Volume 11 – #6 – June 2008

In the 1960s, as we all know, a sub-culture called the hippies emerged. They didn’t like the way things seemed to be going in a lot of areas and decided to turn on and tune out, which meant, I believe, to open their eyes, see things differently and reject the status quo. Although most hippies were left-leaning “peace and love types,” the return to nature aspect also encouraged many to move into a survivalist, every-man-for-himself, direction, instead of the expanded womb than the typical communal living provided. So things happened. The advocating of free sex and drugs was pretty easily adopted by a lot of folks outside the movement but the tougher, more demanding goals of an earthly nirvana seemed to slip further underground and before long pure hippie innocence was gone. Almost everyone grew longer hair. The fashion impact of the movement went mainstream and the image became big business. So big, in fact, that in just a few years, real hippies looked old and out-of touch, even if they were just in their twenties. Only a vague concept of “anti-establishment” lived on in the heart of the common citizen as new radical trends in music and culture appeared and vanished every few minutes for the next two decades of unparalleled human self-indulgence and insensitivity. The original core pro-Earth concepts were doomed to history. Or so it seemed. Now, because we think we have no choice, we are all, and I mean all, starting to act more like the original hippies. In some ways we might actually be turning back the clock. I was too young to get fully in on the hippie thing. They looked like happy exotic aliens that lived on special farms far away from Texarkana. And when I was finally able to let my hair grow as long as I damned well pleased, the Vietnam war was making its final bow and the dawning of Aquarius was starting to lose its optimistic glow. In fact, by the time the rock musical HAIR hit the scene and became a Broadway sensation, informing the common TONIGHT SHOW-watching crowd about what’s hip, the idea appeared totally corrupted and, frankly, stupid. It was all kinda sad, too. But, check out 2008! The species is changing its perspective. The meat-eaters of today are the smokers of tomorrow. Drivers of big aggressive gas-guzzlers will soon be looked at as ignorant thuggy litterbugs. Gardens are popping up in weird places. Communities around the country may have to rely more and more on local offerings to satisfy shopping and entertainment needs, as traveling long distance becomes almost prohibitive. The whole notion of strong regionalism with a distinct character could be reborn. We’re recycling, reusing and conserving, just like good peace-niks. Are we really, as a mass, finally getting hip to 40-year-old wisdom? Is flower power relevant again? I know a lot of things in the world say “no,” but a lot of things say “yes.” Either way, our surroundings (physical, mental, emotional, cultural) are always in flux. Evolution is an on-going process. And what we need to do and think, mainly applies to this place and time. Our current circumstances are unique to right now. We are post-WWII. We are post-Beatles. We are Post Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. We are post-9/11. We are almost post-Bush. And we have the knowledge of those things. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. How we prepare is up to us. Will this new hippie thing continue to make sense to growing numbers? Well, tune in and see, or, rather, turn on and see. By the way, I got my haircut today. It’s pretty short, but Doan (pronounced “dwon”), my beautician, thought it looked fantastic when I left her shop. She told me she was going Latin ballroom dancing tonight. She also teaches Latin ballroom dancing when she’s not cutting hair. She asked me today if Bubba was still in the band. Driving home I saw two enormous pickup trucks with “for sale” signs on them. And this is Texas. Yee-haw! Okay, all together now. “When the Moon is in the seventh house. And Jupiter aligns with Mars. Then peace will guide the planets. And love will steer the stars.” Let’s Polka!

Speaking of polka, we just recorded a brand new polka for our friends from Houston, The Art Guys, for their upcoming CD about themselves. It’s called “The Art Guys Polka.” Lots of musicians are contributing tracks, but I believe ours is the only polka. If you want to know more about The Art Guys, Google them and see what pops up.

WHO’S THAT DRUMMER? His name is Arjuna Contreras and he’s injected a great new vibe into Brave Combo. As well, don’t be surprised to see Mr. Joseph Cripps, master of glib and groove, hitting stuff on the stage with us. Look out below! That’s all I can say. Unless I should mention that it’s a really good idea to spay and neuter your pets. Otherwise, one of them will have a child or grandchild that will not go to a good home, if any, but will become a stray, eventually finding its way to my house and I’ll get really attached to it, because it’s picked up some fatal diseases along the way, and will put way too much emotional energy into saving a sinking ship that has become my best friend.

PSSST. Watch for upcoming changes in the look and feel of our web site and Myspace page. Before long you’ll be seeing things we see and hearing things we hear backstage, at rehearsals, business meetings, truck stops and motel swimming pools. We’re gonna mess with your mind and make you wish you’d never heard of Brave Combo, cause you’ll be hooked and won’t be able to turn away from the stream of important information, alluring visuals and hypnotic sounds. Interesting things could start appearing any day now.

Okay, here’s some news. Brave Combo has finished scoring and recording the music for the first ten episodes of the potential smash TV hit of the summer, AS THE WRENCH TURNS. The show debuts prime-time nationally on PBS, Wednesday, July 9, but check your local listing for the date and time in your area. As you probably know, the animated sitcom is about Click and Clack from NPR’s insanely popular program, CAR TALK. http://www.pbs.org/wrenchturns/

Speaking of moving pictures, have you youTubed “Brave Combo” recently? You might want to do that. http://www.youtube.com/bravecombo

Now it’s time for you to look over our performance itinerary for the summer and see if Brave Combo is cranking it up and wailing within earshot of your front porch. It’s likely, we are. I know it’s really expensive to go from point A to point B these days, but we promise to deliver the goods the best we can and make your extra sacrifice worthwhile. Many new songs inhabit the set list, including our stirring version of “Mission Impossible Cumbia” and a beautiful bolero that may make you cry. Of course, polka rules, and we’ll hit you over the head with enough to satisfy your cravings for a while. Until then, watch your back and don’t trust anyone. Good luck. You’ll need it.