Volume 17 – #5 – May 2014

On April 27, 1979, Brave Combo played it’s first gig, sort of. We planned to do an outdoor concert in the NTSU (North Texas State University, now University of North Texas) amphitheatre, but threatening weather convinced us to cancel. Right after that decision was made, Tim (Walsh) and I started hearing from people who had made plans to attend. So, at the last minute, we found a space inside the college and played for about 30 people as a duo, with Lyle (bass) and Dave (drums) continuing to bail. They didn’t want to haul their gear down a hall into a classroom. Too demeaning or too much trouble. Never found out. That was 35 years ago. A lot has happened since then. Unless I’m forgetting someone, counting myself, 19 people have been members of Brave Combo over the three and a half decades. Sometimes it seems like an insurmountable thing, when I look at the band’s history as one big blob of activity. I know we’ve done it, and still do it, a day at a time, but I can easily be overwhelmed and get rather freaked out, if I think about it all too much. It hasn’t all been just about the logistics of hauling a group of musicians from one spot to the next to make sounds from a stage. As it turns out, it’s also been about gaining knowledge and experience; about getting closer to seeing things as they really are. It seems that for the first 25 to 30 years of life most people think they know what’s going on, when they’re actually clueless. I was definitely in that group. I’m not talking about someone being good at a skill or a craft or a job or math or spelling, but rather the big, big picture; the picture that can only be filled in with time spent; years on Earth. For some reason, these days, people are always asking how much longer I can do this. I can only assume I must be looking pretty bad and/or tired. I thought, when Tim left, Brave Combo’s days were numbered. Then, when Mitch left, our end seemed imminent. And, of course, when Bubba decided to move on, any sane person would have had no trouble visualizing the ax falling. Those were all huge exits, so I’ve had to wonder how Brave Combo has not only been able to hobble along, but also thrive and at every turn, continue to create new sounds and be offered new opportunities. You know, it’s made me wonder, a time or two, what’s going on. What is it that’s bigger than each of us and, in fact, all of us? It must be something. I mean, the calendar is pretty full for the remainder of 2014 already and many more dates will be added. And some people, believe it or not, are just now discovering us; all over Texas, even. So for all of these newbies the current version of Brave Combo, playing this crazy “non-mainstream” repertoire is all they know about us. I guess not becoming household names has worked to our advantage. So if each new audience reacts the same as every new audience always has, no matter who was on stage, what does that tell me? Well, there have been two constants; myself and the band’s approach to music. And, as much as I would like to take all the credit, I know what the answer is. It’s the music, no matter who’s playing it. Don’t get me wrong. I think I’m an okay front person and am good at summing up and making the most of a situation, so I give credit to my role and also know how much of my power comes from the faith I have in the music we play. Plus, it helps that I’m comfortable talking to an audience. Hell, I’m even comfortable looking foolish in front of an audience, when the band is kicking ass. But my musical abilities only go so far. I rely on the band for that. And, definitely, every incarnation of Brave Combo has been capable of kicking serious ass if the collective will was such. I have always thought that if you just combined the right songs with a band of true believers, you simply could not fail. When I think back on all the people who have been in Brave Combo, out of the almost 20 members, only about four names come to mind that represent a “one foot in/one foot out” attitude. Yeah, time gives one knowledge, perspective and, hopefully, some other cool things, too. Maybe a little more time will help me develop more patience. Nah, probably not.

Anyway, here’s where I’m going with all of this BC history talk. Brave Combo will be hosting some 35th Anniversary shows, starting on June 21 at The Live Oak in Ft. Worth, Texas. This will be followed, a week later, by a show in Austin at the legendary Scholz Garden in Austin, Texas. Original woodwind player, Tim Walsh and original drummer, Lisa Cameron (formerly Dave Cameron), will be joining us for this mighty event. On July 19th we will have our Dallas celebration at Poor David’s Pub and plans are coming together for our Houston show. Our hometown anniversary blowout will be at Dan’s in early September, when the schools kick off for the new year. We will also be having special shows in some of our favorite spots around the country, as well (Lincoln, Indianapolis and Cleveland are already set), so please keep an eye on the itinerary. The payback will be enormous!

Now that you’re at the end, enjoy the following Francoise Hardy songs on YouTube. She was a popular French pop singer in the 1960s and 1970s. I had a couple of her albums when I was in high school and would listen to them quite often, late at night, after everyone else in family was asleep. Moody melancholy music. Now go to sleep. Wait. Did you brush your teeth?