420 at practice - at what point do you tell somebody?

[singlemalt]

Yep, I had that coming. I wouldn't feel fully prepared for practice without checking over my gear, and filling a mini bottle or small flask with whatever the flavor of the month is.

I carry my own to avoid awkward situations like being offered a Cutty Sark. Ahh, they bought some scotch for me! That's so nice. Wow, the big bottle! Gee, I love you guys too...

The key word was "impaired". Whatever your buzz, certainly, enjoy! (please step outside if you are going to smoke, I'll come along and we'll enjoy the view)

If you come to my house to play, I'll offer you a drink, and if you don't drink, there is coffee, teas, soda, or ice water. I'm your host.

The OP's situation: It sounded like an audition. I picture standing there with guys I just met, keyed up and ready to audition, when instead of breaking the ice with a couple tunes, they decide to smoke up. I didn't say it was a deal breaker, just awkward. Kind of signals a lack of respect for my time and efforts to prepare and get there. It may have been their idea of good hospitality. I've offered guys drinks only to be told, "I'm recovery". Oops, my bad.

Auditions are different than routine practices.

If the band sounds great, has gigs, gets things done and is a good hang, their weed habit would be low on my list of concerns.

[gustobassman]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Well, maybe the states without MMJ at least...

Good point. I don't spend too much time on the Colorado or Washington CL.. haha

[ShoeManiac]

Looking at things from a scheduling standpoint, my band is always walking a fine line to make sure that everyone is available for practice. And then, we need to make those sessions productive. Especially since we're paying for rehearsal space. Smoking at those sessions would be really counter-productive.

I've been in plenty of jams and rehearsal sessions where people were either smoking or drinking. It could make for a cool hang. But after a while, the productivity of the sessions really started to go downhill because people were losing focus. It became more of a hang than anything that led to the betterment of the act. It's worth mentioning that some people can maintain, and others can't. But do you then get concerned not only about having musical and personal chemistry, but each band member's ability to maintain while partying?

[BawanaRik]

If nothing else it the mess factor. Everything that get's smoked leaves a mess. Empty beers leave a mess. And it's my experience that none of these add to a productive work environment.

Originally Posted by bluewine

I would never be in a band where they smoke or drink alcohol at rehearsals.

Blue

[DwaynieAD]

I don't enjoy being around drugs. My guitarist loves weed. we both know this about each other. He keeps it to a minimum during practice and I don't bitch at him.

we communicated and it's mutual respect.

seriously. communicate. I've been to parties where they were smoking in the basement because they knew I was coming and don't like being around it. People with respect for others still exist!

[ChrisB2]

Originally Posted by HolmeBass

Oh brother, just when were they supposed to tell you? On the Craigslist posting? I think you are over-reacting. Please refer the previous post that asked if you would have felt the same way about them having a coffee, a shot of liquor, or a cigarette. If it's just the actual stuff they partook of, then it's your hang-up, not theirs.

The difference is, the substances you listed are legal. I don't happen to live in Colorado ...

[Lazarus.Bird]

Are the cops going to break down the door and arrest you during band practice because the other guys are smoking?

Do you quit a band when whoever is driving the van goes over the speed limit?

[Bert Slide]

Originally Posted by BawanaRik

If nothing else it the mess factor. Everything that get's smoked leaves a mess. Empty beers leave a mess. And it's my experience that none of these add to a productive work environment.

Ah but you must understand that Tidyness is not the muse by which all are inspired to create music.

[Oneirogenic]

They should have said something. First time I jammed with a new originals the BL asks first if I am affiliated with law enforcement, asks if I am OK with weed, asks if its OK if they take a few puffs before rehearsal and if I want to join. If I wasn't OK with it they would have gladly taken it elsewhere. Our current drummer doesn't smoke and is OK with it but we don't smoke around him or during rehearsal out of respect. IMO that's how weed should be handled. Alcohol should probably be handled similarly but since it's not illegal anywhere I don't see drinking very moderately(a beer) around bandmates as a big deal. I think communication was mentioned?

[ChrisB2]

Um... yeah, I have first hand experience with "guilt by association." The cops may not break down the door, but I still don't want to be in the presence of illegal activity. And passengers don't get speeding tickets, only the driver...

[bassybill]

Most people here seem to be focused on the fact that it's weed, understandably, but I think the main issue other than the legal one is the actual smoke. I wouldn't even smoke regular cigarettes in an enclosed band practice space if there were non-smokers in the band (and I'm a pretty heavy smoker). And in a lot of practice spaces, smoking cigarettes would be illegal anyway.

Alcohol, on the other hand - like, say, a beer or two, not heavy drinking - no harm, no foul.

[hrodbert696]

Wow this thread provoked a lot of discussion fast!

The legality aspect of it wasn't much concern to me: I really doubt the state police were poised at the door to bust in on some middle-aged guys having a jam session. And I don't have a job that requires drug tests.

