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Alcohol + Gigs = success?.. or failure?

#21
I'm usually the DD, a position I volunteered for, but I will have a shot or two early on. One club we play monthly knows we like Patron and provides a couple of rounds. The manager is a big time partier who loves to party with the band. He's closed his establishment on occasion to see us in other venues. He buys us rounds then as well. But I digress. I don't care either way as long as everybody holds their own. The singer does tend to get a decent buzz on and it does help him perform better. He's great with the crowd so it's not a problem. There were two back to back incidents where he went too far and that caused a a little band drama. But two out of 100+ isn't bad and it hasn't happened since.
 
#22
Here's another facet that I didn't consider - we're playing way better gigs for way better pay these days. Almost seems bush league to be having a beer on stage during the set. I definitley didn't care in the old days (aka "last year") where we made little money and were playing the C level bars.

Still, won't stop me from having a bevvie between sets. And, of course, tipping one back if the someone from the audience buys the band a round.
 
#23
Drinking a "couple" to get rid of the butterflies seemed like a real good idea back when I started out, but the problem is that can lead to more than "a couple" and then it's during and afters as well. There's only so many people who can maintain sane drinking for any length of time before you either have to quit or abuse it, sad stuff, I've fallen out with a few good musicians over this. It's not the 60's or 70's anymore.
 
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#28
IMHO there is a HUGE difference between getting drunk and having a few drinks through out the night. I'm in a cover band that plays a lot of bars and clubs, etc. We are hired to help the venue increase it's alcohol sales for the evening. That means pro look & sound plus involving the crowd to generate sales. I keep my beers in a coolie so the audience can not tell if my beer is empty or full. We "create" the illusion that the band parties much harder than it actually does. At the end of the night the cash registers print-outs determine if a band gets rebooks, period! We almost always get rebooks and added to "the rotation" on these type of shows.

Private "regular folks" parties we drink on stage subtlety. All age festival shows; corporate, and high end private events we do not drink on stage at all, ever. I have been invited to have a drink and a cigar between sets at these upscale events though. This usually leads to an exchange of business cards and possible future booking(s).

This is where experience and common sense must take precedence. Understand what the venue/gig expects of you and engage your audience accordingly. IME this usually leads to a win - win for everyone.
 
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#29
I don't drink or smoke but the other guys in my band take down at least 3-4 pints each and smoke up before, during every break, and at the end.
I wouldn't say either of them get drunk, just tipsy. Stoned on the other hand...yup

They play pretty well otherwise I wouldn't stick around.

EDIT: And we're gigging 8 times a month.
 
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#30
BassistNATE said:
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?
Click to expand...

You and your band are hired to do a job and not to get drunk. One way to not get rehired for future gigs is to get drunk onstage.
 
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#32
IMO, everything in moderation. The onset of tinnitus can be hastened with excessive alcohol use in high-decibel environments without appropriate hearing protection.
A far-rarer issue (but one to be careful of) can occur when blood pressure raises as a result of (again, excessive) alcohol use - a weakness in a vein under these conditions can lead to a sub-dermal hematoma where the vein blows out under the pressure.
I suffered one of these in my right wrist, which led to much unpleasantness for over a year - but it could have just as easily been a subdural event (cerebral bleed), in which case I would have been dead before I hit the stage.
Know what your limits are, and treat yourself well - you only have one body to make music with.
 
#33
Booze prior to show = Bad idea
Booze between sets - Maybe 1 beer to quench thirst otherwise = Bad idea
Booze after show = OK in moderation if you're not driving.
Booze after show then driving = very bad idea on so many levels...
 
#34
MGR said:
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.
Click to expand...
Indica or Sativa?
 
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#38
1 or 2 might help with the flow. In my experience, guys that play tipsy/drunk and think it doesn't affect them are usually wrong....they tend to suck. There may be exceptions to the rule. Eddie Van Halen could still shred if he could still stand so there's that.
 
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#39
We usually get a beer after set up and before we go on. One more during break is plenty.

We had a great set at a fundraiser down on the City Market last fall and we were really playing well. After a two hour set I still had 2/3 of my beer left. That is a good set!
 
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#40
A drink before the gig to loosen up is cool. I don't drink while playing much anymore. Usually after the gig I have another or two. I'm not professional enough of a player to play loaded. There are some including pro's who can get trashed and still play .How they do it I will never know.
 

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