Recent setlist/s of theMike/Bruce touring group

[donald]

I have tickets to see these guys......finally decided to go see them after stubbornly refusing since the departure of Al.

A lot of good people on the boards have suggested seeing them as it is a good show and it is, after all, the music of the BeachBoys.


I'm wondering what songs to expect and who is in the current line up, what they play, and which vocal parts they are covering.

Anyone care to bring me up to date?

Edit

OK.  Just read Eric A's post on recent setlists.   Thanks.   Very thorough!!  And good to see they are mixing it up a bit.

Still, I'd like to know a little about the band, what parts they cover and so on.

[Alex]

Obviously, there's Mike and Bruce. I believe the rest of the band consists of Scott Totten, Christian Love, John Cowsill, Tim Bonhomme, Randall Kirsch, and Chris Farmer, and formerly featured David Marks, Mike Kowalski, Adrian Baker, and Mike Meros. (not to mention Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al, Blondie, Ricky, Daryl Dragon, Billy Hinsche, Ron Brown, Ed Carter, Carli Munoz, Dennis Dragon, Robert Kenyatta, Bobby Figeuroa, Ron Altbach, Richie Kannatta, Joe Chemay, Jeff Foskett, and Matt Jardine)

[Eric Aniversario]

Obviously, there's Mike and Bruce. I believe the rest of the band consists of Scott Totten, Christian Love, John Cowsill, Tim Bonhomme, Randall Kirsch, and Chris Farmer, and formerly featured David Marks, Mike Kowalski, Adrian Baker, and Mike Meros. (not to mention Brian, Carl, Dennis, Al, Blondie, Ricky, Daryl Dragon, Billy Hinsche, Ron Brown, Ed Carter, Carli Munoz, Dennis Dragon, Robert Kenyatta, Bobby Figeuroa, Ron Altbach, Richie Kannatta, Joe Chemay, Jeff Foskett, and Matt Jardine)

Chris Farmer left the band shortly after Mike Kowalski did, too.

[Aegir]

Current lineup:
Mike Love
Bruce Johnston - keyboard
Scott Totten - guitar
Christian Love - guitar
Tim Bonhomme - keyboard
Randell Kirsch - bass
John Cowsill - drums

They all sing except maybe Tim Bonhomme. Tim usually has a microphone set up in front of him but I've never seen him use it.

[Bicyclerider]

Who's doing the falsetto parts?

[Aegir]

Randell Kirsch does most of them.

[Scott]

Eric has the current line-up correct.  Randell is the main falsettist, although I do some of it and Bruce and I cover all the extremely high parts.  Tim sings on Getcha Back and he actually knows almost all the parts so he's our utility guy in case someone is sick.

So a typical vocal stack for us is
Randell - False
Scott - Hi Tenor
Bruce - mid tenor
Christian - lower tenor/Baritone
Mike - Bass

Donald, which show are you coming to?  If it's in Dec, I am just now working out the Christmas songs.  If it's next week, I may be able to get a few rarities in there since we are doing some performing arts centers. 
Anyway, I am sure you will have a great time.

Scott

[smile-holland]

Donald, which show are you coming to?  If it's in Dec, I am just now working out the Christmas songs.  If it's next week, I may be able to get a few rarities in there since we are doing some performing arts centers. 
Anyway, I am sure you will have a great time.

Scott

Rarities? Darn! Sometimes I wish I was born in Californ-i-a.... chances to get a show like that in Europe are minimal unfortunately.

[Dave in KC]

Scott, my wife and I are going to your concert this Sunday here in KC. PLEASE surprise the hell out of me and do some rarities. I am a long time fan with an inordinate number of shows under my belt. Maybe Bruce could do Disney Girls? Anyway, have a safe trip to the Heartland! Until Sunday evening then.......

[donald]

Eric has the current line-up correct.  Randell is the main falsettist, although I do some of it and Bruce and I cover all the extremely high parts.  Tim sings on Getcha Back and he actually knows almost all the parts so he's our utility guy in case someone is sick.

