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 Mike Schleibaum (Be Well/Darkest Hour) as he’s been spending this time adjusting to the new reality. Additionally, he’s also looking forward to Be Well’s debut album, The Weight and The Cost , arriving on August 21st via Equal Vision Records.
What have you been doing to pass time during Quarantine?
Initially I spent most of my days trying to deal with restructuring my life. I have a daughter so I became her school teacher, daddy day care style. After the shock of the “new reality” sunk in my family and I have adjusted well and I’ve been back to working on my different musical endeavors. All things considered we are very lucky. Our hearts go out to families all over the world who are dealing with the impacts of this Covid pandemic as well as those who have taken to the streets to help begin the discussion of reforming policing in American alongside the black lives matter movement.
Have you been listening to any music or have any playlists worth checking out?
I am more thankful than ever to have music to lean on right now and there is no shortage of good “new” music. Check out these albums which are scratching that rock / metal itch:
Nø Man “Erase”
In Flames – Clayman 2020
Strike Anywhere – “Frontier Glitch”
Sharptooth – “Transitional Forms”
Greg Puciato – Child Soldier: Creator of God (Single Out Now)
Or if you like hip / hop etc…check out:
Run the Jewels – RTJ4
Jeru The Damaja – Power – Single
Public Enemy – State of the Union (STFU) – Single
A lot of people have been spending this time cooking including making their own bread, what food have you been prepping during this time?
My wife is the chef at the house (I do all the cleaning) and she does a great job of making sure I eat a variety of awesome food. Trust me, after two decades of touring my skills in the kitchen are babel bite level at best.
In terms of entertainment, what movies, TV shows, books, or games have been keeping you busy?
I’m not into video games at all but as far as T.V. and movies during the Covid era, I have enjoyed watching Classic Movies like; Edward ScissorHands, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, CaddyShack (! & 2!!!), and E.T. As far as my favorite, turn my brain off TV shows I’ve been watching: Married with Children (TV), Killing Eve (BBC), West World (HBO), Billions (SHOWTIME), Ballers (SHOWTIME), Watchmen (HBO), Every Columbo episode, and the Steve Harvey Version of The Family Feud on repeat! Lastly, my favorite “hobby” for lack of a term is Oil Painting. My oil painting addiction started at first with my daughter’s obsession with Bob Ross episodes on Youtube. I remember as a kid always trying to paint with Bob, using anything I had around the house (my parents were NOT buying me oil paints). Since the invention of PAUSE and REWIND painting to Bob is a totally different experience. Our nightly family painting sessions were a nice way for me to continue my art addiction but also spend time with the whole family.
What advice do you have for your fans in isolation during this time?
My first piece of advice is, set some goals! I think it is good to set some long term goals that you can achieve during this time at home. For me it is a combination of stuff I never had time for and things I have been trying to achieve forever. Second, connect with your friends, however you can! I think it is important to reach out to your extended family and friends, now more than ever. I hesitated form using Zoom and other communication methods at first, the digital connection didn’t do it for me and so I preferred the isolation. Now that I realize this is going to go on much longer I encourage you all to use these mediums to connect with your loved ones. It may seem strange at first but I can tell that my mental health improves after connecting with people especially in this isolated era.
