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.

When Ken Haas isn’t busy running Reverend Guitars (an Ohio-based company) - churning out exciting new models and showing them off on his Friday morning live-casts (that started years before Covid-19) - he’s showing off his mad skills on the strings for The Polka Floyd Show and J. Navarro And The Traitors. Ken checks in from his Toledo-area home to tell us how he’s coping with the isolation!

1) How are you getting your live music fix? Any live streams or Youtube clips that standout?

We have been getting a lot of great video content from our artist roster - Everything from Greg Koch live from the Orange Room to Bad Cop Bad Cop’s various coolness to Live with Lady Hatchett from Baltimore. And of course, I miss playing live in my own bands, but we are keeping the Friday morning Reverend Guitars Facebook live feed going.

2) What else have you been watching, listening to and reading to pass the time?

I’ve watched more television in the last two months than I have in the last five years. We binge watched all of Homeland .. which was a little intense for the times. I went through a 2 1/2 weeks self quarantine after being exposed to someone with the virus. I’m totally fine obviously. During that time I played with Legos while my wife and daughter watched goofy soap operas like Royal Pains in the background. I didn’t pay attention I swear. Hankmed, what?

3) How are you managing (or not) to stay creative / healthy?

Well, I’ve struck a fine balance between eating healthier and not exercising. I eat a lot of fast food before this started, but I was also a hell of a lot more active. I haven’t had fast food in months, and I don’t miss it, but man I’m on the couch more than I’ve ever been

4) You have to pick just 3 records to listen to till this is over. What are they?

The records question. You bastards. This is a real tough one, no particular record or Genre has really struck me as being representative of the times. And I really only listen to music in the car. In this day and age it seems many people are going through their vinyl and really enjoying themselves, and that’s great. I actually envy that. I’ve been spending a lot of time at Reverend Guitars. With most of my staff laid off or working at home for the majority of the last two months, I was wearing a lot of hats. Music was just Background noise while trying to get the job done around here. But. I did re-discover a couple of great gems from Reverend artists.

1- The Sun & Sail Club / The Great White Dope. This record features Bob Balch of Fu Manchu, along with the drummer Scott Reeder of Fu and the bass player Scott Reeder from Kyuss and is fronted By Tony of the Adolescents. There are some wicked grooves and absolutely fantastic playing all over this album. It’s to go to while working in the warehouse.

2) The Tragically Hip - Day for Night. With songs like “Inevitability of death” and “Scared” ... Gordon Downie left a powerful legacy.

3) let’s go back another generation - Check out the lyrics to industrial disease by Dire Straits. The song features cheesy keyboards and a goofy wah guitar which is outside the box of Mark’s usual playing - but the lyrics ring true some 40 years later.

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 kind of already hit on this, we have been cooking. I have a big breakfast guy, and I will short order cook for my family. I try to do it year-round. I will pick a breakfast meat every morning and then cook everybody eggs to order. My wife Penny usually handles dinner, and she’s been playing around with a lot of recipes that she’s been wanting to try for years, along with favorites that we all love. I have also drink less alcohol in the last 10 weeks than I have in 10 years. Part of it has been nerves. And part of it has been because I’ve been working 60+hours a week. When I do have a drink - It’s my usual. Guinness or Johnny Black

Thanks! Any final thoughts you would like to share?

Luckily - I think for the most part everyone in my life seems to have their head on straight. I really appreciate everybody out there keeping the music business and the guitar business alive. Thank you!