Alcohol + Gigs = success?.. or failure?

[AMp'D.2play]

I might nurse one beer over the course of a gig, usually during the early part. I've had a lot of gigs where all I had was some tonic water over ice w/ a twist. There were 2 St. Paddy's Day gigs where I splurged and had 2 beers during the gigs, but both of those were more laid back & casual atmospheres (obviously). I weigh around 165 lbs, so one beer over 3-4 hours isn't a big deal. Most of the gigs I do are a good hour drive, and I don't want to be a DUI or even have the feeling of a little extra fatigue for the drive home. Once in the comfort of my home, I may crack open a bottle of suds while I unwind.

 

[outoftune]

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.

I am very similar. Not stage fright but a million thoughts in my head. It clears the mind and helps me relax. I have maybe 3-4 beers over a 4 hour set

 

[Kmonk]

It really depends on the individual. I like to have a couple of drinks before I play but have played many times without drinking. About 10 years ago, I was in a band with a guitar player who rarely drank but when he did, he expected everyone else to drink with him. We were doing a private party and he decided he wanted to drink. He kept giving us shots and beers. Then he started calling out songs that I had never played. I somehow managed to get through them. At one point he said I was the only musician he had ever seen who "the more he drinks, the better he plays".

I was in a band with a lead singer who couldn't perform even after having one or two drinks. He would forget lyrics and would sing off key. We instituted a policy of no drinking at rehearsal or on stage.

 

[JMacBass65]

Both. I have used it to loosen up a bit, and over thirty years of playing, it has only really had a negative effect on MY playing a handful of times. And by that I mean, something the audience could pick up on. And in every case like that, it has been a "collective effort" if you will. Sometimes we just go off the rails.

That said, that has not happened to me personally in quite some time. Although the last gig I did w/ my band, at least one member got really drunk and man did it have an impact - not good (I recorded it, and you can hear the show progress downhill as time goes on). As I listened back, I was thinking "man, did I get that wasted too? I don't remember that." Well, no, I didn't. I can hear it in my playing, and in what I was doing. As things were spiraling, you can hear me pushing the band along by starting songs (that I normally start) while the offender was rambling into the mic and otherwise not paying attention.

Sheesh.

 

[bonespatrol]

i thought i was on talkbass, but apparently i've stumbled upon talksally.

 

[kenneffdupriest]

Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll. Too much of one will always screw up the other two.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I have played with all kinds... guys that can throw 'em down all night and be fine, and guys that can't hit the ground with their hat after two drinks, much less play music. As long as it's not a problem I honestly don't care - trouble is, it almost always is a problem. Nobody really plays better when drunk, they only think they do.

I quit the band I was in for the past couple years simply because of alcohol (and drug) abuse. The music was fun, (when they weren't too screwed up to play) and the money was awesome, (made a little over $5k in a year) but just couldn't deal with the craziness anymore.

As for me, playing bass is my inebriation, and there's too much good music to be played to waste it on bad times and stressful situations.

 

[TyBo]

I've had those nights where it's just not happening, energy's not right, everything just kind of lays there. Sometimes I can pick things up on my own, kick start things with an energetic groove ... but it's hard to force this, 'cause it'll sound ... forced. In those instances, some outside "inspiration" can help - pot in particular can help with the musical mood without detrimental side effects, and sometimes a beer or two can do it. Problem with booze is that it can slow down one's reflexes etc. and lead to sloppiness, so it is a fine line there. Some of the best playing I've experienced has happened while using pot, some while straight, and once or twice while having a few beers. Beer is not a consistent help for me, when a change-up is needed, but it sometimes works.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I still like what Joe Walsh said - one of the reasons he stopped is that most of the people he partied with were dead.

 

[Fat Steve]

i thought i was on talkbass, but apparently i've stumbled upon talksally.

Yeah, I'm gonna have to steal that for my signature. Well played sir.

