Brave Combo

Grammy Award-Winning Band from Denton, Texas

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The Machine’s Pump Volume 26 – #11 – November 2023

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November, 2023. As I write this there are just a few days left in the month. Many awful things are happening around the world, as you know. Is it good that we know so much about so much all the time? Not sure, but here we are anyway. You gotta work pretty hard to avoid information overload. Plus, current events just convince me, over and over, that nothing is certain, so we better learn to be flexible. And, of course, to constantly expect the unexpected, which should be obvious to everyone. For a long time, I’ve been saying we live in a cartoon world drawn by the lowest common denominator. And, apparently, there never was a standard for anything. Each generation just did what it felt was necessary to maintain some status quo, based on vague ideas about what the advancement of civilization was supposed to look like. It’s generally okay with me, if where humans are headed isn’t determined ahead of time. How can we know what tomorrow’s needs will be, anyway? Who could have predicted a human-like creature as weird as Elon Musk at any point in time, other than the fact that achieving unbridled wealth is baked into our way of life. And wealth equals power, right? Always does. Man, that lust for power must be a pretty annoying obsession. I understand being a control freak, when it comes to my own activities. Beyond that, making others do one’s bidding, especially against their will, has to be a giant hassle. Each day would bring huge headaches. And some headaches, like migraines, can often lead to nausea. And it’s very difficult to think about anything else when you feel like you might throw up. I imagine the words, “vomiting” and “fun” are not often found in the same sentence. But, I’ll expect the unexpected and not be shocked when a segment of our society decides being nauseated is cool. Jeez, how naïve of me. That must have already been a thing, right?’’ I mean, alcohol alone can lead to all kinds of unintentional fun/nausea. And lots of folks drink alcohol, knowing where it could lead. Party on!

Now that I’ve commented on the wretched state we’re in, let’s move far away from that and focus on holiday music. A couple of weeks ago we live-streamed a 2-hour Brave Combo rehearsal from our studio and you can still watch it on YouTube. Overall, I was very pleased. Technically speaking, our friend, Jack, hit the bullseye. Viewer numbers were also encouraging enough to convince us to do it again right away, since Christmas is breathing down our necks. Need to work on the visual balance a bit and avoid too much negative space in the future, but that’s no big deal and we all had a fab time, so, it’s happening again. On Thursday evening, December 14th (my brother, Jim’s, birthday), around 7:00pm! It’s an intimate Brave Combo Holiday Party, Baby! And you are invited. We’re gonna play mainly seasonal stuff and will be more attentive to requests this time. Danny O’Brien will be joining us for this DO-NOT-MISS event. Details emerging soon. “Who’s got a beard that’s long and white…..”

Speaking of Brave Combo holiday music, we are doing a couple of live shows, as well, before Santa shows up with the three Wisemen to feed some eggnog to the little baby elf-on-the-shelf. As tradition now dictates, we will be turning Andy’s, in downtown Denton, into a village of Christmas cheer on Saturday, December 2! At 9:00pm! We are planning some surprises, and this will not be live-streamed. You’ll have to show up in person, in a damn festive outfit, and an equally festive attitude. And on Friday, December 15th, we return to the super groovy Bedford, Texas Pickle Christmas Festival.  Check our itinerary for details on both of these shows.

If you are interested in what I’m up to, when I’m not desperately trying to find homes for stray/feral cats we just rescued or tending to newly discovered cats, I am more than knee-deep into three radically different recording projects. One is an album with Jad Fair and Brave Combo’s original drummer, Lisa Cameron. The theme is movie monsters, of course. We’re all pretty stoked about it and hope to release it early next year.

Another current aural endeavor is a recording of the late Tiny Tim, singing a beautiful version of John Lennon’s “Across the Universe,” featuring lots of accordions, played by several of the most influential practitioners of the instrument in the country AND fantastic backup vocals by my friend, Corn Mo. A perfect combination of disparate elements. I am way beyond excited about how this whole thing is shaping up and hope to release something from it by Christmas. Whatever form it takes will be dedicated to the memory of James “Big Bucks” Burnett, who recently lost his life. He brought Brave Combo and Tiny Tim together over 25 years ago and I really wish he were still on Earth to hear what we’re making out of music he helped us capture. Maybe I’ll play a snippet on December 14th, during our holiday live stream.

The third thing I’m attempting to pull off is a recording of a couple of songs for the once-a-year party put on by an organization called The Alfalfa Club, in Washington D.C.. Google it. The producer of the music for the event wanted the sound of Brave Combo to redefine the two main songs traditionally performed. The man who will be singing to our unique karaoke recordings has been the party’s musical entertainment for 50 years! Totally crazy stuff, incongruous to everything and right down my alley.

Almost midnight. Time for dinner, so I guess that’s it for now. Don’t forget to think for yourself! I now return control of your device back to you!

