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Alcohol + Gigs = success?.. or failure?
- Thread starter BassistNATE
- Start date
There seems to be a direct correlation between those who gig a lot not doing much partying and those who gig once a month partying hard. Now that I'm in a band that plays 8 to 10 times a month none of us party at all. It's all about getting to the gig, setting up, and getting home knowing that we have another job The next day.
When I was in a band that would gig once or month or so, we partied hard. We made sure we had the right party favors and the best liquor. That was a part of the show.
Now it's all about family, day job, and remaining is healthy as I can so I can give as much as I do.
I do miss the old days. I don't miss being hung over and my brain feeling completely depleted.
When I was in a band that would gig once or month or so, we partied hard. We made sure we had the right party favors and the best liquor. That was a part of the show.
Now it's all about family, day job, and remaining is healthy as I can so I can give as much as I do.
I do miss the old days. I don't miss being hung over and my brain feeling completely depleted.
I've played in bands with drunks/stoners in the past, and surprisingly (or not), they often say, "Well, yeah, I drink a little, but I never let it effect my playing." Then it does.
Not to be a killjoy, but musicians aren't hired to party, they're hired to help other people party.
Not to be a killjoy, but musicians aren't hired to party, they're hired to help other people party.
Burwabit
Likes guitars that tune good and firm feelin women
I've done a 180 on this within the last year. It's partly because my current band plays songs that are more technical for me than previous. Partly because I'm no longer ok with just gigging cause it's cool (look at me I play music)... I want to get better personally and grow musically. I had a revelation one night when I gigged while recovering from the flu. I was worried about even making it through the gig. I didn't drink a drop of alcohol, and I played twice as good as I had in a long time. After that, I started tapering back greatly on my consumption. As a reference point, I previously would drink 2-3 pre-gig and 1-2 per set... so maybe 5-8 drinks per night.
So, regarding alcohol, it really depends on what your goals are with gigging. If you goal is to be professional and entertain in the best way possible, best to keep alcohol to very moderate level until your gig is done. (NOW for me that's 0 pre-gig and 1 per set, so maybe 3 drinks tops). If your goal is to be part of the party and have fun, then by all means drink and be merry. For most of us, our playing will suffer. We may not realize it if we drink all the time at gigs, but it does. There are probably some that are less effected than others, but most people are impacted because music is an activity that requires coordination and timing. I'm not good enough to have more than the driving limit and play up to the level that I want to play.
So, regarding alcohol, it really depends on what your goals are with gigging. If you goal is to be professional and entertain in the best way possible, best to keep alcohol to very moderate level until your gig is done. (NOW for me that's 0 pre-gig and 1 per set, so maybe 3 drinks tops). If your goal is to be part of the party and have fun, then by all means drink and be merry. For most of us, our playing will suffer. We may not realize it if we drink all the time at gigs, but it does. There are probably some that are less effected than others, but most people are impacted because music is an activity that requires coordination and timing. I'm not good enough to have more than the driving limit and play up to the level that I want to play.
One of my bands in Denver had such a drunken clustercuss at our Groundhog Day show that we played STONE SOBER at our St. Patrick's Day gig.
Later, we were able to find a happy medium -- but that one semi-disaster showed us the hazards of too much drinking prior to stage time.
As far as other intoxicants go; I was the only guy in that band who DIDN'T smoke weed (I was an anomaly among Colorado musicians) and while the other guys played fine with it, sometimes the other bands on the bill would joint them outside for a smoke and be glassy eyed and drooling on their shoes trying to start their set.
So I guess the point is to know (and respect) your limitations, and trust the input of those who can tell you how well you're handling it -- some people who think they're brilliant and creative under the influence are actually sloppy and meandering.
Later, we were able to find a happy medium -- but that one semi-disaster showed us the hazards of too much drinking prior to stage time.
As far as other intoxicants go; I was the only guy in that band who DIDN'T smoke weed (I was an anomaly among Colorado musicians) and while the other guys played fine with it, sometimes the other bands on the bill would joint them outside for a smoke and be glassy eyed and drooling on their shoes trying to start their set.
So I guess the point is to know (and respect) your limitations, and trust the input of those who can tell you how well you're handling it -- some people who think they're brilliant and creative under the influence are actually sloppy and meandering.
Well, I've been playing for an awfully long time now and played most shows from slightly buzzed to (many years ago and in a different social time) flat out hammered. As a youngster two places we regularly played had us use their stock/liquor rooms as our break/dressing room. That always worked out well... But not so much the latter any more. Now it's a couple social beers pre-show and a pitcher or two to share with the drummer as the night progresses. Never, ever an issue. I will say the flat out hammered presents it's challenges for a whole lotta reasons, not just getting the words and notes out correctly so I don't go there anymore. But, after all this time I know exactly what and how much I'm doing when socially drinking at shows.
