Metal Inside(r) Home Quarantine is Metal Insider’s new column during this time of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked artists five questions on what’s been keeping them busy ranging from their favorite movies, food they’ve been eating, music they’ve been listening to and more. We caught up with Destroyed In Seconds’ Jon Tomala (vocals), Bruce Reeves (guitar), Christian La Rocca (guitar), Sean Vahle (drums), and Kyle Hertz bass as they’ve been spending a lot of this time on Zoom hangs and making food from scratch.
What have you been doing to pass time during Quarantine?
Kyle: I’m currently in a “work from home” situation, so most of my day is sitting around in my chonies in Zoom meetings, etc. The rest of my day is spent looking at my guitar saying “man, I really should write some riffs,” playing video games, spending time with my partner, playing with our ‘cute af’ dog (she’s half chihuahua, half pug, all sass!), attempting to cook various dishes, and going down YouTube cooking video rabbit holes.
Christian: Playing a lot of guitar, working on my garden, drinking
Bruce: I have my own family business to run and unfortunately am not being paid to stay at home. My wife Kari and I run Warlord Clothing (https://www.warlordclothing.com). We have actually been busier than ever just trying to get new business and keep the doors open during all this. We set up to sell at a lot of live events like comic cons and concerts, but all those have all been canceled. Online business has dropped substantially as well, but things are looking up.
Jon: Painting and other art projects/ landscaping projects. Working out Cape Fear style in my bedroom. Making sure my Pug gets to sit in on Zoom meetings with me for work.
Sean: I’ve been working remotely from home, but with time saved by no longer dealing with Los Angeles traffic I’ve been trying spend more time painting, trying to learn guitar, and fixing the broken car in my backyard.
Have you been listening to any music or have any playlists worth checking out?
Kyle: Well, this past ‘holiday season’ I listened to a ton of doom to get into the festivities, like Graves at Sea, Church of Misery, Trapped Within Burning Machinery, Neurosis, etc. etc. etc. Other than that, I’ve been bouncing back and forth between a lot of death metal a la Asphyx, Coffins, Bolt Thrower, etc., some good ol’ crust/d-beat staples (Disfear, Victims, Tragedy, 偏執 症者 [Paranoid], Anti-Cimex, etc.), and 90’s pop country (a lotta Dwight Yoakam, Tracy Byrd, Brooks & Dunn, etc. – don’t judge!!)
Christian: I’ve been jamming the classics a lot lately, but the unique thing is all the videos/live streams my friends are doing of music they’re working on. Can’t wait to hear some of that quarantine material when it’s done.
Bruce: My Spotify is stuck on 80’s hair metal and Entombed. You can check out my Spotify Playlist, “Bruces Big Time Bangers!” if you want to rock!
Jon: Death Bells and Twin Tribes have been on constant rotation. “MBD Doomtimes listening hour” on Spotify is good for some whiskey and dysentery jams.
Sean: Lately I’ve been passing a lot of time listening to jazz (Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, etc) and then heavy doses of Iron Maiden.
A lot of people have been spending this time cooking including making their own bread, what food have you been prepping during this time?
Kyle: I’ve been cooking a ton of food from scratch, but my main thing is cooking pizzas. I do the dough, sauce, etc., all by hand. 3 day cold ferment for the dough to give it that excellent taste and bubbling effect, etc. I also made a fantastic Chicago-style Deep Dish the other day. In fact, now it’s time to prep some more dough!
Christian: Feels like everything. I’ve been cooking 2-3 meals from scratch a day.
Bruce: I’ve eaten a lot of homemade cookies and cereal.
Jon: Salad and postmates.
Sean: I’ve been making a lot of pancakes, various grilled sandwiches, and shepherd’s pie.
In terms of entertainment, what movies, TV shows, books, or games have been keeping you busy?
Kyle: I’ve been playing a ton of video games. I just beat Ori: Will of the Wisps after a 4 day marathon session, been playing some Call of Duty: Warzone with friends on occasion, and just started Final Fantasy XV. Also I find myself going back to Pacifism Mode in Geometry Wars (I know it’s years old but I can still top my score!!) Also been re-watching Trailer Park Boys again. Gotta keep the mind fresh, ya know?
Christian: Like every horror movie available to stream, plus cooking shows and concert videos (I miss shows).
Bruce: I have an 11 month old daughter, so my entertainment consists of Blippy, Barney, Pee Wee’s Playhouse and Disney plus.
Jon: The Hunters, Westworld, Twin Peaks season 3 on loop for TV time. Reading Mysterious Skin by Scott Heim and High Magick by Damien Echols. Color out of space with Nic Cage was pretty rad.
Sean: Playing a ton of phone-based board and card games while hanging out over Zoom. As far as TV shows, I just finished Hunters and am always watching too many cooking competition shows. The new Final Fantasy VII remake has been eating up a ton of time as well.
What advice do you have for your fans in isolation during this time?
Kyle: Don’t forget the sack, don’t forget the pack.
Christian: Work on your hobbies, keep in touch with your friends, stay sane and have a drink.
Bruce: Support your favorite bands and brands by buying music and merch online and support small business. Tons of bands are out of work and won’t be able to tour for the foreseeable future so we need to show our support in any way we can if you have the means to do so.
Jon: Don’t believe a single thing that comes out of Donald Trump’s shitty mouth. Take care of yourself mentally and physically and make sure you reach out to your friends and loved ones. Most importantly don’t lose hope.
Sean: For me staying creative is crucial.