So a typical vocal stack for us is
Randell - False
Scott - Hi Tenor
Bruce - mid tenor
Christian - lower tenor/Baritone
Mike - Bass

Donald, which show are you coming to?  If it's in Dec, I am just now working out the Christmas songs.  If it's next week, I may be able to get a few rarities in there since we are doing some performing arts centers. 
Anyway, I am sure you will have a great time.

Scott

Thanks Scott!   I'll be at the Paramount Performing Arts Center 10-25, Sturday evening.  Although I've been to a couple of Brian's shows,   I haven't seen the BeachBoys since Carl died.  I'm actually quite excited to see Mike, Bruce, and company again.

 

[Don't Back Down]

I'll be at the Paramount Arts Center show as well! would love to hear some rarities donald - want to meet at the venue before the show?

[Scott]

Scott, my wife and I are going to your concert this Sunday here in KC. PLEASE surprise the hell out of me and do some rarities. I am a long time fan with an inordinate number of shows under my belt. Maybe Bruce could do Disney Girls? Anyway, have a safe trip to the Heartland! Until Sunday evening then.......

Hi Dave-

The problem is that it's a casino show.  It's not practical to do "rarities" at that kind of show...I think I can promise you Betsy but beyond that I don't know.  I think you will still have a good time anyway!

Scott

[Steve Mayo]

Eric has the current line-up correct.  Randell is the main falsettist, although I do some of it and Bruce and I cover all the extremely high parts.  Tim sings on Getcha Back and he actually knows almost all the parts so he's our utility guy in case someone is sick.

So a typical vocal stack for us is
Randell - False
Scott - Hi Tenor
Bruce - mid tenor
Christian - lower tenor/Baritone
Mike - Bass

Donald, which show are you coming to?  If it's in Dec, I am just now working out the Christmas songs.  If it's next week, I may be able to get a few rarities in there since we are doing some performing arts centers. 
Anyway, I am sure you will have a great time.

Scott

Thanks Scott!   I'll be at the Paramount Performing Arts Center 10-25, Sturday evening.  Although I've been to a couple of Brian's shows,   I haven't seen the BeachBoys since Carl died.  I'm actually quite excited to see Mike, Bruce, and company again.

 

i should be there also. i grew up in ashland, dad still lives there. i live just across the ohio river in ironton, oh now. last time i saw them was when they played summer motion in ashland back in 2003 or so.

[Don't Back Down]

Cool, Steve! We should all have a Smiley Board meet-up before the show.

I've seen the Beach Boys band in 1999 - 2005 - 2007 (Brian in 2006 and now next month 2008) and they've all been fun, and very good shows. My favorite had to be last year's because the energy was great from the band & the audience. I'm stoked for next weekend (especially with some potential rarities )!

[Custom Machine]

The problem is that it's a casino show.  It's not practical to do "rarities" at that kind of show...I think I can promise you Betsy but beyond that I don't know.  I think you will still have a good time anyway!

Scott - I'm really enjoying your posts.  I generally see you guys at least once a year, most often at Humphrey's in San Diego.  Having heard lots of same songs year after year, I appreciate a fresh setlist that includes as many "rarities" as possible.

Here are a few questions I have:

(1)  What is it that makes a casino show less ideal for rarities?  Am I correct in assuming it may be the overall clientele?  But, having seen Brian Wilson at a casino concert, I can attest to the fact that there were many hardcore fans in attendance there.  What types of venues are more conducive to rarities, and which are less so?  How does Humphrey's in San Diego compare in this regard?

(2)  I have noticed a huge difference in concert length depending on the venue.  What factors account for this difference?

(3)  The BB's setlist has definitely improved with the addition of lesser known songs. Are you the main person responsible for the overall setlist and the addition of "rarities"?

[49ersphil]

I saw M & B's Boys in Manchester UK in April of this year and was very pleasantly surprised by both the performance and the setlist.

They played 53 songs to a very appreciative audience and some of the more surprising (to me) songs played were;

Don't Back Down, Good Timin', Good To My Baby, Forever (David Marks:vox), Ole Betsy, Sail On Sailor, All This Is That and 'Til I Die.

Before attending I was firmly in the "Brian" camp and take a more balanced view now.

I would very happily attend shows of either act now.
   

[Scott]

The problem is that it's a casino show.  It's not practical to do "rarities" at that kind of show...I think I can promise you Betsy but beyond that I don't know.  I think you will still have a good time anyway!

