Days of Rona: Bill Denton of Cracked Machine
The 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. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan
Days of Rona: Bill Denton of Cracked Machine (Wiltshire, England)
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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?
We’re generally OK. Bill and Blaze have had mild symptoms, which may or may not be Corona. But, overall we are staying positive. Like everybody else, we have had to cancel gigs but everybody involved has been really positive and it has given us a chance to make bigger plans for the future. We have a Europe tour coming up in August so we are waiting to see how the situation develops. Personally I am using the time at home to work on new music ideas and catch up some guitar building in my workshop.
What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?
Here in the UK we have been told to stay at home and only go out for essential reasons. Where we live, most people are doing the right thing but I think that maybe the restrictions will get tighter in some areas. Maybe in London and the bigger cities.
How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?
Everyone has been affected – bands, venues, promoters, studios – We are all trying to keep in touch and keep everyone’s spirits up. It is very quiet everywhere but overall, it feels like people are just getting on with it and adapting and hoping we can get back to better times. We keep in touch with our neighbours on Whatsapp and I think for a lot of people, just interacting in some way is a big help to get through this
What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?
The thing that stands out for me is that in some way, every person in the world is affected in some way by this. Maybe, if there is something positive we can take from this whole experience, it is that we need to look after each other – not just when there is a global virus, but all the time. I hope we can learn from this and live our live in a better way. Peace!
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