Volume 16 – #1 – January 2013

A SAD THING. We are so deeply into 2013 that I stopped saying “Happy New Year” two weeks ago. Yet, there are a few houses in my neighborhood still sporting Christmas lights. What’s up with that? I wonder if they still have decorated trees inside and are still listening to “Jingle Bells.” I played BC-style holiday classics from Thanksgiving weekend until a few days before Christmas and I barely remember any of it. It’s so over, so 2012. Time to move on, Baby. But, you know what? As long as they’re not shooting people with assault weapons, my sentimental neighbors can adorn their houses anyway they want, anytime they want. It just makes me a little sad for humanity to see the last hangers-on, like the last people at a buffet, still unsatisfied, waiting desperately for something good to happen. Some buffets are really depressing, like opium dens or that part of a casino where people are slumped over penny slot machines.

TIME TO LAUGH (I made this up, but it’s based on a real person)
Smart Ass: It sure is cold outside.
Agreeable Guy: Yeah, it’s colder than a witched tit!
Smart Ass: Could be a lot worse, though.
Agreeable Guy: Oh man, much worse.
Smart Ass: But I’d rather be too cold than too hot.
Agreeable Guy: Absolutely. Cold trumps hot.
Smart Ass: Unless we were in Antarctica wearing just bathing suits.
Agreeable Guy: Right on! That would suck.
Smart Ass: Plus, I’ve heard that gasoline is really expensive in Antarctica.
Agreeable Guy: Probably. That’s sucks a witches tit.
Smart Ass: Would rather be in the middle of the Death Valley wearing a Santa suit.
Agreeable Guy: Any day of the week.
Smart Ass: Except for opening day of the Burning Man Festival.
Agreeable Guy: Damn straight. I hate that hippie fag stuff.
Smart Ass: Of course gay people have contributed many good things to society.
Agreeable Guy: That’s for sure
Smart Ass: And without the hippies we wouldn’t have had Janis Joplin.
Agreeable Guy: Oh man, that would be a tragedy.
Smart Ass: Not really. She was over-rated.
Agreeable Guy: Now you’re talking.
Smart Ass: But, boy, could she drink.
Agreeable Guy: Like a sailor.
Smart Ass: More like a fish, actually.
Agreeable Guy: Bingo!

FYI, the BC documentary, DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, is still being made. No, you haven’t missed it. And I’ve been dutifully watching hours and hours of videotape from 33 years of Brave Combo and transferring a bunch of it to DVD. There are hundreds of these cassettes, starting with early rehearsals and our legendary mental institutions tour, both in black and white, up to where we played a few days ago. Every period of the band is well-represented in video and the experience has been both fascinating and repugnant. I don’t know if I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but we’ve sure played a lot of gigs. Many performers don’t enjoy watching themselves, though, believe it or not (seems a little contradictory since those same performers want everyone else to show up and look at them), and I definitely fall into that category. Too much of Carl can leave me a little nauseated. But I dare you to watch hours of yourself and like what you see. In addition, I have been surprised at how much I wouldn’t want to repeat any of it. That whole “been there, done that” thing is real. I know I like making music. I think I like making music for other people to enjoy. I’m not sure I like making music for money, but I’m definitely glad that I have been able to make money with my music; that my art has supported me. Seeing this concentrated, but fragmented, history of Brave Combo has made me wonder about it all way more than I thought it would. Everything seems like it just happened yesterday. Why do we take so many pictures and cling to the past, anyway?

MARDIS GRAS IN STYLE. Well, this is kind of a big deal in a fancy, foo-foo way, but Brave Combo will be performing at the fabulously elegant Meyerson Performance Hall, as special guests of the acclaimed Dallas Wind Symphony, on Fat Tuesday (February 12), at 8 PM. This will be another one-of-a-kind BC experience. We’ll probably also be dressed up a little more than usual, too. It goes without saying that you don’t want to miss this show.

GETTIN’ DOWN, POLKA STYLE. On the other end of the spectrum, we will be returning for another taping of THE MOLLIE B. POLKA PARTY on Saturday, February 23, at the Ennis, Texas Sokol Hall. The video shoot is for her nationally-televised program on the RFD Network. The Sokol is a huge hall, so there will be plenty of room to polka, waltz or schottische. Again, you really don’t want to miss this.

MUSICAL STYLINGS. My album project with my good buddy, Danny Jerabek, should be available for human consumption by the time the next MACHINE’S PUMP rolls around. Prepare to be blown away! We call ourselves THE NICE MUSICS and we mean it.

The year is starting to rev up a little. I can feel it. February will be busier than January. March will be busier than February. Then April hits with a wallop and then it’s full steam ahead! We have a lot going on in 2013 and you don’t want to be left in the dark. So check our itinerary often. We also do regular posts on Youtube and Twitter, so get with the program and we’ll rock, or rather, polka, your world.