Recent Mike Love Interview - Bakersfield Californian

[HeyJude]

Recent short interview/article from September 16th. It's the usual local fluff piece mostly. But Mike is asked about the L&M film, and offers a "no comment", and also briefly discusses the 50th tour, reiterating his assertion that he was "not allowed" to write with Brian. The pertinent portions:

The band, with Brian Wilson back on board, released an album of original material in 2012, titled “That’s Why God Made the Radio,” followed by a 50-year reunion tour involving Love, Wilson and original member Al Jardine. As the tour was winding down, Wilson had expressed a desire to continue, but Love nixed the idea, citing commitments with his current lineup of the Beach Boys.

“I love Brian, I love hanging out with him; I love being at the piano with him. I mean we’ve done some history-making stuff together. But on that 50th-anniversary tour, I was told that I’d be able to get together with Brian and write, but it was not allowed — by his side, not my side. So I don’t think it has anything to do with Brian himself. I’ll leave it at that.”

Love has no comment — because he hasn’t seen it, he said — on his portrayal in the recent film “Love & Mercy,” told from the perspective of Wilson.


http://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/2015/09/16/to-bakersfield-with-love-beach-boys-return-like-a-homecoming.html

[SMiLE Brian]

Mike is so full of crap with the handlers implying... 

[KDS]

I wasn't able to pull up the article, since I don't subscribe.  

All I saw was a picture of Bruce.  

Oh well, I'd like to see the 2nd part of that interview from a couple weeks ago.  

[southbay]

I just saw that as well.  I will be attending this show tonight, only my second M&B show ever and my first in 10 years.  I am attending only because it is in the town where I live and my law firm is the named sponsor of the opening night of the Fair. My partners know what a big fan I am so I have 2 seats "on the stage", off to the side of course. I'm looking forward to hearing this iteration of the group, though.

[KDS]

I just saw that as well.  I will be attending this show tonight, only my second M&B show ever and my first in 10 years.  I am attending only because it is in the town where I live and my law firm is the named sponsor of the opening night of the Fair. My partners know what a big fan I am so I have 2 seats "on the stage", off to the side of course. I'm looking forward to hearing this iteration of the group, though.

I saw them last month.  I used to be skeptical of the Mike and Bruce Beach Boys.  Not anymore.  It was a terrific show, and if they're near me again next year for a reasonable price, I'll be back. 

[HeyJude]

I wasn't able to pull up the article, since I don't subscribe.  

All I saw was a picture of Bruce.  

Oh well, I'd like to see the 2nd part of that interview from a couple weeks ago.  

I subscription doesn't appear to be required to read this Bakersfield article. It's just one of those deals where you have to answer the pop-up question, and then the rest of the text appears.

But seriously, all of it was standard local show promotion fare. The only thing that hasn't been in every one of these articles for the past 20 years were the bits I excerpted above, and even those bits aren't comments he hasn't made before.

It's just disappointing the internal group dialogue, at least from the "fan" perspective, hasn't changed.

[bgas]

Courtesy of the PSML, here's a new review for  the M&B band, along with a Brian concert comparison/review:

http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/sep/21/the-beach-boys-showcase-their-many-many-many-hits/

On PSML, the reviewer added these comments: 

>>Hey there. I'm a longtime list member who finally saw Mike and Bruce on Saturday at a casino here in Las Vegas.
I wrote a review for my employer and thought I'd share; I tried to be diplomatic.

I say that because I'd seen Brian three times -- once each in his 50s, 60s and 70s -- and was surprised that the most recent show,
also in Las Vegas, was the best of the three.
He seemed far more relaxed than during the Pet Sounds and Smile shows, and Al's presence really added something.
So I couldn't help but favorably compare that July show to the one I saw a few days ago, and Mike and Bruce clearly embrace nostalgia a lot more than
Brian's band does. Even the performance of "Pisces Brothers," the one "new" song in M&B's setlist, features images of Mike and George Harrison in India in 1968.
The song kind of creates the false narrative that Mike and George once were besties.

