Showing posts with label Beach Boys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Beach Boys. Show all posts

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Friday, March 7, 2025

New Interview With Myself, Plastic EP and David Leaf

This is my second interview with Plastic EP and David Leaf, discussing Brian Wilson, Smile, Brian's brothers, and so much more.


Surf's Up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItmGK3C0G04

-Daniel
March 7, 2025

Monday, December 11, 2023

RIP Jeffrey Foskett

RIP Jeffrey Foskett. Thank you for the music, and all the days that you were here. May you sing forever.

-Daniel

December 11, 2023

Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Dean Torrence And David Beard Interview

It started as an interview with myself, Plastic EP and David Beard, talking about Endless Summer Quarterly, and The Teammates CD that David put together with Dean Torrence. And then Dean showed up to talk about all of this, and more. 

Buckle up for this conversation in two parts. And check out the Teammates CD, out now on Omnivore Recordings.




-Daniel
March 1, 2023

Thursday, September 15, 2022

New Article In ESQ Magazine

Hello all-

The new issue of Endless Summer Quarterly Magazine features my photos and review of Brian Wilson's show in Charlotte on July 1st. Check it out.

www.esquarterly.com

-Daniel

September 15, 2022




Sunday, November 21, 2021

RIP Billy Hinsche

When Billy Hinsche came to Mooresville, NC for a benefit concert in 2009, I was given the task of being his driver. What a fun day, discussing music, stories of the Beach Boys, and so much more. Billy, you did so much, and you've left us all too soon. Sail on sailor. See you in the stars.

-Daniel

November 21, 2021

Monday, April 12, 2021

Back On Plastic EP's Show Tonight On FB

Hello all-

I will be back on Plastic EP's interview show, live on Facebook tonight at 7pm EST with some special guests. Tune in and catch a wave, and see you there,

-Daniel

April 12, 2021

Monday, February 1, 2021

Me On A FB Podcast, Talking About Pet Sounds

 What happens when four guys from around the world discuss Pet Sounds? It looks and sounds like this. Enjoy.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Beach Boys Photo, Asheville, NC, July 25, 2019

Beach Boys
Biltmore
Asheville, NC
July 25, 2019
Photo copyright 2019 Daniel Coston
See more photos at Endless Summer Quarterly's Facebook Page

-Daniel
July 28, 2019

Monday, September 26, 2016

Pet Sounds Article

The path to Pet Sounds began in December 1964, when Brian Wilson went into a panic onboard a plane carrying his band, the Beach Boys, to a gig in Houston, Texas. For the previous two years, Wilson and his band- fellow brothers Carl and Dennis Wilson, cousin Mike Love, and school friend Al Jardine- had kept up a furious pace of touring and recording. All while Brian wrote or co-wrote hit songs for the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, and many others. At that moment, the Beach Boys were one of the biggest bands in America, and perhaps the world. But Brian just wasn’t made for those times. Always the most fragile and insecure person in the band, despite his remarkable talents, he wanted out. He wanted something different. 

In 1965, Brian made the decision to stay home while the band picked up another Californian, Bruce Johnston, and continued touring the world. The hits kept coming for the Beach Boys, but the songs were no longer just about the beach. Young adult longings for love, love lost, a realization that you were no longer the child that you used to be. Becoming someone else, and realizing that it just wasn’t you. These ideas began swirilng around Brian’s head, and began to appear on the Beach Boys' next album, Summer Days And Summer Nights. Their label, Capitol Records, didn’t notice or care that Brian’s music was changing. They just wanted the next hit single. When the band released their quickly recorded, covers-heavy Party Album for Christmas that same year, the label was thrilled that it was a huge success. But the album was in reality a farewell to the ideas that Brian once had, and he was already at work on their next, and most important creation to date.

When Brian heard the new Beatles album, Rubber Soul, he was inspired by the album’s use of a set of songs that formed a complete whole. In his mind, he knew that there was an answer to Rubber Soul, and he began to put it together. With the Beach Boys on the road, Brian also began to use more of a stable of Los Angeles session musicians, later known as The Wrecking Crew, for the new songs that he was recording. With frequent collaborator Mike Love also on the road, Brian turned to local ad salsman Tony Asher for lyrics that spoke to all of Brian’s hopes, wishes and longings. All he needed now was the rest of the band.

