Alcohol + Gigs = success?.. or failure?

[BassistNATE]

Hey guys, figured this could be a fun conversation. In your opinion/experience, does doing gigs tipsy/drunk mean better gigs? What role does alcohol take in your music?

Personally, I don't mind having a pint or two before a gig, as long as it doesn't get in the way of my professionalism (something I always strive for as a live musician). I am naturally very animated on stage and equally happy with or without a drink beforehand. I have met people, however (like the violin player in my current band), who WILL NOT play a gig sober.... and he absolutely kills it when his is blisteringly drunk (violin behind the back, behind the head.... and it still sounds good!)

So, what do you guys think? Do you like to have a drink (or 5 or 6) before a show? Or do you prefer complete Sobriety?

 

[Dojix]

I prefer to drink afterwards, just in case there's any lapse in my playing by being drunk. I figure that perfect playing gets a better show, more enthusiastic crowd, which makes a happier bar owner, and from there can guarantee future shows and sometimes free drinks. Plus, by playing a guaranteed good show, I can drink in a celebration of sorts for having played it and now being in my relaxing time.

 

[BassistNATE]

Well said mate! Completely agree with you.

 

[Jughead6]

I don't drink anymore (long painful story) and neither does our guitarist, but our singer loves a drink during a gig and (worst of all) our drummer has a 6 or 8 beers before every gig and several during. So it's freaking crazy for me, the bassist, to keep the rhythm with a drummer who is all over the place.

Yep, best I can say is that it's never boring.

 

[RustyAxe]

Hey guys, figured this could be a fun conversation. In your opinion/experience, does doing gigs tipsy/drunk mean better gigs? What role does alcohol take in your music?

None. I might have a beer or two over a four hour gig (a very casual gig, that is). Any band member who regularly gets hammered on a gig will first be talked to, then talked at, then fired. The time for a bracer is after the show, after the drive home.

 

[Mattosaur]

I like a pint or two before a show, but my shows tend to be underground rock shows in dive bars and basements as opposed to things I'm actually getting paid for.

 

[MGR]

I don't drink, but I do partake of another substance that has been rumored to have music enhancing powers. To me, I can handle playing while on that substance, and actually find it much more enjoyable, but I have never let it get in the way of my playing. Nor have I ever been talked to, at or fired for using this unnamed substance. So I think that if you feel you can personally handle it, why not take a couple drinks before you go on? As long as it doesn't alter your playing and/or personality for the negative, I'm all for it. In my experience, however, alcohol and music don't mix very well. But that is my experience only. As for the "other unnamed substance" it is undeniable that some of the best music has been created while on it, and in my experience, some of the best jams I've had were on it.

 

[nutdog]

Depends on whether I feel like drinking. Sometimes I'll have a little wine. Not enough to get drunk, maybe a glass/hour. Just did a community theater show Fri/Sat nights. Drank some wine Fri, diet coke Sat. The Friday show was better, but not because I drank wine. I think it was a more responsive, raucous crowd Friday night. Maybe because they drank more wine?

So, yes, audience alcohol+gig equal success. I'm pretty sure most the success of the bands of the 60's and 70's can be attributed to the fact that their audiences were completely wasted.

 

[catcauphonic]

Sounds like your violin player may be in some stage of alcoholism if his body can not only tolerate booze like that, but shine in the process.

Me? I'm a lightweight with booze, but will usually have one before hitting the stage.

 

[MGR]

Just did a community theater show Fri/Sat nights. Drank some wine Fri, diet coke Sat. The Friday show was better, but not because I drank wine.

Being totally serious here...be careful with that diet coke. Aspartame is a known neurotoxin that is very harmful to health. Wine, even with the alcohol, is a much healthier choice. Airline pilots are prohibited from drinking diet sodas due to the prescence of Aspartame, which breaks down into formaldehyde in our bodies. Very dangerous stuff, which if it weren't for the total corruption of the FDA (as well as Donald Rumsfeld pushing it in 1981) would have been rejected for human consumption.

 

[yodedude2]

never seems to help; often seems to hurt. although i suppose an addict/near addict actually would function better under the influence.

 

[Fielding]

One while we are killing time between load in and sound check, one during the set, and a couple afterwards. I don't care to be buzzed during the set, but afterwards it is a natural social lubricant.

 

[DirtDog]

I'm drinking les and less at gigs these days. We're working so much and the commutes are sometimes long = not worth it.

That said, I do enjoy a quart and/or a shot or two of whiskey or bourbon "aka medicine". Just don't overdo it and attenuate based on circumstances.

 

[ThaCoast]

Personally doesn't matter if i drink before, during or after. I still perform to my peak. Usually, i'll drink afterwards just because the whole band drinks afterwards too. But we've never not had a beer or two before or during our set. Again, it depends on the person who plays. cause i've played with some poeple who were more focused while drinking and then recording was like nervous breakdown.

 

[bryan gibson]

I have a CDL, so my drinking is VERY limited these days. That being said, I don't mind minimal amounts before a gig to calm the nerves a bit. Especially if it's a long drive and/or I'm pre-jacked up on coughee Current max is 2-3 over the course of an evening, with zero in the two hours before driving home.

 

[Big Brother]

One beer and my timing is absolutely ruined, I don't know how anyone can play while drinking.

 

[cayman_shen]

I'm not a pro, and I've never played a gig, but I certainly play with friends and do open mics (for guitar), and I gotta say I'm a much better player and singer when I'm good and buzzed. However, it's a tricky balance. I need enough booze to limber me up and get me out of my own way, but if I have too much I just get sloppy. I gotta find the sweet spot. But a little booze is pretty much essential to me being relaxed enough to perform any complex physical task. I kick butt at pool when I'm a few drinks in, for instance.

 

[BioWeapon]

Used to work with a vocalist who had stage fright. A few beers got him back into his comfort zone so he could do his thing.

 

[cnltb]

I don't drink much alcohol generally and never before gigs or recording jobs.

 

[trunkshope6]

a couple of beers before playing is fine but getting so drunk that it affects your playing isnt cool. I remember playing with a skacore absolutely wasted and i could not keep up at all,im glad they banned 4lokos.