 

[sharkbait130]

Hey man I'm not trying to call you out specifically but this gets said every time this subject is brought up and I'm just confused as to why you assume no one has done this and come up with an answer that contradicts yours? I mean many of us are professional musicians and that mean not only recording in a studio but also often means recording live sets. I have recorded several performances and I know what works for me. Why would assume that just because someone got a different answer than you that they haven't thought it through? It's all personal and case by case. Hell, I knew a banjo player that couldn't even PLAY his banjo unless he had 5 or 6 beers and around 7 or 8 he was practically a Dillard (well not THAT good). While making our most recent album, the band I'm with now recorded everything in all different states. We laid (lain? ) down everything (vox, leads, rhythm tracks, bass, etc) and then we had a few beers etc and went back and re-recorded; these were much better performances.We even made the guitar played get absolutely blasted before a couple lead takes and they were phenomenal. My point is that this is like anything else: What works for some may not for others. YMMV IMHO ETC

Yeah I've seen it happen too but in over 40 years of playing it's the exception and not the rule. Also the guys doing that were very well rehearsed musicians and far more capable of pulling it off. Most aren't and so I repeat for the 98% out there that think they sound better juiced up........Record yourself sober..... comeback in a couple of hours and record yourself cranked...... listen to it the next day and make your own decision. A vast majority of the time the first recording will sound tighter , the timing will be better and the vocalist will be more on track and on key. For those of you that feel the other way , more power to you but like I said , it's the exception , not the rule.

 

[MrLenny1]

I like a beer, yes just one to loosen up
before a gig. More than that and the band starts to sound drunk.

 

[HawldieMPB]

Yeah I've seen it happen too but in over 40 years of playing it's the exception and not the rule. Also the guys doing that were very well rehearsed musicians and far more capable of pulling it off. Most aren't and so I repeat for the 98% out there that think they sound better juiced up........Record yourself sober..... comeback in a couple of hours and record yourself cranked...... listen to it the next day and make your own decision. A vast majority of the time the first recording will sound tighter , the timing will be better and the vocalist will be more on track and on key. For those of you that feel the other way , more power to you but like I said , it's the exception , not the rule.

Fair enough, man! This is with a group of very well rehearsed and talented musicians (myself excluded of course) and mostly in a studio context. I think we are getting at the same thing: be aware of your choices and know your strengths and your limits/ what substances or rituals work for you. THis is the difference between Jimi Hendrix live and Jimi Page live (love the guy but damn if he isn't all messed up and sloppy half the time). I've actually started taking these lavender oil pills an hour before a gig. They're some aromatherapy thing and I thought they were pretty stupid at first, but ever since i've started taking them I've walked on stage and calmly put on my bass like it was just another day at work. I usually have 2-3 drinks to calm down but now i'll nurse a beer over the whole gig! anyway, this has all been very civil and that's pretty awesome. Cheers or whatever it is people say

PS/ALSO, we all should be recording ourselves as much as possible (sober or otherwise) because it's really the only way to hear yourself honestly!

 

[Spectrum]

 

[FerruleCat]

It depends on how you've built your brand, I guess.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Don't drink at a hot outdoor gig. You will sweat like crazy and feel like crap.

1 water/1 beer. Or if it's really hot 2 water/beer. I played in 101 humid outdoor a few summers ago. 12 20 oz bottles of water and 6 light beers in about 7 hours and was sober all afternoon. The alcohol must have came out in sweat. drool

 

[1bassplayinfool]

I only drink when I'm alone or with somebody.... just kidding.

Maybe a shot and a couple of beers at a bar gig. Private parties and corporate type gigs only if they allow it.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Ginger ale does it for me, lots of ice. Beer afterward.

 

[Humbled]

OK, You've talked me into it.

I'm buying one or two of Invalid Link Removed to get empirical proof of whether I play better on Ginger Ale or not... !

 

[rogerbmiller]

Oooh. This can so go either way. I know from experience. Still that doesn't stop me from enjoying a few drinks before or during a show. As with all things, the key is moderation. Save up your inner wild child for after the gig. That ALWAYS goes well.