Had it

[Wirestone]

This is not one of those, "I'm never going to post again, goodbye all," posts.

But after seeing the eruptions over at the blue board, and after watching the way things seem to be moving in the world of Mr. Wilson (TLOS = great, everything else = dubious without further info), I am henceforth retiring as an armchair psychiatrist or defender of Brian the man.

He's a 65-year-old adult and can surely handle himself fine, whatever the situation. If not, there will be many others to do the job. He has had a difficult life, and I sympathize, but his issues, past and present, can't be solved by exhaustive message board posts. I'm sure he'll be fine.

How much psychic energy have so many of us expended on this man? Whew.

I will, however, continue to listen to and enjoy, and comment on the music. That's what I have liked, that's what I continue to like, and that's hopefully what I'll like in the future. I will still defend that.

[Sheriff John Stone]

How much psychic energy have so many of us expended on this man? Whew.

I know where you're coming from; I've been there myself - many times. And I've tried to quietly excuse myself. But, then somebody will post something that I HAVE to respond to. Argh! Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in...    

[SG7]

Things have just been a bit too dramatic lately. 

[Wirestone]

Not wanting to blame Brian, but some folks do nurture psychodrama around themselves, as a way of getting folks to pay attention to them, give them what they want. (I should know -- I've done it myself.) And I think Brian does that sometimes, but I don't have to be party to it if I don't want to be.

[Amy B.]

The stuff over at the blueboard seems to be drama compounding itself. It's like a thread wears itself out, so someone posts a new thread with "To all the people who have been making a big deal about ______, well, here's MY opinion." And then it starts over again, when it probably would have died otherwise. There was a Mike Love defense post, followed by a Mike Love attack post, followed by a Mike Love defense post.

This too shall pass. It always does, doesn't it?

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I've always considered the  blueboard  to be nothing more than a shitload of f*** and I don't really go there anymore, so I've missed what's going on. What IS going on there?

claymcc, don't blame ya buddy. What's killing my enthusiasm are the reports of Brian's condition/ behavior. It's getting rather sad lately. Hell, just reading some of the things at the bottom of the page at this site is enough to make a man want to cut his own throat...with a butter knife. A rusty one.

[Wirestone]

There's some nastiness going on about AGD, which is ridiculous, and mumblings about another board, which I had never heard of until this evening. And then you go over there, and there is talk of unpleasant personal business -- I mean, it's fun in a Britney Spears kind of way, but not in a 'I enjoy symphonic pop music' way.

Billy -- The thing is, you can spin Brian's behavior in so many ways it's not even funny. Is he just shy? Is he tired? Is he having a bad day? Is he being manipulated? Is that just a guy who looks like him who wandered in off the street? I happen to think that too much is made of too little observable data -- I saw him mere days ago and thought he did a fine job -- but maybe he didn't. That's just what I thought.

What I come down to is the music. TLOS sounds good, the demos sound good, so at least he has something worthwhile coming down the pipeline. And that's my focus.

[TdHabib]

You know I get frustrated about what people post too. I've disagreed with AGD's posts a number of times, but he's still a great source of information and a nice man (at least from the posts). People need to cool down sometimes. At least I think that's what Brian would say if he saw all of these disagreements on his board in his name.

[John]

Wow. I've never really been to that board before.

I hate the layout - read post, go back, click on the next, go back - but I'd never realised that that's such an odd board. I definitely made the right decision coming here and not there.

[Chris Brown]

Wow. I've never really been to that board before.

I hate the layout - read post, go back, click on the next, go back - but I'd never realised that that's such an odd board. I definitely made the right decision coming here and not there.

Yeah I really hated the layout too.  Drove me nuts.  I started on that board when I first got into Brian/BB (naturally I figured Brian's website was a good place to start) but it didn't take me long to gravitate towards this board (the old Smile Shop at the time).  You certainly made the right choice!

