Post #164996 by Tiki-bot on Fri, Jun 10, 2005 12:58 PM

I think the divide over whether JB is "authentic" tiki or not is based in the unspoken understanding that there are two (or maybe more) distinct tiki worlds: The classic mid-century old school tiki-bar set that strives to re-create the classic style and atmosphere of vintage Polynesian Pop, and a more modern Carribean/Mexican/surfin'/party store/frat boy party kinda tiki that JB is more akin to, a style which many "vintage" tiki fans find repugnant.

This does not make JB or his fans bad people by any means. They just have different, um, goals. One is not better than the other, but they are not the same thing. Saying "all tiki is fake anyway, and so all the same" is not really a fair statement. That's like saying "all movies are fake, so if you enjoy one, you should enjoy them all".

Certainly these groups aren't mutually exclusive and there is much crossover. JB is what he is, he knows his fans and what they expect and that's all good. I just feel that overall, he is considered by many to be a detriment to the public image of "vintage" (and admittedly fake) tiki and its pleasures.