Does anyone use caffeine pills on gigs?

[MegaSwing]

Official drink of the over-50 professional musician:

Coffee. You want it black, or with cream?

Supposedly, Charlie Parker enjoyed his black with Benzedrine—which might explain why he never reached over-50.

 

[turf3]

Yeah, well, you'll note that Bird never became an over-50 professional musician.

 

[Core Creek]

I would take Emergen-C with some seltzer water for late night gigs. It prevented feeling like crap the next morning and helped boost my immune system. I wouldn’t say it gave a lot of added energy, but I never lacked that. I avoid sugar - the sugar high invariably comes with a sugar low.

 

[Joe Bob]

Caffeine will scramble your brains. So, don't do that.

Chocolate is a better alternative. A small dark chocolate bar will have me wired for a couple hours.

For more kick, still, pseudofed is excellent in that it keeps you awake and your brain fully clear. If used only occasionally it poses no risk.

 

[bassdude51]

The simple and direct answer is........no, I don't.

I love coffee. It also makes me pee.

Usually, my nerves are so hopped up when playing live that the last thing I need is caffeine! (Alcohol.)

 

[Bengal1]

Interesting thread. I guess a lot of us working musicians work day jobs. I worked in two full time bands for many years (never crossed schedules.. imagine that) and also at the same time maintained a full time day job. Luckily for me my gigs were casino gigs and we had fairly lengthy breaks and dressing rooms. On many nights I would pop in some earplugs on the break and catch a power nap in the dressing room. For me that worked. For many that wouldn't work out. For many reasons. My biggest dilemma was always the drive home from gigs which were sometimes up to 45 minutes and in the winter in a snowstorm.

 

[pepj]

Nope..can't see that as in any way, healthy, so a definite no for me.

 

[J DeHollander]

Usually I bring a thermos of coffee with me to gigs...I am really not a night owl (often in bed by eight pm even on non-work nights) and wake up early so I often struggle with energy and alertness levels on gigs that start at nine pm. The coffee helps me stay alert, awake and sharp.

Last night however I was pressed for time and didn't get a chance to fill my thermos up before leaving the house and figured since we were playing at a place that served food, id be able to get coffee there. Wrong..they had no coffee and only had cold brew which I can't stand.

The lack of coffee made for some difficulties but I pulled through.

Was thinking caffeine pills would be a good thing to keep in my gig bag and came across these on amazon.

Anyone keep these or something similar on hand at gigs?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U0DL5O2/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A2KQDT560BIUI6&psc=1

 

[J DeHollander]

I used to take them when I was playing out of town. Gig started at 9pm and finished at 1:30 am then about an hour drive home. Took two half way through the night and was able to sleep when I got home.

 

[picker1974]

The worst thing I can do is get tanked on caffeine or energy drinks before playing. I get so jittery I end up making lots of mistakes, plus I don’t like the feeling. I’d rather be tired.

 

[Daddy-R]

Never need to calm my nerves before an engagement. Coffee keeps my nerves up and more alert - my choice.

 

[PeteOlig]

I sometimes eat dried hot peppers for a boost. No jitters; they jack up your metabolism, and you don't have to pee like you would with coffee. Worth a try if you can find some.

 

[SemiDriven]

I sometimes eat dried hot peppers for a boost. No jitters; they jack up your metabolism, and you don't have to pee like you would with coffee. Worth a try if you can find some.

You must have taste buds made of steel!

I'd be looking for a beverage or two to quench the flames.

Then I'd have to pee.

 

[Dave Neal]

Meth works wonders...lol

 

[DECEMBER]

I can't even play music til after 6pm. My Creativity is rooted in the night. I've never been creatively motivated in the daytime. I'll play til the crack of dawn.
Due to Tourette's syndrome, I can't consume stimulants.

 

[vvvmmm]

I sometimes eat dried hot peppers for a boost. No jitters; they jack up your metabolism, and you don't have to pee like you would with coffee. Worth a try if you can find some.

Plus, the mic smells so good for the next guy ...

 

[g-dude]

Nose Tork or go home...

Anyone who has ever used this sort of stuff knows that it can really increase your deadlift - just imagine what it can do for your basslines!

 

[Kujibo]

I often binge drink diet coke from awakening to dinner to avoid feeling like a sloth all day. But I'd never want to before a gig, I'm already an uptight nervous person, caffeine is going to make that worse. I also have more of a problem of insomnia so not going to fall asleep at gigs, and the caffeine later in the day will make that worse. Too much caffeine can really "clean" me out too, that's why I binge it early on gig days, gets me all cleaned out for the evening to avoid that hassle at sketchy bars For me it's gotta be a beer or three before / during the gig just to loosen up enough.

 

[BlueTalon]

I often binge drink diet coke from awakening to dinner to avoid feeling like a sloth all day. But I'd never want to before a gig, I'm already an uptight nervous person, caffeine is going to make that worse. I also have more of a problem of insomnia so not going to fall asleep at gigs, and the caffeine later in the day will make that worse. Too much caffeine can really "clean" me out too, that's why I binge it early on gig days, gets me all cleaned out for the evening to avoid that hassle at sketchy bars For me it's gotta be a beer or three before / during the gig just to loosen up enough.

How old are you, if I may ask?

 

[bigtone23]

A B12 supplement gets ya going without the several hours of commitment to being awake.