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Drinking Before Playing?

#45
I usually have 1 or 2 drinks before going on, with a maximum of 3. We usually do a band shot right before going on, so my normal routine is load in, get some food, grab a beer, listen to bands, do a band shot, and take a beer onstage (I always get wicked thirsty on stage!) Though, if I've already had two beers and the shot, I take a water up.

After the gig, though, all bets are off :D
 
#46
I don't drink at the gig... not anymore. I used to have a couple to loosen up, but after three decades I'm rarely if ever tight when I play. Every once in awhile I'll accept a freebie if offered -- for politeness' sake, not because I'm a cheap b@st@rd. :p


Mojo-Man said:
:cool:
All the above.
Plus, If your getting paid well, it's a job.
Would you drink, before a day job?
A jam is something else.
Have a cold one, after the gig.
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For the vast majority of us, music is a hobby, not a job. So, I have absolutely no problem with fellow semi-pros having a beer or three to relax and have fun... as long as they still play well, and/or all bandmates are cool with it.

For anyone who is a pro, or trying to become a pro, then I agree: it's better to stay away from recreational drugs of any kind (alcohol being one, of course). Maybe you never do enough to affect your game, but some bandleaders can be fussy about that sort of thing. Why take chances? Especially in this economy.
 
#49
BluesWalker said:
I usually wait until the night is over and I am packed up before I have a beer.
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Same. I just feel like my playing is more solid when I don't drink. But then again, I am very comfortable in front of a lot of people - almost moreso when in front of just another person.

Me and the mates share a 12-pk during our 4 hour practices though. Reminds me, we gotta grab another for practice tonight.
 
#50
if im hired to play for a new band, i have a hard tikme relaxing. thats where 2 beers really help out. i've been giging for about 4 years and in the beginning i was nervous shitless. I played a 5 stringer and they felt like 10 when i was on stage. then I learned to relax with my mexican buddy Corona. It sucks when a band is dry. I need a buzz to feel cocky and confident. Thats when my a game shines.
 
#51
MNAirHead said:
I'll drop them a $20 and tell them to keep the change... this $20 is taken out of the night's take... we appear to be better unified.. cooler guys.. and more gracious.

I'll then give a waitress a $10.. ask her to notice the waterpitcher and please fill it as time permits. When she refills it, we tip her again.
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So basically you're giving $30 of the band's pay back to the house before you even play a note? I'm sure the bars love this but how does your band feel about it? And as far as $10 to keep a water pitcher filled, for that kind of money I'll go fetch my own.
 
#53
jaywa said:
So basically you're giving $30 of the band's pay back to the house before you even play a note? I'm sure the bars love this but how does your band feel about it? And as far as $10 to keep a water pitcher filled, for that kind of money I'll go fetch my own.
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I agree totally.What's usually the first rule for successful business??"You gotta spend money to make money."Bar owners remember those little things.And when they remember you,THEY BOOK YOU.A class move like that maybe gets you another $50.00-$100.00 per night,that next big holiday weekend booking,who knows what else it could lead too??Maybe a $2,500.00 private party.It's happened a few times to me.So,it's all good in the end.I call it "Fun"security.Others call it job security.

Back on topic:

As for the drinking??2-3 doubles of Crown Royal before I go on(What can I say?I'm a big guy!)1 shot,1 beer,for each set,thereafter.I used to be a weed fanatic.I've retired from that though.
 
#55
jaywa said:
So basically you're giving $30 of the band's pay back to the house before you even play a note? I'm sure the bars love this but how does your band feel about it? And as far as $10 to keep a water pitcher filled, for that kind of money I'll go fetch my own.
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All in the net profit.

When a manager compares us to the next option, it's easy to determine who's a better team player and better at PR.

We get higher billings than the other bands at the same venue.

If you ever worked at a bar, you'd understand (or care).

T.,
 
#56
MNAirHead said:
All in the net profit.

When a manager compares us to the next option, it's easy to determine who's a better team player and better at PR.

We get higher billings than the other bands at the same venue.

If you ever worked at a bar, you'd understand (or care).

T.,
Click to expand...

That makes sense, if you're getting that back (or more) on the back-end. Around here the expectation (by bands and bars alike) is that the band will be comped a "reasonable" number of drinks which can range anywhere from the 1st and last of the night, to 1 drink per member per set (which is what we write into our deals). The bars around here have gotten tighter with comping drinks of late but we haven't had a problem cause we don't drink that much, we take care of the waitstaff and we pull large crowds who drink a whole lot.
 
#57
The way I see it, 1 drink per set is fair. Drinks don't cost the bar that much, so they should be happy to comp you a few drinks, as it promotes drinking by the patrons if they see the band is having a good time. I may sound like a jerk, but tipping the waitstaff isn't something I feel obligated to do, as my band usually brings them patrons who give them tips. This doesn't mean I don't tip them, but I don't go out of my way to give them large tips unless they go out of their way to accomodate me on-stage and off. If they do a good job at this, We always give the waitress a nice tip, and they continue to return the favor with good service in the future. Pay seems to be kind of low around here sometimes for bands, so drink's being provided is always a plus, as we don't get much money to spend in the first place.

But saying only "maggot bands" expect their drinks to be comped is a bit snide. There are better ways of getting more shows with a bar than giving the bar back the money you earned for the night. Bring in a good crowd who drinks and it shouldn't be a problem, you shouldn't have to brown nose.

As far as drinking before a gig is concerned, I usually drink a few shots before the gig to losen up. I know it doesn't hurt my playing, as long as I don't get "drunk", but I'm a big guy, so it takes a lot.
 

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