[brother john]

I think most of the people that consider the Blueboard their second home are genuinely disturbed and needy people, who's fervour and passion touches the Fundamental and is as much about some dangerous kind of fixation as it is about the music.

On the other hand, I've been popping by here since about a year before BWPS was released, and while this community has been subject to change, and the board has been through a number of incarnations, the vast majority of folk here are normal, genuine, intelligent and appreciative of BW's work, which suits me fine.

I've been to the Blueboard a few times in the distant past, but basically I NEVER go there because it scares me.

If Brian's organisation wants to know what the community of BW/BB fans are thinking, then I sure hope they look-in here and a few of the other good places and don't just assume that the Big Guy's fan base is comprised of the nutters over at the Blueboard.

BJ

[Andrew G. Doe]

I've always considered the  blueboard  to be nothing more than a merdaload of foda and I don't really go there anymore, so I've missed what's going on. What IS going on there?

Concisely, Brian's English and early American dates weren't too good, some posted so and the POB (Protectors Of Brian) went into full-on high moral gear. One in particular posted some arrogant nonsense (the dire Kenwood show as, according to him, 'superb'), and there's a new POB who seems to have it in for me: it's generally thought that this is either the original poster or wife. Actually, I'm enjoying it - reminds me of the late, lamented and wholly loopy Bobby California.

[mikeyj]

Every so often I will pop on over to the Blueboard and check out the posts there, mainly to just see if there are any new announcements as well as checking out any interesting posts which there usually aren't many but did anyone see that poster saying "America rules, Britain sucks" etc..? Man that guy annoyed the heck out of me!!

[Pretty Funky]

the vast majority of folk here are normal, genuine, intelligent


Dang....Where have we gone wrong?

[MBE]

I don't share the Brian is God view. I think he has a good heart and has a one of a kind talent, but he doesn't need to be made a martyr. He made some mistakes and paid for them, and to be fair he has also had some unfortunate circumstances. Yet how many people get a fan base who genuinely loves them? Not too many, heck some creative   people don't even find a decent band. As insensitive as his "people" might be, at least he lives with the knowledge that he has made many people's life better. I haven't gone on that board for years, because no man should be deified.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I don't share the Brian is God view. I think he has a good heart and has a one of a kind talent, but he doesn't need to be made a martyr. He made some mistakes and paid for them, and to be fair he has also had some unfortunate circumstances. Yet how many people get a fan base who genuinely loves them? Not too many, heck some creative   people don't even find a decent band. As insensitive as his "people" might be, at least he lives with the knowledge that he has made many people's life better. I haven't gone on that board for years, because no man should be deified.

Respect. I have no particular religious leanings beyond 'spiritual', but even so, when someone posts as "brian-is-god" and refers to him as "our saviour", my skin crawls just a little.

And anyway, he's not the messiah - he's a very naughty boy.

[Rocker]

Used to go to the Blue Board too when I was starting with the BBs/BW. But if you're somewhat of a logical thinking person, you won't hold out there very long. Of course, there are some nice people there but all this "Brian-is-God"-stuff, as MBE called it, really makes you wonder what these people are really like. Again, I don't think every member of that board is like that, but unfortunately enough people so that I really don't go there more often than once a year, because I always hope something will change...

[doc smiley]

Bottom line

Brian is a 64+ year old man with a history of mental problems....
Musically he is one of a kind...
he has good days and bad days..
The POB ( I'll use Andrews term here...) have the difficult job of keeping things somewhat real...
they also have good days and bad days...


I'm thankful for anything  I hear from Brian and the other BB,   for in a few years that is likely
to end...
but that"s life


So I,  am happy to await TLOS and be thankful  for what we get and have gotten..

cheers

Doc Smiley

[Amy B.]

I've been personally taken to task (through PMs) when I've defended the blueboard here in the past, but... well, who cares?   