  The crowds at the Brian and M&B shows were quite different, with the latter skewing older.
That might just be a function of the show being at a casino, rather than a theater.
As I mention in my review, Bruce's vocals are really faint these days;
 he only handled lead vocals for a couple of songs but apparently carries more
of the vocal workload in other shows.

  Speaking of Bruce, I interviewed him before the show.
He mostly said things you'd expect; he praised Mike and said he deserves as much credit for the band's success as Brian, and that Mike had
taught him tons about the music business. I semi-jokingly asked how he and Mike can stand each other after 50 years, and he seemed taken aback by the question.
He also said Mike has come up with every setlist since the 1960s, but I'm guessing that might not be true for the reunion show or the unplugged concerts back
in 1993 or so. He was pretty open about continuing to tour because it's making him money, which is fine.
He sounded vigorous and spirited when we chatted, which is why I was surprised his voice wasn't stronger in concert.
Oh, and I asked if/when "Mike Love, Not War" might come out. He said he wasn't sure why Mike hadn't released it yet.

 Brian  <<

[ontor pertawst]

So who is not allowing him to see Love & Mercy? You'd think he'd want to support his Cousin Brian that he cares about so much, so it must be some evil handlers... Mike's handlers are really getting out of control, not even letting him see a movie!

[KDS]

I noticed that M&B review mentioned a song called "Let's Go Surfin" during the early 'surf' part of the show.  I'm assuming that's "Surfin Sufari."  

I thought Bruce sounded good on Please Let Me Wonder, but I agree that he sounded weak on You're So Good to Me when I saw them. 

[Matt Etherton]

Say what you want about the dreaded un-named "handers"...but just because you don't want to think there are any doesn't mean there aren't any. It's more subtle and clever then you'd think. Like Mike, I'll leave it at that.

[ontor pertawst]

No, don't. You should blow this case wide open and tell us what you mean! Who are the subtle, clever handlers?

Mike doesn't "leave it at that," he insinuates, sneers, makes cracks about how prescription drugs are controlling BW. He's not "leaving it at that."

[Lonely Summer]

Mike is so full of crap with the handlers implying... 

I think Brian hides behind his handlers.

[guitarfool2002]

Say what you want about the dreaded un-named "handers"...but just because you don't want to think there are any doesn't mean there aren't any. It's more subtle and clever then you'd think. Like Mike, I'll leave it at that.

How about leaving it in the garbage bin where it belongs?

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

Mike is so full of crap with the handlers implying... 

I think Brian hides behind his handlers.

You seem fairly confident about that. How long have you been living with the Wilson family? 

[rab2591]

Consider a hypothetical: You're a well known musician. You've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder by a team of more than qualified doctors. You have a long history of depression and anxiety. You're emotionally fragile. But you're currently being treated for these issues by these more than qualified doctors. You have an old friend/collaborator who wants to meet up and work with you on some new songs. This old friend, through the media, has recently told the world that you're "controlled" by prescription medications. This old friend has recently told the world that you're overweight, out of shape, and that you don't pay much attention. Your old friend openly says he loves your musical abilities but then he doesn't openly support/comment on the recent work you did without him (and even seemingly passes judgement about your production style on that music, which he hasn't heard). This old friend has recently sued you for putting the name of your former band on a freebie CD for fans. This old friend also sued another old bandmate of yours for identifying himself as a former member of that band in promotions for his solo tour.

Again, you've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, you have a long history of depression and anxiety, you are emotionally fragile...But you are currently being treated for these issues. Would your doctors recommend that you hang out with this old friend? Would your loved ones be thrilled about you hanging out with this old friend? Would you yourself want to hang out with this old friend?

The answer is pretty obvious, but I'm sure some people here will refuse to see the light. No, it would probably be recommended that you don't see this old friend. You yourself would probably not want to see this person...or at least work with him in close capacity.

