Volume 4 – #8 – August 2001

BIG NEWS. It appears the title of our next CD (to be released in a month or two) will be KICK ASS POLKAS. It was not an easy decision. We don’t want to contribute to the dumbing down of our culture or the corruption of polka. However, there is no alternative term for “kick ass.” Nothing says “kick ass,” quite like “kick ass.” The record company is cool with it, although there is some concern that the title will keep the CD out of Walmart. Well, I don’t know if I want those vulgar behemoths of convenience selling our music anyway. And I’m not calling them vulgar for obvious reasons (like putting mom and pop stores out of business). I’m calling them vulgar because they’re ugly and depressing. Plain in a disturbing way (although it might be worse to see one that’s trying to be upbeat and with it). I have knowledge of Walmart because I shop there occasionally. But I also know I wouldn’t miss it if it wasn’t there. Oh, big business bashing is so cliché. Let’s go back to the original topic, KICK ASS POLKAS. I guess that’s what we’re calling our next CD. We’ll see what happens.

One time, when we were in New York, the comedian, Rich Hall, asked us to be on his TV show, ONION WORLD. I think it was on Comedy Central. Anyway, a limo picked us up at the hotel and took us to the studio. Well, that particular limo was supposed to drop us off and go pick up David Brenner and take him somewhere. But we asked the driver if she could wait for us, because we had to leave the TV studio immediately after taping our segment to get to a club in time for sound check. The driver said, “No problem” and called to have another limo pick up David Brenner. I can’t believe how much power we have.

Legendary Ft. Worth Music venue, Caravan of Dreams, is closing forever next month and we’re playing the last night. This is flattering and creepy. I believe the date is September 29. If you live in or near the Dallas/Ft. Worth metromess, you don’t want to miss this show. The night will have many special moments. Maybe we’ll write a commemorative song, like, “Sweet (Caravan Of) Dreams To You.” I hope they don’t paint over the mural. It’s particularly sad that the new owners plan to make it a steak house. You know, Ft. Worth, stockyards, dead cows and pigs, cowboys, guns, leather, fear, beady eyes, smell of death, zombies, oozing sores, sticky floors, wailing and moaning, etc. Okay, now some people are upset with me. Love and peace.

I know something about myself. I’m kind hard-core about certain things when it comes to human relationships. I expect a lot of people. Some people can roll with my personality and some can’t. Some people adore me and some are really threatened by me. Some people think they can’t live up to my expectations, but try anyway, cause they figure it’s worth it, I guess. I find that those who do adore me either know me very well or barely at all. I think I have a way of looking at someone that can feel reassuring or seem confrontational. Sometimes my eyes reflect a nothingness; a blank stare that means I left my mind on the piano and I can’t follow what someone might be saying at that moment. The more entrenched I get into the world of high profile, the more I want to be buffered from certain things, especially things that can distract me from putting on a good show. Really, complicated stuff before a performance is not a good idea. My mind just won’t pay attention beyond chit chat. That’s why we don’t discuss booking terms or give quotes at gigs. Too much cognitive thinking before a show can really diffuse one’s ability to harness the swirl of energy. Most performers feel this way and prefer quiet time prior to getting on stage. And after a show I’m usually pretty empty or somewhat shell-shocked, so simple is still best. I would love to hear a story about your pet almost anytime. Like, “My cat stretches after he wakes up and then wants to eat.” Or, “I accidentally left my bird out of her cage the other night and she flew around the house and pooped all over everything and pecked a vitamin B to bits.” I think it’s funny that when I’m listening to music at home, I’m subjecting three of my animals to it as well. Biscuits, Cookie and Freckles hear a lot of polkas. Dudley never hears any because the back porch is his house. Patty never hears any either because she can’t hear anymore. And Dolly only hears sounds associated with food preparation. Anyway, tell me about your animal friends and I especially want to hear if you’ve become more sympathetic to animal suffering. And if you’ve decided to give up eating meat, you can stop me in the middle of a song with that news. Well, maybe wait till the break.

One of my best friends, my mother-in-law, Doris, died recently. She was eighty years old and a true fan and supporter of Brave Combo. She proudly wore her Brave Combo T-shirts and spread the polka word whenever she could. I always felt accepted by her and am honored to have been in her life. She maintained a great attitude and witty sense of humor even after experiencing two bouts of cancer, a debilitating stroke and the loss of two children. I’ll really miss her hush puppies and pimento cheese. I think she and her husband, Gerald, felt I would be a good influence on their daughter, Jane. As it turned out, Jane had more influence on me and taught me bad things.

Some of my favorite rock bands, when I was into rock bands: Nazz, The Yardbirds, The Music Machine, The Raspberries, early Kinks, early Jimi Hendrix Experience, early Led Zeppelin, The Turtles and, of course, Paul Revere and The Raiders. Now, I also like polka and tofu.

Timothy White, editor of BILLBOARD (music industry magazine), came to our show in New York at the Bottom Line and is writing an editorial on Brave Combo for the August 25th issue. During an interview we talked about the history and philosophy of the band, including early influences. It’s nice to be taken seriously. Speaking of that, I want everyone to know that we appreciate the support and love that we feel from so many people. This is a really hard job, but it’s also the biggest part of an exciting puzzle for me. Life in Brave Combo presents unique challenges everyday; opportunities to test our strength and ingenuity and we’re grateful for both the perks and the struggles. Figuring out how to solve problems can be fun, actually, especially when they seem insurmountable. And it’s weird how perspective and attitude become everything. The whole “no expectations” concept makes so much sense. It’s all just one very long day with brief moments of rest. I guess burn-out is the biggest threat, but I would probably keep trying even if I was just a skeleton. Wow, that would be cool. I bet we would sell a lot of tickets if we were skeletons. We probably wouldn’t have to bathe as often and we would never have to eat. But we might fall apart occasionally, literally. I figure, if we’re on the front page of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, anything is possible.

Come out and see/hear us. We have a new T-shirt with a picture of an owl on it. I call it a frog just to be stupid. Take care and get ready. The giant wave of hopelessness sweeping over the planet is good. Polkamania is just around the corner.