Scott - I'm really enjoying your posts.  I generally see you guys at least once a year, most often at Humphrey's in San Diego.  Having heard lots of same songs year after year, I appreciate a fresh setlist that includes as many "rarities" as possible.

Here are a few questions I have:

(1)  What is it that makes a casino show less ideal for rarities?  Am I correct in assuming it may be the overall clientele?  But, having seen Brian Wilson at a casino concert, I can attest to the fact that there were many hardcore fans in attendance there.  What types of venues are more conducive to rarities, and which are less so?  How does Humphrey's in San Diego compare in this regard?

(2)  I have noticed a huge difference in concert length depending on the venue.  What factors account for this difference?

(3)  The BB's setlist has definitely improved with the addition of lesser known songs. Are you the main person responsible for the overall setlist and the addition of "rarities"?

Great post and thanks for the questions...I hope I can answer them for you all.

1) A casino show has 3 types of people in the audience.  Some go to the casino to see the Beach Boys, and they stay and gamble - or some are going to gamble, and they decide to see the Beach Boys.  Or, the casino gives BB show tickets to it's VIP players.  So not many of the attendees have even heard of a song like Betsy or even Good Timin.  To further complicate matters, the casinos nearly always ask for a short show...generally 75-90 minutes.  They don't like it if we go longer, because their goal is to get the audience back to the casino to gamble.  Now if we only get to play 75 minutes, we HAVE to play as many hits as we can squeeze into that time.  To put in a rarity would mean dropping something like Rhonda.  One of the greatest regrets of mine is that we had to drop Sloop john B in Brighton last April because we ran into a curfew.

I think the people who go to see a Brian Wilson concert are by definition, hardcore.  Believe it or not, many people who are familiar with and like the Beach Boys can't name a single member of the band!  But the people who go to see Brian know who they are going to see.  Having said that, you may have noticed that Brian is playing fewer and fewer rarities these days as well.  Bottom line is, it's not what the majority of audience members want or expect to hear.  Now my philosophy is to give them several well-known hits and then put in a lesser-known one, and tell them what album it's on, etc. 

2) The overriding factor that determines show length is what the promoter, or venue, wants.  90% of the time it's a 90 minute show.  I can tell you that we always go a little bit over what they request, not out of obstinacy but Mike hates to leave anything out.  I swear if he had his way we would do 2.5 hour shows almost all the time.

Having said that, the type of show is also a factor.  I already outlined the casino shows.  Another type of show is the county or state fair.  Again, don't expect any rarities at this type of event.  People come for the fair, and stay for the show.   Theatres, or Performing Arts Centers, are the best bet for a long show with lots of chestnuts.  The sound is good, the people have seats for the slow songs, they're not as distracted by the beer and pretzel stands, etc.   And the only reason they are there is to see the Beach Boys.

I'm gonna speak out of school here for a minute and tell you guys that Mike goes out of his way to do as long a show as possible.  For instance, many times a theatre will want to have an opening act in order to increase their concessions sales.  But if the opener goes on at 8, and we go on at 8:45, and the theatre closes at 10:00, then we are shortening our show to fit it in.  Mike actually suggests to the venue, we'd rather skip the opening act and give them an intermission for concessions.  That way we get to do 90-100 minutes and everyone is happy.  He wants to give the fans a full show.

3) One hundred percent of the credit for song selection goes to Mike.  I think that may come as a shock to some of you.  I'm sure he and Bruce put their heads together, but Mike is the one who comes to me (or Farmer before me) and says "maybe we can do All This Is That" or whatever.  And we learn them and try them out.  Sometimes, the audience just doesn't respond (Feel Flows comes to mind).  Some we worked up and never got to perform live (I'm gonna keep those to myself in case we do get a chance to do them live).  But the bottom line is, Mike is justly proud of the Beach Boys catalog and he is a big fan of the whole of it.  I know some of you think Mike's motto is Don't F With The Formula but believe me NOTHING could be further from the truth.  I was standing on the side of the stage a few years ago, waiting to go on, and I hear Mike singing 'Wonderful".  I said something like "what a great song" and he went on and on about how beautiful the melody is and he actually got a bit choked up.

