How Rock n’ Roll is Keeping Us Going During the Coronavirus Pandemic
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We’re six weeks in lockdown here in New York City. I’m starting to get a little cross-eyed, buried beneath information overload, and woe about what might happen next. And I’m anxious about what may never happen again. The world has not gone through anything like this since the birth of rock n roll. The coronavirus pandemic is changing the rock and roll experience. Although we will return to gigs at some point, the question is, when? How soon will fans feel confident enough in our world’s health measures to go out and get deliciously smothered in the first 5 rows of a gig? When will you take your next stage dive? I can imagine Goth clubs coming in first with a new norm: lavish masks and veils, swirling six feet apart on the dance floor. I can picture non-dancing concertgoers who can’t stand to be touched watching each guitar stroke in bliss. Maybe club floors will get decked out like chess boards, marking the square in which only one person can stand.
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Those scenarios aren’t exactly the ones I want to return to.
I want to get into the pit.
I want the sweat of strangers to fly into my face as we jump around to the music, and I don’t what to give a crap about it. To flirt closely with someone on the dance floor, and never see them again, can only happen in a dream right now. I want a drag of your cigarette. A sip of your drink. I crave the energy of a packed, music-obsessed audience. Alas, I’ll have to wait.
The good news is that many of our favorite musicians are keeping the good times going in a variety of ways. I wish I could be the one that could report Robert Smith just dropped the new Cure record. But, unfortunately, as far as I’ve read, we will have to wait. And as far as the post’s title, I don’t have anything to report about Bauhaus. It just seemed fitting. But there’s plenty of other beats to check out. Here’s my list of favorite rock & roll happenings to check out, inspired by these strange covid19 days we’re all living in, listed in no particular order:
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Ten Grand Goldie official video by Einstürzende Neubauten
Although this happenin’ is a one-stop, the new video took my breath away when I saw how Neubaten has embroidered the sheltering in place orders into this music video. The song is on their new album, Alles In Allem, which is due to drop May 15th, 2020. In addition, their entire back catalog is now available to stream.
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Jarvis Cocker’s Domestic Disco
Jarvis Cocker has been keeping busy on Instagram, delivering a live broadcast from his living room 9pm BST of “Domestic Disco” every Saturday since April 3rd. You can find his playlists on Spotify. If that’s not enough, he’s delivering a bedtime story every Sunday at 9pm BST.
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Tim’s Twitter Listening Party
Although I personally have not had the energy to join in on this one yet, the production of Tim Burgess’ Twitter listening parties takes the #1 spot in the E for effort category. Tim launched the parties on March 23rd, with the intention of one album per week and backstories from the artists. He was non-committal about how long it would last.The scene has blossomed into a nightly phenomenon with at least three records streaming each night. #timstwitterlieningparty is a hip shelter at home happening and a great way to learn new tidbits about your favorite band.
Nick Cave’s Bad Seed TeeVee
Nick Cave launched a 24 hour live YouTube channel called Bad Seed TeeVee. Tune in anytime to watch videos, interviews, and unreleased footage. Full disclosure: I was hoping for a longer loop than the current one. That said, the channel is both soothing and sweet on the psyche. It reminds me of when MTV actually aired music videos 24 hours a day. Total invigoration.
The Damned Show
“Updated weekly until the end of these days”. The Damned are producing a Youtube show, with interviews, memories, gardening tips and more!
Goth and roll during the coronavirus in full swing.
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The Descendents Everything Sucks Shirt
From the band’s Instagram: “We’ve got a brand new shirt available now to help raise funds for a very worthy organization helping out with the COVID-19 pandemic. The classic Everything Sucks image has been updated to reflect these strange times we’re living in!
All proceeds from the sale of this shirt will go to benefit the Crooked Media Coronavirus Relief Fund. This relief fund will be dividing up the funds raised equally between Meals on Wheels America, CDC Foundation, Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, Direct Relief, Feeding America, National Domestic Workers Alliance, One Fair Wage Emergency Fund, and No Kid Hungry.
https://kingsroadmerch.com/descendents/
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Living in a Ghost Town official video by The Rolling Stones
My list ends as it began with a one-stop: the new Rolling Stones video for “Living in a Ghostown” There’s a great Rolling Stone article about the backstory. The fact that these guys are alive, are still making good music, and can still pull off wearing tight pants is enough to make anyone hopeful. If this isn’t rock n roll during the coronavirus, I don’t know what is.
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Honorable mention goes out to all of the DJ’s hosting streaming sessions, like The Red Party, Miz Margo, Andi 80s, and Operadenuit .If all of this is still not enough for you, bookmark Brooklyn Vegan, Slicing Up Eyeballs 180 Minutes, and Iggy Pop. Email info@push.arushabaker.com if you have any other musical goodies to recommend. Stay safe and stay rockin’ and rollin’ forever.