012, 04:53:11 PM »

Well we should probably be reminded that the recent times he's been caught saying very controversial political comments was when he thought he was speaking in private.  The Obama/Socialist comment he made a few months back was caught on tape by someone recording the conversation unaware by Bruce and now this phone conversation as the OP describes, was accidentally heard after Bruce hung the phone up incorrectly.  Doesn't take Bruce off the hook, but it's no way him actively pursuing this type of attention.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2012, 04:54:36 PM by Justin » Logged
Sheriff John Stone
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 5309



View Profile
« Reply #44 on: July 24, 2012, 05:02:35 PM »

I realize the Beach Boys are human, and, like other popular musicians, can at times be a little reckless. But, did you ever see a group of guys who were as self-destructive as the Beach Boys?
Logged
drbeachboy
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 5214



View Profile
« Reply #45 on: July 24, 2012, 05:03:39 PM »

We all have a right to our political views and we have a right to share them if we so choose to. You guys in here have no problem voicing your own political views. You should give the courtesy to Bruce to express his, as well.
Logged

The Brianista Prayer

Oh Brian
Thou Art In Hawthorne,
Harmonied Be Thy name
Your Kingdom Come,
Your Steak Well Done,
On Stage As It Is In Studio,
Give Us This Day, Our Shortenin' Bread
And Forgive Us Our Bootlegs,
As We Also Have Forgiven Our Wife And Managers,
And Lead Us Not Into Kokomo,
But Deliver Us From Mike Love.
Amen.  ---hypehat
Doo Dah
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 590


One man's troll is another man's freedom fighter.


View Profile
« Reply #46 on: July 24, 2012, 05:04:42 PM »

Well we should probably be reminded that the recent times he's been caught saying very controversial political comments was when he thought he was speaking in private.  The Obama/Socialist comment he made a few months back was caught on tape by someone recording the conversation unaware by Bruce and now this phone conversation as the OP describes, was accidentally heard after Bruce hung the phone up incorrectly.  Doesn't take Bruce off the hook, but it's no way him actively pursuing this type of attention.

Absolutely true. But it's who he is. It's how he thinks. Because that's how he behaves when no one's watching.
Logged

AGD is gone.
AGD is gone.
Heigh ho the derry-o
AGD is gone
Doo Dah
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 590


One man's troll is another man's freedom fighter.


View Profile
« Reply #47 on: July 24, 2012, 05:07:35 PM »

We all have a right to our political views and we have a right to share them if we so choose to. You guys in here have no problem voicing your own political views. You should give the courtesy to Bruce to express his, as well.

Sure! Vamp on, Bruce. You are free to make a kielbasa out of yourself. Freedom.
Logged

AGD is gone.
AGD is gone.
Heigh ho the derry-o
AGD is gone
adamghost
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Online Online

Posts: 2107



View Profile
« Reply #48 on: July 24, 2012, 05:09:03 PM »

Well we should probably be reminded that the recent times he's been caught saying very controversial political comments was when he thought he was speaking in private.  The Obama/Socialist comment he made a few months back was caught on tape by someone recording the conversation unaware by Bruce and now this phone conversation as the OP describes, was accidentally heard after Bruce hung the phone up incorrectly.  Doesn't take Bruce off the hook, but it's no way him actively pursuing this type of attention.

Yeah, after I posted, I felt bad I did not point this out as well.  How many times have we said stuff in this kind of situation that we really would put differently if we knew we were being overheard?  Sometimes after you've been diplomatic with someone you disagree with, you just have to vent. Neither attitude might be the whole truth of how you feel about something.  As I said above, real life is complex.
« Last Edit: July 24, 2012, 05:11:39 PM by adamghost » Logged
startBBtoday
Smiley Smile Associate
*
Offline Offline

Posts: 693



View Profile
« Reply #49 on: July 24, 2012, 05:11:36 PM »

Not surprised about this at all. I don't think there's anything evil about Bruce, I just don't think he's very genuine. He says things because there's cameras or microphones in front of his face and you can tell when he's being phony. I think a lot of what he says in interviews about the Beach Boys is because that's what looks good for his or the band's public persona.

The more stories like this that come out the more it proves that to me. Oh well, I guess being contrived is better than just being a dick all the time.
Logged
Pages: 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 ... 18   Go Up
Print
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines
Page created in 1.284 seconds with 22 queries.