The Machine’s Pump Volume 19 – #4 – April 2016

Denton is doing it’s very best to make a bigger mark on Texas; on the world, even. Our little town is growing too fast and no one is digging the inevitable pains of such growth, like crowded streets, highways, stores and everything, actually. Road construction and repair interrupt our once-mellow flow, every few feet, in every direction. Big apartment buildings just like the new ones you see mysteriously appearing near your neighborhood are popping up faster than I can imagine them. And, hoo-boy, trendy is definitely the trend. See if you can  name some essential elements to any currently “cool” scene, with Denton being no exception Well, you can start with beards, craft beers and oblivious bicyclists. Denton is overflowing with all three. We also have the old guard on the city council who seem ambiguous on the fracking issue, referring to the FRACK-FREE DENTON folks as anarchists, while they welcome, with open arms, a 100-pump Gas-a-rama, called Buc-cees, into the city limits. If you’ve been to Texas in the last five years, you’ve seen one one of these mega travel stops, featuring ultra-clean restrooms, expensive snacks and aisle after aisle of Texas belt buckles, cowboy hats, shot glasses, bird houses and little crafty items. It’s simply the biggest convenience store ever. More massive than even God could conceive. So, that’s the way life is in Denton. We have big city problems mounting daily, but differing opinions about how the future should look. Some lines are being drawn. But you can’t necessarily tell, by looking at someone, on which side he or she might reside. You’ll certainly see a lot of beards, bicycles and beer, but you won’t necessarily know who wants to close down the funky kitschy mini-mall right on the square to open yet another unique local brewery, or who wants to pull the plug on every structure that looks modeled after something you might see on Sixth Street, in Austin or an equivalent in College Station (Texas A&M) or Lubbock, even. This is a weird place to be right now. I hope we can truly live up to our newly adopted slogan, “Denton, Original, Independent.” I see evidence of that, for sure. But I can also see the essence of that originality being buried by the shallow trappings of a typical “Anywhere, USA” scene. One of the major goals of the “new” Denton, has been to establish a super vibrant arts district downtown. And it appears to be happening. Young, excited, and, yes, bearded entrepreneurs are transforming Denton into something a little more like main-stream Austin every week. This works for some, not for others. I try to stay neutral on most art-oriented issues, but fracking is something else. That’s a no-brainer for me. Our neighbor to the north, Oklahoma, has decided that fracking’s turned it into the most earthquake-prone state, surpassing California in seismic activity, while the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees oil and gas regulation, continues to deny any connection, even as North Texas experiences increased ground-shaking. So, I’m standing with the frack-free “anarchists” on this one. But I don’t know how to feel about the current movers and groovers, who are falling all over themselves to hurry up and hip-up Denton. Maybe I sense an authenticity fading away, here and there, as something akin to Disney creeps in. Like I said, I don’t know, but something’s definitely wonky. Part of the art district dream is to have an art walk, like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with notable Dentonites featured on sidewalk plaques on both sides of East Hickory Street. Well, guess what? Brave Combo was in the first group to be honored. Other inductees include Norah Jones and the band, Midlake. Of course, we appreciate the recognition and are delighted to be immortalized. Come to town and take a picture with your head on our plaque. It’s right in front of a club called Harvest House, across the street from The Denton Record Chronicle newspaper offices. You can’t miss it. And while you’re here, you can get drunk on our fine array of specialty beers, hop on a bike and start to work on that beard, male or female.

Death By Polka. Hey, check out this fabulous new video from our good buddies, The Chardon Polka Band, from Chardon, Ohio. More and more people are starting to get it, especially young ones. Babies, in particular, like polka music. Prove it to yourself. First, have a baby. Now play some polka music for it. Notice the baby’s reaction.

One of our favorite annual gigs is at one of our favorite venues, The Levitt Pavilion in Arlington, Texas. We kick off their Autumn concert series every year and it’s always a happening! Check out this fab little video from a couple of seasons ago, promoting the Levitt and its mission. Viva musica!

Fests, fests and more fests. In the next few weeks Brave Combo will be playing German-style polka music at Germanfest, in Muenster, Texas, Polish-style polka music in Houston at Polishfest and Czech-style polka music at the National Polkafest in Ennis, Texas. In addition we’ll, once again, be closing the behemoth Arts and Jazz Festival, Denton’s annual family reunion/homecoming. Come and have a warm and cozy experience, the way life was meant to be.

As I wrap this up and listen for the thunder of an approaching storm, it’s time to check on all of the animals who live with us. If the weather gets raucous, our dogs will pant and pant, which is always fantastic; fun to be around. The cats will mainly get quiet and look concerned; might not even notice food. Enjoy your next storm, as well, even if it’s not weather related. By the way, April is “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” Month. Spread the word.