Volume 17 – #3 – March 2014

I start just about every morning, when I’m at home, taking one of my cats, Spunky, for a walk around the neighborhood. He’s not on a leash. We just hang together as we stroll though nine to ten yards for about 30-45 minutes, exploring familiar paths, rolling in dirt, sniffing shrubs, scratching tree trunks and leaving evidence here and there. Spunky especially likes to walk around Bruce’s house, which is right across the street from us. Catnip grows in his backyard and the grass sprigs appear to be tastiest there, too. Today is a beautiful day. I probably should take Spunky out this afternoon, as well, so I need to finish this newsletter ASAP. Have I ever mentioned that our animals control what goes on around here? Sometimes there’s a non-stop swarming sea of life circling our legs in the kitchen; every animal’s favorite room. All things good flow from there, as far as they’re all concerned.

Speaking of morning walks with my cat, just before we go out, I grab my phone and turn it on. The first thing that pops up these days is a Weather Channel text warning me about the high level of tree pollen I can count on making everything I do twice as hard. Denton is sometimes called, and I’m not kidding, the land of the poison air. It’s also known as the town that produced two Miss Americas and a restaurant owned by Pat Boone. But, back to the poison air thing, I’ve heard that term since I’ve lived in Denton. And 2014 is certainly showing it to be true. So far its been a rough season for allergy complainers in North Texas, of which I am one. It reminds me of my grade school days, sitting at my desk, sneezing non-stop, while clutching a mucus-soaked ball of Kleenex, unable to see through my itchy-watery eyes.

My new album with the world-renowned percussion freak, Mike Dillon, UP THE WILD SIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, is at the office, freshly delivered, still packed in boxes, all shrink-wrapped and ready to go. Now what, you ask? So do I. Somehow we have to promote this thing, which is something we both know a lot about and, somewhat, dread. It’s just a lot of work. I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble, but making music for a living is not all fried tofu and beatnik bongos. Dig? In these “social media” modern times everyone is constantly promoting something, no matter who you are, and wedging the news about our little gem into the flow takes strategy, which translates into “a lot of work.” But, to some degree, this has always been the way of the career musician. No matter what level you are, self-promotion can never stop. Even the biggest pop stars have to sell their wares more than create their art. If fact, I think the biggest stars are, in most cases, just the people who want stardom the most and work the hardest to get there. Sadly, though, diligence is just one element. Timing and relevance to the moment are just as important, and it’s difficult to have control over those two things, especially when the music you make is not exactly mainstream and isn’t even trying to be. Whatever, if you happen to be one of the lucky listeners who decides to hear what Mike and I have made, thank you for your support.

I’ve been thinking about converting the front of the Brave Combo office into a little BC museum of sorts. Right now, all of our memorabilia is just packed here and stacked there. Awards, photos, magazine articles, t-shirts, posters, master tapes, broken amps, broken guitar picks, electronic boxes with robot faces that wind up, old contracts, an enormous tumble weed, mannequin torsos, a gigantic tarp/backdrop, painted by our friend, Emily Lisker (you should check out her paintings). And that’s just the beginning. What do you think?

Hey, our friend and long-time supporter, TV personality, Drew Carey, is a contestant on this season’s DANCING WITH THE STARS. From personal experience, I can attest to Drew’s kind nature and giving spirit. He’s a very sweet guy and really cares about those around him, unlike the people on the show competing against him. They are all evil, with bad intentions. So, please, do the right thing. Take a break, watch the show and vote for Drew.

Hey, check out the Brave Combo store sometime and look at all of the album titles you can download now.

We recently contributed tracks to a new album by Jad Fair (Half-Japanese) and Daniel Smith (Danielson), called SOLID GOLD HEART (Joyful Noise Records). It’s an amazing piece of work, full of Jad’s and Daniel’s trademark sounds (no one sings a song like Jad) and optimism. We are honored to be a part of it. For now, it’s only available as part of a vinyl four-LP set, but will be released in June on CD and gold vinyl.
https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/2014-artist-in-residence-jad-fair.html

Speaking of new recordings, I am entering the studio soon and may emerge with LIVE AT BLOB’S PARK. I’ll leave it at that, for now.

Okay, it’s time to do the cat walk again. There’s a shrub a few houses down that needs some investigating. I hope you’re finding the proof you’re looking for and the truth you need. Until that happens, though, polka can really help pass the time.