Of course, looking at this in the logical way that I've written above labels you as someone looking for a villain. You're a "Brianista", you're "digging a hole". Thankfully the rest of us not living in a Rod Serling script can see the obvious.

TL;DR if I was being treated for schizoaffective disorder and a lifetime of depression and anxiety, I'd probably shy away from hanging out with someone who recently told thousands (potentially millions) of people that I'm overweight and controlled.

[HeyJude]

Most of these guys, including BOTH Brian and Mike, have "camps" or "teams" or whatever you want to call them. As with most well-known, celebrities (musician or otherwise), they have varying degrees of insulation.

But as has been pointed out by several well-respected BB scholars and journalists, there is no evidence that, during the C50 tour, anybody was keeping Mike from trying to write with Brian. As we discussed some time back, Mike saw Brian more consistently on a daily basis in 2012 than he had since probably 1981 or so. We've also heard that folks like Melinda and Joe Thomas did NOT follow the band out on their entire tour. Considering there *had* to be some downtime and a keyboard (several in fact!) at the ready, I'm surprised that there's no evidence (including any words from Mike himself) to indicate that Mike tried to broach writing with Brian.

Yes, I understand that subtle interpersonal dynamics and politics would not always make such a thing easy. But, contrary to folks who have assumed Brian kept Joe Thomas and Melinda and five bodyguards between he and Mike and all times during the tour, we've heard that none of that was going on.

I think the problem may well be that Brian didn't and/or doesn't want to write an album from scratch with Mike. Couple *that* with the possibility that Mike made no overtures during the tour towards trying to do so, and the whole argument falls apart.

To the degree any people in Brian's camp might not actively try to instigate a Brian/Mike collaboration, I would guess perhaps it might be because Brian doesn't want it. Has Mike *ever* even entertained the possibility that Brian himself doesn't want to write with Mike? It's the most convenient scenario to constantly complain about Brian, but blame everybody "around him" while assuring every interview that there's *no* problem between he and Brian. It also ignores Mike's "camp" and his degree of insulation/advice/management, etc.

[Ray Lawlor]

Say what you want about the dreaded un-named "handers"...but just because you don't want to think there are any doesn't mean there aren't any. It's more subtle and clever then you'd think. Like Mike, I'll leave it at that.

No , don't leave it at that.  Name these handlers. I would like to know who they are.  A few members of SS were at a Barnes and Noble event for Love and Mercy in Tysons Corner , Va. Last week. I would ask them to chime in and identify the handlers they saw. 

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

Consider a hypothetical: You're a well known musician. You've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder by a team of more than qualified doctors. You have a long history of depression and anxiety. You're emotionally fragile. But you're currently being treated for these issues by these more than qualified doctors. You have an old friend/collaborator who wants to meet up and work with you on some new songs. This old friend, through the media, has recently told the world that you're "controlled" by prescription medications. This old friend has recently told the world that you're overweight, out of shape, and that you don't pay much attention. Your old friend openly says he loves your musical abilities but then he doesn't openly support/comment on the recent work you did without him (and even seemingly passes judgement about your production style on that music, which he hasn't heard). This old friend has recently sued you for putting the name of your former band on a freebie CD for fans. This old friend also sued another old bandmate of yours for identifying himself as a former member of that band in promotions for his solo tour.

Again, you've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, you have a long history of depression and anxiety, you are emotionally fragile...But you are currently being treated for these issues. Would your doctors recommend that you hang out with this old friend? Would your loved ones be thrilled about you hanging out with this old friend? Would you yourself want to hang out with this old friend?

The answer is pretty obvious, but I'm sure some people here will refuse to see the light. No, it would probably be recommended that you don't see this old friend. You yourself would probably not want to see this person...or at least work with him in close capacity.

Of course, looking at this in the logical way that I've written above labels you as someone looking for a villain. You're a "Brianista", you're "digging a hole". Thankfully the rest of us not living in a Rod Serling script can see the obvious.

