Bad News

[venturabass]

If anyone has commented on my any of my threads concerning drummers, sorry. It's hard to explain, but, my band is still drummerless. And nameless. But anyway, there is this kid in my grade who is an awesome, just amazing drummer. And I mean really good! But Our guitarist saw him carrying a bag of weed last week. Our band agrees he should not be our drummer, though he said he would consider joining us. Our we right?

[nortonrider]

Today weed - Tomorrow Heroin.

It works like that you know.

[IrishBassLad]

Now we know why he is so amazing. ( Jimi Hendrix, Beatles, Nikki Sixx )

[LiquidMidnight]

Well, if you decide that you don't want people doing drugs in your band, then it's your right to make that a stipulation. Me personally, I put marijuana in an entirely different category than cocaine. I'd rather deal with someone who maybe smokes a little too much weed than someone who drinks too much.

However, apperances can be decieving, especially when it comes to drummers. Drummers may look awesome when watching them on the stage, but you really don't know how good a drummer is until you play with him/her. Someone may be doing a lot of impressive paradiddles while jamming behind the kit, but once you're in an ensemble situation with this person, you may realize that his/her pocket isn't that good or that their tempo fluctuates. Just my two cents.

[CincyBassMan]

+1 Well said LiquidMidnight!!

Russ

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by venturabass

If anyone has commented on my any of my threads concerning drummers, sorry. It's hard to explain, but, my band is still drummerless. And nameless. But anyway, there is this kid in my grade who is an awesome, just amazing drummer. And I mean really good! But Our guitarist saw him carrying a bag of weed last week. Our band agrees he should not be our drummer, though he said he would consider joining us. Our we right?

Give him a fair chance. Just let it be known upfront that the band would rather him not come to rehearsals and gigs stoned off his ass.

[tom once dead]

Ive seen some of my (ex) friends become brain fried becuase of weed, and yes they are doing worse drugs now, as nortonrider said.

[TrooperFarva]

Originally Posted by LiquidMidnight

Well, if you decide that you don't want people doing drugs in your band, then it's your right to make that a stipulation. Me personally, I put marijuana in an entirely different category than cocaine. I'd rather deal with someone who maybe smokes a little too much weed than someone who drinks too much.

However, apperances can be decieving, especially when it comes to drummers. Drummers may look awesome when watching them on the stage, but you really don't know how good a drummer is until you play with him/her. Someone may be doing a lot of impressive paradiddles while jamming behind the kit, but once you're in an ensemble situation with this person, you may realize that his/her pocket isn't that good or that their tempo fluctuates. Just my two cents.

+1

[KBarker]

Taking Drugs (any drugs) = Bad Judgement = Big Trouble

Save yourself some headaches and let this one get away.

Regards,

Ken

[TrooperFarva]

Originally Posted by KBarker

Taking Drugs (any drugs) = Bad Judgement = Big Trouble

Save yourself some headaches and let this one get away.

Regards,

Ken

Yes, good point. Because thinking back to all the great musicians over the years, I don't think any of them ever did drugs.

[ForSix]

Well that settles it, please pass the heroin.

Beats practicing!

[Alcyon]

Originally Posted by KBarker

Taking Drugs (any drugs) = Bad Judgement = Big Trouble

I think it's more like taking drugs PLUS bad judgement that spells bad news.

[standupright]

it's your right to make decisions about whoever you want to play music with, based on whatever qualifications you put forth.

[onlyclave]

What's the problem with weed? Contrary to popular belief it does NOT lead to harder drugs, it extremely difficult to become addicted to and is far, FAR safer than cigarettes and alcohol combined.

IME pot smokers are mellow, easy to deal with and hungry. I'd rather have that than an obnoxious drunk or a smoker that has to take break every 30 minutes.

[kosmicwizard]

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Today weed - Tomorrow Heroin.

It works like that you know.

I almost fell out of my chair because I was laughing so hard at this. There are many studies that show that grass is not a gateway drug. I am not advocating the use of drugs in anyway, and strongly believe the band is in it's right to say "no" (if that is what they have decided beforehand). However, in all seriousness, possibly slowing the progress of the entire project based on one rejecting a great artist simply because he may enjoy relaxing and stretching his mind to some extent, is something that may have to be reexamined. If it were me, I would let him know right up front that there is to be no drug use during practices, performances, or recordings. Try him out, see how he fits in with the rest of you. You can't control his behavior when he is on his personal time, but if it starts to interfere in anyway with the progress of the band let him know and perhaps take action at that time. If he impresses you, you want him and he shows a desire to work with you on this, let him. It will probably be for the best. Just my $0.02

P.S. Turn a negative into a positive ... It is all in the way you perceive it!!!

[black_labb]

i think its pretty silly to think that someone doing weed is going to be trouble. i think you should judge the person on his character and drive. if he has some self control and intrest outside of weed, then you shouldnt have trouble. what he does in his spare time shouldnt change anything.

[Munjibunga]

In our band, no weed, no drugs of any kind except alcohol, and that only minimally. Our lead guitarist is a Deputy DA, so drugs are 1,000 percent no bueno. I'm 1,000 percent down with that. I don't have any moral issues with pot smokers, I just don't want any stoners in the band. I made that very clear in every ad I ran during recruiting. We had people showing up drunk for auditions. Adios, pronto.

[perogato02]

Originally Posted by TrooperFarva

Yes, good point. Because thinking back to all the great musicians over the years, I don't think any of them ever did drugs.

Euhm, I really hope you are joking ...
Otherwise have a look at some Bill Hicks shows, he will drive my point home

But anyway: you can choose who you play with on the terms choosen by you ...
But discarding him just based on the fact that he smokes pot, can be your loss ... he could be a responsible user (just as you have a lot of responsible drinkers : those who know when to say stop) and a good drummer.

SO: Give him a chance. Have a serious talk with him and see if there is the musical chemistry.
Of course, if you are straight edge, you have no other option then to continue your search.

[Jake of Bass]

Originally Posted by nortonrider

Today weed - Tomorrow Heroin.

It works like that you know.

Clearly you know nothing about drugs in general.

Whilst there are some cases of pot being the 'gateway' to other drugs, it is a very small minority who actually make the move into drugs like heroin.

Surveys over the years have shown that something like 80+% of the population have smoked marijuana at some stage, with at least 1/3 having being regular users at one time or another. Contrast this to heroin which has been limited to a small number of the population. And those who have tried heroin, being a small number, those who have taken it enough to the level of addiction and thus becomes problematic is even less my a considerable amount. I don't have figures right now but I have studied this field quite extensively over a period of months/years.

Not condoning drugs here, but misinformation is almost as dangerous as people taking drugs in the first place. I know you have your right to your opinions, but isn't it better to know the facts? Be informed, you could help someone close to you.

[nortonrider]

Originally Posted by Jake of Bass

Clearly you know nothing about drugs in general.

Facetious Jocularity my man, nothing more.