And there is a recent study that is interesting that I am surprised hasn't been mentioned yet. And, we're not talking alcoholic paranoia here, but a rational discussion about the potential benefit of alcohol's use in moderation and it's potential effects on what we do. You're mileage may vary.
Alcohol Benefits the Creative Process | Psychology Today
Why Drinking Boosts Creativity | Men’s Health University | Men's Health
How Drinking Alcohol Makes You More Creative: Drink Up For More 'Aha!' Moments
Drinking (A Little) At Work Could Actually Make You Better At Your Job
Link Removed
And there is a recent study that is interesting that I am surprised hasn't been mentioned yet. And, we're not talking alcoholic paranoia here, but a rational discussion about the potential benefit of alcohol's use in moderation and it's potential effects on what we do. You're mileage may vary.
Alcohol Benefits the Creative Process | Psychology Today
Why Drinking Boosts Creativity | Men’s Health University | Men's Health
How Drinking Alcohol Makes You More Creative: Drink Up For More 'Aha!' Moments
Drinking (A Little) At Work Could Actually Make You Better At Your Job
Link Removed
Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
These days it's a beer before and maybe one to take on stage. We only play single set shows. As far as the smoke, I try not to before performing anymore, as I get lost in my own head and my playing suffers because of it. That stuff is good for writing in the studio, but lousy for putting on a show for me.
In a blues band I used to play in I liked to have a whiskey and dry or bourbon before the gig, and then 1 during each set. I never felt drunk, only relaxed and thought I played well each time. In another band I played in more recently, free beer was part of the deal and I always got sloppy as the night wore on.
Record yourself sober , then come back in a couple of hours and record yourself with a good buzz on (doesn't matter what your vice is.) Then listen to both recordings the next day when you are sober. Then we'll talk.
I gave up boozin' a good while back.
I had a lot of fun in my partying days. I don't think it mattered too much in terms of performance, all our fans were sloshed too! There was a time or two we overdid it and tried rocking too hard, ending up with a couple train wrecks on stage that show. It was fun and at a low stress gig.
I wouldnt recommend the lifestyle to the younger guys who are rockin. The downside is gaining weight!
I used to enjoy consuming a light dose of mushrooms while setting up. One needs to allocate the amount correctly and the timing always worked out just right on a 45-min set (towards the end of the set you might start noticing something).
I had a lot of fun in my partying days. I don't think it mattered too much in terms of performance, all our fans were sloshed too! There was a time or two we overdid it and tried rocking too hard, ending up with a couple train wrecks on stage that show. It was fun and at a low stress gig.
I wouldnt recommend the lifestyle to the younger guys who are rockin. The downside is gaining weight!
I used to enjoy consuming a light dose of mushrooms while setting up. One needs to allocate the amount correctly and the timing always worked out just right on a 45-min set (towards the end of the set you might start noticing something).
It was always a roll of the dice for me. Sometimes it could end up being an epic show, especially if the audience was keeping pace, or it could be a train wreck. I don't drink at shows anymore, however, as consistent competency is preferable to gambling with my reputation.
I view the gig as a job, and I am not going to drink on the job. Half of my band drinks before and during the gig, and by the 3rd set, you can tell. It gets pretty sloppy at times...
As a general rule I don't drink before or during a gig that is "important" (all gigs are important blah blah blah). The few cases I've found ok is playing for my friends or family house partys and I'll casually drink a beer or two. If I'm playing out in the city I wait till after. I prefer not to be in any way "intoxicated" when playing my instrument live.
Fat Steve
The poodle bites, the poodle chews it.
Speaking for myself, back when I was in a high energy funk/punk band that is exactly what we would do. Got pretty damn good at it too.
Everything in life is better when you are sober; unfortunately you're just never in the right frame of mind to enjoy it. 
A little bit before, maybe one during. I personally don't do a gig smashed and I won't work with someone who needs to be hammered to get on stage. I've always had bad experiences with it.
I just got out of a band that the lead guitarist and the drummer had substance abuse problems. They both had to have a good buzz going before we started, and they were drinking during the gig as well. It made for some truly awful gigs. The drummer realized his mistake the first time I called him on it, and he straightened up quite a bit. The guitarist refused to deal with his problem and that's why I quit, among other issues.
jazzyitalian
Supporting Member
Unless the gig is happening at your house with your freinds and family, without question the answer is "no" for me. The decision not to drink while working is no different than that of any other profession out there. (Nurses, Bus Drivers, Ditch Diggers, Bankers et al...) You're a professional. So act like one. Any discussion regarding impairment of one's abilities or level of play shouldn't even come into this discussion. I've never known a venue to hire me with an implied or express notion that I would be allowed to consume alcohol during the band performance. As a matter of fact, the booking agency forbid it. Drinking while playing at a paying gig is disrepectul to the audience, and the business/venue that hired you. Nuff said.
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