New Mike Examiner interview

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

My point is this, The Beach Boys shouldn't play casinos, period.

And pray tell, who, exactly, elected you God ? Or at least CEO of Brother Records, Inc. ?

I may be many things that are less than perfect, but I don't presume to tell musicians where and where not they may earn their living. Arrogance sir, sheer arrogance.

Who elected you Pope? Shut up! He said. Look up aggogance in Webster's-like your photo?

As mentioned in my reply to Andrew's post, let's cut out the hostility, okay?

Thanks for the cooperation.

[Shady]

What a shame, Mike's ego hasn't changed one bit. I wonder what the offers Mike turned down were since I am not an insider.

At least 30 more C50 shows, another studio album, a bunch more high profile TV appearances etc... But I would not term it as Mike "turning them down"...I would say the prospect of these things were left on the table because they were never negotiated beyond the offer stage due to Mike's preference to return to his normal business model.

And how is this is anyway Mike not being the biggest asshole of all time..

So basically he was sick of being apart of the "real beach boys" and decided to return to touring with his fake version.

Oh I get it, he was nice enough to "fulfill all obligations". How nice of him to let Brian, Al and David in the band for a few months.

[Rob Dean]

What a shame, Mike's ego hasn't changed one bit. I wonder what the offers Mike turned down were since I am not an insider.

At least 30 more C50 shows, another studio album, a bunch more high profile TV appearances etc... But I would not term it as Mike "turning them down"...I would say the prospect of these things were left on the table because they were never negotiated beyond the offer stage due to Mike's preference to return to his normal business model.

And how is this is anyway Mike not being the biggest asshole of all time..

So basically he was sick of being apart of the "real beach boys" and decided to return to touring with his fake version.

Oh I get it, he was nice enough to "fulfill all obligations". How nice of him to let Brian, Al and David in the band for a few months.

I don't really believe I am convinced with ANY OF THE 'FACTS' in this interview !!!

[the professor]

Wow, from what Jon Stebbins has just said about all those marvelous plans that are either no longer possible or are sitting dormant, I think we may have to accept the "end" of the BB as a reunited performing and creative band. This is the low time: we could have had another studio album, 30 more shows, etc. Are we now officially resolved to the knowledge that Radio is the "last" BB album? I want to face the truth bravely, as it were.

[donald]

What a shame, Mike's ego hasn't changed one bit. I wonder what the offers Mike turned down were since I am not an insider.

At least 30 more C50 shows, another studio album, a bunch more high profile TV appearances etc... But I would not term it as Mike "turning them down"...I would say the prospect of these things were left on the table because they were never negotiated beyond the offer stage due to Mike's preference to return to his normal business model.

Sounds about right.  Pretty much covers it if you think about it.

[Jim V.]

Wow, from what Jon Stebbins has just said about all those marvelous plans that are either no longer possible or are sitting dormant, I think we may have to accept the "end" of the BB as a reunited performing and creative band. This is the low time: we could have had another studio album, 30 more shows, etc. Are we now officially resolved to the knowledge that Radio is the "last" BB album? I want to face the truth bravely, as it were.

I think we're gonna have to get used to if prof. And no matter who wants to rationalize Mike's behavior, Stebbins has pretty much laid on the table that the blame for no new album and no true Beach Boys shows should be laid at Mike's feet, because apparently him and Bruce consider themselves THE BEACH BOYS (as evidenced by Bruce's quote from SeaWorld).

[Kurosawa]

Wow, from what Jon Stebbins has just said about all those marvelous plans that are either no longer possible or are sitting dormant, I think we may have to accept the "end" of the BB as a reunited performing and creative band. This is the low time: we could have had another studio album, 30 more shows, etc. Are we now officially resolved to the knowledge that Radio is the "last" BB album? I want to face the truth bravely, as it were.

I think we're gonna have to get used to if prof. And no matter who wants to rationalize Mike's behavior, Stebbins has pretty much laid on the table that the blame for no new album and no true Beach Boys shows should be laid at Mike's feet, because apparently him and Bruce consider themselves THE BEACH BOYS (as evidenced by Bruce's quote from SeaWorld).

The Beach Boys have been dead since Carl died. The C50 Album and tour is like the maniac in a horror movie popping up for one last scare before he finally dies.

And really, that's not the worst thing in the world, because as TWGMTHR showed, working with Mike yields subpar results for Brian. Mike at this point is not good enough lyrically or musically to work with Brian. I don't want to hear diluted work from Brian just to have Mike on it.  I'd rather not have any more Beach Boys albums than to have ones without integrity.

So to me all this yearning for Mike and Brian to play together is wrongheaded, because Mike is a bad fit for what Brian is capable of doing. He would have and always has held Brian back, and Brian has never had the strength of personality or the ability to make Mike shut up and do what he tells him to do.

