"Kokomo" is a great song

[runnersdialzero]

Brian had no lack of venom for Carl in the mid-90s, even going so far as calling Carl an butthole.

Didn't he call VDP a butthole too?  I'm glad Brian broke out and designated the buttholes.  Good for the soul.  I always say.

My take: Brian never meant to call anyone a butthole, much less VDP and Carl. But he did it. He used SSRI medication back then, and does so nowadays. I dare place a safe bet on him having used alcohol on the side. It's well known that SSRIs and alcohol lead to disinhibition. You tend to vent anything that crops up in your mind, and don't have much grasp of what you actually are saying, and what impact it might have on others.

BTW: I dare place another bet: SSRIs are sometimes in the spotlight for their adverse side effects. I'd think that in many cases observed, secret co-use of alcohol was the damaging factor.

I was a fucking monster when I was on those things - I did and said some pretty bad things, luckily most people were forgiving.

I also gained 60 pounds (which I've had a hell of a time trying to get off), picked up some really bad/odd habits for me (which I've managed to drop, thankfully) and my usually sharp memory was extremely dulled. I have very few real memories of the year 2007, I basically lost a year - it's awesome.

Would not surprise me if Brian was on some bad stuff back then, so it would not surprise me if they didn't make things worse.

[Aegir]

buttfucked

It's funny what the censors don't pick up.

[Wilsonista]

Brian seems to attract the buttholes...he just never seemed to turn his fine-tuned sense of butthole-sniffing on himself.

Shall I bend over now or later before I get buttfucked by the Brianistas for saying that?

Don't worry, I'll tell my brethren to go easy. They might even use jelly!

[Wirestone]

Brian is still on an SSRI -- luvox. He probably is kept away from alcohol, though.

[The Heartical Don]

Brian is still on an SSRI -- luvox. He probably is kept away from alcohol, though.

I'd guess he is. I read a few interviews in which he opens a can of Heineken, and refuses to drink more than one ('just the one', he said). So he might be strong enough himself to impose a limit and respect it.

[Andrew G. Doe]

The borderline diabetes is probably a contributary factor as well.

[Jay]

All this makes me think of Carl when he was sick, and how he must have felt once he knew that he didn't have much time left. In addition to his concerns about his wife, the band, etc., he must have been very concerned about Brian's future, knowing that Brian had already lost one brother and had so many emotional issues.

This post might have hit a little to close to home. Do you think Carl felt guilty for having to die? I mean, in the last month or so of his life. He knew Brian was a very fragile person, and he knew that Brian would be the last one left.

[Amy B.]

All this makes me think of Carl when he was sick, and how he must have felt once he knew that he didn't have much time left. In addition to his concerns about his wife, the band, etc., he must have been very concerned about Brian's future, knowing that Brian had already lost one brother and had so many emotional issues.

This post might have hit a little to close to home. Do you think Carl felt guilty for having to die? I mean, in the last month or so of his life. He knew Brian was a very fragile person, and he knew that Brian would be the last one left.

I didn't mean to offend anyone with my post. I can in no way know Carl's thoughts and feelings for sure, but I just couldn't help but empathize a bit with the situation, because I think anyone who was terminally ill and leaving behind a fragile loved one would have those concerns. And no one would have predicted that Brian would be the brother who lived the longest by far.

[Glenn Greenberg]

My take is that a lot of the malice directed at "Kokomo" stemmed (and still does) from the fact that they, and not Brian, had the hit.

That's my take too.  And to go even further, I'd say that if Brian had been included on the song, even in a vocals-only capacity, the song would be regarded far more highly by BB fans.

[Jay]

I think that a lot of the "hate" for Kokomo is due to the simple fact that a song like that actually became a hit.

[MBE]

I think that a lot of the "hate" for Kokomo is due to the simple fact that a song like that actually became a hit.

Exactly. It annoys me that people think that represents the talent of the group. I also wouldn't hate it as much if I hadn't had to hear 10,000 times. I still don't like it regardless though. Brian being on it wouldn't matter to me, I dislike a lot of Beach Boys 1985 just as much and he's on there. I mean if you were talking pre 1975 Brian singing on it maybe I would feel different.

[Jay]

I think that a lot of the "hate" for Kokomo is due to the simple fact that a song like that actually became a hit.

