Days of Rona: Mike IX Williams of EyeHateGod
The ongoing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the varied responses of publics and governments worldwide, and the disruption to lives and livelihoods has reached a scale that is unprecedented. Whatever the month or the month after or the future itself brings, more than one generation will bear the mark of having lived through this time, and art, artists, and those who provide the support system to help uphold them have all been affected.
In continuing the Days of Rona feature, it remains pivotal to give a varied human perspective on these events and these responses. It is important to remind ourselves that whether someone is devastated or untouched, sick or well, we are all thinking, feeling people with lives we want to live again, whatever renewed shape they might take from this point onward. We all have to embrace a new normal. What will that be and how will we get there?
Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan
Days of Rona: Mike IX Williams of EyeHateGod (New Orleans, Louisiana)
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How are you dealing with this crisis as a band? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is everyone’s health so far?
Same as everyone, some shows cancelled. We were taking the rest of the year off anyway, except for two different Psycho Fest shows and a couple make up gigs. So no tours were booked. We just came back from Europe from the Napalm Death tour and got back in America right in the middle of the madness. Everybody is healthy and safe. In fact Jim is all buff now. Weightlifting looks good on him!
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
I really don’t know because I’ve made up my own rules; stay the fuck away from humans, wear a mask and a black bandana with black gloves only, if I go outside. My mind has been in isolation since I figured out how to put an Alice Cooper record on the turntable so I’m fine with this. Can’t wait to tour again though, but it takes what it takes. No rush if it will flatten this thing.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
It’s awful. Club workers, promoters, booking agents, recording studios, engineers, sound persons, record stores, roadies, drum techs, tour managers, merch sales people and more… All out of work for now. If the Ramones were alive, the guy who was the pinhead and carried the Gabba Gabba Hey sign would be out of work…
It’s an all around bummer.
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
I’ve been working on more writing and spoken word stuff, I’m playing guitar and doing artwork as well. I know the other guys are writing. I need to find a studio open as I need to finish vocals on the new EyeHateGod album. This time off was supposed to be for that, but everything is closed as of now. I’ll do them in a garage with Protools if someone will hook me up. EHG will be back out on the road possibly end of the year (Psycho Smokeout in October?) but definitely next year. We want everyone to be safe and healthy and buy our merch from www.eyehategod.ee
There’s a USA store and a European store. Keep your masks on and social distance for the rest of your lives, I am..!
http://www.eyehategod.ee
http://www.facebook.com/OfficialEyeHateGod
https://www.instagram.com/eyehategodnola
Glad to hear EHG are making new music, cant wait really
mmmmhhh, glad to read I mean
Don’t forget to take your tylenol….
He says psyco fest . But i was told it was cancled