New Mike Examiner interview

[halblaineisgood]

I've not suddenly gone over to the dark side: Brian Wilson has composed, arranged, produced and performed some of the most incredible music of the rock era and on an artistic scale of 1 to 10, if Brian is 10, then Mike is maybe 0.5, and that's as it should be because his forte is being a frontman. My main problem is that this Mike-bashing hasn't just got boring, it's recently become groundless. Bash away if there's supporting evidence, but just because he's not Brian ? Kindergarten stuff. I'd dearly love to win the lottery, then fund an international SS fan convention, purely to see if folk like, say, OSD and SmileBrian are in real life as dumb and ignorant as they come over here... and they could discover if I really am as arrogant, dismissive and condescending as I'm percieved here. I'm betting everyone involved would be hugely surprised: that's been my experience down the decades - with one notable exception. 

I am pretty sure you are not a nice person in real life after saying me and OSD are dumb just for not following your line of thinking. But I am done fighting with you, enjoy being a miserable fanboy gives this place and BBs fans a bad name.

Wow, you're the better man. You're not gonna fight anymore! More time for you to flatter oldsurferdude.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I am pretty sure you are not a nice person in real life after saying me and OSD are dumb just for not following your line of thinking. But I am done fighting with you, enjoy being a miserable fanboy gives this place and BBs fans a bad name.

English not your first language, I take it. Repeated, with added emphasis:

"...purely to see if folk like, say, OSD and SmileBrian are in real life as dumb and ignorant as they come over here... and they could discover if I really am as arrogant, dismissive and condescending as I'm perceived here."

Didn't say you were dumb and ignorant, rather that's how you come across with the relentless Mike-bashing. Subtle but significant difference. You'll note I was as (apparently) harsh on myself. BTW, that's the second time you've been done fighting with me: three strikes and out ? 

[SMiLE Brian]

Saying what I write here is dumb is extremely insulting, I don't come here to be put down like that. I come here because I love the BBs and like to talk about them with other fans. All fans are equal, no fan has the right to call out another fan like you do on a regular basis. You are not a bigshot in the BBs fan world just because you have a website with BBs data. Hell, I am not sure if you are even a fan anymore since you get no joy out of the BBs and only correct/bully people.  

[halblaineisgood]

what I write here is dumb

[drbeachboy]

Saying what I write here is dumb is extremely insulting, I don't come here to be put down like that. I come here because I love the BBs and like to talk about them with other fans. All fans are equal, no fan has the right to call out another fan like you do on a regular basis. You are not a bigshot in the BBs fan world just because you have a website with BBs data. Hell, I am not sure if you are even a fan anymore since you get no joy out of the BBs and only correct/bully people. 

Yeah, you have a right to say want you want, but we are also free to tell you that you're full of sh*t when your opinion flies in the way of the facts. It seems that all that matters to you is what you think, not what you know.

[SMiLE Brian]

So I can be insulted  repeatly for no reason because I don't agree with the "truth" which is your opinion.

[Nicko1234]

SMiLE Brian's posts appear to be completely innocuous to me. Not sure why some berks are getting at him.

[The Shift]

Chill pills all round?

[LostArt]

Here's my 2 cents worth:

The legacy of the Beach Boys is secure in my eyes.  Why?  Because the music is so damned good, and that will never change.  As others have said...this band, in whatever configuration, has been playing fairs and casinos for 40 years.  They've survived mental illness, drug abuse, law suits, and even death.  Do you seriously think that the touring band playing SeaWorld is somehow going to tarnish their reputation at this stage in their careers?  Seriously?  It's music, folks.  Music is meant to be heard, especially music this good.  I don't care where it's played, or who is listening.  I don't care whether the folks listening prefer Be True To Your School or All This Is That or freakin' Barbara Ann.  A fan of the music is a fan of the music.  If you want to moan about whether a venue is 'worthy' or not, that's your choice.  But if the band...any band...think that they can play for a nice crowd, for a fee agreed upon by the buyer and the band, then great.  The band gets paid, the people get to listen to some timeless music, and all is right with the world for a couple of hours.  It does not matter one bit whether the people pay $10 or $50 or $150...no wait...actually it does matter...the less money people have to pay to get their butts in the seats, the more people will get the opportunity to see the show, and that can't be a bad thing.  IMHO, of course.

Rant over.

[filledeplage]

So I can be insulted  repeatly for no reason because I don't agree with the "truth" which is your opinion.

SMiLE Brian - I guess there is a demographic who grew up, since Brian left the touring aspect of the Band, with a sort of "acceptance" of those members as the Beach Boys.  We just knew no other way.  And, since things underwent a change of sorts, in 1997, and Brian was trying a new music model, we did not demand that he join the Touring Band, so they could be the "real" Beach Boys.  And, yet, since this Band has been developed and refined, apart from Brian's model, there is little, except criticism and factionalism.  It seems that there is a refusal to accept anything else but a fan-driven music model, and that is unfortunate.  