[KittyKat]

Could it be that Mike has/had a problem with Joe Thomas? Since Jon indicated the offers were coming from Joe's organization, whatever that group is. He either may not like Joe Thomas, or he may not trust Joe Thomas to do business with. Joe has had some problems in the past, if you go by the fact that Melinda Wilson once felt compelled to sue him, mainly to put her husband back in control and get his solo tours going in the direction that she and her husband Brian wanted them.  What backing does Joe have, or is it possible it may have entailed some financial risk on the part of the Beach Boys? If Capitol didn't want to finance them, it would indicate they were to be at least partly self-financing or had backers who would front the money or expect to be repaid or make a return on investment. Mike might be too risk-averse to want to do that, especially with Joe Thomas and perhaps Brian and his managers holding all the cards.

[Kurosawa]

Could it be that Mike has/had a problem with Joe Thomas? Since Jon indicated the offers were coming from Joe's organization, whatever that group is. He either may not like Joe Thomas, or he may not trust Joe Thomas to do business with. Joe has had some problems in the past, if you go by the fact that Melinda Wilson once felt compelled to sue him, mainly to put her husband back in control and get his solo tours going in the direction that she and her husband Brian wanted them.  What backing does Joe have, or is it possible it may have entailed some financial risk on the part of the Beach Boys? If Capitol didn't want to finance them, it would indicate they were to be at least partly self-financing or had backers who would front the money or expect to be repaid or make a return on investment. Mike might be too risk-averse to want to do that, especially with Joe Thomas and perhaps Brian and his managers holding all the cards.

I think Mike has been waiting for years for the chance to tell "the Great Brian Wilson" to f-off, to be honest. I'm sure he hates people fawning over Brian all the time. Plus he likes what he does on the level that he does it. He has no interest in putting up with Brian and/or Al. And legally he doesn't have to.

[Eric Aniversario]

A casino is horrible place for a band to play, the venue is just there to convince people to gamble and waste money. Plus M&B play very flea-bag casinos in the United States.

For a band with that calibre of fame, it kills me to see "the Beach Boys" play at Casinos.

For what it's worth, I've seen Mike & Bruce play at a casino, and the sound was GREAT, and they gave it their all.  I also saw Brian play at a casino, and that was a great show as well.  And I've seen Al in a casino too, and the show was outstanding! And...this is something people have probably forgotten, or didn't know...I saw a C50 show at a casino!  The horror!  But out of the 3 C50 shows I saw, it may have been the best one!  Part of the setup footage in the C50 Live DVD is from that casino show.

[Jon Stebbins]

I just don't think its all that dramatic. I think its a bittersweet thing. The reunion topped all of our expectations but it took a mountain of compromise and hatchet burying. That more than likely fragile thing ran its course, it was a beautiful and unexpectedly high quality thing while it lasted, and the bittersweet part is that it might have gone on longer. But in reality we got more than anyone ever thought possible. The whole theory about whether Mike wanted to do business with Joe Thomas or if Capitol was whatever...I'm not privy to any details. I can guarantee this...if Melinda and Jacqueline were in sync and wanting the same thing they would all be working together still. They were the glue that kept things together while it lasted.
 

[the professor]

I just don't think its all that dramatic. I think its a bittersweet thing. The reunion topped all of our expectations but it took a mountain of compromise and hatchet burying. That more than likely fragile thing ran its course, it was a beautiful and unexpectedly high quality thing while it lasted, and the bittersweet part is that it might have gone on longer. But in reality we got more than anyone ever thought possible. The whole theory about whether Mike wanted to do business with Joe Thomas or if Capitol was whatever...I'm not privy to any details. I can guarantee this...if Melinda and Jacqueline were in sync and wanting the same thing they would all be working together still. They were the glue that kept things together while it lasted.
 

Jon, your loyal friend/fan the Professor is sad but relieved to hear all this, as it brings wishful and even "willful" fantasy back to reality. Time to stop relying on the ever-returning myth of the BB (or the myth of the ever-returning BB). One has now to hope that more releases of the 50th shows on DVD and more of the "cuts in the can" will appear in the boxed set or a cobbled together "left-overs" album, just so we can hear and see more of what they did achieve, however deflating that might be since it's not created in the here and now and thus not produced by any magical harmony and personal love in 2013. As for Mike and Brian, I am listening to BIM and SV much more than Shelter or SW on the album, though I do love it all (except TPLOBAS). I think they did do some great songs that could have been greater and could have inspired more, better songs of the order of KMB and WOTS, but we will never know. Heavens, they could write about themselves in conflict and have a built-in topic for a great, introspective song. My heart is so broken even I could write one right now. 
Back to duty and memories. Just hope for more of the 50th on record or film, as it's all the more precious as of today.

Thanks sweetdude, by the way, for writing to the professor in solidarity; you are always a gentleman.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

A casino is horrible place for a band to play, the venue is just there to convince people to gamble and waste money. Plus M&B play very flea-bag casinos in the United States.

Very true. They play some good casinos too.

But it's sad to see "The Beach Boys" on the washed up rockers circuit. They follow in "Sugar Ray" and are followed by the likes of "Smash Mouth". This is the band considered up there with the Beatles and Stones as the greatest ever. The band that produced, arguably,  the greatest album ever, PS, and the greatest single ever, G V. If Keith and Charlie quit, you'd never see Mick and Ron Wood touring run down casinos.

