Yes; and if I had roadies and a limo driver (it'll never happen) I'd have at least five or six beers every gig simply because I like it.
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Alcohol + Gigs = success?.. or failure?
- Thread starter BassistNATE
- Start date
Yes; and if I had roadies and a limo driver (it'll never happen) I'd have at least five or six beers every gig simply because I like it.
Being drunk/buzzed never helps a gig. A beer before while relaxing a moment is fine by me. I hate when musicians get trashed though. For the bar or yourself, you're at work.
If the club gives the band a discounted or comped drink tab isnt't that saying they approve?
Did a great show valentines night. Had a new guitarist in tow as well. We played from 7:30-10:00. No hiccups, nobody got lost in a song, no forgotten lyrics, nothing was broke at the end of the night, pulled out a couple of tunes we haven't played since 08, packed house, people singing along, drummer was fine too. I had around five beers before the show started and probably seven more during the show. Stopped on the way home and picked up another twelve pack had about half of them before going to bed. Everything was fine. Made $250 too. If ya care to know the manager had me in his office during pay out trying to get more on the books.
How do I know it sounded great? Because it sounded good while it was happening and later caught a clip from the neighbors phone and it sounded just like it did at practice Thursday night sober.
How do I know it sounded great? Because it sounded good while it was happening and later caught a clip from the neighbors phone and it sounded just like it did at practice Thursday night sober.
If you can't perform well when buzzed, don't get buzzed proximate to performing.
Early in my performing days, I was paranoid of even the ever-so-slight feeling after one beer, so I abstained. As time rolled by and I realized one beer couldn't trump experience and muscle memory, I relaxed my standards.
But I am so busy on stage and between sets, I really don't have time for more than about three alcoholic beverages over the course of a three- or four-set show. And I drink lots of water, so I never do get buzzed. Now I'm wondering why I drink alcohol at all during shows.
I think folks who can actually drink moderate to heavy and still pull off a good performance must practice that way at home and during rehearsal. That's a lot of drinking. It would make me label myself a "functional alcoholic."
Early in my performing days, I was paranoid of even the ever-so-slight feeling after one beer, so I abstained. As time rolled by and I realized one beer couldn't trump experience and muscle memory, I relaxed my standards.
But I am so busy on stage and between sets, I really don't have time for more than about three alcoholic beverages over the course of a three- or four-set show. And I drink lots of water, so I never do get buzzed. Now I'm wondering why I drink alcohol at all during shows.
I think folks who can actually drink moderate to heavy and still pull off a good performance must practice that way at home and during rehearsal. That's a lot of drinking. It would make me label myself a "functional alcoholic."
FWIW, at drinking establishments where my band plays, we are expected to help the bar sell product. The bar doesn't sell enough product, it can't pay the bills (including band fees) and stay open.
It's a lot easier to sell alcohol when you at least have something in your hand or nearby you can raise for a toast once in awhile.
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Maybe. I don't know about the alcoholic part though. Since Saturday I've maybe had two or three beers.
Everybody's different with alcohol. No absolutes. It's a subjective and common-sense thing.
I think it's safe to say most of us could not drink like you did and have a good show.
Water looks a lot like tequila, vodka, gin, 'shine ...
Point well taken.
But five guys with clear liquid in their rather large glasses, well, the patrons in the bars I play aren't that gullible.
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Never a good idea. In the gig we played on Sunday, our Drummer came out from behind the kit at one point during a chill song when all he was playing was a shaker. Raised his glass and attempted to take a mouthful, got his independance wrong and started shaking both hands, ended up with beer all down his front. Definitely a laughing point of the gig.
If that's a joke, I don't get it.
I've raised many glasses on many stages for many reasons. No bad luck ever came from it.
I guess I'm glad for that.
And it should be easy to forget as well. So your secret is safe with me.
I used to be a party animal, drink, smoke the green stuff, etc. at gigs, pretty standard for me.
Then I got a DUI (Driving under the influence arrest) one night at 2am coming home from a gig.
Spending that night in a jail cell was horrible. $5,000 dollars in fines, court and lawyer fees.
That really made me reconsider things. That's been about three years ago. I might have a few beers at a gig, but that's all.
To me, some "social lubricant" helps get things going, but I realized that that being truly intoxicated doesn't help me.
Then I got a DUI (Driving under the influence arrest) one night at 2am coming home from a gig.
Spending that night in a jail cell was horrible. $5,000 dollars in fines, court and lawyer fees.
That really made me reconsider things. That's been about three years ago. I might have a few beers at a gig, but that's all.
To me, some "social lubricant" helps get things going, but I realized that that being truly intoxicated doesn't help me.
This thread is making me want to drink.