TL;DR if I was being treated for schizoaffective disorder and a lifetime of depression and anxiety, I'd probably shy away from hanging out with someone who recently told thousands (potentially millions) of people that I'm overweight and controlled.

Stellar post, Rab. Hoping everyone reads and understands this, but the "old friend" sadly won't-probably- unless someone posts this on his facebook page and even then, would consider it "toxic".

[drbeachboy]

Consider a hypothetical: You're a well known musician. You've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder by a team of more than qualified doctors. You have a long history of depression and anxiety. You're emotionally fragile. But you're currently being treated for these issues by these more than qualified doctors. You have an old friend/collaborator who wants to meet up and work with you on some new songs. This old friend, through the media, has recently told the world that you're "controlled" by prescription medications. This old friend has recently told the world that you're overweight, out of shape, and that you don't pay much attention. Your old friend openly says he loves your musical abilities but then he doesn't openly support/comment on the recent work you did without him (and even seemingly passes judgement about your production style on that music, which he hasn't heard). This old friend has recently sued you for putting the name of your former band on a freebie CD for fans. This old friend also sued another old bandmate of yours for identifying himself as a former member of that band in promotions for his solo tour.

Again, you've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, you have a long history of depression and anxiety, you are emotionally fragile...But you are currently being treated for these issues. Would your doctors recommend that you hang out with this old friend? Would your loved ones be thrilled about you hanging out with this old friend? Would you yourself want to hang out with this old friend?

The answer is pretty obvious, but I'm sure some people here will refuse to see the light. No, it would probably be recommended that you don't see this old friend. You yourself would probably not want to see this person...or at least work with him in close capacity.

Of course, looking at this in the logical way that I've written above labels you as someone looking for a villain. You're a "Brianista", you're "digging a hole". Thankfully the rest of us not living in a Rod Serling script can see the obvious.

TL;DR if I was being treated for schizoaffective disorder and a lifetime of depression and anxiety, I'd probably shy away from hanging out with someone who recently told thousands (potentially millions) of people that I'm overweight and controlled.

Good points all the way around. Mike does himself no favors with that brain and mouth of his. I'd be tickled to death that Brian finally received the professional help that he needed. Mike probably finds it hard to believe that Brian would reject him, and so, his ego must pass this blame off unto others (the "Handlers").

[CenturyDeprived]

Consider a hypothetical: You're a well known musician. You've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder by a team of more than qualified doctors. You have a long history of depression and anxiety. You're emotionally fragile. But you're currently being treated for these issues by these more than qualified doctors. You have an old friend/collaborator who wants to meet up and work with you on some new songs. This old friend, through the media, has recently told the world that you're "controlled" by prescription medications. This old friend has recently told the world that you're overweight, out of shape, and that you don't pay much attention. Your old friend openly says he loves your musical abilities but then he doesn't openly support/comment on the recent work you did without him (and even seemingly passes judgement about your production style on that music, which he hasn't heard). This old friend has recently sued you for putting the name of your former band on a freebie CD for fans. This old friend also sued another old bandmate of yours for identifying himself as a former member of that band in promotions for his solo tour.

Again, you've been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, you have a long history of depression and anxiety, you are emotionally fragile...But you are currently being treated for these issues. Would your doctors recommend that you hang out with this old friend? Would your loved ones be thrilled about you hanging out with this old friend? Would you yourself want to hang out with this old friend?

The answer is pretty obvious, but I'm sure some people here will refuse to see the light. No, it would probably be recommended that you don't see this old friend. You yourself would probably not want to see this person...or at least work with him in close capacity.

Of course, looking at this in the logical way that I've written above labels you as someone looking for a villain. You're a "Brianista", you're "digging a hole". Thankfully the rest of us not living in a Rod Serling script can see the obvious.

TL;DR if I was being treated for schizoaffective disorder and a lifetime of depression and anxiety, I'd probably shy away from hanging out with someone who recently told thousands (potentially millions) of people that I'm overweight and controlled.

