Brave Combo
Brave Combo is a polka fusion band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than thirty-five years. Their music, both originals and covers, incorporates a number of dance styles, mostly polka, but also some Latin American and Caribbean styles like norteño, salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha, choro, samba, two-step, cumbia, charanga, merengue, ska, etc, all performed with a rock/worldbeat energy.
Brave Combo | |
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Brave Combo at the Ballard Seafood Fest | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Denton, Texas |
| Genres | Polka, Polka fusion, Latin alternative, worldbeat, Tex-Mex, salsa, Latin jazz, ska, dance |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels | Four Dots, Rounder Records, DenTone, Cleveland International |
| Members | Carl Finch Carl Kleinsteuber Dave Monsch Alan Emert Robert Hokamp Jeffrey Barnes (occasional) |
| Past members | Ginny Mac Little Jack Melody Dave Cameron Tim Walsh Bubba Hernandez Joseph Cripps Mitch Marine Paul Stivitts Ann Marie Harrop Arjuna Contreras |
| Website | bravecombo |
As part of their perceived artistic mission to expand the musical tastes of their listeners, they have often played and recorded covers of well-known songs in a style radically different from the original versions. Examples include polka versions of Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" and The Doors' "People are Strange", The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" as a cha-cha, and "Sixteen Tons" as a cumbia. While their records may have a sense of humor, they are played straight and not usually considered joke or novelty records.