When the Beach Boys returned from a successful tour of Japan (photos from which would be featured on the back cover of Pet Sounds), the band was dumbfounded by what they heard. A mixture of pop, jazz, symphonic rhythm & blues, and lyrics that were reaching far beyond the California shoreline. But they pressed on. Pushed by Brian, who taught the bandmembers their vocal parts individually at the piano, the band spent days and days recording their vocals. Mike Love would reportedly later say that Brian had dog ears, meaning that Brian heard mistakes that no one else could hear. What Love meant to say is that Brian Wilson had a dog ear. Brian created Pet Sounds, and all of his classics while being deaf in one ear. His Pet Sounds, meaning his favorite music, was now ready for the world.

However, the world was not ready for Pet Sounds it was released in May of 1966. Capitol Records did not know what to make of the album. Singles were released, and then another single was released soon after, as if they had no confidence in their chances of climbing the charts. “God Only Knows” was released as a single, but many stations would not play it, due to the word God being in the title. Many flipped the single over, and played “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”, instead. By the fall of that year, Capitol would release a Beach Boys best-of, which would quickly outsell Pet Sounds that year.

In England, the mother country of the Beatles, Pet Sounds was quickly embraced as a modern masterpiece, and climbed to number two on the album charts. In return, the Beatles would be influenced on Pet Sounds. Listen to “Here There And Everywhere”, off of the band’s next album, Revolver, and see if you can hear an echo or two of the Beach Boys. Over time, Pet Sounds became the unknown treasure that many discovered, and shared with the rest of the world. A love of songs that continues to be never-ending. Wouldn’t that be nice?

For all of Capitol’s worrying about the band’s next single, Brian already had it in the works. Recorded over five months, and utilizing four different studios, “Good Vibrations” became the number one smash that the band and label craved. If Pet Sounds was a cradle of new ideas, “Good Vibrations” was the band’s symphonic explosion. Work on the song overlapped work on Pet Sounds, so much so that the band thought that the song would be included on the album. But Brian knew what he wanted. Pet Sounds, and “Good Vibrations” would each stand alone, and show the world what he was capable of. 

While Pet Sounds is dominated by the vocals and talents of Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys also contributed to the album’s final shape. Mike Love would sing lead on four songs, and contribute lyrics to three songs, including “I Know There’s An Answer” (originally titled “Hang On To Your Ego” by Brian and Tony Asher). Al Jardine would bring the folk song “Sloop John B” to Brian, providing a key anchor of Pet Sounds’ song sequence. Dennis Wilson and Bruce Johnston also sang various lead and harmony parts, while Carl Wilson (who also played guitar on the album) would be given Brian’s favorite song, “God Only Knows” to sing. Why? Because Brian wanted him to sing that song. Out of their six collective voices, Pet Sounds emerged as one singular statement.

In the fall of 1966, Brian Wilson turned 24 years old. After “Good Vibrations”, he turned his attention to his next project. An album that would push his concept album ideas, and harmonies as singular instruments even further. When Wilson abondoned the project, which had been called Smile, in the spring of 1967, the legend of Brian Wilson as a lost musical genius began to grow. The mere fact that Brian Wilson is alive today, forty years after the rush of Smile’s demise, is remarkable. The fact that he is touring more than ever in 2016, on an album that grew out on his refusal to tour 52 years ago, is nothing short of astounding. But like Pet Sounds itself, the story of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys continues to confound and astound all who listen to it, and them. 

If Smile can be considered Brian’s Pheonix-like rise and fall, Pet Sounds is the sound of one man, and one band soaring to the heavens in search of what comes next. Without fear of the sun, the winds, or gravity. No hell below them, above them only sky, and far removed from the sandy beaches from which they had started from. 

Fifty years later, people still believe in a dream called Pet Sounds. How can it be? 

Listen, listen.

