COVID-19 Update, all live music establishments have been ordered to close to help reduce the spread of the virus. All shows are canceled. Denver has one of the best live music scenes in the United States. When we were not “Sheltering in Place,” you could find bands playing all kinds of music in dozens of live music venues: from local garage bands like Colfax Speed Queen and Granny Tweedplaying in neighborhood bars like the Larimer Lounge and Hi-Dive, to national and international touring acts playing at the city’s biggest concert halls like the state of the art Mission Ballroom… and everything in between! Denver loves live music, it’s one of the things that makes our city a great place to live.
Punk Rock Saves Lives is a non-profit organization helping focus on health concerns, equal rights, human rights, and more. Knowing how difficult the deafening silence of this pandemic is PRSL organized a musical livestream last weekend. Rob Rushing and PRSL brought Reno Divorce live from an empty EastFax Tap straight into our homes! Music fans were able to enjoy and sing along with the band as they stayed stay safe and healthy while sheltering at home with music. Understanding the new musical gig economy, PRSL promoted supporting the music through a virtual tip jar for the band, buying drinks forward to support the bar’s staff, and ways to donate to PRSL’s causes. Any and all of these were and still are greatly appreciated, but not required. Rob just asked all of us to do what we can to support our musical community and beyond that are being affected by our current situation. The band played for over an hour, taking online requests, and finishing the livestream with a rocking rendition of Motörhead’s “Ace of Spades.” A great time was had by all.
After the show, LUD! caught up with Reno Divorce’s singer/guitarist Brent Loveday For a quick interview.
LUD! – Why was it important for Reno Divorce to host a livestream in conjunction with Punk Rock Saves Lives from EastFax Tap on April 26th?
Brent – Well, the first reason is obvious if you’ve watched the live stream. We needed the practice!!! But seriously, as a band we needed to get together for the first time since the shutdown. We needed to play our instruments as loud as we could. There’s a fellowship of being in a band, to being in the same room together and to feel the energy and volume. That’s where the joy of making music lies. The collaboration and feeding off each other‘s vibes. As for everyone else in the room, they needed to partake in rock ‘n’ roll communion, as well. It gave everyone a sense of normalcy in an age unlike any other in our lives. I’ve done a few Livestreams since this started, and although they are great in their own right, it’s just not the same. Having a small audience (PRSL, camera people, and sound tech) there was awesome. Rob and Tina are doing great things with PUNK ROCK SAVE LIVES, so we’re always willing to be a part of that. Rob is a good friend of mine, so when he asked me to do it, it was a no brainer!
LUD! – The last time I photographed the band was at the Ogden Theatre. How different is it loading all your gear into a neighborhood bar, and trying to set up while remaining socially distanced?
Brent – Ha ha, that’s what we are most comfortable, in a small “intimate” setting. What better way to interact with the audience, than when they’ve got no place to hide? When you perform on a big stage like the Ogden or at a festival, it’s a different kind feeling. It’s almost so big that it becomes small. As for loading in, it’s obviously a lot easier, which is fine by us because we are our own roadies.
LUD! – Abiding by current Denver COVID-19 orders there were less than 10 people present at the livestream. That included the bands 4 members, Punk Rock Saves Live’s Rob Rushing as host, the sound guy, and camera folks. Is it difficult performing to an empty room?
Brent – You would be surprised at how many empty rooms we’ve played over the years. When Reno Divorce restarted in Denver in 2001, our first two years were nothing but empty rooms. All of us were transplants. Our wives/girlfriends, a sound guy, a door guy, and a bartender were our biggest fans. Bands need that every now and then. That’s how you stay humble. It makes you grateful that at least six people are in the room and stayed for your whole set.
LUD! – Live music venues remain shuttered in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With no clear date for reopening venues currently, does Reno Divorce have anything coming up that as members of the absentee audience we can look forward to?
Brent – We’re trying to work things out with a buddy of mine in Parker. Kind of a block party feel, but still observing social distancing, of course. Let’s hope Johnny Law doesn’t shut it down. Also, I’m in recovery. Idle hands are truly a dangerous thing. I’ve got to be mindful to stay as busy as I can and as connected as I can. Otherwise bad things happen, irrational thoughts run rampant, bad things happen. Got to fill the time with positive pursuits.
LUD! – Any last thoughts, and is there a way that music fans can help support Reno Divorce in these uncertain times?
Brent – Absolutely! Our guitarist’s wife is quite the seamstress and she’s been sewing Reno Divorce facemasks. They look and feel great! I We are selling them for $15 + $3 shipping. People can get in touch with us through our Instagram or Facebook. We’re also going to offer “Reno Divorce Covid-19 Care Packages.” They’ll include T-shirts, a CD, a mask, some other trinkets. The best way to help us over the hump is to fill our virtual guitar cases with tips. People can Venmo them to @Brent-Loveday or to PayPal.me/BrentLoveday75. That really puts gas in our tanks and keeps our wheels rolling. Thank you again for the awesome pictures from the live stream, Johne! Hopefully we can do it again soon, either in a dive or at the Fillmore or wherever!!! To everyone, please stay safe and healthy. We will weather the storm together!!!
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