The Machine’s Pump Volume 27 – #6 – June 2024

Well, no surprise, it’s hot in Texas and Brave Combo is in Texas, not enjoying the heat. There was a time when we toured like crazy during the summer, partially to escape the heat. But now it’s potentially very hot all over the country during the summer months and traveling, in general, is much more demanding than it used to be with way too many cars on the road. Where did all these people come from? Jeez, just driving from Denton to Dallas, about 35 miles, is often one’s worst experience of the week. And then, when you arrive, you’re in Dallas!

Everyone knows life in 2024 is complicated, but I think our 1990 eyes, for instance, would look around and see insanity at every turn. Perhaps that’s just the way evolution works. The past can’t predict certain things. Having spent so much time in my life on the road, I’m hard-wired to try to do every cool gig offer which comes along. We still get lots of them, but so much is involved in getting five very grown men from spot A to spot B, that it’s usually not worth the hassles, which are numerous and difficult. Ask any touring band. It’s not an easy life, but it fit me well for a long time. I’ve always liked being in a van late at night and there was a time when you could find plenty of really cool mom and pop motels dotting the landscape, as well as unique restaurants and truck stops. But, mainly, there was just no traffic for 90% of any trip. Even on the East Coast and up and down California, getting around only caused grief on rare occasions. All touring bands know this and hate it. We’re a desperate society, if not species, and restless as hell with no easy way to get where we want to go.

But, my reason for writing such downer stuff is not to complain or find fault or lament the passing of “the good ol’ days” or to even suggest solutions. We were almost at the tipping point before the pandemic hit. Then the old ways just disappeared. So everything must be reexamined and redefined. You feel this, too; clinging to something which ain’t coming back. My personal solution is to try to embrace the new reality and not fight it. When I put on my space helmet on stage, that’s the new me. I’m not partying at that point, I am strategizing. Brave Combo created something brand new; an attitude which supported and celebrated marginal music in a cool way. And there are new frontiers to explore, when it comes to messing with people’s perceptions. I am always listening to weird unconventional, non-mainstream music and it’s fun for me to figure out ways to share the excitement of my discovery with others. That’s all I’ve ever done, really. My Tiny Tim / Accordions project is almost finished. And I’m pretty sure you will like it.

So, I am stopping here. You have way too many better things to do than wonder what the hell I’m talking about. I wish you a perfect day!