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

[RedMoses]

I smoke regularly, when i go to auditioned i DO NOT, If i get the gig i would not unless i see its part of the band's culture to do so while practicing.

Since i am a regular smoker, i do not feel that my playing is negatively affected by it, in fact it allows me to get more into the groove.

However, not everyone is like this, i was in a band where it was the culture but when the drummer took a puff his playing would be so greatly affected that it became counter productive and that is a problem. He himself knew it but liked to take a puff, after we had a talk he would not touch it until after the session.

Then there's Beer, every so often i bring in a sixer and we enjoy a beer or two during our 3 hour session, no probs, during gig night we limit ourselves to 2 drinks before we go on. But i used to be in a band where the singer would get sloshed before getting on stage, (especially when we's head line) and his performance would be greatly affected. We mentioned it to him and he agreed but he kept on doing it and this was one of the reasons i had to move on.

If you feel the puffs are negatively affecting the guys playing and you really care about the project then you should say something ASAP, some may get offended so be carefull (Ego's!) or just move on.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by guymanndude1

I will never forget I was flipping thru an old encyclopedia once and I saw an entry on weed and it said that sometimes musicians have been known to use the substance because they think it makes them play better. Then it says it doesn't, they just think it does. I laughed for twenty minutes, the book was from the sixties, still true today.

SO ABSOLUTELY TRUE! The ONLY people who think you sound better are YOU and perhaps your similarly stoned bandmates. Stoners are delusional or in denial about this fact simply because they want to continue to use drugs. Do some video/audio recording to A/B and see how silly the illusion is. It's just an excuse to use.

[Mushroo]

Without dragging this into a "weed: yay or nay?" debate, I can speculate with fair certainty that several of humanity's all-time most popular and beloved masterpiece songs (and I'm not just talkin' Grateful Dead) were recorded under the influence of cannabis, whether you are willing to accept it or not. Call me delusional or in denial if you like; I say it is delusional to deny that cannabis has been used as a creativity-enhancer and mood-alterer by musicians, poets, mystics, saints, and madmen for thousands of years.

[boristhespider9]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

Without dragging this into a "weed: yay or nay?" debate, I can speculate with fair certainty that several of humanity's all-time most popular and beloved masterpiece songs (and I'm not just talkin' Grateful Dead) were recorded under the influence of cannabis, whether you are willing to accept it or not. Call me delusional or in denial if you like; I say it is delusional to deny that cannabis has been used as a creativity-enhancer and mood-alterer by musicians, poets, mystics, saints, and madmen for thousands of years.

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

Just because a VERY small number of artists may have had some success DESPITE their drug use, does not translate into the conclusion that you sound better when stoned. You don't.

[giacomini]

I prefer 410s, 420s are too muddy...

Wait, this isn't the amp forum!

[pacojas]

hey boris,...

read the quote again! it says " AN OLD ENCYCLOPEDIA"!!!

old,... like your bias! wake-up, man! you've been Brain-Washed. i'll bet you worship dozens of Pot-Head musicians and you don't even know it! been drinkin'?

[dmusic148]

Dorks.
I've dropped more weed on the floor than most people will every smoke, and I'd never consider springing that on anyone. Dumb, unnecessary.
I've quit nearly 100% simply because it just doesn't usually have the desired effect anymore.
Effects on creativity?
My observation is that it usually tends to make things seem better than they really are. Or possible worse, depending on your mood at the time of consumption. IME/IMO.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

Just because a VERY small number of artists may have had some success DESPITE their drug use, does not translate into the conclusion that you sound better when stoned. You don't.

I'd say that is not a very holistic view of creativity. When a creative person goes into the studio to record a song, EVERYTHING going on in their life has an influence: what drugs/alcohol they've consumed, how much sleep they got, status of their relationship with girl/boyfriend, what they saw on TV last night, what they had for breakfast.

We can argue until the cows come home "would 'Rubber Soul' be a better album if the Beatles weren't smoking pot?" but that is an impossible question to answer.

Anyway I'd take issue with your "VERY small number of artists may have had some success" statements. I'd wager that at least 51 of the all-time top 100 recording artists have used illegal drugs at some point in their career. Let's just look at the top 10 for a moment:

1. Beatles
2. Elvis
3. MJ
4. Madonna
5. Elton John
6. Led Zeppelin
7. Queen
8. Pink Floyd
9. Mariah Carey
10. Celene Dion

Which of those artists do you think have NEVER smoked pot or used other illegal substances?