Is it possible that the Band (C50) will work and perform together?  I think so, but probably not right now.  And the continuous criticism won't change it.  This touring that the Touring Band does, is a function of the BRI organization, it appears, from my seat as a fan.  This is something that the organization will determine and not you or I.  I am not singling you out, I hope, but it feels like banging one's head fruitlessly against a wall to hope for an open mind and acceptance of this situation coupled with patience, for things to work out.  In the meantime, we have the great opportunity to see more music in more places.  

A situation can either be viewed as an opportunity, in the positive sense or a defeat.  I prefer the former.  Imagine if you might, a situation where Brian, Al and David can come up with some new music, and Mike and Bruce come up with some concepts as well and work jointly in a year or so.  Creating polls, where the ballot box is "stuffed" is a joke.  Petitions where there isn't credibility, are in the same category, in my opinion.  Too much drama here.  

Just how I see it. John Manning is correct.

[drbeachboy]

So I can be insulted  repeatly for no reason because I don't agree with the "truth" which is your opinion.

No, you were given facts by others too. My opinions are based on fact or are adjusted as the facts present themselves. As for The Beach Boys, you don't see me trashing or over praising any of the individuals. First off, their personal life is none of my F-ing business. As professionals, I have my opinions, but overall it is left to them to decide what works and what does not. They have pretty much been an ongoing working band for 51 years. During all those good and bad decisions that they have made, they have had a very successful career. From Carl's death until about 2007, I was a "No Wilsons, No Beach Boys" type of fan, and really disliked Mike Love and what he was doing. But fan boards like this one, as well as people like the Andrew's and Jon and Mike and Stephan have really changed my way of thinking about the band. I have changed my opinion completely around due to being given the facts from the ones who have taken the time to do the research. Sorry for rambling.

[SMiLE Brian]

I don't have problem with you or your opinions. It's AGD insulting me and calling me dumb for going against his opinions.

[drbeachboy]

I don't have problem with you or your opinions. It's AGD insulting me and calling me dumb for going against his opinions.

I met Andrew a few years back in Connecticut at a Beach Boys Convention. He is quite a nice chap, in person. Really!

[gfac22]

Chill pills all round?

+1.  Really wish everyone could be cool with everyone else's opinions, regardless of what you may think of them.  It is possible to respectfully disagree with someone without being insulting.  Everybody here would do well to remember that.

[Kurosawa]

I don't think it's a greed thing with Mike. There would be more money in the higher profile C50 lineup. I think it's a comfort level thing. He's been doing the nostalgia circuit for years, he knows the people and the facilities he's dealing with, the logistics of renting gear from venue to venue instead of hauling around truckloads of equipment...all of that is what he is used to. And he is used to not dealing with Brian and Brian's people, and of course there was issues between him and Al...to Mike I'm sure it's all a huge pain in the neck and very stressful. I think he's probably happier with less money but less headaches. Who can blame him, really?

[bonnevillemariner]

I feel like I'm in 5th grade again.

[bonnevillemariner]

I don't think it's a greed thing with Mike. There would be more money in the higher profile C50 lineup. I think it's a comfort level thing. He's been doing the nostalgia circuit for years, he knows the people and the facilities he's dealing with, the entire method of renting gear from venue to venue instead of hauling around truckloads of equipment...all of that is what he is used to. And he is used to not dealing with Brian and Brian's people, and of course there was issues between him and Al...to Mike I'm sure it's all a huge pain in the neck and very stressful. I think he's probably happier with less money but less headaches. Who can blame him, really?

I've said this a few times before and I'll hash it out it again, simply because I have yet to see a satisfactory response.  So it seems the biggest impediments (so far as our speculation goes, of course) the Boys working together again are:

1. The logistics of bringing all the elements together for another tour

2. Mike's preference for light and efficient touring

3. Personal differences/hostilities between parties

Seems like these three things make it darn near impossible that we'll see another C50 lineup tour.  But what about an album?  I'd rather see at least another album of original material than nothing.  By focusing on recording rather than touring, they eliminate items 1 and 2.  Granted, item 3 is a big hurdle.  But everybody's so concerned about 1 and 2.  I for one don't care about a tour.  I don't buy everybody's "greater exposure" argument either.  Sure, I'd love to see a concert, but given the choice I'd rather see them add to the canon.  I'm apparently alone in this thinking.  At least here.

[Mikie]

I wrote this in the Sandbox last week on one of the whiny pants threads. For what it's worth, and I'd be glad to talk about it further with those who don't agree:

"More than anything here [on the Smiley board], the ones I have a low tolerance for are the thin-skinned candy asses (wimps). As the late Harry Truman once said, "I'll stand by you, but if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!"

