Welcome to the second installment of Brave Combo’s virtual newsletter. We will update this every month to keep you informed about Brave Combo shows, tours, recording projects and other newsworthy items.
Besides current events, we will also have other features, such as interesting moments in Brave Combo history, suggested listening from the members of Brave Combo and chances for you to give us feedback on certain issues.

Current Events

Brave Combo went to New Orleans and Florida in early February. We had a wonderful and grueling time. Good motels (well, one was a bit sleazy), not much sleep, lots of friends and fans, including Josh McKay, who sang “Flying Saucer” with us in Gainesville, cold and wet weather, a great backstage and mashed potatoes at the House of Blues in New Orleans. All of our support acts blew our minds. Go out of you way to see The Rebirth Brass Band, The Derailers, Col. Bruce Hampton and the Figi Mariners and Joe Oberaitis, Florida’s accordion king. Hanging with Col. Bruce is always a special treat. It’s fun to embarrass him with our praise. Too many on-stage sound problems bugged us a little, but that’s part of the experience. The stage can be either a pedestal or a cage. A big part of the challenge in performing is avoiding distractions and staying focused. We want to enjoy ourselves and not be too mindful of reality.

Brave Combo is close to home the rest of the month. Playing clubs, parties, a college dorm and a high school lunch assembly. Check “Hot Dates” for details on the public shows.

On the more exciting end of our work spectrum, we’ve been learning new songs and reviving some old ones. Please request these fresh selections at our next show: “Human,” “The Fancy Prom,” “Media Music,” “Esperanto En Ti,” “Linda Guerita,” “Move,” “Genie,” “Skin,” “Hey There,” “Tico, Tico,” “Washer and Dryer,” “Ay Me Duele,” “Everywhere,” “Three Weeks,” “Bialando En La Javalina,” “Starlight Polka” and, of coarse, “Love Is A many-splendored Thing.” Happy Valentine’s Day.

Come out and help us decorate Dan’s Bar in Denton on Monday night before Fat Tuesday (Check “Hot Dates”). Can you pledge some Spanish moss for this worthy cause? This is a short month.

Interesting Moments in Brave Combo History

Howdy fans. Jeffrey Barnes here with a sports update. Opinions within the band concerning sports range from fanatic approval to indifference and even dislike, but fate and commerce have sometimes brought us into contact with the games the big boys play. Here are some examples:

During the NFL strike (1986 maybe?), we were called away from our usual October gig -“Corndogging” at the State Fair – to play a Cowboys game at Texas Stadium.
We arrived with our acoustic instruments and crossed the picketlines to find that security would not let us in. Determined to fulfill our contract (and consequently get paid), we played polkas for the picketers and protesters instead. We were filmed by a news crew, who interviewed Carl later.

“What side are you on?” he was asked.
“What side of the picketline are we on?” he replied.

Upon seeing this, security ushered us inside and put us under the auspices of an obnoxious young man with a crew cut and a polyester suit carrying a walkie-talkie. He had us play a song at each of the entrances and then chased us to the next. When we had completed a tour of the stadium, he chased us out.
I have no idea what scab team the scab Cowboys were playing that day.

Sometime around 1990 we were asked to play the National Anthem at a Dallas Freeze minor league hockey game (they were playing the Memphis River Kings, I believe).
They rolled a pathway out to center ice, where we performed the selection on soprano sax, sousaphone, accordion, bass drum and washboard.
Carl decided later that we should have had Bubba sing it in Spanish. We decided on third thought that we should have sung it in English, but ended with, “land of the Freeze, and the home of Brave… Combo!”

There are several Major league teams around the country that are playing cuts from our release Group Dance Epidemic during their games. Here is a list of some of them:

Philadelphia Phillys
Toronto Blue Jays
Cincinnati Reds
San Diego Padres
Houston Astros

And the new franchise, The Tampa Devil Rays, have asked us to perform the National Anthem at one of there games.

