Brave Combo Newsletter #4 – April 1998
Welcome to the fourth installment of Brave Combo’s virtual newsletter. We will update this every month to keep you informed about Brave Combo shows, tours, recording projects and other newsworthy items.
Besides current events, we will also have other features, such as interesting moments in Brave Combo history, suggested listening from the members of Brave Combo and chances for you to give us feedback on certain issues.
Current Events
Flash! Our new album will be in stores on April 7. It’s called, Brave Combo Polka Party – Live and Wild, and it is being released on Easydisc, a division of Rounder that targets major department store chains, like K-Mart and Wal-mart. This is another attempt to reach the unsuspecting masses. I guess the title says it all. We recorded our shows over two nights, September 26 and 27, 1997, at The Sons of Hermann Hall, in Dallas and Rick’s Place, in Denton.
You know what this means? It’s time for Brave Combo to hit the road and stay at cool motels with beds, lamps, TVs, phones and showers, not to mention neon signs and ice machines. In the next few months we plan to visit many of our favorite places, including Fayetteville (AR), Lincoln (NE), Cedar Rapids (IA), Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland (OR), Eugene (OR), Seattle, Salt Lake City, Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Solvang (CA), Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam, Oklahoma City, Norman (OK), Atlanta, Chapel Hill (NC), Annapolis (MD), Washington D.C., Richmond (VA), Lancaster (PA), Boston and New York City. In Texas, we’ll perform in Denton, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Ft. Worth, Austin, Waco, Hillsboro, Muenster, Ennis, Coppell and Lewisville. Most of these stops are confirmed and more will be added.
Flash #2! Brave Combo has been invited to play the 200th episode party for The Simpsons mid-April in Los Angeles. Longtime fan, Matt Groening requested us for the event, to our delight. It will be held at The House of Blues and we’ve heard that every celebrity that’s ever contributed a voice to the show has been invited. What a bizarre mix this could be.
For more specific information on April shows, check out Hot Dates in this issue. We’ll see you somewhere, we hope.
Interesting Moments in Brave Combo History
One time we were in Connecticut playing a party by the ocean and there was a Greek Festival on the beach as well. During our breaks we would check out the band, which was playing incredible traditional Greek and Middle Eastern music. Everyone was having a ball, dancing and singing. We felt consumed by the culture. When the band announced that it was time for the last song, we thought, this should be a doozie. Then they played, “Keep Your Hands To Yourself,” (the Georgia Satellites’ hit) and said goodnight. We scratched our heads and went back to our party. Never did figure out that one, but we salute unusual reasoning processes.
Carl
Hot Dates
Clubs:
April 4 – Rick’s Place
Location – 125 Ave. A – Denton, TX, Phone number – (940)382-4141
Opener – Lakewood Rats. Swing dance lessons at 9:00 PM.
April 7 – George’s Majestic Lounge
Location – 519 Dixon – Fayetteville, AR, Phone number – (501)-442-4226
Our favorite spot in Arkansas.
April 8 – The Zoo Bar
Location – 136 N. 14th – Lincoln, NE, Phone number – (402)-475-3094
April 9 – The Third Street Theater
Location – 1204 3rd St. SE – Cedar Rapids, IA, Phone number – (319)-364-1580
April 10 – First Avenue
Location – 701 1st Ave. N. – Minneapolis, MN, Phone number – (612)-338-8388
Openers – Hot Head Swing Band and Auto Body Experience
This is an early show so don’t be afraid to come downtown. Brave Combo takes the stage at 8:30.
April 11 – Fitzgerald’s
Location – 6615 Roosevelt – Berwyn, IL, Phone number – (708)-788-6670
Recently voted “Best Live Music Club” in the Chicago area.
April 17 – Cibolo Creek Country Club
Location – 8640 Evans Rd. – San Antonio, TX, Phone number – (210)-651-6652
Festivals:
April 19 – Houston International Fest
Location – Houston, TX
Time – 3:00 PM
April 25 – Muenster German Fest
Location – Muenster, TX
Time – 12:00 – 3:00 PM
April 25 – Denton Arts and Jazz Fest
Location – Denton, TX
Time – 6:30 PM
April 26 – Brazos River Fest
Location – Waco, TX
Time – 3:00 PM
Suggested Listening
Jeff suggests:
“Odd Time” – Rabih Abou-Khalil, Enja
Alan suggests:
“Jesus Alemany’s Cubanismo” – Jesus Alemany, Hannibal Records
Carl suggests:
“Mi Charchina” – Eddie Gonzales, Sony Discos
Bubba suggests:
“By Request” – George Jones, Epic
Joe suggests:
“Coast to Coast” – Art Bell, AM radio
Danny suggests:
“Mahler – Symphony No. 2 ‘Resurrection'” – Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Columbia Records
Fun Facts
Most interesting job, (other than Brave Combo):
Jeffrey – Porno theater janitor / Bible salesman.
Joe – Calypso singer.
Carl – Country & Western Disco DJ.
Bubba – Father’s bookstore.
Alan – Acting as guitar player in karaoke video for, “Band on the run”.
Danny – Denton Parks and Recreation, lawn keeper.
Ramblings
Don’t think about this too much. The power of music can blow your mind wide open. If I allow the mundane activities of my day to have a soundtrack, I might discover an exotic life lurking there. Music combines order and security with passion and mystery. There’s nothing heavier. Polka on, Dude.
Carl