Days of Rona: Gary Wendt of The Ghost Next Door
Posted in Features on April 1st, 2020 by JJ KoczanThe statistics of COVID-19 change with every news cycle, and with growing numbers, stay-at-home isolation and a near-universal disruption to society on a global scale, it is ever more important to consider the human aspect of this coronavirus. Amid the sad surrealism of living through social distancing, quarantines and bans on gatherings of groups of any size, creative professionals — artists, musicians, promoters, club owners, techs, producers, and more — are seeing an effect like nothing witnessed in the last century, and as humanity as a whole deals with this calamity, some perspective on who, what, where, when and how we’re all getting through is a needed reminder of why we’re doing so in the first place.
Thus, Days of Rona, in some attempt to help document the state of things as they are now, both so help can be asked for and given where needed, and so that when this is over it can be remembered.
Thanks to all who participate. — JJ Koczan
Days of Rona: Gary Wendt of The Ghost Next Door (Oakland, California)
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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?
Well, we are presently short a drummer so we haven’t been rehearsing anyways. We were also minus a bassist when this whole thing started. Fortunately, we found someone amidst the chaos. We are currently having her learn the tunes on her own and plan to get together one-on-one next week. We had just finished prepro demos for the new record, so I’m in the studio all by my lonesome tracking guitars for our follow-up.
No one in our camp is ill, thankfully.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
Shelter in place. Social distancing. Leave home only for necessities. That sort of thing.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
Folks on the street are a bit tense, it seems. On edge.
I have not witnessed any bad actors, thus far, however. Stood in my first line for the grocery store yesterday. That was kinda strange. It’s difficult to keep six feet apart from folks in those aisles, I tell ya!
In music, well, hopefully folks are practicing and/or writing at home. Now’s the time to create, my friends!
Obviously, no shows, no rehearsals. Some I know are in big enough bands to actually help raise money for specific causes. Robb (MH) has been using social media to raise funds for medical masks as well as using profits of merch sales to help out. Way ta go, dude!
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
My wife, Bekki and I had our very first virtual happy hour with our friends, Snake and Allison the other night. The three hours we spent together online, just flew by! Love those cats!
So far, I’ve been keeping super busy. I like being home with the wife and kitties. My company has tagged on an extra two weeks sick time for everyone, so, I’m in a good place, monetarily, for the time being. She’s working from home. Still, the looming recession is not something I’m taking lightly. Probably my number one concern, right there.
Everyone, stay calm, don’t hoard, keep a safe distance and please, don’t fear monger.
Not helpful at all.
Triple check those “facts” before you go haphazardly posting on Facebook too.
https://www.facebook.com/theghostnextdoor/
https://www.instagram.com/theghostnextdoorband/
http://theghostnextdoorband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theripplemusic/
ripplemusic.bandcamp.com
http://www.ripple-music.com/