The Mike/Bruce show has seriously tarnished the Beach Boys legacy.  I saw Dean Torrance with Papa Do Run Run and they put on one hell of a show. What Mike/Bruce do may be competant and good but the time has come for them to cease calling themselves the Beach Boys.

I can forsee Mike and Bruce (on casio organ) at 80 playing retirement homes ddoinng their 6 year long Beach Boys farewell tour.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Shut up! He said. Look up arrogance in Webster's-like your photo?

One, it's ""Shut Up !" he explained", which is a quote from Ring Lardner's The Young Immigrants, and two, my good friend Ronnie Danelley came up with the photo - if you'd prefer I'll replace it with the other one he did of me as God on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Much more appropriate, dontcha think ? 

[Lonely Summer]

Mike and Bruce will go on until they are not longer physically able to do it anymore. The real Beach Boys are done. We got a reunion tour and album, but we're not satisfied with that. We want the full group to tour forever, and crank out a new album of PS standards once a year....I get it,  I feel the same way, but at some point we have to return to reality. The Beatles aren't together anymore, either. You can go see Ringo with the All-Starrs - a bunch of has-beens not worthy of sharing the stage with a Beatle; or you can go see Macca "I AM the Beatle, I'm the artsy one, the creative one, I am the genius of the Beatles"....because that's what it's come to for all these 60's legends. They CAN'T stay forever young (no, not even Bob "croaking my way through my songbook" Dylan). I don't like it any better than you do, but that's where it's at.

[Andrew G. Doe]

God, I love how we all just openly assume Mike rampantly cheats on his wife (and Bruce) while on tour...... I absolutely love it. 

Not all... just them as want - or need - to.

But... Mike cheating on Bruce ? Pray, divulge... 

[SMiLE Brian]

Billy said to stop fighting, so I think the battle is over.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

It is. Righteous Bald Dude hath spoken.

But... Mike cheating on Bruce ? Pray, divulge...

Fantasy world...and Disney Girls...I'm comin' back...no really, I am! Mike? Mike?!

[halblaineisgood]

The "Calibre" of fame that the Beach Boys have? Wtf? Their songs are famous, and their name is famous. That is why Bruce and Mike can tour with the name. You seem to fucking really hate casinos. That's vanity. George Jones plays casinos. Merle Haggard plays casinos. Elvis played Casinos. That's not good enough  for you? 

and...If Ringo toured Casinos as The Beatles everyone would demand their money back when McCartney failed to show up.

[Pretty Funky]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

The "Calibre" of fame that the Beach Boys have? Wtf? Their songs are famous, and their name is famous. That is why Bruce and Mike can tour with the name. You seem to fucking really hate casinos. That's vanity. George Jones plays casinos. Merle Haggard plays casinos. Elvis played Casinos. That's not good enough  for you?  

and...If Ringo toured Casinos as The Beatles everyone would demand their money back when McCartney failed to show up.

I just saw Chris Issak at a Casino.  It was a nice one.  Elvis headlined Vegas.  Big difference.

Mike and Bruce play some dives.  I think it's sad.  The greatest American Rock band reduced to this.  On the heals of the triumphant C50, it's a read come down.  Based on the radio.com poll, I'd say I am in the majority.

Anyway, that's my opinion and I'm stickin to it.  God luck with yours.

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Give me a casino gig over that QVC thing last year any day. Now THAT was crass IMO.

Agree!  Some casinos are great. I go to one, Spirit Mountain, very nice.  For some reason, Mike & Bruce play the one to the West that is pretty run down.

[Nicko1234]

I just saw Chris Issak at a Casino.  It was a nice one.  Elvis headlined Vegas.  Big difference.

Mike and Bruce play some dives.  I think it's sad.  The greatest American Rock band reduced to this.  On the heals of the triumphant C50, it's a read come down.  Based on the radio.com poll, I'd say I am in the majority.

Anyway, that's my opinion and I'm stickin to it.  God luck with yours.

As others have said, The Beach Boys have always played their fair share of crappy venues. They were never Radiohead. Deal with it.

[Jonathan Blum]

rockandroll, good stuff. I never did learn how to work the board well enough to respond to each individual quote by highlighting them (like you did), so I'll do my best to keep my responses organized.

1) I think while the guys understood and appreciated what Brian was trying to do when he left the road, I think there was increasing resentment when there was more partying and non-prescription drug intake and less songwriting and song production/finishing.

2) I think the albums from 20/20 through Holland show Brian contributing about 2-3 new songs or 6-7 minutes of music per year. I DO think the guys had to be disappointed in that output. Again, Brian wasn't wasn't doing much of anything else!

...Course, if you're trying to talk about Mike's contribution in that time, it's even less...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[Andrew G. Doe]

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh... MUCH better, and entirely befitting my status, I think you'll agree ?

Yes, I knew you would.