#anyway in spite of all this 'big sur' slaps

[joons]

As someone who knows very little about the Beach Boys but is curious, I would love to know all the tea on Mike Love.

"Mike Love isn’t just not rock … he’s actually in the red, like the anti-rock. He’s in rock debt and should spend his next life wearing golf pants and selling hairpieces." — Tony Hicks, Riff Magazine

A real article.

Let me take you on a journey.

Every Beach Boys fan starts to hate Mike Love as a joke, and then it gradually becomes real. (Mike Love defenders, I am truly sorry; you are the devil's strongest soldiers.) The traditional narrative is that when Brian Wilson (the eldest Wilson brother and de facto leader) stopped touring and began spending all his time writing music for the band, Mike Love (Brian's cousin, lead singer, lyricist) became worried that Brian would go off on his own and leave them behind. Mike had good reasons to worry; when the band came back from an extensive tour in Japan, Brian excitedly showed them what he had been working on: Pet Sounds. Widely considered their best album, and one of the best albums of all time, Pet Sounds is chamber pop music, with a wall of orchestral instruments and complex vocal harmonies, interspersed with really off-the-wall sounds, like bicycle horns and theremins, all in service of a "concept album" (the first ever such thing) about a young man entering adulthood and struggling to manage a relationship. Oh, and Brian had already recorded all of this with the Wrecking Crew (professional session musicians, who adored him), written all the lyrics with a new guy, Tony Asher, and then ushered the Beach Boys in to record the final vocals.

Mike Love was probably justifiably a bit peeved that Brian had just like ... done the thing without him and without the band, but that was Brian's job; that was the deal they had worked out when Brian decided he couldn't handle the pressure of touring anymore. Brian was already considered a savant composer at the time and the key to the Beach Boys' success; the Beatles adored his work, and he was in a constant battle to do something as spectacular as the Beatles were doing with albums like Rubber Soul. But when the band came back and got to hear the full thing (Mike was consulted on some of the lyrics beforehand), Mike was like, "This isn't us, this won't sell." (Other members had similar concerns, especially about having to recreate these elaborate orchestrations with a few guitars and drumkits on tour, but they trusted Brian.) The stressors between Mike and Brian continued when Brian started doing an even more ambitious album, Smile, using a really avant-garde lyricist who dealt in poetic imagery rather than concrete stories. Mike once again spent all the recording sessions whining about it and resisting any push toward psychedelic imagery. Legend has it he said something like, "Don't fuck with the formula" (of cars and girls and surfing), and basically shat all over what would have been the most innovative pop album of all time (purely from a production standpoint, it was a beast, needing to be constructed in tiny segments and then edited back together using analog recording equipment). It would have been, as Brian described it, "a teenage symphony to God."

Brian, being mentally fragile, did not do well with conflict like this, (he had already, with great struggle, gotten his father, Murry Wilson, fired as their manager, after Murry's abusive, controlling behavior made it impossible for them to record) and the disappointing reactions from the band and from the public toward Pet Sounds and Smile essentially killed his confidence, meaning that he soon retreated from being the band's leader and took less and less of an interest in writing. (He was more involved than popular imagination might think, but it was certainly a turning point in his creative output.) The pressure quickly became too much, and Brian, who was struggling severely with his mental health, shelved the entire Smile project. It was not released in any complete form until 2004, when Brian had the support around him (hint: not the Beach Boys) to let him put it into an acceptable shape and release a legendary lost piece of media. And it was incredible.

Now, at this point, most fans are like, "Aw, that Mike! Always sticking to the formula!" while acknowledging that he was right about how big of a risk these albums were. Points were made, and Pet Sounds didn't actually sell as well as their other stuff! Smile was very weird! Pet Sounds was so influential among rock musicians at the time (the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was a direct response to it), but it wasn't a commercial smash. And music does need to be somewhat concerned about the business side. So maybe some fans are like, "Well. We give Mike too much grief for this, Brian had to be responsible for his own confidence, this stuff happens, whatever."

But there's never really a moment where Mike Love is vindicated. He is never satisfied to be "right" about one thing; he must be right in all things. As you keep learning about him, you're like, "Mike is just an asshole."

Very famous picture of Mike and Brian. You can see the whole relationship here.

