Volume 13 – #2 – February 2010

Okay, now I get it. Humans are simply in a struggle to become god-like. That’s it. But we’re this weird combination of progress-driven brainiacs, getting closer and closer to some kind of technical perfection yet the same bumblers we’ve always been, just modern versions of bumblers. We have personal computers that immediately connect us to a world of unlimited communication and a mastery of superficial imagery that was unimaginable a couple of decades ago. Our ability to manipulate all sorts of things quickly is staggering. Humans also continue to achieve physical goals that amaze everyone daily, whether it’s an athletic achievement or scientific breakthrough or the development of a new stronger alloy or the smallest, most efficient hearing aid ever. But it seems our collective evolution of character isn’t keeping up. You know, we’re just the same ol’ schmucks that one time didn’t have iphones or clever colorful tattoos. In fact, in some ways, as a species, we seem more dysfunctional than ever. I’m probably focusing on the most negative side of this, but a dilemma does exist. Many social skills seem to be evaporating as technology encourages us to become more and more isolated, yet aggressive. I don’t know, maybe as we continue to become acquainted with myriad means of connecting and networking, empathy will just organically sprout and grow. We are still in the early “play-toy” phase of this new era of electronic over-indulgence and perhaps a mass-conscience will develop naturally over time. But we only have until December of 2012 to get it together, right? Damn. Nothing’s easy. Whatever, let me get back to my original thought, which is this. We (humans) generally seem to be just concerned with the external; the surface. And we’re all always in a race to make everything better and better and better, including our body shapes and faces, our houses and buildings, our cars, our life spans, our quick home-cooked meals, our shopping convenience, etc. And, why not? We’re stuck here. Let’s make the most of it. Unfortunately, most improvements are totally self-centered and just geared to make us feel more entitled. And the world gets faster, slicker, stronger, and more seamless, everyday. It’s a race to perfection in all things, or so it appears on the surface. But what’s going on inside? Are we more confident than we used to be? Less insecure or self-conscious? I’m not sure. Even admirable qualities portrayed on television or in the movies don’t seem to have substance anymore, like nothing’s rooted in realness. But, I will say, we’re all good at thinking that we’re good at pretending. Hmmm. I wonder if it’s just me. Maybe I’m the only one not being real and that makes me suspicious of all the other totally honest people around me. I’m gonna think about this a little longer. No I’m not. I know this is the missing element. Humans should figure out a way to also become more perfect on the inside, and I’m not talking about eating more fiber. Okay, so, let’s just say that, indeed, what drives us is this desire to be perfect, which, ultimately, is to be god-like. If we don’t try to at least imagine the full picture here, then no matter how perfect the technology becomes, we’re nothing more than spoiled kids with short attention spans. And, by the way, is any of this making us more patient? Are you more patient than you used to be? Is constantly playing catch up the new purpose of living? Screw that. You know, it seems that almost nothing short of major disasters like the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile make us zero in on caring about others and doing for others. This is something we can practice everyday and it’s one reason I’m so devoted to my animals and also why I’m always drowning in the results of my bleeding heart. There are a lot of animals in Denton alone that need attention and compassion and it seems they like to congregate around my house. This part of my life is a joke, but it does actually make me laugh as much as cry. And helping out the little critters makes me feel happy; often worn out, but it’s that good kind of worn out, like Andy used to talk to Opie about. Man, this is pretty square stuff, but I’m just telling it like is for me, Carl Finch, defender of local dogs and cats. I’m a super hero to several of them, but I just want them to be happy, healthy and unafraid. And, if I go overboard, which I do constantly because it’s entertaining to me, everyone benefits, except for that guy in Des Moines who’s waiting for me to answer his email about a gig or something. And, one more thing, if you come out to hear Brave Combo and speak to me and I smell like a stray tom cat just sprayed me, I apologize. I know most people don’t like that fragrance.