Exactly. It annoys me that people think that represents the talent of the group. I also wouldn't hate it as much if I hadn't had to hear 10,000 times. I still don't like it regardless though. Brian being on it wouldn't matter to me, I dislike a lot of Beach Boys 1985 just as much and he's on there. I mean if you were talking pre 1975 Brian singing on it maybe I would feel different.

That's not exactly what I meant. I meant to say that I think it's the "hard core" fans that hate it, just because it became a hit. Forever, Slip On Through, Surf's Up....those are all obvious hits in the eyes of TRUE fans. But Kokomo of all things became the hit. I think the fans of AGD's stature(just as an example, no offense) resent Kokomo, because it's a "typical 80's song", and for the fact that a hit for The Beach Boys came so late in the game, so to speak.

[absinthe_boy]

Brian is still on an SSRI -- luvox. He probably is kept away from alcohol, though.

I'd guess he is. I read a few interviews in which he opens a can of Heineken, and refuses to drink more than one ('just the one', he said). So he might be strong enough himself to impose a limit and respect it.

Speakng as the husband of someone who has been on various SSRIs, I know sometimes they can have pretty drastic effects which most certainly are made worse by significant alcohol consumption. Fortunatley for myself and my wife things are very stable with her current medication.

As for Brian, somebody asked him during the first SMiLE tour if he still takes drugs. I remember the answer was...

'Yeah! I take my medicine and sometimes after a concert I have a beer'

I expect that's about right. Brian takes whatever pills he's on these days, by and large they do him good. And sometimes he enjoys a small beer. Probably for the best.

[Foster's Freeze]

As for Brian, somebody asked him during the first SMiLE tour if he still takes drugs. I remember the answer was...

'Yeah! I take my medicine and sometimes after a concert I have a beer'

I expect that's about right. Brian takes whatever pills he's on these days, by and large they do him good. And sometimes he enjoys a small beer. Probably for the best.

Agreed.

[Exapno Mapcase]

If Dennis had been alive and sung lead people woulda been creamin' themselves.  He wasn't; he didn't; it's an okay song from a once great band who lost their way over ten years earlier.

[The infamous Baldwin Organ]

Let the man have his one beer. But, Brian, why Heineken? For a guy with his kind of money, that's so...meh.

The Brianistas should pool their spare change together and buy him a case of the real stuff.  

[Ganz Allein]

Let the man have his one beer. But, Brian, why Heineken? For a guy with his kind of money, that's so...meh.

The Brianistas should pool their spare change together and buy him a case of the real stuff.  

I agree.  It's a matter of drinkability!   On a related note, "Kokomo" is all about listenability (or rather lack thereof) for me rather than who does or doesn't appear on it. 

[Reggie Dunbar]

Yes, there's Carlsberg, Giraf, Grolsch, Orangeboom, Brand.......... ad infinitum.


Brian has good taste and doesn't have to impress anyone. Nothing wrong with a nice cold one from the Low Countries.

[Ganz Allein]

Yes, there's Carlsberg, Giraf, Grolsch, Orangeboom, Brand.......... ad infinitum.


Brian has good taste and doesn't have to impress anyone. Nothing wrong with a nice cold one from the Low Countries.

I think Carlsberg would be very appropriate for him - or maybe Bruce County Wild.  As a tribute to Denny, he could drink some San Miguel.  And let's not forget Mike's Hard Lemonade.

[KokoMoses]

I can't remember if they had a bar or served drinks at the Beach Boys Cafe in Hermosa Beach! But if they did, they just HAD to have a "Kokomo" cocktail!

Perhaps some Mike's Hard Lemonaid w some gin and grenadine.... or something!

They also should've served a "Brian Wilson special" .... Huge steak with a side of cigarettes and an urn of coffee!

[Chris Brown]

They also should've served a "Brian Wilson special" .... Huge steak with a side of cigarettes and an urn of coffee!

And an entire birthday cake for dessert, naturally.

[TonyW]

They also should've served a "Brian Wilson special" .... Huge steak with a side of cigarettes and an urn of coffee!

And an entire birthday cake for dessert, naturally.

Don't forget the can of whipped cream ........ hhhmmmmm ....... gotta love those flourocarbons, straight from the can to the back of the throat!

[The infamous Baldwin Organ]

But not before an entire loaf of bread for breakfast!

[KokoMoses]

and in honor of Dennis they could have a "crash a rental car" ride out back!!!!

[urbanite]

Orangeboom beer, dreadful.  Newcastle Brown Ale, now you're talking.