The awkwardness was more two things, each of which some folks seem to agree with me on; one was the courtesy/surprise issue, the other was the odd-man-out issue. I've seen CL ads where people have openly said their band was "420-friendly." I guess I'd kind of assumed that was the norm. Never heard that the cops were scanning CL ads to plant narcotics agents or anything. Even with just tobacco or alcohol, where I come from people ask before they do it around you. "You mind if I have a smoke...?" This wasn't asking if I minded, it was just, "By the way... this is what we do," and off they went.

And the odd-man-out feeling. I'm in a band now where a bandmate smokes pot. He asked me how I felt about it, and doesn't do it in rehearsal. That's fine with me, I don't need to be Mr Lifestyle Police to my bandmates. But being the ONLY guy in a group who doesn't smoke makes it seem hard to feel like a member of the group.

It was hard to tell how it was affecting their playing cause I've never played with them before. They're an experienced bunch of guys, been in and out of various local cover bands. The guitarist was tripping over himself a fair amount, forgetting where changes came, or lyrics for songs he said he'd sung a thousand times. The keyboardist and drummer were fine. I wasn't top of my game either, I came into this just off a bad flu, and for all I know it was me throwing him off.

Just seems like common sense would be to refrain during an audition and then tell the guy auditioning, by the way, this is what we usually do, how would you feel about that?

[jmattbassplaya]

My band is pretty cool about that sort of thing, but we don't allow it on gigs or at rehearsals. Same goes for booze, although we are cool with each other having a drink or two on a gig.

[dbd1963]

My experiences with this issue are limited, but have always been negative. Guys get baked or drunk and just can't play as well anymore. They don't see it because they are baked and drunk. I can't smoke because I've got asthma, and I know I don't play as well drunk so I'll never have more than two beers if I have any, so I'm going to be sober and I can see what's happening..

My experience has been, once a band goes past a certain limit, all useful practicing is over. They will not remember anything we do that changes something, and they can't play as well as they did before they got baked/drunk. I'd prefer a situation where that doesn't happen at all during practice just because I can't stand spinning my wheels. I mean, I do a lot of practice on my own outside the band practice times. I learn my parts and I get better during practice. Maybe I haven't played with the right musicians, but I haven't yet met one who shares that quality with me and gets baked/drunk during practice.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by jgroh

I would have been like, "yeah, thats cool. You dont mind if I huff some silver spray paint do ya?"

It is idiotic to pretend that this is even close to the same thing.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by bassybill

Most people here seem to be focused on the fact that it's weed, understandably, but I think the main issue other than the legal one is the actual smoke. I wouldn't even smoke regular cigarettes in an enclosed band practice space if there were non-smokers in the band (and I'm a pretty heavy smoker). And in a lot of practice spaces, smoking cigarettes would be illegal anyway.

Alcohol, on the other hand - like, say, a beer or two, not heavy drinking - no harm, no foul.

Absolutely, Bill. Though, it is easy enough to take the smoke outdoors.

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

The legality aspect of it wasn't much concern to me... The awkwardness was more two things, each of which some folks seem to agree with me on; one was the courtesy/surprise issue, the other was the odd-man-out issue.

I think even the potsmokers here can agree that those are valid concerns.
Personally, I think the surprise part (which is their issue) carries more weight than your odd-man-out concern (which is more your own). Dont get me wrong, I get your concern, but I dont think not toking necessarily makes you the odd man out (it could, but doesnt necessarily have to), as most smokers can be completely cool, and good friends with those who dont smoke.

[denhou1974]

Guys, I know it's music and we're in bands, etc. However there comes a point in life where most people don't want to risk getting arrested or going through any type of legal hassle. On every job application that I've filled out there is a space that says "have you ever been arrested?". They don't want to know if you've been convicted, they want to know about arrests.

Whether or not anyone agrees with 'doing 420' it's still illegal and something that you shouldn't do in mixed company. These guys were idiots for bustin' out with it at an audition. I'd steer clear of them.

[Bass_Pounder]

Originally Posted by Sartori

It is idiotic to pretend that this is even close to the same thing.

How was it idiotic ?

Outside of your little corner of the world, weed is still illegal as is "huffing"

Good for the goose...............

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by bassbully

I lay out my demands before I play in a band and ask them if there is any drug /alcohol use and how much. If it's minor I'm cool as long that it is not right in front of me a little weed might not break the deal. It's up to you and if you are not cool with it tell them so.

Always ask about this when setting-up an audition. I wouldn't count on it being volunteered.

I personally don't want to be around it at all and look for others who feel the same. That sometimes narrows the field, but it's worth it to me.

[SteveC]

Been there, done that. Those bands never worked. Ever. At this point in my life (46) I just don't want to waste my time with guys like that. Call me what you want, but that would have sent me packing.