In an effort to formalize our Quarantine Blues series a bit, we’ve devised a 5-question quiz to pose to the musicians & other media figures sharing in the Covid-19 stay-at-home orders sweepstakes. There will be new entries every coupla days.
We’re thrilled to include Stephen Egerton in our Quarantine Blues series. Stephen has been tearing it up as the guitarist for punk pioneers Descendents since 1986 and sports a resume that includes guitar duties in ALL and Flag as well as a great solo album released in 2010 and extensive mixing and mastering credits. We caught up with Stephen from his home in Oklahoma to see how he has been dealing with the pandemic.
1) How are you getting your live music fix? Any live streams or Youtube clips that standout?
Oddly, I haven’t been following along with the many live shows that are happening during the quarantine, short of watching one of my good friend, Scott Reynolds. I’ll address this more in a later question, but I’ve been having a good run creatively during this, and I don’t tend to listen to much music when I’m doing a lot of writing.
2) What else have you been watching, listening to and reading to pass the time?
I recently finished The Murmur Of Bees, which is oddly prophetic, as a fair bit of the book takes place during a pandemic! After that, I read a book about songwriting by Jimmy Webb called Tunesmith, which was a great primer on a kind of applied songwriting. Now I’m reading the Sherlock Holmes stories for the millionth time. I love those stories so much. I haven’t been bothering with TV, but I likely will be as this progresses.
3) How are you managing (or not) to stay creative / healthy?
As it happens, Descendents weren’t going to be doing as many shows this year as is typical for us when we’re recording a record, so work is progressing on that, and since I’m home, I’m mixing and mastering records too. As well, I’m demoing tons of songs. I have not been bored. I do need to be getting out more though. I’m spending a lot of time in our basement.
4) You have to pick just 3 records to listen to till this is over. What are they?
50th anniversary edition of “Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” Pernice Brothers “Spread The Feeling,” and Pears “Pears.”
5) Food Time! Have you been cooking in or carrying out? Favorite recipes or restaurants you're supporting? What's in the liquor cabinet? Share your quarantine eating and drinking habits and changes!
I’m find cooking frustrating, but I’m doing it anyway, and I do seem to be improving. I can now make a wicked lasagna, and several other dishes. We haven’t eaten out at all during this. I have been eating a lot of late-night ice cream, so the “quarantine 15” is a thing.
Thanks! Any final thoughts you would like to share?
I hope everyone’s staying safe and healthy during all of this. Thanks to medical staff everywhere, as well as people working in necessary positions like grocery stores, and so on. You rule, and are much appreciated.