-Daniel Coston

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Beach Boys Photo, Knoxville, TN, February 2016

Beach Boys Photo
Tennessee Theater
Knoxville, TN
February 2016
Photo copyright 2016 Daniel Coston

-Daniel
July 7, 2016

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Brian Wilson Photos, Durham, NC, November 19, 2015

Brian Wilson
Carolina Theater
Durham, NC
November 19, 2015
all photos copyright 2015 Daniel Coston
See more at Endless Summer Quarterly's FB and Twitter pages




 

-Daniel
November 21, 2015

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Brain Wilson, Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin Pic From Atlanta Show

Brian Wilson
Blondie Chaplin
Al Jardine
Fox Theater
Atlanta, GA
June 26, 2015
photo copyright 2015 Daniel Coston


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

My Own Review For The Big Takeover Site For The Recent Brian Wilson Show

Brian Wilson
Rodriguez
Fox Theater
Atlanta, GA
June 26, 2015

With Brian Wilson’s life story currently in movie theaters, it would have made sense for his recent solo tour to stick to the tried and true hits. Instead, Brian and his band played the most diverse career-spanning set I’ve ever seen him perform. Throw in generous vocal support from fellow Beach Boy alums Alan Jardine and Blondie Chaplin, and the evening was a treat for both casual, and deep-cut fans alike. 

Searching For Sugar Man star Rodriguez opened with the show with a surprsing amount of covers with his own material. Everything from Sinatra standards like “Nice & Easy”, to songs like “I only Have Eyes For You” that others have covered for more than 80 years. Rodriguez did a good job of making each song his own, and the crowd enjoyed it. The spontaneous audience clapping along to the Peggy Lee song “Fever” indicated how much Rodriguez connected with the audience, whether they knew his backstory, or not. 

Brian Wilson has come a long way as a frontman during his recent tours. That being said, there are still times when he gets lost while looking at his teleprompter, or his mind occasionally drifts. It adds an element of unpredictability that you are often aware of as you watch Brian perform. Thankfully, Brian is also aware that his band is the real star of the show, nailing the sound and feel of his songs. And the list of those songs on this night was a revelation, all by itself.

Many of the greatest hits of the Beach Boys? Yes, but let’s also add several songs from Smile, including “Surf’s Up”, "Our Prayer” (the show opener), and “Heroes And Villians”. “Cotton Fields”, sung by Al Jardine, with assistance by son Matt Jardine. “She Knows Me Too Well”. Heck, two songs from Friends (“Busy Doin’ Nothing” and “Wake The World”) were also heard on this night. Four songs from Brian’s new album No Pier Pressure also went over well with the audience.

One of the highlights of the night was the appearance of Blondie Chaplin, who’s time in the Beach Boys during the early 1970s added a different dimension to their sound. Hearing his vocals on “Sail On Sailor” was something that many in the crowd had been looking forward to hear. Another treat was seeing and hearing Chaplin let loose on another Beach Boys chestnut, “Wild Honey”.

While some will always lament that Brian Wilson and longtime Beach Boys frontman Mike Love are touring again as separate entities, I look at it as a way for both to tour as they wish, and present the music as they wish. Brian Wilson’s show, on this night, served again as a reminder of how much great music has emerged from Wilson, and the Beach Boys. 
-Daniel Coston

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Beach Boys with Peyton Manning, Greeneville, TN, June 28, 2015

Beach Boys
with Peyton Manning
Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Greeneville, TN
June 28, 2015
all photos copyright 2015 Daniel Coston
you can see more photos on Mike Love's Facebook page






Monday, June 29, 2015

The Day After The CLT 60s Reunion

That day after I helped to reunite the Bondsmen and Mod VI for killer sets at the Neighborhood Theatre, where I found myself in Tennessee doing photos with The Beach Boys at the children's hospital benefit. During which I'm standing near Mike Love, and Peyton Manning walks up and says hello. And then Dan Marino, and more all-pro NFL and college players and coaches also walk by. And then I watch Mike Love teach Peyton Manning the lyrics to "Barbara Ann", so that he can sing them with the band during the show. And he did. And then I ran home to email these photos, because the Beach Boys want to post them as soon as possible.

And that day was my day, today. And how was your day?
-Daniel
June 28, 2015