After 50 years of hibernation, it's finally back and better then ever. Get out a glass and a shaker, and light up the tiki lamps around the pool because that swanky cocktail music is back in full swing. When I think about this revival, who other than Combustible Edison would come to mind. Named after the flaming drink, this band is surfing on the new wave of cocktail music.

Before I even knew the band existed I was already tapping my feet to their luscious tunes. I first heard ComEd's songs in the background of one of Quintin Tarantino's greatest films, Four Rooms. By my second viewing of the film at the Pagent, I found myself, as well as my friends humming along with Miss Lily Banquette during the theme song.

After viewing the film, I went straight to Neo Retro to ask Lisa what she thought of the music. She loved it so much that she let me borrow the CD that she had borrowed from her boyfriend. As soon as I got it home, I made a copy. At the time I didn't even think to look on the box to see who did the music. I was just so happy to be able to listen to that soundtrack that I didn't care.

Later I happened to be in Tower Records at a listening station. I was ready for some new music, so I decided to take advantage of what they had to offer. The first thing I did after putting on the headphones was view the selection. I saw this one peculiar box. It was mainly all black with the word "Schizophonic" at the bottom in big letters. At first I thought that it just might be some sort of German techno import, so I pushed the button to sample the selection. I loved it! I had to have it! I thought that it sounded a little like the band who did Four Rooms, but I figured, "What are the chances of that?" I decided that it was too cool. I would have to buy it. For about a week I listened to it exclusively.

When I went in to get my hair cut about an hour before my radio show (it was the only chance I had before I left for my big road trip to Santa Fe) I handed the "Schitzophonic" CD over to Norma so we could listen to it while I had my hair cut and bleached. As soon as she got it into her hands, she couldn't believe it. She had just recently heard ComEd in Cafe Siena and bought their first album "I, Swinger". So after we listened to "Schzophonic", we gave "I, Swinger" a spin. She loved "Schizophonic" so much that I offered it to her for safe keeping while I was in Santa Fe. When I got back, I went in to pick up my CD and Norma handed me a tape. On that tape was "I, Swinger" on one side, and a mix of Klezmer music (Jewish Jazz) and some Raymond Scott (cartoon music from the late 1930's.) on the other. I was thrilled.

After I got my tape, Stephanie picked me up in her Beamer. I instantly popped the tape Norma had made for me into the player. She couldn't believe it! I had found the band who had done the Four Rooms sound track. She couldn't believe it! So we turned up the volume and headed over to Siena. While we pulled into the Siena parking lot. Joe, (punk with a double mohawk) sk8ed over to her vehicle and asked us, "Is that the new Combustible Edison?" I had to admit that it was just "I, Swinger," but I told him that I had "Schizophonic" at home. (Hey Joe! If you get a hold of this issue, send me your address so I can send you that tape!) In any case, it's just amazing how one day in the theatre, you hear a really great band, and the next minute you're totally hooked. Amazing isn't it!

Molly Bradbury writes a 'zine called Molly's Mind and also runs a 'zine distribution company called Miz Mu Distro.