Stigma of marijuana and musicians

BassyVick · #1 02-10-2009, 11:01 PM

Hey was wondering what you thought on marijuana and musicians using it

Sorax · #2 02-11-2009, 02:53 AM

Time spent getting high could be time spent shedding..

Time spent posting on internet forums could be time spent shedding...

janekbass · #3 02-11-2009, 04:06 PM

I'm completely anti drugs, although I will drink a glass of wine/beer or a cocktail from time to time.

I've lost too many friends to drugs of all kinds, and I've been around it way too much as a musician. So I really don't dig the whole process no matter how harmless it might seem. It leads to more things, and can be very destructive.

Easy,

Janek

BassyVick · #4 02-11-2009, 06:19 PM

thanks Janek
I have always looked up to you as a player
and that was encouraging hearing that
I'm trying to be more healthy now I'm thinking about getting a bike,
any thoughts on exercise as a musician?

janekbass · #5 02-12-2009, 02:32 AM

well I work out about 6 times a week at the gym when I"m home. I play tennis as much as I can, and I hike and run from time to time when I have space in my schedule.

It's not always possible on the road to maintain that kind of work out routine, but I've been lucky with good hotels recently that have nice gyms..... so fingers crossed that it stays that way for a while.

Easy,

Janek

Bruce Lindfield · #6 02-12-2009, 03:20 AM

Just a thought on this subject - have you ever come across this situation and what would you do?

I was in one band where none of the members of the band were into drugs at all - but we got signed by a big label and they inisisted on hiring a name producer to record us.

So, first day of recording - we are ushered into a blacked-out studio with the producer and his engineering team, who proceeded to roll up huge joints and filled everywhere with thick smoke.

I hated it and it really made me feel like I couldn't play or do anything - but what do you do? Appear unprofessional and walk out? I asked if we could have air and light - but the producer insisted we needed the right "atmosphere" ...?

At the time I was young and inexperienced and it all went badly - but is there a right thing to do in this kind of situation?

janekbass · #7 02-12-2009, 04:49 PM

I've always stuck with what I want in situations like that, and I really don't mind telling someone what I think. I was on a record date last night where a few of the guys were smoking weed, and asked them to do it outside cos I didn't want to get smoked out when when I was in the middle of a session and it was fine. most people are totally cool if you just talk to them. As for getting an atmosphere from dark lighting and smoking weed.... it's a bunch of crap. and I have been fortunate enough to be able to choose who I work with for the most part and just tend not to get involved with people like that.

Easy,

Janek

bassrique · #8 02-12-2009, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

well I work out about 6 times a week at the gym when I"m home. I play tennis as much as I can, and I hike and run from time to time when I have space in my schedule.

It's not always possible on the road to maintain that kind of work out routine, but I've been lucky with good hotels recently that have nice gyms..... so fingers crossed that it stays that way for a while.

Easy,

Janek

Check out a TRX Trainer. They originated in the military, as it's hard to lift when you're in the middle of nowhere.

http://www.google.com/search?q=trx+t...ient=firefox-a

Bruce Lindfield · #9 02-13-2009, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janekbass

I've always stuck with what I want in situations like that, and I really don't mind telling someone what I think. I was on a record date last night where a few of the guys were smoking weed, and asked them to do it outside cos I didn't want to get smoked out when when I was in the middle of a session and it was fine. most people are totally cool if you just talk to them. As for getting an atmosphere from dark lighting and smoking weed.... it's a bunch of crap. and I have been fortunate enough to be able to choose who I work with for the most part and just tend not to get involved with people like that.

Easy,

Janek

Yes after that experience I only tried to play in bands with people I liked and music I liked - rather than trying to "make it" ...?

I think maybe these days of smoking bans in bars/clubs that people are happier to compromise, whereas 15-20 years ago it wasn't the case?

janekbass · #10 02-13-2009, 05:21 PM

well i know I'm happier about coming home from a gig and not stinking like an ashtray anymore. playing the 55bar and all those spots downtown in NYC used to take such a toll on your body with everyone smoking so much.

Easy,

Janek

rcarraher · #11 02-13-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Just a thought on this subject - have you ever come across this situation and what would you do?

I was in one band where none of the members of the band were into drugs at all - but we got signed by a big label and they inisisted on hiring a name producer to record us.

So, first day of recording - we are ushered into a blacked-out studio with the producer and his engineering team, who proceeded to roll up huge joints and filled everywhere with thick smoke.

I hated it and it really made me feel like I couldn't play or do anything - but what do you do? Appear unprofessional and walk out? I asked if we could have air and light - but the producer insisted we needed the right "atmosphere" ...?

At the time I was young and inexperienced and it all went badly - but is there a right thing to do in this kind of situation?

