The Worst Fans in the World

Dear friends,

  Hard Taco fans are the best fans on earth.  I've said it before, and when I die I want it written on my gravestone. When we play a gig, we try to really connect with the audience in a deeply personal way.  One of the  burdens of being that kind of artist is that I can't physically leave the stage at the end of the night unless I have actually made somebody weep.

  Anyway, contracts and other legal mumbo jumbo have prohibited us from putting out a live album this year. (Please direct all hate mail accordingly!) December's song is a taste of what would, and hopefully will, be on that album if we ever get a competent freaking manager. (Just kidding, Milo - We still love you!) Anyway, if you ever went to a Hard Taco show in the club days, you may remember 'Minnowman.'  It's an a old concept piece from a previous incarnation of the band that we unceremoniously exhumed and dusted off during the Black Bean Tour in '99. One night in Oakland, we came onstage planning to open with the Men At Work medley, but instead were greeted by the sounds of 6,000 screaming co-eds chanting "White Funk! White Funk!" From that night on, 'Minnowman' was the opening tune, and by the end of the tour some fans were actually smuggling live guppies in baggies and hurling them onstage. Very uncool. Those were the worst fans on earth. I'm thinking about putting it on my gravestone as an addendum. Anyway, I was not at all surprised that bumping the Men at Work medley to second didn't seem to lessen anyone's enjoyment of it.

  This particular recording of 'Minnowman' was from January 2000, at the Regency Arena in Charlotte. It was a special night for two reasons. First of all, we rocked about ten thousand people "harder than ever," (The Carolina Herald's words, not mine!) Also, it was the night we found out Isaac Asimov had died so the show had that much more emotional weight.  Lots of people were weeping when that show ended, and I was no exception.

With warmest regards,

HT

A Small Boy Grew Up and That Boy Was Me

Dear Friends,

  In the spirit of the upcoming elections, former President Ronald Reagan has asked to introduce this month's HTP song, "Ruse" for the Hard Taco Digest this month. The following is a small exerpt of his correspondence with us:

"It is with great pleasure that I have been given the honor of presenting this song to the American People today. When I think of America, I can't help but think of a small boy growing up through some tough times who learned a valuable lesson, and that boy was me. But perhaps there's a similar lesson in All Americans today, rich or poor, because they are our most valuable asset besides liberty itself. I'm speaking, of course, about the strength of American industry and the prominence of our collective chin. We The People have dirtied our fingers on this hallowed soil and unearthed a force more powerful than our forefathers could have dreamed - the desire for independence through a proven system of checks and balances. We The People have stood up to all that was right in the face of adversity. The Statue of Liberty herself is emblazened with these great words, 'The affluent shall not be burdened and the needy shall find solace.' I ask you today, let us not dare to dream great dreams. I am weeping now as I draw 48 stars for you today. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Thank you."

With Warmest Regards,

Zach

Amazing How Short These Used to Be

Dear friends,

  For several months the download page at the Hard Taco Project has been riddled with introspection and turmoil. Enough already! For October, I would like to offer some lighter fare; a delicate sorbet to cleanse the palate between courses. It is called "The Shag Patch," and it would not be unreasonable to call it a modern day parable. Or perhaps it is a cautionary tale with a valuable life lesson. Anyway, enjoy the song, but be careful or you might learn something along the way!

With warmest regards,

Zach

The Original Gang Sign: One Hand Makes a Hat, the Other a Field.

Dear Friends,

   It seems you can't open a magazine or turn on the TV these days without hearing about one thing... family feuds. The common thread of the most recent bestseller lists, both fiction and nonfiction, has been family feuds. Veteran docudramatist Ken Burns has taken his proverbial shovel to the landscape of public television and planted his two cents on the subject, and they have blossomed like a pair of magic beans.

   Even journeyman stage acts like Billy Gilman have tried to use music as a forum to establish a dialogue about (and between) feuding families.  Indeed, it is a sign of our national solidarity that so many bright minds have come together to raise awareness about family feuds and support agencies that promote raising awareness about these families and their feuds.  

   However, the national limelight will not find a new mark until someone addresses the issue of family feuds (and violent family feuding) in a way that is both revealing and cathartic for the American public.  I wrote September's Hard Taco song, "Bring Me the Head of Antonio," to address the fascination and the terror we all feel, and ultimately to allow us to make our peace with family feuds.

With warmest regards,

Zach

Apparently a Travelogue of Some Sort

Dear friends,

  August has always been a month for new beginnings. For fresh faces and even fresher styles. And where are the freshest styles this August? No surprises here - it's Cajun country! Where else can you indulge in a spicy bowl of jambalaya shrimp and then "cool out" to the sounds of Creole jazz under a Bayou moon? When the sun goes down in New Orleans (Or Naw'lelns, as the natives call it) the nightlife heats up like a crawfish boil! We took a steamboat ride down to the mouth of the "Mighty Mississip" to bring you this special travel edition of Hard Taco Monthly.

  This month's song is entitled "Silent Movie," and although it is about as far from Cajun music as you can get, I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as a heaping plate of red beans and rice. No doubt, you could wrestle an alligator to it, although you would have to wrestle slowly.

  Thanks again for joining us on our jaunt down historic Bourbon Street!  We'll see you next month. And remember, when someone in Lousiana asks you for a "French Quarter," they're probably not talking about pocket change!

With warmest regards,

Zach

And to Think, I Used to Get Away with Just Recording Songs

Dear Friends,

  July has come early, but it has arrived in full force. Be a true a patriot this season, and check out the new Hard Taco song, "Break Out." John Hancock certainly would if he were here today. Rumor has it that this song took over five years to write, and you will see why (if you know anything about time.) 

  In summary, if you download only one MP3 this month, make sure it's  "Break Out," by Hard Taco. Thank you!

With warmest regards,

Zach

Episode Naught vs. Episode Nought

Dear Friends,

  June has arrived at the Hard Taco Project! Be the first to check out the new best-loved favorite, "#1 Stepdad". This song could very well turn out to be the musical equivalent of your favorite T-shirt. 

  For those of you who are new to our family, you may still be confused. It doesn't need to be that way! Finally, if you are like me, and you dread the prospect of getting a group email, even if it is only once a month, please write me back and ask to be removed from the list. (I probably would, if I were you.) Likewise, if you know anyone else who would want to get Hard Taco updates, send me their email. 

With warmest regards, 

Zach