The Machine’s Pump Volume 19 – #2 – February 2016

Thirty years ago, in 1986, Brave Combo was six years old. As I remember, we were starting to do pretty well, getting lots of gigs and touring around the country. That was the year we started working with Rounder Records, out of Boston, which helped our profile considerably. But I also felt somewhat frustrated. I couldn’t figure out how we were going to penetrate the pop music barrier. We were getting lots of press, but the chasm between where we were and Top 40 Radio was too vast to even comprehend. The only well-known musicians I could think of who were actively working with more complex world music-oriented rhythms and harmonic structures were Paul Simon and David Byrne (Talking Heads) and I remember wondering how I could reach David and have him hear what we were doing. About two weeks after having that moment of wondering, I got a call from someone working on David’s new movie TRUE STORIES, asking if I would meet with him when he returned to Dallas, where the movie was being made. This came out of the blue; just fell from the sky. As it turned out, David had been aware of Brave Combo for some time. He lived in New York, where we played fairly often, receiving a fair amount of attention from the “hipster” media. In the earliest days of BC, rock writer icon, Lester Bangs, regularly listed us at the top of his weekly Pazz and Jop Poll on the back page of THE VILLAGE VOICE. Plus, David was obviously paying attention to any “rock” bands who were inspired and influenced by music from other cultures, so, I guess, Brave Combo made sense to him. We met one afternoon at the Stoneleigh P., a bar on Maple Avenue in Dallas, and he asked me if I would be interested in working on his movie, composing music, and helping round up oddball, yet sincere, performers, of which I knew plenty. I remember being VERY nervous and in complete disbelief, but happy to take on the challenge. This encounter also galvanized my conviction to the Brave Combo message and helped me move forward without fear. It was powerfully reinforcing that a famous rock star, whose music I actually admired, was showing appreciation for my work, as well. For the next year I was involved in several aspects of the production, including writing and recording all of the “muzak” heard in various settings, producing the accordion marching band music, scouting for yodelers, auctioneers, senior citizen dance groups, gospel singers, etc. AND modeling a brick suit in a fashion show scene, filmed at Northpark Mall. It was, as they say, a magical time. Now it’s 30 years later and Mr. Byrne’s vision of specialness is getting some renewed attention and to honor that milestone we will be performing songs from TRUE STORIES at three of our shows in March. Poor David’s (Dallas) on the 12th, Fred’s (Ft. Worth) on the 26th and Dan’s (Denton) on the 29th. And the Dan’s show will be live-streamed, so you can watch and listen from the comfort of wherever, if you’re so inclined. More about this as we get closer, but mark those dates on your calendar. In the meantime, check out my “Mall Muzak,” from the album SOUNDS FROM TRUE STORIES.

Speaking of the here and now, we will actually be live-streaming two shows from Dan’s in March, one on the 15th and the one mentioned above, on the 29th. The show on the 15th will be a rehearsal of sorts. We’ll be going over a ton of new additions to the BC repertoire (might play a few songs twice) and experimenting with the visuals. You know, strobe lights, lasers and fog machines. We’ll also be taking requests, which, again, you can make from the comfort of wherever. Here’s yet another good reason to spend time staring at your computer monitor, tablet or phone.

Over the years we’ve enjoyed recognition for our unique arrangements of various songs and, indeed, most of the craziness is our own invention. But we are quick to point out that, in some cases, we’ve just copied, I mean, borrowed someone else’s idea and Combo-ized it. We have always properly credited our influences in the appropriate places, though. Here, for your scrutiny, is the original cumbia-style version of a well-known Brave Combo standard, “Sixteen Tons,” performed by Los Hermanos Barron. Sound familiar? Kinda creepy, huh? Like the ground is shaking a little or something. I first heard this about a year before Brave Combo was born on my favorite Tejano radio station at the time. After buying the single (45 rpm vinyl record), I listened to it a million times and thought about all the things you can do with music.

Funny Local Joke
Denton is so cool, to go for a walk on the wild side all I have to do is step outside and take a deep breath.
(insert laugh track)

Funny National Joke
Joe: Hey, how many civilians do you think were killed by handguns in Japan in 2015?
Mac: Oh, about 10,000?
Joe: Nope. You went a little over. It was six. Okay. How many civilians were killed by handgun in the United States in 2015?
Mac: Well, let’s see. About 20?
Joe: Nope. 33,000.
(insert laugh track)

Okie-Dokie. On those high notes we’ll wrap this up. Start checking our itinerary often. Dates are being added every week and you don’t want to miss a single show. Right? In the meantime, head over to the super groovy BC Store and pick up one of our new t-shirts or, perhaps, hat pins. We’re full-service now, you know. Adios Amigos!