The main reason the clashes in '66-'67 are still a sore spot is because they're a microcosm of the decadeslong war for the soul of the band. In the 1990s, Mike wrested control of the Beach Boys name from the other surviving band members after the death of Carl Wilson, Brian's brother (a saint, a diplomatic soul who kept the band together when they would otherwise be at each others' throats). This gets into complicated legal weeds, but basically Mike won the rights to tour as "the Beach Boys" even though he only toured with one other member. All of the members share in the profits but are not allowed to do their own tours with the name. Brian had no interest in touring with him at the time, and neither did Al Jardine, another surviving member, but Mike went after Al for touring as "Beach Boys Family & Friends" and successfully sued to prevent any of the other boys from doing anything similar. At the same time, he excluded them from working with him on the official tour. He has kept the band in stasis, rarely playing songs beyond the 1962-1966 eras, and keeping the band's image as a good-time surfing group, when they are so much more, and it grates that they are not more known for how musically significant and groundbreaking they were (I count the entire band's contributions in this, not just Brian, as many of them are great songwriters in their own right and did wonderful production work in the late '60s and early '70s). Mike stands athwart that deserved legacy because he finds it difficult to share the spotlight, and his contributions in the later years were simply not good. Mike isn't solely responsible for the Beach Boys being classified as a nostalgia act; that impression began when Capitol Records, their first label, put out a greatest hits album that sold far more than anything new the band was making in the early '70s. But Mike leaned into that, and instead of capitalizing on renewed interest by showing how the band had grown, Mike wanted to show that the band was exactly how you remembered them.

He is also known for being bizarrely abrasive at times, to the detriment of the band's reputation. When they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, Mike interrupted Brian's sweet statement and wound up going on a ramble lambasting other Hall of Fame members for suing each other (THIS IS DRAMATIC IRONY) or for not "showing up" for that year's event because they've "always been chickenshit to get onstage with the Beach Boys." I have never been able to get through this video in one sitting, I have to stop because the secondhand embarrassment is too much.

ELTON JOHN: Thank FUCK he didn't mention me!

He later blamed his tirade on not meditating that day.

In the 1990s, Mike began to sue the other members for damn near everything. While Mike was somewhat justified in regaining songwriting credits from the Beach Boys' early work (Murry Wilson had something to do with wanting to keep the credits for the Wilson brothers), he went on to claim that Brian including a picture of the Beach Boys in the album sheets for his version of Smile "damaged" the image of the band. Jesus wept. He also sued Brian for how he was portrayed in a (to be fair, mostly ghostwritten and bad) memoir without having read it.

The surviving members of the Beach Boys reunited in 2012 for the band's 50th anniversary. They put out a new album (it was great!) and toured together for the first time since the 1990s. David Marks, an early member who left during the first year, was invited back to play with them. It was healing to see them together and genuinely enjoying performing. Audiences were thrilled. Brian Wilson and Al Jardine both expressed how excited they were to keep it going, not just as a one-time anniversary tour but something they could conceivably do year after year, healing the split between Mike's band (with Beach Boy Bruce Johnston) and the tours that Brian and Al did together. But before any of that could be worked out, Mike just ghosted them, along with David. He announced that the tour was going to go on without them without doing a joint release. Brian and Al wrote a freaking letter to the editor stating they hadn't been told. So it's definitely another "Mike is why we can't have nice things" moment. He has described his exclusive ability to tour as "my nourishment and my revenge," framing it as a way of recovering lost royalties after being cheated out of songwriting credits for a long time, even though he was already awarded monetary compensation for that. In actual fact, he just cannot handle being upstaged.

Some other things that Mike gets flak for: getting obsessed with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Transcendental Meditation movement, writing songs exclusively about the concept and trying to turn the Beach Boys into an official Maharishi touring group; overclaiming writing credits for his small contributions to certain songs; playing for Trump's campaign events; playing for a trophy hunter guild (these last two in spite of public disavowals from Brian and Al). There are probably other, more private things that I don't think are necessary to get into. None of the band members have completely clean hands in how they've treated one another. What sets Mike apart is that he makes it public and cannot move on.

Everyone has a different breaking point with him, I think. For me, it's his continued digs at Brian, particularly relating to Brian's mental illnesses. Even extending some grace to him for dealing with difficult working conditions as some of the band members spiraled, I cannot excuse how disgusting his language is and how much he clearly wants to erase the empathy and love people have for Brian, with whatever tool he has at hand.

