The Machine’s Pump Volume 27 – #5 – May 2024

Here I am, at the very end of May writing the May newsletter. Business as usual, yes, but it’s also indicative of life in 2024. I always feel one step behind, and I think it’s the same for everyone. And now, wowee-zowee, that retribution-promising ex-president guy has been found guilty of lots of charges relating to campaign money shenanigans and THAT story will suck the life out of all other attempts at providing information for a while, as it probably should. It’s a big deal, like Jim Morrison exposing himself on stage and then dying, a little while later. The ex-president guy wants the respect and admiration given to a bad boy like Jim Morrison; a rule breaker deluxe. But the poor ex-president guy will never figure out the first step in achieving street cred, hipster admiration or a positive review in history books. But people love a dumpster fire, or rather a trumpster fire, and the world was just handed one. So, is there any reason to continue with this newsletter? I’ll make it brief.

In the immediate future, I can tell you Brave Combo will be a featured performer at the Kerrville Folk Festival on Friday, June 7th at 10:00pm and our show will be spectacular. Also, I will be recording a new album with my eccentric friends, Jad Fair and Lisa Cameron (Brave Combo’s first drummer) the afternoon of Saturday, June 29 AND then we’ll play a show at Andy’s in Denton, that night.

I imagine the threats of tornadoes and damaging hail will give way to dangerous summer heat. Fantastic! Let’s party! I guess I need to book some time in a dark, properly air-conditioned recording studio.

Speaking of dangerous heat and damaging tornadoes, I think the future may be all about underground living spaces. Many folks have tried already, with varying degrees of success, but if you can pull it off, logistically and safely, heating and cooling would be way easier and the worry about wind and hail would go away. Some smart visionary/entrepreneur will figure this out and solve the kinks, like flooding and shifting soil, and make a lot of money. Many climate-change deniers are finally starting to notice some disturbing trends they once poo-pooed, as weather records are being broken now month-after-month. The most tornadoes ever, the most rain ever, the highest temperatures ever. With all of this in mind, I am planning to start a company called Carl’s Cozy Caves. We’ll have some catchy slogans like, “Let us put you six feet under before something else does!” That’s all I have so far.

Now, go back to the news and find out what’s likely to happen next. Speaking of attention-getters, I remember one night in Austin, playing at a club called La Zona Rosa. It was gonna be a great gig. Then O.J. Simpson rode slowly down the freeway in a white Bronco and it tanked our night. Even the club workers were crowded around a television in the back room. Everyone else just stayed home that night, unable to pry themselves away from the unfolding drama. The room was practically empty and it bummed us out. But we wanted to watch the TV, too. Have fun!