Band substance abuse

[40Hz]

I’ve been in two originals bands that had excellent potential (i.e. three or more sets of quality original material, small but steadily growing followings, getting frequent decent paying gigs, etc.) which ultimately got torpedoed due to substance abuse on the part of one or more key band members.

I won’t ever go down that road again.

My advice: Time to move on. Your band will not fix itself. Unless you enjoy the proverbial “long wait for a ship that won’t come in” cut your losses and walk.

 

[40Hz]

Drugs always ruin a band.

^This. Always.

 

[Medicine Man]

It's hard enough to get hard working, non jerkbags who can play. Much less sober to boot. It's too bad that intoxication is such a scourge on musicians. I see bands with potential wilt from drinking and drugs all the time. The best thing is to have an open conversation. Social users will most agree to reign it in, and addicts will mostly get hostile. While you can't change anyone, you can at least find out where you stand. Good luck.

 

[MegaSwing]

You've found the ticking time bomb present in almost every band. Consider yourself fortunate that you discovered it before you had invested too much. Find a better situation.

 

[Element Zero]

You are not playing with musicians.

You are playing with stoners who noodle.

That’s not always a bad thing. 2 of my best friends are major pot heads and also happen to be fantastic players... but in OP’s circumstance, I agree with you.

 

[funkymonk13]

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..

dude was a little condescending but something to keep in mind is that in the world of professional musicians theres often a bandleader who is basically in charge. He books the shows, handles the setlist and arrangements, collects payment, pays all the musicians regardless...I think thats what he meant by its "his stage"; its true that its often the bandleaders reputation on the line.
I think its cool when everyone is on an equal level too but thats more for creative/personal projects.

Then you’re playing with fire and dynamite. It might not blow up in your face today or tomorrow but it will happen.

Honestly, you dont know that man. I know people who's odd/risky/weird way of functioning cause a lot of stress for me but somehow when it really matters they always come through, above and beyond.

Agree with some of the other replies; im not gonna judge anyone, if you can make it work i dont care what you do.

 

[saabfender]

Honestly, we do. A good life hack might be to listen and learn from the experiences of people twice your age.

 

[grimjim]

I've been in bands with functioning stoners, though I don't partake, I do drink. I don't care what you do as long it doesn't interfere. There's an old saying "It's not a problem until it's a problem."

In full disclosure, I've only been in bands once or twice where it became a problem, drunk at shows...And I wasn't around long.

I enjoy having a couple of guinnesses at practice, and a jack and coke or two before going on stage to take the adrenaline edge off. If not I get the shakes from tremors. But not until I'm twisted or anything.

Sounds like a band meeting is in order.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

IMO, depending on what substance it is, I’m going to assume that it is an ilegal substance. If that is the case, you don’t want to be around that stuff whether you are in a band or otherwise.

As for a lack of sobriety on stage, that is not professionally acceptable, period. If you want to be a pro, work with pros. Pros don’t let pros play impaired.

 

[2010P]

When I was growing up there was a band teacher who told about his days playing the big bands back in the 40's and 50's. He said he once remembered a trumpet player who was totally high for a gig, and when it came time for his solo he was gesticulating and grooving like it was the best trumpet solo ever played. In reality, it was apparently so bad that people watching were grimacing, especially those in the band. Those words always stuck with me. Sure - I'll have a few beers at a gig, but that's about it. I have, however, played with quite a few musicians who have also had to learn the hard way, just like the trumpeter mentioned above.

Maybe it was the best solo ever played, only it was so far advanced and so far ahead of its time that no one could understand it, hence the grimacing. Just kidding, but only sort of. I've had amazing musical experiences both straight and high, and have recordings to prove it. I don't think it's the drugs that necessarily impair anything......only the individual drug users/musicians ability to incorporate the mind opening aspects of the drugs into their playing. No one would say Jimi sucked, and that dude was on multiple tabs of LSD every night.

 

[project_c]

Some of the best music of the past 100 or so years was written under the influence of drugs. Drugs and music are inseparable, historically speaking anyway. If you're involved with music, drugs are a part of your culture, whether you condone it or not.

I don't condone drug use, I don't drink and haven't even smoked weed in about 20 years, but we're talking about music here, not chartered accountancy. People like to get high and play music. It's just how it is.

 

[Tony In Philly]

Maybe it was the best solo ever played, only it was so far advanced and so far ahead of its time that no one could understand it, hence the grimacing. Just kidding, but only sort of. I've had amazing musical experiences both straight and high, and have recordings to prove it. I don't think it's the drugs that necessarily impair anything......only the individual drug users/musicians ability to incorporate the mind opening aspects of the drugs into their playing. No one would say Jimi sucked, and that dude was on multiple tabs of LSD every night.

Hmmmm...maybe it was a young Miles Davis? Somehow I kind of doubt it.

 

[eff-clef]

Not to disparage your point on drug use. But, haberdashery is a men's clothing store.

 

[lbbc]

We drink in my band while playing....but usually only 2 each until after the show (then what happens...happens)

 

[MrLenny1]

There is way too much of that poopie with bands.
Getting serious and play bigger shows is done by serious work and performances
not by being a stoned/drunken frat band.
Good luck.

 

[petrus61]

Not to disparage your point on drug use. But, haberdashery is a men's clothing store.

Specifically, a hat store, no?

 

[rogerbmiller]

I don't mean to be the vocabulary police but I have to point out that a haberdasher is a merchant of men's clothing, typically hats, top coats, etc. Haberdashery is what the haberdasher's merchandise is called. How I know this is a very long story which I will not get into. And frankly the word should mean what you thought it meant. But it doesn't. Anyway...

More to the point, if your bandmates go non-verbal over the course of a 15 minute set break, that is utterly pathetic and inexcusable. Going non-verbal after the show is a private matter thus ok with me though preferable after gear is loaded, cash is collected and gar is driven home.

These guys need a talking to and if they don't see the issue, i would walk if I were you because I wouldn't want my reputation tied to that kind of bush league nonsense.

I am truly sorry you had to endure this.

 

[non]

before this gets to far with the no drugs and playing thing, remember these guys?:

 

[Downunderwonder]

If the neighbour's kid plays better than your pothead it's a sign to find another band. That's how it is in my experience of potted up rock gods. Legends in their own mindspace all.

 

[CapnSev]

Run. Away.

I may be a little biased working in law enforcement, but I can tell you that no good will come of this. It will destroy your band mates and drag you into it one way or another if you stick around. There was great advice earlier that you can’t fix it either. Only they can when they really want to.