My feeling is (and maybe you all consider me to be one of the "disturbed" ones) that it's just a message board. In fact, it's not even a message board. It's a fan board, and it's different than a board like this. Any board that is set up in the name of the artist and run by the artist's people is going to have a different vibe. The blueboard gets a much largeer cross-section of people than this board does. There are casual fans, not so casual fans, critical fans, and not so critical fans. A lot of people who post here post there too (myself included), and a lot of blueboarders post on several other boards and are treated as perfectly normal fans. People who know little of Brian and view him in the more simplistic way you're describing are more likely to go there first, because they've found the board by Googling Brian Wilson. There are new names there all the time, and a lot of times, the trouble comes from new people, not the old fans.

I don't think it's fair to throw these words around about the blueboard (like "disturbed"). It's judgmental and ultimately unfair to the majority of people who post there, who are just perfectly nice people. But then, most people there are very aware of what people on other boards think of them and don't care, so I suppose it doesn't really matter. I will say the negative stuff about AGD is completely out of line, but I think that's just one single person.

Interesting that no one here has mentioned that along with the Protectors of Brian and the attackers on Mike, there are also people there who are looking at these two guys, as well as recent concerts and everything else, with a more critical and nuanced perspective. Anyway, the board must have something to offer, because a lot of people who post here and complain about it still post there. I'll tell you what the board does offer-- very occasionally, band members will post there. I think that's pretty nice.

I'll say it again:  It's just an online board. It's not really worth getting upset about.

[Awesoman]

I don't share the Brian is God view.

Brian can't be God; Clapton is God!   

Anyway, some of those blueboarders are simply a bunch of nutjobs who are too coked up on anti-depressants to have a meaningful conversation with.  I rarely visit there anymore except to get a laugh.

[the captain]

It's just an online board. It's not really worth getting upset about.

[applause]  It's so unbelievably important, I am repeatedly amazed that anyone cares. Like Blueboard? Read it and post there. Don't? OK: don't read it or post there.

[Shady]

Don't ever post on the blueboard, but do view it every now and then cause I hear Melinda, band members and once in a full moon Brian posts there.

But I view them (the regulars that is) as a bunch of happy go lucky Brian obsessers , while over here we are the more laid back fans who don't go to every single Brian show and plan Pre concert parties.

Or maybe were just jealous.  

[Sheriff John Stone]

Brian Wilson's music is addictive. It hooks you, you embrace it, and it changes your thinking. It's that powerful. So I can understand why some fans (short for "fanatic") go to certain extremes in praising, defending, and rationalizing Brian. We've all been there at one time or another haven't we?

What I struggle with is the hypocrisy involved. It's one thing to support a Beach Boy, even unconditionally. But when that "analysis" starts to obscure the facts, re-write the history, and detracts from others' contributions, well, that's when I feel the need to react, or, sometimes, overreact.

I have been accused of defending Mike Love, being in his "fan club", and being too harsh on Brian. But, I have no allegiance to Mike Love. I don't know him, don't have much in common with him, and, he's not even my "favorite Beach Boy". I do appreciate him, or, more specifically, his work. I enjoy his vocals, his lyrics, his stage personality, his consistency, etc. And, I take a stand when posters take shots at Mike, especially when Brian (or other Beach Boys) are guilty, or more guity of the same thing(s).


People take shots at Mike's live vocals. And they're a fan of Brian Wilson? Somebody will take a shot at "Kokomo" as being too "fun", then praise "Desert Drive" and "PT Cruiser". Hypocrites. Some will say that Mike and Bruce are only interested in the past, then go ahead and sing the merits of IJWMFTT, Live At The Roxy, Pet Sounds Live, and BWPS. What? Posters say they are tired of the nostalgia, then praise Al's recent shows. I have read numerous people hammer Mike for too much fluff, not enough depth, and not having anything new to offer, And those same people will say they're looking forward to Postcards From California. Why? And then there's the setlists issue, the epitome of hyocrisy. You tell me that Melinda is no more interested in the money, or selling tickets, than Mike or Bruce? We just had a lively discussion on the low points in Beach Boys history. Many people listed the more recent years, because of Mike's contributions. Honestly, when I hear the music from the "later era", I don't think about Mike, or his contribuitions, but WHERE WERE THE OTHER GUYS? And on and on...

