Defend the Indefensible: Mike Love

Mike's got plenty of harsh words for everybody (including himself) and Dennis and Brian are not spared, really, but ultimately they are more like tragic figures, just undone by their own demons. In terms of their late 60s/early 70s work, I do sympathize with Mike's inability unable to separate what is (imo) amazing music from personally awful circumstances. Sorta similar to Dylan being mystified at how well "Blood on the Tracks" was received (although I don't think Bob was ever quite in the mentally damaged/drug abused states that Dennis and Brian were)

he also recounts several stories I'd heard before but had previously suspected of being hyperbolic - including Dennis bringing in a prostitute from off the street in order to record her having sex with him for an overdub on "All I Wanna Do" (which is clearly audible in the coda), Rocky Pamplin and Stan Love beating the shit out of Dennis in the late 70s, David Frost being involved in Brian copping heroin in Australia on a late 70s tour, etc.

He also says Shawn Love's paternity was never established.

That's 'All I Want To Do' not 'All I Wanna Do' (I don't understand why they released such similarly-titled songs within such a short span of time either). And yeah, I always figured the sex noises were staged.

I probably need to read this thing. Dammit.

ha right sorry I always mix those two up

I'm up to the part in the book where he gives a detailed breakdown of the lyrics to Kokomo (no such luck with "Wrinkles", unfortunately)

the kokomo part was my favorite. especially when he talks about his chuck berry-like use of alliteration and then quotes a chunk of lyrics with literally no alliteration other than repetition of the same words

haha yes I noticed that too

The Mike Love that oversells the brilliance of his lyrical contributions is my favorite Mike Love.

Someone defend this monstrosity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7SmgdvPpQY

that song was written by Brian = it's not all bad. Although I had no idea Brian ever performed with Celebration and that sure looks like him on the right wtf!?

was a little surprised at how pissed Mike was about "That's Why God Made the Radio" - didn't realize he was shut out of writing on almost all of it lol

holy crap @ some of this stuff. i didn't think the BBs story could get much darker than the stuff in the steven gaines book.

Is there a Defend the Indefensible: Dennis Wilson thread yet?

his crimes seem more personal than musical imo

altho Alfred probably begs to differ

Big Sur on Landlocked! It's great. It's Mike Love, no?

yup

Ok, he's worth it for that alone. Also, I'm going to say it, I like Student Demonstration Time.

yeah that's brian.

http://www.mediaite.com/online/the-beach-boys-confirm-trump-inauguration-invite-havent-made-decision-yet/

hat synergy

Potential for thread-ending photo

Oh oops thought this was the mike love+weirdos thread

I know the dude who ghost wrote this for Mike – think I may have to read this now as well.

It's good!

anyone read both mike's and brian's books? taking a trip soon and was thinking of bringing one of these to read.

Mike's book is great! Haven't gotten the Brian one yet.

yeah the praise here convinced me to read mike's book at some point... just wondering what brian's is like in comparison.

He keeps the Tommy Bahama brand in business so he's indirectly a job creator.

Kind of a jack ass https://t.co/DPBbnSmgUS

— David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) May 5, 2017

oh man, you know you're a real nuclear-grade bastard when even david crosby thinks you're a jack ass

The most direct and open praise of Love from his peers that I've seen lately is from Dean Torrence, via the new Ugly Things feature interview.

he's always going off about mike love on there. the doors too

mike's book was ok. seemed like half of it was beach boys stories rehashed (and heavily quoted) from other books, with mike inserting inoffensive opinions. there's stuff that had little to do with mike that gets covered, like dennis and manson. it's better when mike talks about things specific to himself, like meditation and going to india, and i wish the book had more of this. he offers reasonable refutations for stories about himself, but i had to laugh at his claim about the rock and roll hall of fame speech. he says what he was actually doing was calling out jagger to take part in a charity event.

also, when he mentions how he started wearing hats to cover baldness he makes it sound like nobody had ever done that before.

mike love invented hats

everyone thinks Brian's a genius for inventing bathrobes, but what about the fucking HATS man

I wonder how long it took for Mike to get through a take of 'Til I Die' without immediately following the line "It kills my soul" with a deep sigh and a "Goddamn it, Brian."

NEW ALBUM EVERYONE!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLUmfXMVoAA2nfQ.jpg:large

Mike Love - Unleash The Love Official Tracklist

Mike Love Originals:
Side A
All the Love in Paris featuring Dave Koz on Saxophone
Getcha Back featuring John Stamos on Drums
Daybreak Over the Ocean
I Don't Wanna Know
Too Cruel
Crescent Moon

Side B
Cool Head, Warm Heart
Pisces Brothers
Unleash The Love
Ram Raj
10,000 Years Ago featuring John Stamos on Drums
Only One Earth
Make Love Not War

Mike Love/Beach Boys Re-Records:
Side A
California Girls
Do It Again featuring Mark McGrath and John Stamos
Help Me Rhonda
I Get Around
Warmth of the Sun featuring Ambha Love
Brian's Back

Side B
Kiss Me Baby
Darlin' featuring AJR
Wild Honey featuring John Cowsill
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Good Vibrations
Fun Fun Fun

man he really never gets tired of re-recording shit

Cool Head, Warm Heart

Brian's Back...NOT!!!!

"Brian's Back (on my shitlist)"

"Brian's Back (Needs a Rub)"

"Brian's Back... Alright!"

was gonna mention that mike has rerecorded "do it again" twice now but noticed that brian is also guilty of rerecording this not-especially-great song too.

Looking forward to Mike's new dirge-like arrangement of 'Brian's Back (A Lamentation)'.

That's a dove, not a love.

No "TM Song"??

'Brian's Back (in the USSR)'

I am surprised he neglected 'Student Demonstration Time'. Probably didn't want to give the snowflakes any ideas.