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Auditions, how do you detect the drunks/drug addicts?

R

Rocks

Mar 9, 2009
581
7
Willoughby, Ohio
www.facebook.com
#1
I have to ask this question because the last two bands I played with swore up and down when I talked to them that the drinking was minimal and there was no hard drug use. Both times I come to find out that while they maintained only having a couple beers at the audition and first practices it slowly grew and grew until people were too drunk to play. I'm not out to stop people from drinking, I know many people that really do just have a couple beers and I'm not out to take that away from band mates. I'm just tired of being told one thing only to find out later that they can't control themselves. What clues tell you if someone likes to drink way more than they are letting on? or do heavy drugs they said they didn't do? I make it very plain during the interview process before auditions that I've grown past the drinking and drug use playing mentality. I'm always told the same thing "we only have a couple beers" & "we don't do any (or heavy) drugs"

The biggest problem is it always seems to rear its ugly head about the same time, when we start gigging. By this time I'm well into the band, learned all the material and have a lot of time and money invested.
 
#2
If you SEE it going on-aka- if you have two beer and they've had eight in the same timeframe, call it out. If you see ANY illegal substance use or evidence of it, call it out. If you suspect anyone MIGHT have anything like this going on with either the alcohol or substances even in the short audition process, heed that voice in your head that gives you pause. Don't ask them to join. If you see someone continuing to not control their habits or tendencies after you've called them out and warned them once or twice, tell them the next time they exhibit the offending behaviour or display evidence of that behavior, then they're fired. If you have someone auditioning for your band MAKE CLEAR the intolerance for drunks and addicts from the get-go.
 
#3
Unfortunately, it's probably impossible to get a good idea in advance, unless a)they talk a lot about getting trashed and catching a buzz, etc. or b)they make a point of saying they don't do either.

Laying down the law is okay, I guess. At least it gets that stuff "on the record." But if they're really drunks or addicts, they'll probably nod their head in agreement with the "zero tolerance" talk, and do what they want to do later, and deal with the consequences then.
 
#4
It's normally me auditioning for a band that just needs a bass player so its not up to me to establish what the bands norm is, only what I expect of band mates I play with. I'm the "new guy" not the band leader so my voice isn't heard as loud as the band leaders or established band members. The problem is the lies about how they really act. They do manage to keep things under control long enough to suck me in and get gigging with them. it generally once we are gigging that the drunkenness starts to show up and then after that its at practices too. But by this time I'm already months into playing with them, too much time wasted.
 
#6
Tampabass said:
Unfortunately, it's probably impossible to get a good idea in advance, unless a)they talk a lot about getting trashed and catching a buzz, etc. or b)they make a point of saying they don't do either.

Laying down the law is okay, I guess. At least it gets that stuff "on the record." But if they're really drunks or addicts, they'll probably nod their head in agreement with the "zero tolerance" talk, and do what they want to do later, and deal with the consequences then.
Click to expand...

That's the problem. They lie about it figuring that their playing is so good I'll never notice. And lets face it, most drunks and heavy drug user musicians seem to think they have it all together
 
#7
Right. So it's almost impossible to know in advance.

Since you're auditioning for the band, another way to find out would be to catch the band playing somewhere, unless they've already stopped playing because their current bass player has left. Or see if you can catch one or more of the guys playing in another band (most musicians play in multiple bands, in my experience).
 
#8
Bloodhammer said:
What kind of music do you typically play? What's the demographic?
Click to expand...


Generally covers of classic rock, dance rock, newer rock/alternative, the stuff that goes over well in the clubs around here. In other words, the music that gets paid gigs in the area. We play for a wide age range and have done everything from biker bars (many of them around here that have live bands) to dance clubs. In this area the biker type bars outnumber the clubs that have live bands so there is no escape from playing them if you want to gig regularly.

EDIT: I should add that I play biker clubs without feeling the need to drink or use heavy drugs. The bar help doesn't even give me a funny look when I order a coke instead of a beer or mixed drink.
 
#9
With drunks (at least some I've known), even when they are not actively drinking, you can smell it not only from breath, but also from pores. With drug use, it's a different story as there are so many drugs (instead of one alcohol) and the symptoms manifest themselves differently. Also... ...it should be no problem to say something to the effect of "due to some unfortunate drinking and drug abuses that have affected our now FORMER members of the band, we have to have a zero tolerance policy about this, because these habits are so detrimental to the progress and momentum of any band." Or pick your language... And you can set the bar with no drinking or drug use OF ANY KIND, yourselves, and set the example. For me, I'd prefer a completely sober WORKING band any day to a band where a few beverages are consumed and in the back of the mind wondering if "the next time" is gonna be the gig/practice-ending, reputation tarnishing, police-acting, nightly-news-making, end result you always wished wouldn't happen.

The point is...

...You can't make people stop doing what it is what they are going to do. But I think there is much greater prospect in having whoever modify their behavior so that it does not affect, or least effects the band. And the zero-tolerance aspect is a "nuclear option" failsafe which you should, with thought, but not reservation, use.
 