It's called denial. Has Mike ever selflessly publicly said positive stuff about Brian's non-BB accomplishments (those which have nothing to do with Mike) without sneaking in a backhanded insult, or without saying something self-congratulatory about his (Mike's) own accomplishments in the same sentence? I mean, in 50+ years, I'm not sure that's ever happened. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Just once I'd love to hear him congratulate Brian on an accomplishment, a job well done, and say he is happy and proud of Brian. Period! (And I bet Mike's most ardent defenders would love to hear such words come from Mike's mouth too!) One would think this would be a natural occurrence for someone who says they deeply care for and love another person, *especially* a person who has overcome adversity to the level of Brian. Right?

Ego makes people do very strange things.

Seriously... is there a single famous musician on the PLANET who would agree to work with Mike if Mike said all of the repeated slights and insults (being overweight, controlled, etc) about them in the media? It's not rocket science, Kokomoaists.

[rab2591]

Mike does himself no favors with that brain and mouth of his.

What kills me is that he just did one of the best interviews I've read from a Beach Boy in years. In that Rock Cellar Mag interview he went into great detail about his early life, growing into fame, all that stuff. I know it's gotta help when you have a solid interviewer, but I really hope Mike treats more interviews like that RCM one. I'm looking forward to reading part II whenever that drops.

[Cam Mott]

To be fair, in this interview Mike says he and Brian each have a "side", nothing about handlers (unless I missed it).

[The LEGENDARY OSD]

To be fair, in this interview Mike says he and Brian each have a "side", nothing about handlers (unless I missed it).

What in the world do you think the word "side" meant?? The only thing you missed was the point. 

[SurfRiderHawaii]

Recent short interview/article from September 16th. It's the usual local fluff piece mostly. But Mike is asked about the L&M film, and offers a "no comment", and also briefly discusses the 50th tour, reiterating his assertion that he was "not allowed" to write with Brian. The pertinent portions:

The band, with Brian Wilson back on board, released an album of original material in 2012, titled “That’s Why God Made the Radio,” followed by a 50-year reunion tour involving Love, Wilson and original member Al Jardine. As the tour was winding down, Wilson had expressed a desire to continue, but Love nixed the idea, citing commitments with his current lineup of the Beach Boys.

“I love Brian, I love hanging out with him; I love being at the piano with him. I mean we’ve done some history-making stuff together. But on that 50th-anniversary tour, I was told that I’d be able to get together with Brian and write, but it was not allowed — by his side, not my side. So I don’t think it has anything to do with Brian himself. I’ll leave it at that.”

Love has no comment — because he hasn’t seen it, he said — on his portrayal in the recent film “Love & Mercy,” told from the perspective of Wilson.


http://www.bakersfield.com/entertainment/2015/09/16/to-bakersfield-with-love-beach-boys-return-like-a-homecoming.html

Let me get this straight.

1. The Radio album is done and a big success.
2. The band is touring to great success. Brian, who admittedly wanted to limit the tour initially, is having a blast and wants to keep going.
3. Mike pulls the plug though because he "wasn't allowed" to write alone with Brian" on an album already done the year before? If he was so unhappy, he should have pulled the plug in the album pre-production stage.

Why can't Mike just say something like, "the tour had just run it's course" instead of these veiled insults at Brian?

[DonnyL]

These threads are really getting old, guys. Mike's a dick. He's always been a dick. He's always said shitty things about BW ... This goes back to media interviews in the '70s ("I'm not going out on the road like some broken down old rock star").

Mike comes off like a gentle old man in these recent interviews compared to stuff like the 1992 Goldmine article.

Brian has people around him taking care of business. Some of these people are likely involved in creative decisions as well as commercial ones. I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that Brian might not be calling all of the shots.

The problem I see on this board is that in "taking sides", folks are losing clarity and objectivity ... I doubt all of this stuff is blank and white, that's all.