Hmm, no smoke free work place, huh? I'd of told the guy that the right atmosphere for you was lights and no smoke. After all you were being recorded, not him.

On the other hand, there's different fingers. I like a toke every once in awhile, and I have been in bands where every break meant a trip to the parking lot. If everyone can still do there job, no problem in my book.

Bruce Lindfield · #12 02-15-2009, 03:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcarraher

Hmm, no smoke free work place, huh? I'd of told the guy that the right atmosphere for you was lights and no smoke. After all you were being recorded, not him.

I did - but I was just the bass player with the aspring nobodies and he was the big-name producer, who had worked with the stars...

Cairobill · #13 02-15-2009, 11:58 AM

In my time spent in the music business in the UK (mid to late nineties) I saw a lot of coke, crack and heroin being abused. Nobody smoked dope, it was the class A's that were the problem. I was (and am) anti class A...

THC on the other hand I don't mind in the right context (not on a session though, it can make a substandard take feel like the best in the world)...it won't kill you but it definitely puts the breaks on your ambition, that's for sure...

CB

MM playerrrr EB · #14 02-15-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassyVick

Hey was wondering what you thought on marijuana and musicians using it

i think weed makes you stupid. do better drugs

funkyebk · #15 02-15-2009, 11:57 PM

Funny this popped up tonight...

I just got back from an audition with a band- I had talked to the lead guitarist and he and I connected- and he asked me out to sit in with the band tonight... From our conversations I knew that he didn't smoke (legal or chronic) which is cool- neither do I... but he did say the other guys did toke up but it wasn't a problem... yet...

Long story short- I went in and set up- and we ran through a couple of songs- The guitarist then went to the bathroom and no sooner than he had left the singer asks if I smoked weed... which I declined- then he and the other two lit up a spliff... Lead guitarist comes back and we continue... Lead guitarist and I are the only 2 that aren't partaking...

Afterward he and I talked and agreed that the 3 of them getting high didn't really detract from their playing- (that says a whole bunch) but it was definitely getting out of hand...

It was surreal for me... I wasn't offended- but the difference was obvious... The Lead Guitarist said that having me out opened his eyes to several things- how smoking weed didn't "harm" the other 3's playing, but how un-professional it was. They really weren't bad, but they hit a level and after smoking out didn't really progress beyond that... that the rest of the rehearsal for them was fairly wasted...

... wasted... that's about as fitting a term as I can think of...

So now I'm home, gear has been frebrezed and stored carefully back in their closets and cases... and I've got an insatiable desire for cheetos...

Bruce Lindfield · #16 02-16-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkyebk

They really weren't bad, but they hit a level and after smoking out didn't really progress beyond that... that the rest of the rehearsal for them was fairly wasted...

... wasted... that's about as fitting a term as I can think of...

Yes it's like when ads for bands say "No Timewasters!!"

This is what it makes me think of.....

oversoul · #17 02-16-2009, 10:26 PM

I currently perform live for a local Rock band where pretty much all members use marijuana.

One of the band members also has a past with hard drugs.

Personally I don't think that the use of marijuana affects the work schedule, the band is very motivated, have strict rehearsal rules, that includes no smoking inside the workplace, tobacco or marijuana during breaks only.

The negative side,

-we used to have a backsinger that did one gig with us, and got so shocked with the amount of alcohol and drug comsuption inside the dressing room, that she later on quit.

-the main guitar player is a brilliant player and composer, but his past with heavy drug use took a toll on his mind, his memory is clearly affected at the age of 33, being quite forgetful and having trouble to memorize song verses and chord progressions.

-THC affects your playing, it messes up short term memory, which means you probably will forget that in that next bar you go up to G#...OOOPS!

It also makes some people sloppier, so it's probably not a good idea to smoke one up before you go and learn jaco's solo in "havona"

Bruce Lindfield · #18 02-17-2009, 03:16 AM

On the other hand if you don't do drugs, it's quite possible to improve your memory as you grow older!

So taking up studying Jazz after 40, I have found that I can now remember the chord sequences of far longer and more complex tunes than I could at 20!

Mike Flynn · #19 02-17-2009, 04:14 AM

I stopped smoking weed over two years ago (I was only doing it occasionally, but had been really into it in the past) - aside from the actual harm smoking does and wanting to be fit and healthy I was more concerned about the psyhological effects that it can have in the long term - I need to be on it 100% of the time and I enjoy playing music so much when I'm completely straight I don't see how drugs would enhance the experience in any way.

I've also seen many, many casualties because of drugs and that includes many musicians - everthing is fine in moderation but aside from a glass or two of wine and the odd vodka and tonic I'm happy without that crap any more.

Mike