Being "drunk" and being "stoned"

Rage1331 · #1 08-04-2011, 07:11 PM

I see way too many people on TB grouping the two together, and they are two very different things. Getting drunk and trying to play is usually a mess, but there are some who can pull it off. Alcohol makes people belligerent, violent, and sloppy. Smoking up before playing usually doesnt make one sloppy, it wont make you billigerent, and I dont even think it is possible to make one violent. Granted, some people have issues with it, like any drug. I just get sick of seeing the two grouped together, when they are clearly different. Being drunk before a show you are playing is far worse than being high before a show. I have seen this far too many times to count. All the bandmates I have ever had long term agree with me, and most wont have more than 2 beers before a show, but we can sit in a car in the parking lot and smoke for 20 minutes before a show and nail it. Just saying.

Edit: I realize I posted this in haste, I was angry over reading multiple threads where people kept grouping the two together, and while I realize that the effect it has on people is completely different from person to person, I still strongly believe the two should not be grouped together.

kesslari · #2 08-04-2011, 07:17 PM

fractal0243 · #3 08-04-2011, 07:17 PM

I've played in a jam band for the past 2 years, and our lead singer/rhythm guitar player would smoke on set break. His sense of timing and rhythm went COMPLETELY out the window. What he thought sounded amazing sounded like absolute crap to the rest of us. We record all our shows, and it's pretty obvious when he's high vs. sober. On the other hand, when he drank booze, he was actually looser and sounded better. I think it varies from one individual to another, but I prefer playing with sober people in general.

Lesfunk · #4 08-04-2011, 07:17 PM

Why do you have to be either?

Rage1331 · #5 08-04-2011, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lesfunk

Why do you have to be either?

I didn't say you had to be either. I was playing bass years before I ever smoked. I'm just tired of seeing the two grouped together, when they are clearly different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fractal0243

I've played in a jam band for the past 2 years, and our lead singer/rhythm guitar player would smoke on set break. His sense of timing and rhythm went COMPLETELY out the window. What he thought sounded amazing sounded like absolute crap to the rest of us. We record all our shows, and it's pretty obvious when he's high vs. sober. On the other hand, when he drank booze, he was actually looser and sounded better. I think it varies from one individual to another, but I prefer playing with sober people in general.

And yes, I understand that everyone is different regarding these things, but I generally find that more people are competent while high vs. being drunk.

**jmattbassplaya** · #6 08-04-2011, 07:23 PM

I've yet to meet someone who plays better while stoned. A few guys I know will loosen up after a drink or two, but anymore than that and they're just as bad as a stoned guy.

BurningSkies · #7 08-04-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I've yet to meet someone who plays better while stoned. A few guys I know will loosen up after a drink or two, but anymore than that and they're just as bad as a stoned guy.

This. I hate playing with people who are fully stoned. They play poorly. They don't pay attention to what's happening on stage, or hit their parts, etc.

I don't mind people who 'get a little high'. I don't mind people who 'have a drink or two' but too much is too much, and while you may think you're awesome, you probably are really awful.

I've had to have this talk with a few (past) band members...being part of more than a few reggae bands. High is OK, buzzed ain't a problem, but wasted no matter what the product of choice just sucks.

Don't get me started on coke heads. They're even worse than all the rest.

Lesfunk · #8 08-04-2011, 07:28 PM

I can only speak for myself but if I have a beer or two or even three, No prob.
If I have a toke, I'm a liability.
For the record I don't drink or Smoke. Just keep those horse tranquilizers away from the stage!

Rage1331 · #9 08-04-2011, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

I've yet to meet someone who plays better while stoned. A few guys I know will loosen up after a drink or two, but anymore than that and they're just as bad as a stoned guy.

I clearly did not say smoking makes you better.

waleross · #10 08-04-2011, 07:30 PM

Its your choice, right or wrong. However +1 on losing your timing , it happened to me back in the good ole days......Still, if you are young then you have to make up your own mind, have fun.....

ffutterman · #11 08-04-2011, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

This made me laugh.

As for "Alcohol makes people belligerent, violent, and sloppy.", I disagree. Sure, it makes some people belligerent, violent, or sloppy, and occasionally all of the above, but it all really comes down to a person's ability to hold liquor and how they react to it. After a nice glass of strong rum (Kraken, anyone?), I get a little more laid back and jokey. Certainly not belligerent or violent. Sloppy, maybe

lowfreq33 · #12 08-04-2011, 07:34 PM

I have experience with both, and honestly either can be a liability. Different people react in their own way to each, and to varying amounts, but ANY substance can affect your playing. Alcohol and pot both slow your reaction time and dull your senses. I have no problem with someone catching a buzz before a show, as long as it doesn't affect their performance. But when someone crosses the line into slopville it's time to have a talk.

vin*tone · #13 08-04-2011, 07:36 PM

Depends on the music, the player, the time of day, the expectations, the vibe, the other musicians.

I have a drummer who often turns up to gigs stoned or drunk. He thinks it makes him more creative etc etc... but his timing really suffers.

He's a great drummer but is not widely respected because when he's showcasing his skills on a gig - he's bent/drunk (yes I mixed them up there because I can't tell which one it is) & he sounds like ass.

Rage1331 · #14 08-04-2011, 07:37 PM

Marijuana is a psychological drug, it all can be controlled. Sure, try playing for the first couple times and you might screw up. A few shows down the road and you can hit almost everything right. It's the same when people say "I get all parinoid when I use it", well thats because you let yourself go down that road. I have seen and experience many different things using this substance, and I can tell you that it is all about control. When you're drunk, your muscles cant properly react in time. Again, I get everyone is different, and is effected differently. Mabey where I live people can control themsleves on it better or use it more often.

Red Planet · #15 08-04-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rage1331

we can sit in a car in the parking lot and smoke for 20 minutes before a show and nail it. Just saying.

Or at least you think you did.

Rage1331 · #16 08-04-2011, 07:40 PM

Alot of the perciptions people carry about pot is based on false "scientific" testing and theorys. There is a reason it's far less harmful than alcohol, yet is illegal. And not a legitimate one either.

Red Planet · #17 08-04-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rage1331

Marijuana is a psychological drug, it all can be controlled. Sure, try playing for the first couple times and you might screw up. A few shows down the road and you can hit almost everything right. It's the same when people say "I get all parinoid when I use it", well thats because you let yourself go down that road. I have seen and experience many different things using this substance, and I can tell you that it is all about control. When you're drunk, your muscles cant properly react in time. Again, I get everyone is different, and is effected differently. Mabey where I live people can control themsleves on it better or use it more often.

It's quite obvious it controls you.

Savage_Dreams · #18 08-04-2011, 07:44 PM

you are completely WRONG. some people are happy drunks. not every one gets belligerent and violent. some people can drink you under the table and still play fine. im not saying its good to drink before a show either, just some people can do it. drinking and smoking should be treated exactly the same way. some people can handle it, some cant. this is my main problem with pot. it should be treated the same as alcohol. some pot heads want to be stoned all day, everyday. you shouldnt go to work stoned, you shouldnt drive stoned. just like drinking. ive seen people stoned out of their mind that couldnt tie their shoe laces. if you can get stoned and play, good for you, you sure have achieved something great in life. way to go duuuudeeee.

worxforme · #19 08-04-2011, 07:47 PM

My guitarist's timing is half-a$$ anyway, so when he smokes it's all-a$$

TylerSteiz · #20 08-04-2011, 07:48 PM

I don't think anyone should smoke or drink before a show, I personally like to be clear headed while performing. Being stoned does make you sloppier but I've came up with some cool stuff on bass just noodling around at home while high a couple times in the past.