Volume 16 – #6 – June 2013
Well, first of all, I have to tell you that about five years ago, Brave Combo played a campaign benefit for young Texas senate hopeful, Wendy Davis. Anne Marie, our bassist at the time, had a good friend that worked on Wendy’s campaign. She won the seat and the rest is history. Her recent heroic, chamber-rocking, filibuster was a proud moment for the band, and was also quality television. Oddly enough, being a person that cannot kill a bug with a clean conscience and that might endorse animal rights groups that some would consider radical, I appreciate and understand both sides of the abortion debate, but, ultimately, what someone does with his or her own body is none of my business and that person’s rights should be protected. Okay, back to cartoons now.
If you live in or near the following cities, you are so incredibly lucky. The Brave Combo Fun House is on the road and coming to town (and it sees you when you’re sleeping and knows when you’re awake). Check our itinerary for details; stuff like when and where and what you should wear. St. Louis, Chicago, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Carlsbad, CA (San Diego area), Santa Monica, CA. And for all you Texas buffs, catch us in San Marcos, Odessa, Dallas and Denton. Brave Combo members live in or near Denton, so that’s a pretty convenient gig for us. But life isn’t just about convenience, is it? The Brave Combo Fun House isn’t exactly the easiest show to take on the road, but we do have a few things down and the highway is not an alien environment. We, generally, know which exits to take to have our needs efficiently and safely met.
WHY YOU SHOULD SHOW UP AT OUR UPCOMING GIGS ON THE ROAD.
In St. Louis we’re playing a venue for the first time. It’s The Old Rock House and was recommended by our buddy, the legendary and notorious, Beatle Bob. He gives it a big thumbs up. There’s no one like Beatle Bob, by the way. Whether you love him or not, it’s a fact that he’s one-of-a-kind. He was at our first ever St. Louis gig, along with my brother and about six or seven curiosity seekers, at a club called Heartbreak Hotel.
In Chicago, we’re performing at the super cool American Music Festival, which overtakes the entire Fitzgerald’s complex (Fitzgerald’s being our home club in that area). We’re playing around 10 PM on the Fourth of July, in the tent, which means we’re opposite thousands of fireworks shows all over the city. But fireworks scare dogs, so don’t support them. Come to our show, instead, and register your non-support of things that explode.
In Cleveland, the show will be the second annual Steve Popovich Polka Pandemonium at the Beachland Ballroom, honoring the life of our very good friend and music supporter, Steve Popovich. We will be joined by accordion superstar, Joey Miskulin. We plan to just turn him loose on a few of his classics and on some things he’s never heard.
In Indianapolis we’ll be returning to one of our favorite stages anywhere, located in the beautiful Rathskeller Biergarten. And this is our first chance to play a weekend night, so you better show up or we might get bumped back down to Wednesdays. Here’s some interesting Indianapolis info. Local fave polka band, Polka Boy, plays a version of our hit, “Do Something Different” and substitutes the words “drink some beer” for “disappear.” Try it. It works.
In Los Angeles we’re playing the new hot spot, The Mint. Also on the bill is our sometimes percussionist/always groovy dude, Mike Dillon, with his band, The Mike Dillon Band. And right after we play, ex-Dentonite eccentric guitarist and good friend to all, Scrote, will wrap up the night with his Talking Heads tribute band, performing the album, REMAIN IN LIGHT. Rumor has it that Mitch Marine, one time Brave Combo drummer and current Dwight Yokum drummer, will be playing, you guessed it, drums, in this musical ensemble. We expect every ex-Dentonite in southern California to show up and stare at the spectacle.
Just north of San Diego, we’re returning to one of the best city concert series in the country, located in Carlsbad. It will be a totally pleasant experience for everyone attending. Bring the entire family. We won’t be cussing or anything, although our music may make your kids or grandkids imagine things they didn’t before.
And in Santa Monica we’re returning to one of the most interesting music spots in the whole state. It’s called McCabe’s and is a big ol’ guitar store by day, which is physically transformed into a full-on music hall by night. It’s a seriously non-threatening or pretentious environment; a great place to hear Brave Combo and not have to make a big deal out of it. Highly recommended! Come out and we can chat between songs.
THE NICE MUSICS HAVE LANDED.
Danny Jerabek, our occasional good vibe buttonbox player from Oshkosh, and I recently released an album with a variety of music on it. We call ourselves and the album, THE NICE MUSICS. To our delight, it’s been getting a lot play on the two big polka internet stations, 24/7 Polka Heaven and The Polka Jammer Network. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, get with it and get your own copy of THE NICE MUSICS. And, check out 24/7 Polka Heaven and The Polka Jammer Network.
WHAT I THINK IS FUNNY.
I was briefly entertained by a woman walking around Petsmart; her bulldog and two chihuahuas in tow. The dogs faces reflected alarm and confusion. They obviously had no idea what the heck was going on. The woman appeared oblivious to their concerned expressions.
JOKE OF THE MONTH.
Carl talking to fan after the show: Yeah, we’re seasoned travelers. We’ve learned from the truckers where and where not to eat.
Fan: What have you learned from observing them?
Carl: Don’t eat where the truckers eat.
Okay, as I mentioned earlier, look at our itinerary often. Dates are added every week. September and October, in particular are registering a lot of activity right now. It’s a world in flux, Baby! Keep your wits about you and examine that emptiness that only polka can fill. Then fill it up….with polkas! Am I making any sense yet?