The Machine’s Pump Volume 21 – #2 – February 2018
Oh, just another day in a screwed-up town, in a crumbling country on a dying planet. How are you doing? Since my last newsletter, seventeen people were murdered at a school in Florida. What else is new? I live in gun-totin’ Texas, which means I am constantly around weird, immature potential killers. It’s beyond bizarre how many pro-life right-wingers are steadfastly against making even minor changes to current gun laws. In my view, that totally obliterates their arguments about the sanctity of life. But, here we are, in a land which was once admired for its leadership, scientific innovations and defense of democracy. Now the good ol’ USA is known for encouraging violent crime, supporting hate groups and any number of things which even Ronald Reagan would have abhorred. This situation leaves me fatigued, but, you know what? As one gets older and older, one sees the world, possibly, moving in directions one either doesn’t like or, most often, just simply can’t relate to. So, part of me is always trying to be like a visitor to this foreign place. There’s so much I don’t recognize anymore. I grew up in a Baptist church and it’s pretty obvious most of that scene has, literally, gone straight to hell. The resolve of many Christians just wasn’t enough to keep their Satan at bay. In fact, most right-wingers I have known can be easily manipulated by shallow talking point. I could pretend to be a Christian and walk into any church and say a few key phrases and be totally trusted in minutes. Generally, they are not a suspicious bunch as long as you say the right words. And your actions don’t even matter. You can be babbling on about “family values” while you’re chaining up a blindfolded naked woman in order take pictures of her to blackmail her. You know what I mean? As long as that person says stuff like “I’m against abortion” or “I don’t believe in gay marriage” or “Send the Mexicans back to Mexico and build the damn wall” or “I want to have sex with the 2nd Amendment,” the sheep will follow. But, under no circumstances will they consider banning assault weapons of war, even after those weapons are used to massacre school students and teachers. This is insanity and those people are insane. Indeed, their devil, or whatever, has taken over their bodies and minds. We are, indeed, living among zombie-like humans. You know, if we allow citizens to buy AR 15s, why not sell them cannons and hand grenades and surface-to-air bazookas? I’m serious. Why can’t people keep a good supply of anthrax in their houses, just in case? Why are bombs illegal? They are, right? I continue to be disgusted, pissed-off and not optimistic. Guess it’s time to make a leisurely, la-de-da trip to my local sporting goods store and join the pack, huh? Of course, that ain’t gonna happen, but would owning a gun make me understand; to hold in my hand the power to end lots of lives? Would the rush of caressing the metal bring it all into focus or would it take actually seeing bodies fall? Is that what everyone with guns truly longs for? That ultimate display of strength toward another human or an animal? Maybe I could think differently if I wasn’t convinced guns are just external examples of fear. But I’m pretty sure gun owners are more scared and way more insecure than non-gun owners. And you so-called Christian gun owners might already be screwed. The gates of your precious Hades could be wide open, waiting for you folks. If your soul matters, better start praying, either for forgiveness or for reassurance that your Hell doesn’t really exist. Blah!!!!!!! I am sick of thinking about this totally stupid shit!!! Sorry to waste everyone’s time with absolutely nothing new to add, other than I am 100% with the activist high-school kids on this one. You should be, as well. Okay, reboot!
Lighter fare. I have a new sound. It’s similar to Brave Combo in subject matter and song styles, but the actual sonic nature of the music is unlike anything BC ever was. For now, I’m calling it The Carl Finch Sound, which is pretty straight-forward. It involves cool beats, synthesized keyboards, and processed vocals. I will be performing my first club show as this entity on Tuesday, March 13 at Andy’s Bar, right on the square, in historic downtown Denton. Joining me will be Danny O’Brien on manipulated brass instruments and Alan Emert on modified drums and weird-ass percussion noises. But that’s not all, not by a longshot. Also on the bill will be Belle and The Bohemian, two of Brave Combo’s best friends. They are also known as Danny and Michelle Jerabek, from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Michelle is a singer/songwriter and an accomplished saxophonist, well-versed in myriad R&B styles. And Danny will be familiar to many Dentonites. He’s a brilliant button-box accordionist and has graced the Combo stage countless times over the years. In fact, he and I have a side project called The Nice Musics. We released an album a few years ago and will be playing a couple of selections from that, too. If you reside anywhere in North Texas, you should show up. Oh yeah, it’s free!
Okay, get ready! On April 1, in Cleveland, Ohio, at The Beachland Ballroom (yeah, that’s Easter), Brave Combo will be rocking the house with one of our classic line-ups. In addition to myself, Danny O’Brien and Alan Emert, BC exes and musicians extraordinaire, Jeffery Barnes and Bubba Hernandez will be there, singing and playing their hearts out. And this same group of misfits will be headlining the downtown Dyngus Day concert in Buffalo, New York, the very next night. Spread the word! This will be a rare event! We will be blasting out tons of polka hits and obscurities. Take lots of pictures! Post those videos! Zosia!!
TV strikes again! We have a song in an upcoming episode of the show, HAP AND LEONARD. The wise people in charge have licensed our track, “O, Holy Night Cha Cha Cha!” That’s all I know, for now. That’s a gutsy choice. Hats off to ‘em!
