Brave Combo

Grammy Award-Winning Band from Denton, Texas

Let’s Get Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About
  • Tour Dates
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My Account
    • Shipping & Returns
      • Privacy Notice
      • Conditions of Use
  • News
  • Videos
  • Listen
  • Discography
  • Press Kit
    • Press Photos
    • Biography
    • Discography
    • Audio & Video
    • Venues
    • Clients
    • Quotes & Reviews
    • TV & Movie Credits
  • Tech
  • The Machine’s Pump Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Links
  • Book A Gig
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • $0.00

Weird Wednesdays: Carl’s Retrospective

1 Comment

Despite the intense heat, the rising Covid cases and the growing fear of mass shootings, Brave Combo’s residency at Red’s Yard went pretty well.

My personal goals were achieved, I think, but I’m not exactly sure what those were. My motivation was and is pretty heavy. Whether you feel it or not, the concept of live music is going through a radical metamorphosis. No one knows whether any template from the past will still work on its own anymore because the general public was already confused and unpredictable before the trauma of Covid even emerged. And now everywhere feels a bit like a war zone. Although I’m reluctant to make that comparison considering Ukraine is actually in a war zone and our problems can’t compare right now. On the other hand a lot of people are, indeed, being murdered in the USA, well, every minute. And random attacks by young zombie men are on the rise, so it’s normal to feel threatened and, in fact, wise to be alert. That sucks but I can only try to keep myself from devolving. The world, at large, seems determined to self destruct. I don’t know why. I don’t get it. The desire for power and control is an insidious and, frankly, inexplicable motivation, but the ego knows no bounds and some folks are just drunk with it. I mean, I am a control freak. I understand that, but I herd cats, which requires a lot of control. Cats tend to be a bit self-centered and hard-headed, especially our blind 21-year-old, JJ. Jeez, what a complainer!

Anyway, back to my original point. Weird Wednesday, for me, was more of an experiment, than an opportunity for Brave Combo to get together to play five gigs. I wanted to, mainly, avoid our current song list and either try something new or reinvent something old or just screw around and wander. I also wanted every minute of our “performance” reliably live-streamed. You know, easy to connect and starting on time. But this is not just about Brave Combo. It’s about predicting the future of live music.

And I have lots of questions. Like, why is anyone still doing this; trying to be a musician on a stage? And, although attendance at shows is way down, across the board, why are the die-hards still showing up, as if nothing has changed? No judgment here. Just trying to understand what the collective brain is telling us/communicating. Trends come and go. Brave Combo knows that well and it is, indeed, a challenge to stay relevant as the landscape shifts and, apparently we’ve done well enough, so far. We are strategists as much as musicians. But what’s going on now is different. This is a seismic cultural change. Before BC, I examined the phenomenons of Muzak AND background music (the opposite of Muzak). Background music is passive. Muzak is actually a subscription service designed to maximize worker productivity by utilizing strong musical elements throughout the day, piped throughout the workplace.

But both deal with manipulating the listener. One is subtle. The other, less subtle. I wanted BC, in the early days, to be the least subtle form of Muzak and Weird Wednesday was a return to that idea: Aggressive background music with covert attempts to control the brains of others, without the typical ego trappings which usually accompany people on stages. Yep, that sorta sums it up. And, as with most BC gigs (I hope), it’s important to us that someone watching or listening to our show is somewhat puzzled and challenged to wonder about the value of what we do. I really wish we could have perfect weather every time play outdoors. And I really wish Covid would actually go away and people did not have to think about the virus danger in a club full of fans. And I also really wish guns weren’t, literally, everywhere in our country, especially Texas. And Texas pride without compassion or common sense leaves only guns. I don’t get it, but I know there is a way around the myriad obstacles we’re facing.

So, to sum it all up, Brave Combo may become a more bizarre, yet more beautiful thing. My goals are lofty and they involve more than just notes and chords and exotic rhythms. And I apologize if this only makes sense to me, BUT you should definitely stay tuned!

Brave Combo Live Stream (and In Person) – December 2 in Denton

4 Comments

Here’s the deal. Brave Combo is not doing its annual holiday jaunt through the Midwest. We won’t be playing Lincoln, Kansas City, St. Louis, or even Chicago…for the second year in a row. Our unwelcome guest, Covid-19, is still hanging around, screwing things up! As well, there are many indoor venues, even in our own North Texas area, to which we won’t be bringing our slightly-demented, but heart-felt, revelry, and seasonal cheer. Yes, this is sad news for us all! But humans are amazingly adaptable, so I say, “let’s do the best we can.” The UNT (University of North Texas) Alumni Association hosted a live-streaming Brave Combo concert in 2020 and invited us to do it again. But this time we are broadcasting the party from one of Denton’s finest and most progressive live-music venues, Rubber Gloves! They were the first performance space in town to require proof of vaccination to attend shows. Yes! Support Rubber Gloves! So, this coming Thursday, December 2, at 7:00pm (CST) we will be playing a whole bunch of holiday music and having fun doing it and YOU’RE INVITED TO HAVE FUN WITH US. If you can make it in person, there are a limited number of tickets, but please come out. Here’s how to reserve a ticket. It’s easy and it’s free! But, if you can’t make it, physically, no big deal. Here is the link to watch the live stream, from the comfort of wherever.
Both In-Person & Online Viewing Registration Links
https://linktr.ee/bravecombo
Come on! Let’s make mountains out of mole…, I mean lemonade out of lemons. And we’ll add a lot of red and green stuff to this lemonade. Maybe spinach and radishes, but no peppermint! That’s one holiday tradition that never needed to happen; adding a bunch of smashed up, stick-in-your-teeth, peppermint bits to stuff that was fine already. Other than that, let it rip!! Okay, we’ll see you, online or in person, this Thursday night. Be there or be depressed!
  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 23
  • Next Page »

