Volume 17 – #2 – February 2014

LET’S KICK IT OFF WITH SOME HOT TID-BITS OF NEWS:
Jeff, Danny and I recently contributed tracks to a new album by Jad Fair and Daniel Smith (Danielson). Bongwater and Shockabilly veteren, Kramer, played bass and mixed the recordings. They will, initially, be released on Sounds Familyre Records (CD and vinyl), then, as part of a vinyl-only boxed set, on Joyful Noise Records.

The release of the so-long-awaited-album-by-Mike Dillon-and-me-that no-one-cares-anymore is imminent. It’s done. It’s finished. It’s over and ready to launch. And the world is happy. We call ourselves “Carl and Mike” and the soon-to-be-declared-masterpiece is entitled UP THE WILD SIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. The music sounds like, well, Mike and me and to get you really interested, here’s the first minute and a half of the opening track, “Happiness.” You’ll be singing along before you know it.

Happiness by Carl & Mike from Up the Wild Side of Frankenstein

The University of North Texas commissioned book artists, Peter and Donna Thomas, to make an art book, devoted to Brave Combo, out of one of my old Roma accordions. The finished piece can currently be viewed at the Willis Library (4th floor reading room gallery) on UNT campus through May. Take the whole family. They had pretty good snacks at the opening, btw. One of the first books ever printed that is solely about cats is also on display.

2014, as all you math whizzes know, is Brave Combo’s 35th year. Don’t know if this is something to celebrate or mourn, but we do plan to do a few special things, maybe even a couple of extra-special things. More on this as plans materialize. Sorry if this news makes anyone feel old. That wasn’t my intention. Imagine how I feel.

SOMEONE’S LISTENING:
Okay, here’s a video of a band from, I assume, Serbia, playing our arrangement of the traditional “Crazy Serbian Butcher’s Dance” on a street in, maybe, Serbia. They do a good job and are way full of life. Just like we like it. Fanfarria Taquikardia – Brave Combo Poderosa (pasarrúas)

Someone, somewhere, some years ago, choreographed a group dance to our recording of “Hava Na Gila.” That person must have had a lot of influence, because dance companies from all over the world do this specific dance now. If you go to YouTube and type in “Hava Na Gila Twist,” the main things that pop up are Chubby Checker and videos of people from everywhere doing the same dance to our music. Hava Na Gila Twist

Apparently, there is a fan of Brave Combo in the Japanese ska/punk/rock band, Brahman. Here’s a great recording of their cover of our song, “Flying Saucer.” Flying Saucer by Brahman

FUN ON THE ROAD. We, Brave Combo, spend a good deal of time on the highway, traveling from gig to gig. After a performance, we will, generally, drive down, or up, the road an hour or two before we stop to sleep. Most of the time the destination is a motel on the edge of a city or between cities. We usually check in around 2:00 am, so it’s morning, actually. And, as often as possible, we’ll stay as long as they’ll let us. I’m pretty good at getting late check-outs. These days, 11:00 am is the standard. Motels and hotels want you to be waving goodbye no later than that, but if you say the right words, its easy to extend that to noon and, if you’re really adept at the fine art of persuasion patter, 1:00 and even 1:30 can be achieved on a regular basis. I make the reservations for all the rooms we have to provide ourselves. Frequently, the festival or concert promoter in whatever place we’re performing, will provide rooms at a nice hotel in the middle of town. Nine times out of ten, our van, which is full of musical equipment, will not fit in the parking garage and the hotel desk clerk will suggest an open lot a few blocks away, right by the funky McDonald’s with syringes adorning the flower beds. I know I say it a lot, but it’s a fact, hotels just aren’t band friendly. Motels that are in a well-lit, safe area, especially the ones where you can park right at your door, can’t be beat. And, if it’s a cool, old, family-owned property with 100% working neon on the sign, then you’re really in business. And, here’s a tip. If you are arriving as late as we do and you want to minimize the check-in time, call the desk clerk about 30 to 45 minutes before you arrive, sound really tired and ask him/her if he/she can go on and get the keys programmed and ready, then yawn. He/she will be almost always happy do it because he/she will feel sorry for you. And, of course, grab some bottled water backstage at the venue before you leave or you’ll have to pay top dollar for it from motel vending machine.

Keep a close eye on our itinerary. Dates are popping up when and where you least expect them. Coming up, we will be haunting the stages at Smith’s Olde Bar, in Atlanta (Wed Mar 12), The Pourhouse, in Raleigh (Thu Mar 13) and the soon to close, Blob’s Park, in Jessup, MD, between Baltimore and Washington, DC (Fri Mar 14). As I’ve mentioned before we are both thrilled and sad about this show at Blob’s. It stops existing forever on March 31, two weeks after we play. It’s one of the most super groovy rooms ever, anywhere; a popular stop for all of the East Coast polka bands, for sure, but all kinds of music have been presented at Blob’s over the decades. It’s just one of those totally feel-good unique spots. I think they’re planning to replace it with a CVS Pharmacy or Subway Super Store or the equivalent.

Okay, folks, this fact-packed edition of THE MACHINE’S PUMP is ready to wrap. Thank you for looking this way. I appreciate the attention. Now go about your daily life and hope for the best.