#10
The drug use has typically been prescription pain killers. The problem with them is they don't really make you slur your speech or have any other obvious signs (unless you keep finding pills laying around on the floor like I did with my soon to be last band) One look and I knew exactly what they were as I have a drug past myself, I just grew out of it years ago but I know a vicodan when I see one. Plus, they basically passed them around between a few of them like they were sharing M&M's. They even offered them to me on many occasions somehow forgetting that I don't do that stuff, or possibly hoping I would change my mind and try one. I went through drug withdrawal once many years ago and I swore I would never let it happen again and I've kept my word true to myself. I don't even like taking pills from my doctor unless I really do need medication. My doctor also knows I will not touch any drug that has not been on the market for at least 10 years, and I do my research before getting any new prescriptions filled.
 
#11
Yeah, this has been a problem for bands I have been in too. The best band I ever played in broke up because the drummer had drinking and drug problems. He started missing practices (at his house no less!) He also ruined a gig we played because he was totally trashed too.. (He showed up sober and got so drunk and/or high that he ruined every song somehow...) That was the final straw. I have been gun shy about playing with guys like this since. It makes it harder to find the right situation doesn't it?
This topic would probably make a great thread. Gigs or bands ruined by musicians with drug/alcohol abuse problems...
 
#14
Rocks,
I agree with You totally on most if not all of Your views on the drinking and drug thing. I have found that in my past of dealing with drinking and drugs problems from myself and other people, that most folks who have dependency issues think that it is perfectly normal to "juice up" before a practice or performance. They also have issues with understanding why other folks don't do the same.
When I was Younger I would do the same thing. I thought that it would "make me play better", or "help me relax". After listening to some recordings of myself and watching some videos years later when I had sobered up, I realized that I was very wrong.
Now days, I like You prefer to "jam sober" as well as not play in a band situation with "drunkies" or "drugies". Maybe it is my sobriety or something else that makes me intollerant of the behavior commonly associated with the "medicated" crowd, who knows? I find it all unprofessional, and won't surround myself with the antics. I have had to pass on bands before because of the dead give aways (empty beer cans on top of amps, Pot roaches in ash trays, and the like).
If I were You I'd keep looking till You find a band that is the right fit and has the same approach to music as You do. Don't waste Your time and energy playing "den mother" to a bunch of guys that can't get it together. There is a fit somewhere out there, and there are people who know how to have a good time without making arses out of themselves.
Good Luck!
 
#15
One of the biggest problems is that people who have problems never think they do. Beer often doesn't count as drinking and pot is not a drug. :/ Most drug addicts and alcoholics are completely convinced their drinking isn't a problem, and if anyone has a problem with their drinking then the problem is the other persons. Ahhhh....

I too find myself more often than I like in the situation you describe. Getting pretty deeply involved right now with a songwriter who I have a real strong feeling is going to trainwreck any day now. His g-friend is a recovering addict. She's gone to speak to teens about recovery because she doesn't take narcotics anymore. The guy claims she's the reason for his being drug free. I've never seen either of them yet without a drink in their hand. Neither of them have a problem. They're clean. And they believe it.

Anyhow... while not foolproof, I think it's pretty simple to know where trouble lurks. When you show up for the audition if they're handing out beers, 99% of the time, there's a problem. People without problems don't consider auditions and practices drinking events. They drink water.
 
#16
I'm not going to lie and say that I never drink or do the occassional recreational drugs, but I would NEVER come to play with my band while under the influence. I know plenty of pretty heavy users and being around them, you pick up on the tendancies. The biggest thing (especially with booze and weed) is the smell. If they're heavy users, you WILL smell it on them. I know, that was me this summer. No matter how much I tried to be careful about removing all the smells, it was never all the way gone.
 
#17
Tampabass said:
Unfortunately, it's probably impossible to get a good idea in advance, unless a)they talk a lot about getting trashed and catching a buzz, etc. or b)they make a point of saying they don't do either.

Laying down the law is okay, I guess. At least it gets that stuff "on the record." But if they're really drunks or addicts, they'll probably nod their head in agreement with the "zero tolerance" talk, and do what they want to do later, and deal with the consequences then.
Click to expand...

Yes, this unfortunalely is the only way.
and I'm quite sure someone with a "problem" of abuse , will most likly not tell you in advance.

The one thing you could do (In the beginning) is let them know that you are against the "abuse" and if somebody does happen to pick up a habit along the way, you will not stick around.

However, LOTS of famous bands have addiction problems, and it never really comes out (To the commoner..or "fans")til years later...maybe its a sign that your band is about to get famous?
:hiding:


.
 
#19
Well i have a little bit of a dependancy on drink, but i would never ever rehearse or gig drunk...i enjoy music too much...ok a couple to loosen up is fine but to get hammered? whats the point? you may as well just go to the pub..

i play a little better after 1 or 2.. but drunk...no way

gone are the day that i thought i sounded good drunk... it doesnt happen...

if the music suffers because of drunk musicians they shouldnt be in the band...thats unless you want to play crap music...
 
#20
The best auditions I've been involved in, from either side, are two-fold: playing followed by hanging. You need to know if you fit together musically and you need to know if your personalities fit. An hour or two at the rehearsal room followed by a few drinks at the local bar and you see how everyone handles themselves. Is it shots of whiskey with beer chasers or a couple pints of Guinness over a couple hours? Most bands will spend most of their time together in bars, its important to know how people are going to act.
 

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