Spring is coming, so naturally a young man’s fancy turns to…baseball (diamonds are a boy’s best friend). For those of you that didn’t know, we sponsor a little league team here in Denton.
The mighty Brave Combo Cardinals had a marvelous 1997 season: They came in second to the Mike Ramos Real Estate Blue Jays in the regular season, but defeated their worthy opponents in an exiting battle of the birds in tournament play.
Alas, time and free agency have broken up the team – most of the boys have turned thirteen. Brave Combo must decide whether to begin with a fresh batch of eleven and twelve year olds, or to continue to support the career of star pitcher Stuart “Splinter” Wood. Stay tuned for further developments.

Jeffrey

Special Promotions

Goofball contest for Bucketheads only

For the next couple of months we will be running a contest of sorts to increase the number of subscribers to the Webpage mailing list. The buckethead who evangelizes the best and brings in the most new members will appear on a Brave Combo album in the future. Talent is absolutely not required. Here are the details.
1. The contest is open to any current subscriber on the list.
2. Encourage as many people to subscribe to the list as you possibly can.
3. When they subscribe, they will receive a welcome letter. Have them send a copy of this letter to joe@brave.com and add, “recommended by (your name)” to the bottom of the letter.
4. The three contestants with the most subscribers will enter the final round (to be explained in next month’s issue).
Sorry for the complicated nature of this.

Hot Dates

February 12 – Ryan High School
Location – 5101 E. McKinney, Denton, TX, Phone number – (940)566-7926
time – Noon – 2:00 PM
This is a free show outside at Ryan High School. The school will be accepting donations for the Make A Wish Foundation and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Bring a lunch and hang out with the kids.

February 13 – The Czech Club
Location – 4930 Military Pkwy Dallas, TX, Phone number – (214)381-9072
The Czech Club features one of the best dance floors in the Metroplex and a great family atmosphere. Come early and bring the kids. The Relics will be opening the show.

February 14 – The Deli
Location – 309 White St. Norman, OK, Phone number – (405)329-3534
Love will be the theme for this very special Valentine’s day show. Plan to bring the love of your life out for a night of romantic favorites, performed Brave Combo style.

February 23 – Dan’s Bar
Location – 119 S. Elm St. Denton, TX, Phone number – (940)891-1549
THIS IS NOT A PERFORMANCE! You are invited out to Dan’s though to help Brave Combo prepare for Mardi Gras. We will be decorating and preparing prizes and gifts for the next night’s performance. Dan will be providing special prices on beer to help everyone get in the spirit.

February 24 – Dan’s Bar
Location – 119 S. Elm St. Denton, TX, Phone number – (940)891-1549
It’s Mardi Gras! Come to downtown Denton and celebrate with Brave Combo. This will be a party, complete with music, trinkets and spirits. Big Chief Jeffrey Barnes will be the Mardi Gras King for this event.

February 27 – The Curtain Club
Location – 2800 Main St. Dallas, TX, Phone number – (214)742-2336
This is Dallas’ newest live music venue, opened by some of the town’s music industry heavyweights.. We have yet to see it ourselves but we are hearing great things. The ever popular Denton band, Centromatic, will open the show.

March 10 – 14 – The first Midwest tour of ’98
Tuesday, March 10 – Kansas City, MO. – Grand Emporium
Wednesday, March 11 – Lincoln, NE. – Zoo Bar
Thursday, March 12 – Columbia, MO. – Mojo’s
Friday, March 13 – St. Louis, MO. – Off Broadway
Saturday, March 14 – St. Louis, MO. – Off Broadway
Come hear all of the new music that we have added since our last trip to these parts.

