The Machine’s Pump Volume 24 – #9 – September 2021

Okay, apparently, there really is a Brave Combo, with real human beings, who can play live music for people, who are right there, in the flesh, listening and looking and often dancing, at the very same moment, in real time and in a real space. This is mind-blowing. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Well, it’s a fact! Since mid-August Brave Combo has returned to the stage. Outside only, but that seems to be cool with everyone. The crowds have been fantastic. Lots of folks appear to be getting out and whooping it up. We’re feeling the love, for sure. But an intense feeling of conflict is also there. It’s been my job, for over 40 years to encourage the audience to throw caution to the wind and pack the dance floor. Now it seems like yelling at everyone, through a big PA, to become sardines, is not exactly the responsible thing to do, even if that’s what I’ve been hired to do. I know the members of Brave Combo have all been vaccinated for a while and we’re usually a good distance from the fans and party-goers, but, damn, that “Hokey Pokey” thing’s got some power. It’s a communal experience! And, jeez, polkas and waltzes require dancers to cling to each other and exhale heavily. EVERYONE wants to get back to normal. Live music has been and, I guess, will continue to be a way for a lot of people to blow off some steam; to let go and submit one’s will, without hesitation or fear. The tension and release built into some music can, indeed, be a tonic for weary souls. Live music provides immediate entertainment, a distraction from everything that sucks and, oddly enough, HOPE! Whatever, there’s my dilemma. Maybe we could start playing everything really, really slow and as softly as possible, while the whole band is sitting down with our backs to the audience. And just ditch the PAs, so no one can hear me. Hmmm, that sounds kinda fun, actually, especially the parts about playing slowly with our backs turned. We could craft that into some bold statement about something not even related to Covid-19. There are plenty of worthwhile causes which have nothing to do with a virus.

Speaking of the virus, though, if you have not yet been injected with the engineered DNA altering fun juice, please do it ASAP, so you can stop thinking about it. You must be losing a bunch of sleep over this. It’s gotta be driving you crazy. So just do it! Get the shots. They are delicious!!! And, as well, if you are already vaccinated, get the booster shot. Brave Combo wants to go back inside, but only if the venue is limiting the fun to vaccinated fans and patrons. Some clubs/performance spaces have made this bold move. I salute them all! Others are still reluctant. I don’t get it, but I can only think like me and I am quite used to being perplexed about many things. For those no-vax-required shows, I do wish everyone would, at least, wear astronaut helmets like mine. I would LOVE to see that and I think everyone would dig it….for about 5 minutes. But that’s something, right? Have you seen me dancing around, wearing my astronaut helmet? It’s a good look! In fact, it looks good on anyone. I’ve noticed, also, that I’m way more brainy when I’m wearing it AND I’m executing incredible dance moves wearing the helmet, which I could never have done before, without it. Also, I like spinach!

So, here we are! One foot in and one foot out. Do the “Hokey Pokey” and turn yourself around. You have myriad opportunities coming up to see Brave Combo, in person. Put on your thinking cap and/or astronaut helmet and come on out. We are having a blast playing and we’ll do our best to pull you in….but not TOO close. Check our itinerary now and make your plans! We can all still feel the rock and roll, even around other rock and rollers, if we all do our best to be smart and responsible, until we start drinking!!! Hey, Baby, lots of super cool stuff lies ahead! LET’S POLKA (responsibly)!!!!

So, keep an eye on our shenanigans! The big polka machine continues to move forward. Earth is still intact, for now. The night sky is always magnificent. Cats and dogs are a lot of trouble, but also a lot of fun. I loved monster/horror movies when I was a kid. Did you see DAY OF THE TRIFFIDS? I went to see it with a friend at a theater in downtown Texarkana and we were given triffid seeds to plant in our yard, which I did. And they grew like hell. Freaked me out! Out of fear, I tore them down. They were just sunflower seeds. Since then I almost always think of triffids when I see super tall sunflowers. Sleep well, little ones.