Life is starting to get crazy again in Comboland. More rehearsals, more studio time, new photos, increasing promotion duties and needs, pulling together new souvenir items to sell at shows and on-line, hanging out at the office more (contracts and email) and, generally, thinking about how to keep our music relevant and interesting. The live music world is disintegrating as fast as the ozone layer and maneuvering through it all has become, let’s say, tricky for everyone who’s still hanging on. But, simply living is a challenge, so one either keeps going or gives up, right? And since I still have about 1000 songs, at least, I’m fired-up about arranging and performing, I’m just too busy right now, to stop. And even if I stop, I know I won’t stop. This is both exciting and depressing.
Let’s stop here. I could talk about the adventures of our dogs and cats, but since that’s what’s mainly going on day-to-day, it would take beyond forever and I’m tired of writing. Good luck to you all!
Advice, …keep your politics out, as it serves nothing. Who cares….? Clinton lost…some people are glad…ever think about that…? We love you and your music..don’t ruin it for us…and half the general public.
Yeah be more like Rock, Rap, Folk, Jazz, R&B, Punk, Metal, and American Slave Ballads and DON’T BE POLITICAL!
Why can’t you be more like Bob Dylan and John Lennon and NWA? Music isn’t about politics its about bumping uglies.
#realtalk Half the people (probably the “other” half from the one you mentioned, the ones that aren’t triggered because you disagree with Carl’s right to have a blog or an opinion) but half have gotten over Clinton’s loss. Its Trump and his merry band of morons who can’t move on. Almost everyone quit thinking about Clinton along time ago, except for Donnie. Time to move forward and accomplish something. Quit blaming Obama or Hil-dawg. And just do something. Nothing is going to change the presidency. He lost the popular and won the electoral. That sucks, but the rules say he wins. We all conceded.
This is literally Brave Combo’s safe place. Why would you come here and “give advice?” Why so triggered? Do you need a hug? I might have come off as mean, but I give good hugs and am generally pretty friendly.
Bravo
Love your music, love your politics! First amendment LIves! When will you be coming back to Maryland? Frank McGrath
kilted1428@comcast.net
For Carl, like for me, politics is life. It is how we determine whose version of reality predominates in a society. It isn’t just about elections, but about each and every encounter we have among ourselves, how we arrange our days, our nights, how we provide for water, for food, how we heat and cool our homes, and how we talk and especially, how we sing and dance and enjoy life.
To ask a musician, or any artist, to just entertain you and not make you think, or be forbidden to share with his audience his thoughts and feelings because you happen to not agree, is to ask him to be a toy for your amusement, and not a real person for whom you are showing any respect.
I would suggest you not tell anybody what to say, because it is not your right. We Americans famously enjoy the right to Freedom of Expression, and there is no better example of expression than Brave Combo.
sorry for presuming to give you more advice,but… please keep your politics (for me, talking about various hypocrisies and very unfortunate truths in our country doesn’t really qualify as political commentary) in, as it serves quite a lot. many people do care, and you didn’t say anything about Clinton… and many people are a sad as well, and of course you may think about that, and scratch your head about the whole insanity of it as i do.
to my friend in brave combo chris: we may not agree on certain things, but one of my favorite things about brave combo is to read carl’s monthly epistles, as i live on the east coast and no longer get to see the band much anymore. as an enthusiastic meat eater, i have to admit that Carl’s vociferous stance on that makes me uncomfortable, so maybe you,chris, and i have something in common here. but his opinions are well thought out, they are reasonable, and they give me something to think about. I still like Ted Nugent’s ’70s recordings, even though his rants are a lot louder and crazier than Carl’s. i do think about what ted nugent says (although i quickly reject them, because to me, they are just insane).
but there’s still room enough in the usa for carl and ted, at least musically. the first time i took my family to see brave combo at blob’s park, many years ago, i was amazed at the sheer diversity and enthusiasm of the audience. reading this every month, i really appreciate some of the videos carl embeds in the column, and in forty-five years of listening to music would never have followed some of the paths that carl and brave combo have sent me on.
so keep the columns (and the music) coming, politics and all. thanks
synthesizers? processed voices? what do you call them the Velveeta Choir? well, can’t wait to give it a listen.
This is just one of Carl’s many forms of self expression. He happens to be good at diatribes. “Tension
and Release” is his musical mantra. Why shouldn’t that come across in his musings? I oversimplify, but
you know what I mean….
I always find it amusing when people tell entertainers they should stay out of politics. Some people were honestly surprised when they went to a Roger Waters concert and he was taking jabs at Trump. What, did you never listen to any of his lyrics before? Animals? The Wall? Hello?
Furthermore, the absurdity of it all really pegs the meter when you recall that despite saying that entertainers should stay out of politics, they have elected two of them to the Presidency: Ronald Reagan, a former movie actor, and Donald Trump, a reality TV star. Not to mention others to lesser offices…Sonny Bono, Clint Eastwood, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Another typical double standard in America.
Carl, I have some good news. The ozone layer is almost completely healed. The hole over Antarctica has been getting better since liberals who cared got the CFCs banned. History always shows we were right all along.
Also, of the gun owners out there, the huge sales of the AR15 and similar mass destruction weapons are done by only 3% of gun owners, who are (according to studies) stockpiling guns because of their fears of an impending race war. So the majority of people aren’t crazy!
The last bit of good news will never make the news. The pernicious spread of love and good will continues as more people take up yoga and meditation practices for good health. We really are entering the Age of Aquarius from the song, and a tipping point has been reached, critical mass has been achieved, and humans are changing in a fundamental way. You have been part of that. Thank you.