Suggested Listening

Bubba suggests:
“Rock & Roll” – Motorhead, GWR Profile
Carl suggests:
“The Everly Brothers on Warner Brothers 1960 – 1969” – The Everly Brothers, Warner Archives
Joe suggests:
“Pet Sounds” – The Beach Boys, Capitol Records
Danny suggests:
“The Best of Irakere” – Irakere, Columbia Records
Jeff suggests:
“Anthology of American Folk Music” – Harry Smith (editor), Smithsonian Folkway
Alan suggests:
“Surfer Girl” – The Beach Boys, Capitol Records

Fun Facts

Allergies

Carl is allergic to bananas, nuts, avocados, orange juice, watermelon, ragweed, pollen, hops, dust, cat hair and dog hair (although he has 5 dogs and 2 cats). Bubba is allergic to ragweed, cedar and sulfa drugs. Alan is allergic to the combination of alcohol and shell fish. Joe is allergic to ragweed. Danny is allergic to mosquitos and sushi. Jeffrey is allergic to kryptonite.

Ramblings

I love the Interstate highway system. It’s a long, slimy, slithering tape worm, with no obvious beginning or end. It never sleeps and almost exists as the 51st state. In the middle of the night the road becomes just a conveyor belt for giant trucks, one after another in a perpetual convey. Rest areas are enormous wasp nests. And the truck stop promise is always kept. It’s mini town with special things you can’t find anywhere else. I can think of very few nights when I’ve looked forward to sleep. I know it’s necessary and I accept it, but I’m just as content listening to a toy gorilla sing the “Macarena” at 2:00 am while Jeffrey pays for gas and Danny, Joe, Alan or Bubba buy some strong coffee.
Also, the Interstate helps keep the traffic comfortable on state highways and smaller roads. Once again, my belief in the USA is reinforced. We have freedom of choice. Happy traveling, but don’t be stupid.

Carl

P.S. Sometimes, I really hate the Interstate.

Tribute

We are always saddened when one who we admire passes away. I am saddened at this time by the passing of Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys. Of the three Wilson brothers, who founded the band along with Al Jardine and Mike Love, Carl was the youngest and the quietest.
As most know, the Beach Boys have a turbulent history that has seen it’s share of tragedy. Carl was the calming presence that often guided the band during these times. When Brian dropped out of the scene in the late 1960’s, it was Carl who quietly picked up the bulk of the song writing and producing responsibilities. When Dennis Wilson died in the 1980’s, it was Carl who kept the band focused and moving forward. All of this from a man who was only in his early teens when the band first hit the charts.
My suggested listening this month is the Beach Boys landmark album, Pet Sounds. Give it a listen. I just did again and I must say that his voice on “God Only Knows” is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever heard. Listening to the Beach Boys you hear a vocal blend that I think can only be attained by siblings that have sung together since childhood. Sit back with a glass of cabernet, listen to Pet Sounds and see if you don’t agree.

Carl Dean Wilson
Dec. 21, 1946
Feb. 6, 1998

Joe

Welcome to the first installment of Brave Combo’s virtual newsletter. We will update this every month to keep you informed about Brave Combo shows, tours, recording projects and other newsworthy items.
Besides current events, we will also have other features, such as interesting moments in Brave Combo history, suggested listening from the members of Brave Combo and chances for you to give us feedback on certain issues. Before we jump ahead of ourselves, we’ll review what Brave Combo did in 1997. Then, fill you in on what’s happening in early 1998.

Current Events

1997 was a busy year for Brave Combo. We released a new album in March, Group Dance Epidemic, on Rounder Records and hit the road, covering much of the country by Labor day. Highlights included the Napa Wine Auction, the Live Oak Music Fest in southern California, the Bottom Line in New York City and a concert in Washington, D.C. for the National Geographic Society. September and October found us playing many polka festivals that take place around Texas and Oklahoma during Oktoberfest season. Polka is a great-looking word, huh?

Between tours, we found time to knock out some recording projects as well. The result of these sessions can soon be heard in such diverse places as international ice skating competitions, an animated kids show and on a new live album. The skaters music will be in the form of three Elvis songs that the band arranged and recorded for U.S. Olympic ice dancers, Elizabeth Punsalon and Jerod Swallow. Brave Combo’s introduction to the world of high-action animation will come with the premier of the television show, Cyboars, for which we wrote and recorded the theme song. Finally, next March will see the release of a live polka album captured in Denton and Dallas. It includes “Don’t Get Married,” and our tuba and spoon charged,”Do Something Different.” Until then, look for us all over Texas, Louisiana, Florida and the Midwest. See details on New Orleans and Florida in “Hot Dates.”

