The Machine’s Pump Volume 29 – #8 – August 2026

Is it just me, or do you also feel like more and more stuff is becoming pointless?  And by stuff I mean tangible and non-tangible things.  Certainly, that would not include anything which is uniquely important to you personally, like a child or a beloved pet or your favorite style of potato pancakes.  I don’t think I’m the only one questioning the validity of certain beliefs or points of view.  I grew up going to the First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Texas and, as you know, Christians believe one must accept Jesus Christ, as the one and only lord and savior, to avoid eternal gnashing of the teeth while sitting on hot coals.  But even as a youngster I knew a lot of folks did not think like Baptists, or Methodists or even the highly questionable Catholics.  Jews, for instance, didn’t buy that premise, so, as good Baptists, we pitied them for not being as smart as we were.  But it always bugged me that they were probably as adamant about their absolutes.  Then I heard about Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and figured they each thought they were all following the one truth, as well.  So, the concept of Hell, as a place where one goes to suffer forever, was pretty easy to delete from my list of worries.  As well, it became easy to see how a religion could use something like that to help control its flock.  I mean, everyone wants to be sure that once we’re dead we’ll just pop right back to life, hopefully lounging on a soft fluffy cloud, with an “approved” sticker from St. Peter in our pocket.   Whatever, religion, other than being a private, self-reflective comfort zone, which provides peace and clarity for someone in crisis, started making less and less sense and looking more and more like just a human invention.  Which religion is right?  Of the five major world religions, which one nails it?  Do any of them?  Just because you feel it in your gut does not make it the truth.  No one will know, until his or her time comes, and then all might be revealed, or everything may just go black.  And, at that point, does it matter?  When you’re asleep does being awake matter?  If I’m asleep I generally don’t enjoy waking up, unless it’s Christmas morning and Santa left me a pony.  I am definitely not a rise-and-shine type, but I can stay up and alert much later than anyone else I know.  Anyway, back to my original question about stuff seeming pointless.  After witnessing millions and millions of “religious” folks, especially those who claim to be Christians, fall comfortably under the spell of those who glorify hate, greed, division and corruption, it just makes me wonder.

A lot of things make me wonder.  Probably way too much, but it’s entertaining to wonder.  I had no choice but to look at music differently to imagine something like Brave Combo.  It certainly didn’t make sense on paper to anyone, compared to most other musical endeavors, especially since we didn’t really know anything about polka music other than we couldn’t figure out why the mainstream would only accept it as a novelty, a joke music, not serious.  To us polka was just another cool way to organize notes and chords and rhythm.  We couldn’t see it as anything else.  And we found an audience who liked it, too, as just music, like rock and roll or classical or hip hop.  I guess we’ve always tried to limit the filters and be open-minded to an unsettling degree; to make all music equal and not judge styles.  I can’t be any other way now, so I guess it worked for me.

Speaking of something which works for me, Brave Combo will be sharing the stage at Westfest check our itinerary) this Labor Day weekend with The Dreadnoughts, a polka band from Vancouver, British Columbia, via Brooklyn, New York.  They combine the polka groove with passionate, intelligent song composition lyrics, too), solid musicianship, convincing vocals and authentic punk energy.  They feel like a positive evolutionary step for the genre.  I know it will be damn hot in the little town of West, Texas during Labor Day weekend.  That’s guaranteed, but if you’re tough and very curious and want to enhance your life immeasurably, you might want to consider attending.  The vendors sell beer.

Westfest always means the beginning of polka season for Brave Combo.  Several shows are coming up.  Please check our itinerary and make your plans to come out and have fun and put your cares and worries away for a little bit.  And, in the meantime, deep breathe on occasion.  And, as always, don’t be scared.