A band practices in a little garage just down the block from my house. They’re called Teenage Cool Kids and they seem to be part of the new wave of Denton punk bands keeping the town on the “cool kids” map these days. They were recently recognized in THE DALLAS OBSERVER for releasing one of the most important albums of the first decade of the new millennium. Hey, why wasn’t Brave Combo on that list? Well, that’s another topic definitely worth exploring. Anyway, I guess TCK put out one kick-ass record. But before I knew any of this, one of my cats, Spunky, and I would often sit on the front porch and listen to them rehearse one or two things over and over. They sounded really good and their ideas had something going on. Spunky liked it, too. So, over time I’ve chatted with the cool kids here and there and I recently asked them if they were playing anywhere in March. They said they were playing SXSW, in Austin, and a punk rock festival in Monterey, Mexico. I thought, well that IS pretty cool. Then they said that Brave Combo was mentioned in a book by Thurston Moore, the guitarist of Sonic Youth. I didn’t know about the book (something of a gig diary, I think) but we did play with Sonic Youth a couple of times in the 1980s, so it was nice to hear that Thurston remembered. But, it made me start thinking again, especially since this is BC’s 30th year, that so many wild things have happened to us and we’ve met and worked with so many amazing performers and artists, that we’ve all probably taken a lot of it for granted. The current Winter Olympics reminded of the time our song, “Requerdos” was used by two American ice dancers (Liz and Jerrod Swallow) in Lillehammer, Norway and we didn’t know until they were about to perform live at the Olympics. Matt Groening once hired us to play a party at Barbara Streisand’s house. I played accordion and guitar with Shonen Knife on a recording of “Happy Birthday.” Weird Al Yankovic and I were both harassed by the same obsessed fan. Boz Skaggs came to my house one afternoon to listen to Latin and Conjunto/Tejano music. Bruce Hampton (look him up) showed up at our first show in Atlanta, Georgia holding a copy of our first LP, MUSIC FOR SQUARES.I met Jonathan Demme at David Byrne’s wedding. Eugene Chadbourne (look him up) blew up one of my amps by plugging a bird cage into it. He thinks I’m still mad. There are things that went on with Tiny Tim that Brave Combo cannot openly discuss. Don’t ask. I won’t tell you. Robert Plant told Teri Gross on her NPR show that our version of “Stairway To Heaven,” with Mr. Tim, was one of the best covers he’s heard. Rounder trusted me to produce two albums by Tony de la Rosa (look him up). While in Japan, we got to meet the guy (Mr. E) who wrote the lyrics to the song, “Sukiyaki.” Okay, enough bragging and name-dropping. It’s getting gross and besides, it’s just the tip of the iceberg, anyway. My point is not to just show you how cool I am, but to let you know that it’s good for me to appreciate what I’ve been allowed to do; to think about it on occasion and realize how lucky Brave Combo has been and continues to be, I hope.

SOME NEWS. We just recorded a track for an album of songs by our buddy, Sara Hickman. She has been named the Texas Commission for the Arts’ Musician of the Year, thus the tribute album. The song, “Simply,” was originally on her first LP, EQUAL SCARY PEOPLE, which, coincidentally, I co-produced with Sara, and then released on my own little label, Four Dots Records, until Elektra decided to buy it from me. Oh boy, those were wheeling and dealing days. I had no idea what I was doing, but things worked out, I guess. Here we are covering this song and it rocks! Hope Sara likes it. Check it out.

MORE NEWS. Brave Combo is performing at Denton’s Music Conferette, the second annual NX35, on Friday March 12 at around 7 PM, at the opening party for Big Bucks Burnett’s 8-Track Tape exhibit. You’re a fool if you don’t show up for this. And on a related note, Brave Combo will also be appearing at SXSW music conference, in Austin, on Wednesday, March 17. Can’t remember the venue, but I think we go on about 11 PM and the musical line-up for the night looks fantastic. If you really want to suffer for the cause, come on out. We’ll be there.

SECRET NEWS. Be aware. Brave Combo is developing an alter ego. The working name is The Translucents, or, perhaps The Translucence. It’s a new sound you must not miss, in case we don’t do this for very long. We aren’t actually advertising it yet and don’t know where or when we will play, exactly. We’ve actually tested the waters twice, but have kept it pretty quiet. A handful of people know what I’m talking about. The Transulcents (or, perhaps, The Translucence) could show up at a gig instead of Brave Combo. Stay tuned. We may eventually be wearing matching outfits.

As 2010 gets more involved and complicated, Brave Combo’s playing schedule does the same. Look at our itinerary every day and stay informed. Now it’s time to go to the QT convenience store at the corner of Carroll Boulevard and Eagle Drive in Denton and feed a little calico cat. It’s almost not scared of me anymore. Hey, let’s all stop being scared for a while. Enjoy.