drummer on shrooms

sixerguy3 · #1 03-24-2012, 08:28 AM

So we scheduled two practices before a gig to kind of nail the set list we were planning. The drummer shows up a few minutes late with an awful grin on his face. He tells us that he picked up some shrooms and had smoked a joint in the car. He was pulled over by a cop for having his tail light out and was extemely paranoid about the smell from the joint so he ate the shrooms. We laughed it off and he was fine for about the first 3 or 4 songs. At one point in between songs he looked at me and said "I totally feel fine to play, but if I even touch the toms I'm screwed!" Haha. The climax of all this was in the middle of a jam I stopped hearing the drums and glanced over to find him completely air drumming at the kit. He was playing with normal attack, but he wasn't touching any drum or cymbal. We decided to finish it up since it was steadily going downhill. He then says "So what songs are we planning on playing for the gig?" My response was "Every song we just played during your trip!" In his defense he is a great guy, and an even better drummer. He is always punctual and I actually told the other bandmates that I admired him still showing up to practice. It shows his dedication, whereas most people may have just said they couldn't make it to practice due to unforseen events. It was frustrating, but at the end of the day probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen. This whole thing has now gotten him the nickname "The Lizard King" in honor of Jim Morrison. Thought you would all enjoy this gem.

kevteop · #2 03-24-2012, 08:30 AM

Smoking weed and driving is not cool. Taking shrooms and then driving more is just ridiculous. What a dick.

sixerguy3 · #3 03-24-2012, 08:38 AM

Very true. He's always been punctual and is an awesome guy. Hes Definitely a huge hippie, but never caused us any concerns or issues so weve never judged him on his choice of drink or drug that he chooses to partake in. This was frustrating, however it did make for a good laugh. I wish I could have video taped it and made a documentary out of it to show him at a later date. As a side note, he formally apologized to us insisting that his personal life and choices never affected him negatively in any other gig or practice, and it was a wake up call to him. So he learned as valuable lesson and we got a few laughs in the process. Everybody wins.....

KwinS · #4 03-24-2012, 02:32 PM

I don't want to raise a stink or start an argument here, but I wouldn't work with him. Just MHO. I'm sure a lot of folks will disagree with me, but there ya go...

AltGrendel · #5 03-24-2012, 02:39 PM

Does this kind of thing happen often with this guy?

Darth Handsome · #6 03-24-2012, 02:45 PM

Awesome. Totally awesome.

The gig is going to be smokin' (no sarcasm). Great story.

evilt70 · #7 03-24-2012, 02:50 PM

I jammed for years with a great guitar player, who would get better the more messed up he got ( I don't drink or toke, so it wasn't a illusion). We got to the point at shows where we would buy him several jagerbombs before going on stage. He would start nailing solo's , playing them over the top of the guitar neck, sometimes playing whole songs over the top of the neck. He did a show on shrooms once and the performance was unbelievable. I have never seen any other musician able to do that.

ErebusBass · #8 03-24-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

Smoking weed and driving is not cool. Taking shrooms and then driving more is just ridiculous. What a dick.

Hey man, you gotta get to work.

T Bassman · #9 03-24-2012, 07:51 PM

I agree with Kwin Smith. At this stage of my career I've got no time for that nonsense, or folks who don't respect their bandmates enough to turn up ready to work with a clear head. Sounds like rank amateur BS to me. Then again, if it's the culture built into your band or peer group, have at er' I suppose.

Funny how those kind of bands always wonder why nothing ever 'happens' for them, and why others seem to achieve more.....

Philonius · #10 03-24-2012, 08:07 PM

Meh. OK, not very professional, and I definitely wouldn't want to see this as a regular thing, but if he's a good drummer (they's hard to find ya'know), and is almost always dependable, I wouldn't sweat it. Sure makes a good story.

lowfreq33 · #11 03-24-2012, 08:09 PM

Oh come on, it's not like the guy PLANNED on showing up that way. The OP isn't mad, why should you guys get all sanctimonious about it?

SBassman · #12 03-24-2012, 08:09 PM

I don't agree with the others who say they wouldn't work with him. I'd give him another chance. But, if this happens again - you probably want to think about other options.

Rocker949 · #13 03-24-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Oh come on, it's not like the guy PLANNED on showing up that way. The OP isn't mad, why should you guys get all sanctimonious about it?

+1

loopee · #14 03-24-2012, 09:53 PM

Still, he really shouldn't be driving under the influence.....just think.....if he has an accident and kills or maims innocent people.............

Floyd Eye · #15 03-24-2012, 11:25 PM

Drummer shows up to practice stoned on shrooms. Not a big deal. On a gig, then we have a problem.

Plays_For_Dog · #16 03-24-2012, 11:41 PM

If it's an isolated incident and he was totally cool about it (not acting like a dick) then I would laugh it off and try again another day.

If it was a habitual problem, then I would push him out and replace him.

If the rest of the band didn't really care and saw the amusement in it, then laugh away. It is pretty damn funny being sober and watching someone trip hard on shrooms.

KwinS · #17 03-24-2012, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Oh come on, it's not like the guy PLANNED on showing up that way. The OP isn't mad, why should you guys get all sanctimonious about it?

Sanctimonious? That's poor use of a great word. I've played the music game too long to have gear impounded by the police because they found drugs in the band member's van that was taking all our gear to a big gig...again.

CannyBusDriver · #18 03-25-2012, 12:08 AM

Smoking weed and driving reduces accidents, sounds ridiculous but every study has proven this fact. You are more paranoid, and careful, therefore you drive slower. Ive driven high more than I have sober, never crashed a car in about 5 years of driving, only person in my family who hasn't wrecked a car. What about people driving on their prescribed pills like adderall, vivance, xanex (i probably butchered the spelling on all of those).... I am sure there are more dangers associated with those drugs and driving.

Man there are some uptight anti drug folk around here... The best musicians were drug addicts/users, don't kick someone out of a band because they get a little fudgey before a jam session (the best time to get fudgey). People turned down Jaco because he got too fudged before playing and look how he turned out..........................

dont you just love drug rants over the interwebzzz

jmattbassplaya · #19 03-25-2012, 12:10 AM

CannyBusDriver · #20 03-25-2012, 12:37 AM

lol ya my post deserves that haha