Band substance abuse

[superheavyfunk]

I banned my original band from having more than a single pitcher of beer to share before gigs, and I make sure that there are two pitchers of water (and glasses), or a compliment of bottled water for us all while on stage.

IDGAF what you do when you're offstage but when you're on MY stage, you'd better keep it together or I'm getting all James Brown on your behind.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Been there man. I tried to reform them, and failed, tried to put up and shut up and just cash the checks, but ultimately I gave notice and quit. Haven't regretted it once.

 

[Fretless370]

I banned my original band from having more than a single pitcher of beer to share before gigs, and I make sure that there are two pitchers of water (and glasses), or a compliment of bottled water for us all while on stage.

IDGAF what you do when you're offstage but when you're on MY stage, you'd better keep it together or I'm getting all James Brown on your behind.

Wow... Your stage??

 

[superheavyfunk]

Wow... Your stage??

Yup.

I pay my ppl, we often tour as support for larger groups, or as the backing band for them. I've got kids and rent, and a reputation to maintain. Don't like the rules, don't take the job. Pretty simple.

 

[mikeyjm2]

I auditioned once for a band where the drummer and guitarist couldn't hold off getting high during the hour I was there. Not sure why I even stayed that long in retrospect. The following day I emailed and told them as politely as possible it wasn't going to work for me.

 

[MarshallLaw]

LOL @ the folks who think it's pot.

 

[Fretless370]

Yup.

I pay my ppl, we often tour as support for larger groups, or as the backing band for them. I've got kids and rent, and a reputation to maintain. Don't like the rules, don't take the job. Pretty simple.

Do you own the venue?

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

I'm not the bandleader, but I just played a gig this weekend where I saw the performance level go from respectable working outfit to uncouth habidashery. All after a 15 min break.

So I'm pretty sure my bandmates (The Bandleader most of all) have a substance abuse issue. And I'm concerned it will get in the way of gigs. We're small time now, but everyone talks about how they want to be serious and play top shows. To me, if that's serious sentiment, then every time we play should be treated as an audition for bigger venues.

Sadly, like too many musicians I've witnessed, they don't seem to have the capacity to take themselves seriously. Gutted.

LEAVE! In some small way, you are enabling them. LEAVE!!

 

[MG Wolf]

Active addiction takes hostages.

27 years (plus) clean a day at a time, and it still finds ways to enter my life to see if I'm still paying attention and will remove it.

I am and I will.

Walk. As politely as possible.

 

[bassfran]

I banned my original band from having more than a single pitcher of beer to share before gigs, and I make sure that there are two pitchers of water (and glasses), or a compliment of bottled water for us all while on stage.

IDGAF what you do when you're offstage but when you're on MY stage, you'd better keep it together or I'm getting all James Brown on your behind.

So, you use PCP, beat their wives and discharge a firearm at their cars? Harsh.

 

[JRA]

Either they are prepared and able to perform or not.

what others ingest is none of my business. the playdown is. i don't police thoughts/attitudes/behaviors. i would counsel a good player who makes judgement errors. i only play with good players.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Maybe get in a christian band?

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

meh, a lot of great music was born from drugs. Depends on the band and the musicians and the crowd and the vibe and ultimately, how it all works together.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I'm not the bandleader, but I just played a gig this weekend where I saw the performance level go from respectable working outfit to uncouth habidashery. All after a 15 min break.

So I'm pretty sure my bandmates (The Bandleader most of all) have a substance abuse issue. And I'm concerned it will get in the way of gigs. We're small time now, but everyone talks about how they want to be serious and play top shows. To me, if that's serious sentiment, then every time we play should be treated as an audition for bigger venues.

Sadly, like too many musicians I've witnessed, they don't seem to have the capacity to take themselves seriously. Gutted.

As grandpa used to say: You are playing for the party. You are not in the party.

 

[Jakeman]

I was the dude getting wasted on stage for years. If other musicians hadn't walked away from me, I wouldn't have quit and probably wouldn't be 8 years sober now. Walk - you might be doing somebody a favor.

 

[Londo Molari]

Habidashery.
You need to look up this word before using it again. I doubt that it was the one you thought it was.

 

[arbiterusa]

Wow... Your stage??

Try playing with a competent bandleader sometime. It will be the best musical experience of your life.

 

[LBS-bass]

They got so high they started selling men's wear? And not at the merch table?

Haha, you beat me to it!

But seriously, no one should get so impaired as to impact the musicianship. A beer, a glass of wine, fine. But when it gets noticeably sloppy, that would be very uncool.

 

[Fretless370]

Try playing with a competent bandleader sometime. It will be the best musical experience of your life.

I don't dispute being sober while on stage and you don't know me or anything about me. power trippers need not respond. I prefer everyone to be on an EQUAL level. Thanks anyway..

 

[TheReceder]

One of the best guitarists I'd ever played with, and overall not a bad guy, Od'd. I'd love to be magnanimous and say I was better for having known him but that would be a crock. He killed himself and he messed up a lot of people doing it.

The reality, a band that had been together for the better part of 7 years collapsed, most of us found our ways to deal with it. Some in a good way, others not so good. Knowing what I know now, I'd have rather done something at the time but my weak excuse was that I was just a kid. Anything would have been better than the outcome.

An ultimatum is fine, but I've never seen that story play out when addictions are involved.
I wish I'd have just quit and told them to find someone else. Certain songs still bring back memories of the guy, but the truth is I'd rather just forget.

Trust me you're better of walking before something worse than a bad performance happens.