Scott

[art rush]

very insightful! we appreciate your posts, scott 
you are most welcome here.

[TdHabib]

The problem is that it's a casino show.  It's not practical to do "rarities" at that kind of show...I think I can promise you Betsy but beyond that I don't know.  I think you will still have a good time anyway!

Scott - I'm really enjoying your posts.  I generally see you guys at least once a year, most often at Humphrey's in San Diego.  Having heard lots of same songs year after year, I appreciate a fresh setlist that includes as many "rarities" as possible.

Here are a few questions I have:I know some of you think Mike's motto is Don't F With The Formula but believe me NOTHING could be further from the truth.  I was standing on the side of the stage a few years ago, waiting to go on, and I hear Mike singing 'Wonderful".  I said something like "what a great song" and he went on and on about how beautiful the melody is and he actually got a bit choked up.

Scott

Sound of jaw hitting floor...

[Custom Machine]

Quote from: Custom Machine on Today at 12:03:40 AM
Quote
The problem is that it's a casino show.  It's not practical to do "rarities" at that kind of show...I think I can promise you Betsy but beyond that I don't know.  I think you will still have a good time anyway!

Scott - I'm really enjoying your posts.  I generally see you guys at least once a year, most often at Humphrey's in San Diego.  Having heard lots of same songs year after year, I appreciate a fresh setlist that includes as many "rarities" as possible.

Here are a few questions I have:

(1)  What is it that makes a casino show less ideal for rarities?  Am I correct in assuming it may be the overall clientele?  But, having seen Brian Wilson at a casino concert, I can attest to the fact that there were many hardcore fans in attendance there.  What types of venues are more conducive to rarities, and which are less so?  How does Humphrey's in San Diego compare in this regard?

(2)  I have noticed a huge difference in concert length depending on the venue.  What factors account for this difference?

(3)  The BB's setlist has definitely improved with the addition of lesser known songs. Are you the main person responsible for the overall setlist and the addition of "rarities"?


Great post and thanks for the questions...I hope I can answer them for you all.

1) A casino show has 3 types of people in the audience.  Some go to the casino to see the Beach Boys, and they stay and gamble - or some are going to gamble, and they decide to see the Beach Boys.  Or, the casino gives BB show tickets to it's VIP players.  So not many of the attendees have even heard of a song like Betsy or even Good Timin.  To further complicate matters, the casinos nearly always ask for a short show...generally 75-90 minutes.  They don't like it if we go longer, because their goal is to get the audience back to the casino to gamble.  Now if we only get to play 75 minutes, we HAVE to play as many hits as we can squeeze into that time.  To put in a rarity would mean dropping something like Rhonda.  One of the greatest regrets of mine is that we had to drop Sloop john B in Brighton last April because we ran into a curfew.

I think the people who go to see a Brian Wilson concert are by definition, hardcore.  Believe it or not, many people who are familiar with and like the Beach Boys can't name a single member of the band!  But the people who go to see Brian know who they are going to see.  Having said that, you may have noticed that Brian is playing fewer and fewer rarities these days as well.  Bottom line is, it's not what the majority of audience members want or expect to hear.  Now my philosophy is to give them several well-known hits and then put in a lesser-known one, and tell them what album it's on, etc.  

2) The overriding factor that determines show length is what the promoter, or venue, wants.  90% of the time it's a 90 minute show.  I can tell you that we always go a little bit over what they request, not out of obstinacy but Mike hates to leave anything out.  I swear if he had his way we would do 2.5 hour shows almost all the time.

Having said that, the type of show is also a factor.  I already outlined the casino shows.  Another type of show is the county or state fair.  Again, don't expect any rarities at this type of event.  People come for the fair, and stay for the show.   Theatres, or Performing Arts Centers, are the best bet for a long show with lots of chestnuts.  The sound is good, the people have seats for the slow songs, they're not as distracted by the beer and pretzel stands, etc.   And the only reason they are there is to see the Beach Boys.