Cart

Sign up for Brave Combo's Mailing List

Find out about the latest additions to the tour schedule, upcoming projects and, other band news.
unsubscribe from list

Upcoming Shows

Current Month
Historic Downtown McKinney111 N. Tennessee St. McKinney, TX 75069

fri22sepAll DayMcKinney OktoberfestHistoric Downtown SquareHistoric Downtown McKinney, 111 N. Tennessee St. McKinney, TX 75069

Event Details

Dust off your lederhosen and tune up your yodel for this year’s Oktoberfest. McKinney Oktoberfest is a family favorite, offering authentic German music, food and drink, traditional costumes,

Event Details

Dust off your lederhosen and tune up your yodel for this year’s Oktoberfest. McKinney Oktoberfest is a family favorite, offering authentic German music, food and drink, traditional costumes, dancing, children’s activities and much more

The “beer garden” covers a total of 14 blocks throughout McKinney’s Historic Downtown square so you can enjoy all downtown McKinney has to offer with a German beer in one hand and a bratwurst in the other. McKinney Main Street, supporting sponsors and the shops in Historic Downtown McKinney host non-stop activities in the heart of our great city.
conditions

 

Location

Historic Downtown McKinney

111 N. Tennessee St. McKinney, TX 75069

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Organizer

City of McKinney

Learn More

Historic Downtown McKinney111 N. Tennessee St. McKinney, TX 75069

sat23sepAll DayMcKinney OktoberfestHistoric Downtown SquareHistoric Downtown McKinney, 111 N. Tennessee St. McKinney, TX 75069

Event Details

Dust off your lederhosen and tune up your yodel for this year’s Oktoberfest. McKinney Oktoberfest is a family favorite, offering authentic German music, food and drink, traditional costumes,

Event Details

Dust off your lederhosen and tune up your yodel for this year’s Oktoberfest. McKinney Oktoberfest is a family favorite, offering authentic German music, food and drink, traditional costumes, dancing, children’s activities and much more

The “beer garden” covers a total of 14 blocks throughout McKinney’s Historic Downtown square so you can enjoy all downtown McKinney has to offer with a German beer in one hand and a bratwurst in the other. McKinney Main Street, supporting sponsors and the shops in Historic Downtown McKinney host non-stop activities in the heart of our great city.
conditions

 

Location

Historic Downtown McKinney

111 N. Tennessee St. McKinney, TX 75069

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Organizer

City of McKinney

Learn More

Legacy Hall7800 Windrose Avenue Plano, TX 75024

sat30sepAll DayLegacy HallLegacy Hall, 7800 Windrose Avenue Plano, TX 75024

Location

Legacy Hall

7800 Windrose Avenue Plano, TX 75024

Texas State Fair Park3921 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. Dallas, TX 75210

thu05octAll DayTexas State FairBud Light StageTexas State Fair Park, 3921 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. Dallas, TX 75210

Event Details

3, 5 & 7:30 PM

Event Details

3, 5 & 7:30 PM

Location

Texas State Fair Park

3921 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd. Dallas, TX 75210

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Frisco Square8843 Coleman Blvd., Frisco, TX 75034

sat07octAll DayFrisco OktoberfestFrisco Square, 8843 Coleman Blvd., Frisco, TX 75034

Location

Frisco Square

8843 Coleman Blvd., Frisco, TX 75034

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Denton's Quakertown Park and Facilities321 East McKinney (Corner of McKinney and Bell) Denton, Texas 76201

sun08oct7:00 pmsun9:00 pmDenton Arts & Jazz FestivalDenton's Quakertown Park and Facilities, 321 East McKinney (Corner of McKinney and Bell) Denton, Texas 76201

Location

Denton's Quakertown Park and Facilities

321 East McKinney (Corner of McKinney and Bell) Denton, Texas 76201

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Organizer

Denton Festival Foundation

Learn More

DowntownKilgore, Texas

sat14octAll DayKilgore OktoberfestDowntown, Kilgore, Texas

Location

Downtown

Kilgore, Texas

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Southlake Town Square Main St at Southlake Blvd, Southlake, TX

sun15octAll DaySouthlake OktoberfestMain StageSouthlake Town Square, Main St at Southlake Blvd, Southlake, TX

Location

Southlake Town Square

Main St at Southlake Blvd, Southlake, TX

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Organizer

Southlake Chamber of Commerce

Learn More

sat21octAll DayTulsa OktoberfestTulsa Oktoberfest

Location

Tulsa Oktoberfest

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Arnosky Family Farm & Market13977 FM2325, Blanco, TX 78606

sat28oct8:00 pmThe Blue BarnAnnual Marigold Barn DanceArnosky Family Farm & Market, 13977 FM2325, Blanco, TX 78606

Event Details

Put on your best Halloween or Dia de los Muertos costume, grab your favorite drinks, and get ready to dance for Marigold Festival’s final event! BYOB! $20 entry

Event Details

Put on your best Halloween or Dia de los Muertos costume, grab your favorite drinks, and get ready to dance for Marigold Festival’s final event!

BYOB! $20 entry

Location

Arnosky Family Farm & Market

13977 FM2325, Blanco, TX 78606

Learn More - Click to Visit Event Website

Machine’s Pump – Latest Issue

The Machine’s Pump Volume 26 – #8 – August 2023

All that matters is Taylor Swift. Cults rule! Period. Almost no one cares to think for himself/herself. Gotta belong to a tribe. I guess people feel … [Read More...]

No part of this site may be copied, recorded, or reproduced in any manner without written permission of Brave Combo
Copyright © 2023 BRAVE COMBO · HEY LORI PRODUCTIONS, INC.

 

Loading Comments...
 

    X