Again, it has nothing to do with Mike Love (which some people still don't get, and never will), but being fair and looking at both sides. I'm not one for cliches, but two that I like, and find them relevant to The Beach Boys saga are, "that's calling the kettle black" and "people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". Some people have problems with that. If there is one thing I wish I had, it would be the record of how each individual Beach Boy voted on the major issues through the years. I think that would be very enlightening. Of course, that would just lead to more rationalizing....

[John]

Respect. I have no particular religious leanings beyond 'spiritual', but even so, when someone posts as "brian-is-god" and refers to him as "our saviour"

Wow.

I like this board because I don't particularly see it as partisan. This is the board that's about the only thing we're really qualified to judge - the music. We've hashed out the vocal credits, and with guys like C-Man and co. here, we're hashing out who played what. And with that, we're turning over canards that the Boys didn't contribute musically to their records. And to me, that's more important and "helpful" than blindly praising Brian or condemning Mike.

[Wilsonista]

I've been personally taken to task (through PMs) when I've defended the blueboard here in the past, but... well, who cares?   

My feeling is (and maybe you all consider me to be one of the "disturbed" ones) that it's just a message board. In fact, it's not even a message board. It's a fan board, and it's different than a board like this. Any board that is set up in the name of the artist and run by the artist's people is going to have a different vibe. The blueboard gets a much largeer cross-section of people than this board does. There are casual fans, not so casual fans, critical fans, and not so critical fans. A lot of people who post here post there too (myself included), and a lot of blueboarders post on several other boards and are treated as perfectly normal fans. People who know little of Brian and view him in the more simplistic way you're describing are more likely to go there first, because they've found the board by Googling Brian Wilson. There are new names there all the time, and a lot of times, the trouble comes from new people, not the old fans.

I don't think it's fair to throw these words around about the blueboard (like "disturbed"). It's judgmental and ultimately unfair to the majority of people who post there, who are just perfectly nice people. But then, most people there are very aware of what people on other boards think of them and don't care, so I suppose it doesn't really matter. I will say the negative stuff about AGD is completely out of line, but I think that's just one single person.

Interesting that no one here has mentioned that along with the Protectors of Brian and the attackers on Mike, there are also people there who are looking at these two guys, as well as recent concerts and everything else, with a more critical and nuanced perspective. Anyway, the board must have something to offer, because a lot of people who post here and complain about it still post there. I'll tell you what the board does offer-- very occasionally, band members will post there. I think that's pretty nice.

I'll say it again:  It's just an online board. It's not really worth getting upset about.

Thank you, Amy.  Thank you, Luther.  I really can't understand the ire that the blueboard inspires among non-blueboarders.  I never understood how worked up people could get over how BriMel choose to operate the message board.  While it's true that it is a public forum, it is on their website.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would have to assume that BriMel pays for the domain name and therefore reserve any right to operate it as they choose, just the same as Chuck can run this site however the way he chooses.  I always found it funny that people were "shocked, shocked I tell ya" that POB (whether they be hired protectors of Brian or volunteer POB) would take offense when something close to unsavory would be posted.  It's a board read by people in the inner circle including Melinda and on very rare occasions Brian himself.  Except for the personal attacks (which I think was unnecessary and maybe detrimental to their argument) I can't really find fault with what the infamous poster says.  I think it's wrong to post regularly on the blueboard and then come here or Susan's board or wherever and run it and some of the people on it down.  I've met several blueboarders over the years and although a few of them are a bit on the loopy side, for the most part my encounters have been rather pleasant and friendly.  Privately you can do whatever the hell you want, but on other public forums that's not cool, in my book.   

At the end of the day it's just a message board.  Nobody's getting killed (maybe I should reword that).  No one is getting killed.  No one lost loved ones.  While the diversion might be entertaining, in the grand scheme of things it's just not that important.