I'm gonna speak out of school here for a minute and tell you guys that Mike goes out of his way to do as long a show as possible.  For instance, many times a theatre will want to have an opening act in order to increase their concessions sales.  But if the opener goes on at 8, and we go on at 8:45, and the theatre closes at 10:00, then we are shortening our show to fit it in.  Mike actually suggests to the venue, we'd rather skip the opening act and give them an intermission for concessions.  That way we get to do 90-100 minutes and everyone is happy.  He wants to give the fans a full show.

3) One hundred percent of the credit for song selection goes to Mike.  I think that may come as a shock to some of you.  I'm sure he and Bruce put their heads together, but Mike is the one who comes to me (or Farmer before me) and says "maybe we can do All This Is That" or whatever.  And we learn them and try them out.  Sometimes, the audience just doesn't respond (Feel Flows comes to mind).  Some we worked up and never got to perform live (I'm gonna keep those to myself in case we do get a chance to do them live).  But the bottom line is, Mike is justly proud of the Beach Boys catalog and he is a big fan of the whole of it.  I know some of you think Mike's motto is Don't F With The Formula but believe me NOTHING could be further from the truth.  I was standing on the side of the stage a few years ago, waiting to go on, and I hear Mike singing 'Wonderful".  I said something like "what a great song" and he went on and on about how beautiful the melody is and he actually got a bit choked up.

Scott

Wow, great post, Scott.  Thanks so much for the detailed info.  You answered questions I had wondered about for ages.  I hope you guys keep the lesser known stuff coming.  For those of you who have never seen Mike and Bruce's current version of The Beach Boys, all I can say is that I have always thoroughly enjoyed their shows.  Scott, do you know if David Marks will ever be touring with you in the southern California area?  Over the years I've met Brian, Dennis, Carl, Mike, Al, and Bruce, but I've never even seen David in concert.  I see he did some British shows with you, so I'm wondering if he does others as well.

[Cam Mott]

Scott, please keep it comin'; much appreciate hearing this side of things Beach Boy. Thanks.

[Alex]

Maybe Mike's not as bad of a guy as people make him out to be. Maybe the whole "arrogant d*ckhead" thing is just a public face...or maybe not. Maybe VDP should've stood up for himself when Mike asked him what "over and over the crow cries..." meant. I had a boss at a job I used to work at who would purposely confront people and act "bitchy". She had this weird thing where she would give tremendous respect to the people who stood up to her when she was "bitchy". Maybe the Lovester is/was that type of a person...maybe he honestly didn't know what the words meant. His concerns probably were legitimate...unfortunately VDP took it personally. This doesn't mean I agree with Love now. I'm still a Brian-ista, and a Beach Boys reunion would probably be a disaster...too many clashing egos. And I still think consider the "actual" Beach Boys to be a "dead" group, having been slowly dying since the collapse of the SMiLE project, suffering many blows (shelving of SMiLE, Brian's descent into mental illness and substance abuse, departures of Blondie Chaplin, Ricky Fataar, and manager Jack Reiley, death of Murry, release of 15 Big Ones instead of something more in the vein of Holland, release of MIU instead of Adult Child, Brian's second descent into drugs, Dennis' and Carl's descents into substance abuse, death of Dennis, cheesy live shows and cheesy image throughout 80s and 90s, release of Still Cruisin' and Summer in Paradise, death of Carl...). Maybe Mike has come to appreciate some of the "weirder" stuff in the Beach Boys' catalog during recent years...maybe he always liked the weird stuff but just didn't think casual fans would've liked it, maybe I sound like I'm on crack.

Whatever Mike Love thinks, he isn't fooling us with his hat collection.   :-DWe know he's been bald since the 60s, and now he's at that age where baldness is normal and people won't think twice if they see him without a hat on.

[donald]

Baldness normal?    HOORAY!!!!!

Are you sure?     How do they sell so much rogaine and what about that hair club for men?

Is baldness normal for girls too? 

Mike doesn't want to look like Terry Bradshaws older brother...that is why he persists with the caps!

The media would have you think it is the equivalent of a deformity.  Worse than selling tit jobs!!!

[Dancing Bear]

Heck, at least Mike never wore a wig.


Rock trivia: which one of these fine Englishmen is bald?

[Pretty Funky]

Hollies.Drummer. Bobby Elliott. Top right.

http://www.hollies.co.uk/bandprofilebobelliott.html