[socialleper]

My experience with musicians is that if they aren't drunk or stoned I'm surprised. If you aren't used to it, it can be a little shocking at first, and if they are weird about you not partaking, then that can be uncomfortable. If you don't care what they do and they don't care what you do, then don't worry about it. Be up front with it and speak your mind. If you don't dig the situation, bail.

[nortonrider]

Originally Posted by ChrisB2

That's fine for you and people in CO. If it were legal here, I would have no problem being around it.

well.... you live in the wrong state!

[pacojas]

great post, mushroo,.. but let's leave boris alone! people who make huge generalizations are looking for retorts. (i.e., trolling), IMHO. i would never say that every sober musician thinks they play better that way, but don't.

[zachoff]

Too all of you that simply will not play with anyone that smokes weed or drinks beer...

Do you tuck your buttons-up shirt into your blue jeans and not wear a belt? Just curious...

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by RDUB

If you want to kick it with your Bros, get stoned and or drunk and make noise on your instruments, more power to ya. If you're already a wealthy rock star, you can pretty much do what you want, as far as I'm concerned.

If you want to work with me, at the level I expect you to, then you'll have to show up and stay sober. If you're telling me you need a buzz to play, then sorry, you're just not up to the calibre of professionals I work with. No hard feelings, and best of luck in all of your future endeavours.

+1

Life is too short to waste time hanging with stoners ...

I live in a state where pot is legal ... but it is still a felony ... I don't want to hang with people who break federal laws ...

[nortonrider]

Originally Posted by ChrisB2

Pulling out an illegal substance and blowing it in OP's face was rude and juvenile, and I would've packed up and left immediately.

did the OP say that they blew pot smoke in his face?

[hyperba55]

This reminds me of a Family Guy episode ...

This isn't a true statement at all. I have done the AB. Without weed I am more precise. With weed i groove more and am more creative. My solos aren't better, just different.

With excessive booze i am sloppy and not creative ...

And I am sure you will get a ton of posts about music recorded "under the influence." Like many, many, major jazz musicians from the 1920's until about the mid-70's. Ever read any memoires, biographies?

That Funny, Funny, Funny, reefer man!

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

SO ABSOLUTELY TRUE! The ONLY people who think you sound better are YOU and perhaps your similarly stoned bandmates. Stoners are delusional or in denial about this fact simply because they want to continue to use drugs. Do some video/audio recording to A/B and see how silly the illusion is. It's just an excuse to use.

[Ric5]

A while ago I made a connection with a drummer ... he was very excited about playing music with me. Then he told me they always smoked when they played ... So I said the pot was a deal breaker. Another band I found out after I showed up they were pot smokers so I never went back.

[Mushroo]

Originally Posted by hyperba55

And I am sure you will get a ton of posts about music recorded "under the influence." Like many, many, major jazz musicians from the 1920's until about the mid-70's. Ever read any memoires, biographies?

That Funny, Funny, Funny, reefer man!

Great point, I completely forgot about jazz!

http://www.veryimportantpotheads.com/armstrong.htm

[NKUSigEp]

One slightly major issue that separates pot from coffee, booze, etc. is the legality of it. Nothing against pot, I'm all for legalization but until it is actually decriminalized, I have drug tests that I have to pass for work. Regardless of someone's brother in law's dog's former owner's sister's friend who used to know a guy that said second-hand smoke won't fail a drug test, I'd rather not take the chance. They could have hinted at it in an email or just outright told you beforehand. It was stupid not to on their part in case you were a cop or something. And guys that dumb are bound to get in trouble in short order and usually take everyone else with them.

PS - I think the well-documented recordings of major artists since the 1950s seem to show how effective marijuana is at increasing one's creative abilities. But that's neither here nor there.

[hyperba55]

To each their own, i guess, but IMO you are limiting your exposure to a lot.

I have smoked with doctor's, lawyers, baristas, garbagemen, executives, veterinarians, and on one occasion with the CEO of a very well-known Fortune 500 company.

Mostly, though, I have smoked with hundreds of very, very fine, creative musician who were genuinely nice and caring and phenomenal with their craft. I have played music that has brought a tear to people's eye and laughter to their soul. Cheesy, yeah, but what do you expect at 9:00 AM from a "stoner" LOL.

Originally Posted by Ric5

+1

Life is too short to waste time hanging with stoners ...

[SteveC]

Bottom line is, it's illegal. I don't want to be guilty by association.