For context, Brian Wilson was locked into an unspeakably abusive conservatorship with his psychologist, Eugene Landy, for a decade, up until 1991. The abuse involved improper prescription treatment that continues to affect Brian to this day. (He is lucky it did not kill him.) I don't even like to think about it much because it's so dark, but Landy controlled what Brian could eat, what he sang, and who he could talk to. He sold off Brian's publishing rights and represented him in public and corporate matters. Thanks to a longtime fan and music journalist, David Leaf; Brian's future wife; and intervention by the family (who had been cut off from communicating with Brian), he was given control of his own life again and eventually properly diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. He has gotten to lead his own life again, making music that helps him deal with auditory hallucinations and depression, and working with who he wants to.

With that background, it's absolutely fucked for Mike to say this:

"He’s not in charge of his life, like I am in mine. His every move is orchestrated and a lot of things he’s purported to say, there’s not tape of it. But, I don’t like to put undue pressure on him, either, because I know he has a lot of issues. Out of compassion, I don’t respond to everything that is purportedly said by him. I’ve noticed where he says he really regards me as his greatest writing partner and that he loves my voice. Even on the 50th (anniversary tour), he made it quite clear he really liked watching me do my thing while he was at the piano. So, there’s a lot of positivity there.” (X)

So many layers there. He's so comically up his own ass, but the things he says about Brian upset me so much. He's so vile for no reason. Even if this were a criticism of Brian's PR or legal team, he could say so, instead of using Brian's past abuse to brush aside his opinions. He always does this thing where the Wilsons' addictions and illnesses are the result of bad choices, while he's never done anything wrong and was victimized by them. It's so infuriating, but it's also hard to get too upset with him because he's genuinely blind.

The thing about Mike is that he's so ... bad that he's fun to hate. Is he truly the worst person in the world? No. But is he actually the worst person in the world? Yes. His terribleness makes me laugh. That might have more to do with the cerebral way Beach Boys fans cut Mike Love clips, but goddamn, it gets me. (Beach Boys fans have had to deal with an awful lot of kitsch against their will, and I think this is their way of coping.)

LISTEN TO THIS MANIAC, I AM WHEEZING AT WORK.

(It's so crazy, he even added in that psychedelic riff at the end of the video! That's not in the song! It's just to emphasize how weird he thinks "Good Vibrations" is and how much he has to "apologize" for it. What is happening. Even when he is "joking," there's such a dark energy about it.)

In conclusion:

A real article. "His memoir leaves him neither vindicated nor convincingly tolerable as a human being."

#anyway in spite of all this 'big sur' slaps #and guess what so does 'student demonstration time' #okay bye #the beach boys #this was so fun to write; thank you for giving me an excuse to type this all up!

[granular-experience]

I Fell for You 5

@thepromiseofanend @teggles07 @nikkitasevoli @mustlove6277 @elsa-lost-in-translation @lolainblue @iridescxntsolitude @ carolinapb-me @bradlea23

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As the plane left the tarmac Eliza glanced back out the window one more time before LA disappeared completely. Six hours into the flight she began to have a mini panic attack. She unbuckled and slipped off the bathroom.

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Eliza’s pov

I sank against the counter and started sobbing. Why was I doing this? I was happy at home why would I run off and fuck this up? I can’t. I need to go back. What about Jared? God, what he must be thinking right now. He probably thinks I’m having an affair, and the money I took! Shit! Shit, shit, shit! I shouldn’t have done that. Fuck, I feel guilty now. Shit!

The knock on the door startled me, “Ju...just a minute. I wiped my tears away and splashed some cold water on my face before I exited the bathroom. I met Kat face to face.

“Hey, are you ok?”

“Yeah, just having second thoughts.”

“It’ll be fine. You’re just going stir crazy.” She wrapped her arms around me and gave me a tight squeeze, “Once we’re in Norway you’ll feel different.”

I nodded and headed back to my chair.

The flight was finally over. Kat and I practically ran out of the airport. I have always wanted to to visit Norway, but never had the chance. The air was brisk. It felt wonderful compared to the hot dry air in Cali. We quickly got a rental car and entered our first destination, Setesdal valley, into the GPS.

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The girls took off on the first leg of their journey. While Jared laid in a hammock on the patio staring at the inky sky.

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Jared’s pov

There aren’t any stars anymore. I hate looking up and not be able to wonder what’s out there. This black sky absorbs the enthusiasm and creativity from your bones. It’s empty just like this fucking house.

I've spent the last two days laying here. I have a movie to produce and direct in a month. This kind of distraction is the last thing I need.

What the fuck is wrong with her? She picked the most inopportune time to pull this stunt. She can be so fucking selfish.

