The Machine’s Pump Volume 18 – #12 – December 2015

I never use the word, “dope,” as in, “Man, that was dope!” I just realized that recently. When I was a teenager, in the 1960s, I never referred to a cute girl a “stone fox,” although I did like the term “bitchen,” which meant “cool.” I held out on “awesome,” for years. Now it sometimes just drops out of my mouth, but I don’t feel good about it. I’ve also never considered doing a long, nodding, “sweeeeeet,” either. Never will. You know, you just gotta be real and do your OWN thing, whatever that might be.

It’s funny how the good ol’ Christmas Season rolls around every year about the same time. Usually in December, I’ve noticed. Elves and Reindeer first start appearing in late October. The yule tide tumbles towards us for a couple of months and, finally, runs over us like a tsunami. Then, poof! Suddenly, it’s gone. A week before the big day, Christmas songs fit like your favorite pair of shoes. It’s reliable comfort music, familiar and full of hope. By December 26, after the presents have been opened and the wrapping paper disposed of, no one wants to hear anymore of it. It’s almost gross, if music can be gross that way. Since Brave Combo performs many holiday shows every December, hither and yon, it makes me an authority on the topic, by the way. Just an observation.

Speaking of holiday music after Christmas, I’m going to share a couple of videos with you, each full of the proper spirit. They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery and I must admit, the following video clips make that true for Brave Combo. The Italian ensemble, Figli di Madre Ignota, has covered a few of our songs in the past and here’s their energetic take on our minor-key version of “Jingle Bells.” The Funky Butt Brass Band, from St. Louis, are friends of ours, and have covered some of our holiday songs to spice up their own annual home-town bash. Here they are, crunching through our bump and grinder, “Winter Wonderland,” with a real burlesque dancer, assisting Brave Combo’s attempt to revive the old Christmas strip-tease traditions. We’re just happy to be a bad influence when possible and want to thank our Funky Butt buddies for helping us clear this particular path to Hell. On the other side of Santa’s coin is yet another cover of our, apparently, mega-hit, “Must Be Santa.” I know nothing about these fine folks, but they represent a new wave of awareness of BC’s vision of Mitch Miller’s classic. Of course we want to thank Bob Dylan for making his own wise choice to cover our version of “Must Be Santa,” a couple of years ago. It’s exciting to know that he was able to feel the “special Brave Combo place” for himself through copying what we spawned. I’m sure he enjoyed the high. For that, he is totally welcome. So as the final festive notes of 2015 season fade away, don’t be sad. Remember what Brave Combo says, because it is 100% true. “Christmas is ALWAYS just around the corner.” And before you know it we’ll be knee deep in red and green again.

Speaking of performing this kind of organized sound, our yearly holiday hoedown at Fitzgerald’s in Chicago, was live-streamed on Gigity.TV. If, by some chance, you’re not burned out on the sounds of the season, yet, the concert is archived and you can check it out, Frosty and all. https://gigity.tv/event/110123#418761-1265

Most years we just roll along with no big changes to Brave Combo. We work on old songs, learn new songs, book gigs, do promotion, play gigs, record albums and tour around a little. Business, as usual. Some years our looks don’t change much, either. When we hit the road, our fans know what to expect when they attend one of our concerts. And although the band has made major personnel shifts over the decades, there are some BC surgeries and/or haircuts that are more obvious than others. 2016 was one of those “big transition” years. Steve Carter (Little Jack Melody) left his post as bassist, replaced by founding BC member, Lyle Atkinson. And Jeffrey Barnes, our flamboyant, long-time woodwind player/vocalist decided to finally call it quits, as an active participant in the band. Jeffrey actually left the business partnership several years ago, but continued as a full-time “musical” member until the last day of 2014. So, 2015 brought some challenges. And it’s a good thing I enjoy a good challenge every now and then. The hole created by Jeff’s departure made me go back to the reason the band ever started; the core thing. I’m sure there are many fans who feel that Jeffrey’s presence defined Brave Combo as much as anything and can’t imagine how we can go on without him. Not only is he an amazing musician, he’s also a huge colorful personality. His leaving might seem like knocking down one of the supporting beams in a house. I understand that completely. But what I’ve learned about our audience is that, above all, they just want to be transported by the music; to hear something in a different way than they’ve heard it before. Each song must have that potential, to be part of our repertoire, and how we play it AND sell it is what matters. At first I thought we needed to find another clarinetist/saxophonist, but that solution didn’t seem to be very Brave Combo-like. How does one replace a Jeff Barnes, anyway? This was an opportunity to engineer some new sounds; to twist the music around more than ever. So we invited Denton guitarist/trumpeter and all-around interesting person, Robert Hokamp, to hop on board and the results have far exceeded my expectations. Brave Combo is back to cranking out groovy grooves, haunting harmonies and soaring melodies. Business as usual, indeed. I encourage you all to investigate what I’m talking about. We have lots of things planned for the new year and hope you’ll come along for the ride. Also, don’t be surprised if you see Jeffrey on stage with us here and there. You never know what might happen, especially at some of our annual festivals. And if that occurs, you might see and hear something like this.

Goodbye 2015. We all had a lot of fun, except for those of us who didn’t. Go crawl in your grave now and let’s give 2016 a chance to make things better. As with everything, I keep my expectations low. Have a happy new year, not a crappy new year. I hope it’s at least a so-so new year. Whatever, keep on digging the simple things, like polka and it will all work out.