The Machine’s Pump Volume 26 – #10 – October 2023

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Hmmm, let’s see. There’s Russia, continuing its embarrassing, yet deadly and inhumane, invasion of Ukraine, Hamas massacring hundreds of Israelis in their own country, Israel wailing on Gaza, attempting to wipe out Hamas, with tensions brewing all over that region AND another wave of mass shootings in our own great land. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! BE VERY SCARED!

Speaking of Halloween, for Brave Combo it usually signals the end of Oktoberfest/Polka season. And, indeed, for 2023, it does. Another busy September and October have come to an end, with relief and satisfaction, yet, mixed reviews from Brave Combo. Some festivals are really well-run, with live music properly put on a pedestal, at least as tall as the one for beer. It’s a mixed bag, but rather easy for us figure out, as far as Brave Combo is concerned. I’ll just say, we are probably the most picky (pickiest?) band in the land these days. “Sure, we’ll be happy to play your event, if you meet OUR criteria!” I know that sounds a bit prima donna-ish, but if everyone had to deal with the insane stuff bands/musicians have to endure on a regular basis, everyone would understand immediately. In the best of circumstances, it’s still hard work being sure you, as an artist, live up to the client’s expectations, which also get higher as your fee goes up. Generally, I’m ready for everyone, including Brave Combo, to be just a little bit smarter about everything. I also know not much is likely to change. LET’S POLKA!

Speaking of polka, and I often do, it’s interesting how the word “polka” has become a battle cry, of sorts, for a growing bunch of musicians. It’s not just for Brave Combo anymore. I always knew there was an appealing punk aspect to daring someone to dig polka music in a typical rock music bar, but we also got used to being one of only a handful of folks willing to be that brave. Now the connection between punk and polka is rock solid and not perceived as goofy to almost anyone anymore. Polka is a musical form, available to all, however they choose to appreciate it. It is not a tool for heritage pride. Polka doesn’t belong to anyone!

GREAT ADVICE. Hey, if you get a “SPAM CALL,” don’t get mad, just answer your phone, whistling. The disruptive call will simply remind you to practice your whistling for about 15 seconds, then hang up, if the caller hasn’t done so already. This makes everyone happy.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH! Brave Combo will be live-streaming an actual rehearsal, from our actual rehearsal studio, with actual instruments and lively spirits. Uncensored and honest! Up close and intimate! Meet the new Brave Combo members, learn things you never knew, make song requests, see the light! This will be a glimpse into the future. Don’t miss this rare opportunity. Regrets are a drag! More details are coming, but mark your calendar now! Probably around 7 pm, Denton time!

JAMES “BIG BUCKS” BURNETT. So, if you live long enough, you might get to know a lot of people. In addition, if you perform on stage a lot in a variety of venues and spaces, you might meet even more people. And if you tour all over everywhere for decades, you will, consequently, add to your acquaintances dramatically. Friends and vision-sharers are, literally, everywhere. Plus, people in this community of weirdos and truth-seekers tend to hang out together and you rack up folks in your life doing nothing. I guess I am living and have always lived, as an adult, an alternative lifestyle, as many of my friends have, purpose-driven by an obsession to be creative in a non-functional way; art before logic, so to speak. Well, a guy I met many years ago, just hanging out at a cool little record store/kitsch museum on Avenue A, in Denton, by the NTSU (now UNT) campus, was the proprietor, named James Burnett. But everyone called him Big Bucks, which eventually became just Bucks. So, we talked quite often and laughed as much as we talked. The world was stupid and tragically funny and worthy of examining. He liked my band, Brave Combo, and myriad other bands. To say the least, his awareness and grasp of the nuances of pop culture were astounding and his viewpoint was usually spot on. One day, Big Bucks asked me if we would be interested in doing some shows with Tiny Tim and, ultimately, recording an album. We were interested and it happened. The album GIRL was co-produced by Brave Combo and Big Bucks Burnett. That led to a lot of unforgettable moments. The album, released on Rounder Records, was very well received. In fact, a double-LP 25th-anniversary album was recently released on Ship-To-Shore Records and it included a bunch of cut-out moments. Bucks and Justin Martell, the record company owner (and Tiny Tim super fan) worked really hard on it, resulting in a beautiful piece of art. Well, I think you know where this is going. Big Bucks lost his life, suddenly and shockingly, at his current store in Dallas, 14 Records, earlier this month. There’s a lot to say, yet, not much to say. Google the guy. His history is astounding; the people he influenced and with whom he actually became friends. He made a gathering, a party, just by being there. He was kind, yet, his bullshit radar was always keen. Now, in a flash, he’s gone. I’ve been working on some “lost” Tiny Tim tracks myself and was excited about playing some recent mixes for him. That ain’t gonna happen. So now I am more determined than ever to make this greater than great, somehow; to make it relevant on the highest level possible. I hope to have it available for you to hear before Christmas.

Okay, there you go. Brave Combo has said adios to the 2023 Oktoberfest/Polka season, with fresh insights and a clearer vision and now we are sliding into November and December with a little time to think and prepare everyone for what’s next. If you’re interested, please pay attention. But now, of course, I gotta check on some cats downtown. Have a fab whatever and don’t forget that you can think for yourself.