I was ripped from my thoughts by phone.

“Hello?” it was Aaron.

“Hey man, how are you?”

“As good as I can be.” Everyone knew what was going on by now.

“Are you busy for the next two weeks?”

I should be preparing for the movie. “No. What's up?”

“Wanna take a climbing trip to Norway? It'll be so stellar, dude.”

Why the hell not? “Sure. If Eliza wants to run off randomly why can't I?”

Eliza’s pov

We reached our first camp site at the bottom of the cliff we were going to conquer in the morning. The sun was setting as I stoked the fire under the food we were cooking. Being this far away from Los Angeles was liberating. I miss Jared, but what's new right? I know when I get back he'll have divorce papers drawn up and probably press charges for driving his car off the pier.

We ate and talked until we fell asleep under the stars.

I woke up with Kat wrapped around me. I shrugged her off and went to pee by a tree. I boiled water for coffee and enjoyed the tranquility of the surroundings. About 100 feet away deer slowly munched on grass while keeping an eye on me. In the other direction rabbits chased each other. Kat finally woke and we rigged our gear up and chose the path we were taking up the wall.

Jared's pov

The flight left me with my thoughts. My mind drifted back to the first call I received from ‘Kat’ Eliza had to have been with her. They must have called to see if I was home, so they could sneak in and take what they needed. I'm so fucking stupid.

I can't believe I pushed her this far. I hope to God she doesn’t get anymore reckless. I’m still trying to figure out why she never tried to talk to me. Maybe she did and never realized. I’m such a dick!

Nine hours in and I was losing my fucking mind! Nothing made sense anymore. I don’t know if I’m the actual problem here and my vacancy pushed us apart or if she was covering up a fuck up by projecting it on me. I married her because she knew how to play my games. The same ones I played with all those stupid girls before Liza. I tried to trick her the first night I met her. I played to rockstar card to get her in bed. Well I tried anyway.

“Sorry, you’ve got to convince me more than that. Everyone here is an actor or ‘rockstar’. Everyone here is also fake. I don’t fall in with them much. Honestly I’m not even sure why I’m here.” She said pushing her straw around in her drink. She looked everywhere except at me, and I’ve never had to convince someone to sleep with me. Her eyes flitted back across the room catching mine for a split second, “There’s my friend, thanks for the drink,” she said flatly. I watched her stand and walk away clenching my teeth It took everything in me not to let my ego get slapped to the ground.

Seconds later Shannon walked into their little group. I sat at the bar absentmindedly talking to my friends and watching her interact with Shannon. She laughed at everything Shannon said randomly touching his arm when she spoke to him. She made eye contact with me every time she did too. As the night dragged on she and Shannon got cozier in a booth in the back of the bar. She locked yes to me while Shannon went on about something, and the slyest smirk drifted across her face. Leaning in close to Shannon’s ear whispering to make a point. She was going to take my brother home and fuck him just to spite me! When they left the booth hand in hand my fuse blew. I threw myself in front of Shannon, “I’m ready to go this place fucking blows.” I glared down my nose at Eliza, with her long black hair and violet eyes, and the way her tattoos cascaded across her flawless skin. For a moment I forgot what my action plan was.

“Here you go brother,” Shannon handed over the keys to his truck and smiled, “I’m going to chill with Liza here for a while. I’ll catch up with you later.” he slipped his arm around her shoulder and guided her out the front door.

Three hours later I heard the front door open and close quietly. I only heard one set of footsteps coming up the stairs, so I bolted out of my room to lay into Shannon, “What the fuck bro! Seriously?! Didn’t you see me talking to her, and when she walks away from me you slide in and go for the fucking steal?! I hope she was as lousy of a fuck as she was a conversationalist!”

Shannon stood at the top of the stairs laughing at me, “Chill out man. We went to Waffle House. We didn’t even kiss each other. Were not like that, man.”

Words didn’t feel good when you’re forced to eat them. “What do you mean ‘like that’?”

“I’ve known Eliza for like ten years.” Shannon patted me on the head as he walked by.

“Fuck you! Don’t touch me!” I shoved his hand away. My pride hurt more than anything.

“You know that chick and those two guys that we meet up with in Ventura when we go riding up to Big Sur? That’s Liza and her brothers. She’s like one of my best friends. I’m not going to fuck her. Good night, Jared. Oh and don’t fuck with her unless you’re serious. Like I said, she’s one of my best friends.”

#i fell for you #jared leto fanfiction #jared leto