I like you, Smile-Brian - I really do. You're young and going to college on the East Coast, which I think is great. And you're pretty knowledgeable about The Beach Boys. You fit in just fine. But........you gotta take what people say here in stride, get what you can learn from it, and move on. Or ignore it. Don't be a wus. Be mature and deal with it like a man! Serious. A lot of us here are middle age to already qualifying for the Denny's senior discount and 50 cents off at Jack In The Crack. We've been around the block quite a few times on these message boards. Most of us have thick skin and have seen people come and go, many times because they're too sensitive and can't handle it. Oh wellllll. Don't know if you are old enough to remember the Male Ego board - this place is nothing compared to that!

Who else. Anybody know where I can find Shady?  

[bonnevillemariner]

You're young and going to college on the East Coast...

That explains a lot.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I've said this a few times before and I'll hash it out it again, simply because I have yet to see a satisfactory response.  So it seems the biggest impediments (so far as our speculation goes, of course) the Boys working together again are:

1. The logistics of bringing all the elements together for another tour

2. Mike's preference for light and efficient touring

3. Personal differences/hostilities between parties

Seems like these three things make it darn near impossible that we'll see another C50 lineup tour.  But what about an album?  I'd rather see at least another album of original material than nothing.  By focusing on recording rather than touring, they eliminate items 1 and 2.  Granted, item 3 is a big hurdle.  But everybody's so concerned about 1 and 2.  I for one don't care about a tour.  I don't buy everybody's "greater exposure" argument either.  Sure, I'd love to see a concert, but given the choice I'd rather see them add to the canon.  I'm apparently alone in this thinking.  At least here.

I enjoyed your post, it was well written, and I agree with your points. But, the issues you mentioned have been discussed ad nauseum for several months, beginning when Mike and Bruce resumed touring. There is a 4th point, spelled out very well by sweetdudejim recently, which might actually fit into your point No. 3., and I believe it to be very relevant.

sweetdudejim, if I'm not stating your point correctly, set me/it straight. Maybe when all (the album, the tour, the reunion) was said and done, it wasn't all that Mike thought it would be. Maybe Mike expected more out his role as a collaborator/lyricist on the album, maybe Mike thought it would more fulfilling working with Brian Wilson, maybe Mike didn't experience the feelings THAT WE FANS DID reuniting with Brian, Al and David, and maybe all of the overhead/people/"baggage" just wasn't worth continuing with the five man lineup. I'm just speculating and I'm not trying to rationalize Mike's feelings. I'm just saying...

[JohnMill]

I feel like I'm in 5th grade again.

Seriously a person coming into this forum blind so to speak would not be entirely incorrect to surmise that fans of sixties music are now essentially just a bunch of cranky old men.  The sad part is many of us here are actually between the ages of 30-50 which at least I don't consider to be all that old.

[bonnevillemariner]

Sheriff, good point, and I remember that discussion.  I think my beef is the extreme emphasis on touring and very little on recording.  Why is that?  That's what I don't see a satisfactory response on.  Even given your (sweetdudejim's) item 4, it seems recording would be much easier and much more feasible than touring.

Question: Could Brian, Al and Dave record a new BB album minus Mike?  Not explicitly leave him out, but leave an open invite and still record as The Beach Boys if he declined?

A BB album without Mike wouldn't suffer lyrically or musically (IMO, of course), and frankly his vocal contribution to TWGMTR was less than stellar.  I'd be cool with a Mike-less new BB album.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

This wasn't what I expected to wake up to.

Okay.... Smile Brian, I've known you for a while and think you're a cool guy. That said I COMPLETELY disagree with your viewpoint concerning the venues the M & B band are playing in.

 See that? I disagreed without being a prick. I'm okay with people disagreeing. I'm okay with the discussion becoming heated. I'm not okay with name calling just for the sake of name calling.

 Very disappointed in the behavior of several people in this thread. I agree with some of your view points but not how their expressed. Take this mess to pm. Next outburst by anyone gets banned for a month.

[Mikie]

This subject has been done to death on multiple threads and just about milked dry for all it's worth. Bonneville Mariner documented the reasons (justifyable to me) in a nutshell above.

We're waiting for the box set and there's not much else to talk about but to regurgitate the same anti - Mike & Bruce sh*t. It's not going to influence Mike one iota to go back to doing the C50 tour. Time for some new threads to explore stuff where no Beach Boys fan has gone before. Then after it's released, we can whine and piss and moan about the tracks that weren't included in the Made In California box. That'll probably be a 30 page thread by itself....

[Shady]

In 2011 Mike & Bruce sold out Epsom racetrack, near London, which has a capacity of 10,875...

... one of whom was young master Hickey (front row, directly above security dude in hoodie):

That was a festival with other acts on the bill. Not that I'm putting them down for playing it.

The real Beach Boys sold out the RAH and Wembley in hours, it's a simple fact Mike and Bruce could not do that.

This whole thing started with somebody saying people don't know the difference between the M&B show and the original band. I see it differently, the demand is much greater when all the guys are together.