Interesting Moments in Brave Combo History

In 1993, a Tokyo-based record company flew us to Paris, France to perform at the grand opening of a Japanese night club called Shiro. It was located right off the Plac de Bastille which is basically a monument surrounded by a traffic circle. On Bastille Day (July 14) they close off the traffic and celebrate the storming of the infamous prison.

Well, not coincidentally, our performance was on Bastille Day, cause it’s a big deal day. We finished our only set in about 20 minutes (we were in France almost a week for this precious 20 minutes, playing for about 100 Japanese businessmen) and that was bizarre enough, but after the show we decided to mosey over to the battle-zone around the monument. On the way we saw Jeff, hightailing it back to the nightclub imploring,”Don’t do it!” Of course, this intrigued us even more. Jeff’s the toughest guy in the band. We smelled the gun powder first, then we saw almost nothing but smoke. People were going nuts. We would call it a riot in the USA. There had been a band playing happy dance music, but they had to stop because they were getting pelted with cherry bombs. I saw bottle rockets lodge in people’s glasses, one landed in the lap of a guy in a wheelchair. Some hair was on fire, there was plenty of screaming, but no police anywhere. I tried to dodge in and out for a minute (some stupid rite of passage I guess), then I bailed. A few fights broke out, but generally, everyone seemed to accept this as an important ritual. We headed back to the club just in time to find out that the sacred sake barrel had been accidently knocked over and busted by a Frenchman. The whole thing, although very interesting, seemed like a non-event to me. But we heard later that our Japanese sponsors thought all went according to plan.

We learned that, generally, Japanese people think differently than French people. But, that’s okay. Variety makes life worth living. Viva la Difference.

Carl

Special Promotions

In the next issue of The Machine’s Pump we’ll tell you about an exciting contest for current subscribers. The lucky winner will spend some quality time with Brave Combo, including attending a rehearsal, performing at a recording session and possibly spending the night in the Scottie Room at Jeff’s house (if Gina approves).

Hot Dates

January 30 – Main St. Mardi Gras Benefit
Location – Denton Visual Arts Center, Phone number – (940)349-8529
Proceeds benefit Denton Main St.

February 4 – House of Blues
Location – New Orleans, LA, Phone number – (504)529-2583
Also appearing: Rebirth Brass Band – One of New Orleans premier traditional brass bands.

February 5 – The Covered Dish
Location – Gainesville, FL, Phone number – (352)377-3334
Also appearing: The Derailers – Neo Texas swing band creating a buzz on the national roots-rock scene.

February 6 – Skipper’s Smokehouse
Location – Tampa, FL, Phone number – (813)971-0666
Also appearing: Col. Bruce Hampton and the Figi Mariners – Bruce is truly one of our special heros. His music and perspective is truly undefinable and unique.

February 7 – The Sapphire Supper Club
Location – Orlando, FL, Phone number – (407)-246-1419
Also appearing: Joe Oberitis – A highly-revered Polish-style accordionist and a major influence on Brave Combo. He will actually be performing some of his compisitions with us.

Suggested Listening

Danny suggests:
“Kind of Blue” – Miles Davis
Bubba suggests:
“Hermanos Hasta El Fin” – La Tropa F
Carl suggests:
“Possessed” – Klezmatics
Joe suggests:
“Rumba Caliente” – Los Munequitos De Matanzas 88/77
Jeff suggests:
“Same Train, Another Name” – Merle Haggard
Alan suggests:
“Freshman Favorites” – The Four Freshman

Fun Facts

Average time to wake up

Danny, Joe and Jeff wake up around 9:30 am. Bubba wakes up around 10:00 am. Carl wakes up around 10:30 am, and Alan wakes up around noon.

Ramblings

It’s not a year, it’s 365 days, etc., etc.,etc. When we measure time, we compare. When we compare, our expectations grow. We’re inclined to control, and run the risk of war. Happy New Year!

Carl