Drinks on stage...

[Sundogue]

To each his own.

My upscale band is hardly a rarity with the no-alcohol policy, it's actually pretty common in my neck of the woods.

And having that policy certainly hasn't held us back or caused us any problems or complaints either.

My neck of the woods is Wisconsin. No drinks? Are you kidding me? LOL.

But yes certainly. Whatever works with the band.

But the OP is having issues in his band. And IMO it's over the top.

What's next? Strict dress codes? No fatty foods before the gig? No bathroom breaks within ten minutes prior to taking stage? Do wives need to be pre-screened? Drug testing? LOL.

It's one thing if you are a hired gun and the BL has complete say so over everything and that is understood at the outset. One can choose to take the project on or not depending on one's own ideals.

But for the OP's band, this is just plain stupid. On so many levels. Personally I'd tell the BL to take care of his own personal issues before jumping on my "perceived" ones.

 

[electracoyote]

But the OP is having issues in his band. And IMO it's over the top.

I agree, and I said as much in my previous post. A bar band is different from an upscale band in this regard.

 

[Sundogue]

I agree, and I said as much in my previous post. A bar band is different from an upscale band in this regard.

As you mentioned in a previous post...it really is dependent on whatever cultural norms are present in particular regions and musicians are a part of that culture. Different regions (and different clubs) have differing expectations.

Like I said, I'm in Wisconsin. It would be rare to see any band (upscale or not) to be without drinks on stage. Haven't played an "upscale" gig here in 30 years where the people who hired us haven't brought drinks right up to the stage. It's expected.

I would wager that if we played for an AA meeting we'd get served drinks.

 

[Febs]

What's next? Strict dress codes?

Just as with drinks, this is going to depend on the nature of the band and the nature of the gig. Every wedding/events band I've ever played with has had some sort of requirement regarding attire.

 

[dukeorock]

Not to be a negative Nelly, but my guess is that most of the folks here who keep using the word "professional," are in fact, not actual professional musicians...professional as in, this is how you make your living. For some bands, drinking is 'part of the act.' I know someone will criticize that statement, but it's the truth. We are entertainers...it isn't really about us, it's about the people who spend money at the venue and help pay our bills...we work for them.

I have made my living from music for the last 20 years full time. Everything from CCM to punk, pop country, blues...all over the map. At a CCM gig, you prolly don't want to have a beer onstage Same goes for corporate gigs, but pro musicians already know that and don't need to be told or have silly rules placed on them by control freaks. In all the years I've been playing with other pros, the subject of drinking just doesn't come up. I can think of 3 times where players drank too much on a regular basis and they were fired and replaced with adults who know how to manage their lives. Simple.

We get into music because of freedom from the 9-5 grind...we are individualists. if you hit your 30's and still need to be micro managed by some self appointed 'band leader,' this probably aint the career for you. It aint rocket surgery

 

[Actium]

If the drummer is responsible about his drinking and keeps it under control why should the singer give a damn?

If that dude is so vehemently anti-drinking then it's probably best that he announce that before bringing people along for his ride.

Agh, for a bar band people are going to think somethings wrong with you if you don't drink. I've been asked why I don't have a beer before plenty of times. I only like to have 2 on a night out. After the 2nd that's it yo. Yet people think there's something wrong with me if I don't have one in my hand or next to me at all times, lol.

 

[Sundogue]

Not to be a negative Nelly, but my guess is that most of the folks here who keep using the word "professional," are in fact, not actual professional musicians...professional as in, this is how you make your living. For some bands, drinking is 'part of the act.' I know someone will criticize that statement, but it's the truth. We are entertainers...it isn't really about us, it's about the people who spend money at the venue and help pay our bills...we work for them.

I have made my living from music for the last 20 years full time. Everything from CCM to punk, pop country, blues...all over the map. At a CCM gig, you prolly don't want to have a beer onstage Same goes for corporate gigs, but pro musicians already know that and don't need to be told or have silly rules placed on them by control freaks. In all the years I've been playing with other pros, the subject of drinking just doesn't come up. I can think of 3 times where players drank too much on a regular basis and they were fired and replaced with adults who know how to manage their lives. Simple.

We get into music because of freedom from the 9-5 grind...we are individualists. if you hit your 30's and still need to be micro managed by some self appointed 'band leader,' this probably aint the career for you. It aint rocket surgery

I agree with you. I am, in fact, making my living as a musician. There is no way a musician under the lights and giving their all entertaining are NOT going to have something to drink onstage, even if it's just water. However, having said that, how is anyone to know it is or isn't water?

For some bands, yes indeed, drinking is a part of the act. For others it's a matter of fluid intake, particularly on hot days on outdoor gigs. Again...is that just water he's drinking? If it's not, who cares so long as one is not getting inebriated. I played a large outdoor music festival on a hot day and consumed tons of wine coolers and never felt the slightest bit intoxicated (well spaced and also drank lots of water, while sweating profusely that day).

The following is not directed at anyone and is just a general rant...

We sure live in one strange culture to be getting so worked up over something so minor. Am I worked up? Yes, because this overbearing, unadulterated rule enforcement crap disgusts me, from our society to business and even to education. Rules, rules, effin rules...most of which are absurd and nothing more than an attempt to control others and have them meet our expectations, when we scarcely can manage meeting our own. Ugh!

 

[tZer]

I may be misreading the intent of the thread - but it started off sounding like the OP was wondering about the appearance of cups/drinks on stage and whether or not that looks professional - regardless of their content.

I see the bulk of the answers assume booze and are framing their views based on boozing during a gig, but that seems to be a separate discussion.

To me, having a bunch of cups/bottles visible on the stage looks tacky - regardless of their contents. To that, I do what I can to keep my cups/bottles out of view by putting them behind my amp or the drum riser. If I decide to take a sip (of whatever is in my cup/bottle) it's between songs and is done discretely.

Now if we're playing a bar - part of the reason we are there is to encourage people to drink and sometimes that includes a big 'social' and can even be supported by obviously taking a nice sip of your bar-purchased beverage.

As for the corporate gig/wedding gig scenario - playing in monkey suits under lights can be hot work. Not being able to have a sip of water can be debilitating - especially for a singer or drummer - so an outright ban on 'cups on stage' seems like overkill - but hey - 45 minutes isn't that hard to suffer without a sip of water - and if the people who hired you make it clear they don't want to see what looks like a band of sots tying one on - even if it's water, then hydrate before the set and suck it up.

 

[dukeorock]

The following is not directed at anyone and is just a general rant...

We sure live in one strange culture to be getting so worked up over something so minor. Am I worked up? Yes, because this overbearing, unadulterated rule enforcement crap disgusts me, from our society to business and even to education. Rules, rules, effin rules...most of which are absurd and nothing more than an attempt to control others and have them meet our expectations, when we scarcely can manage meeting our own. Ugh!

This

 

[Sundogue]

I may be misreading the intent of the thread - but it started off sounding like the OP was wondering about the appearance of cups/drinks on stage and whether or not that looks professional - regardless of their content.

I see the bulk of the answers assume booze and are framing their views based on boozing during a gig, but that seems to be a separate discussion.

To me, having a bunch of cups/bottles visible on the stage looks tacky - regardless of their contents. To that, I do what I can to keep my cups/bottles out of view by putting them behind my amp or the drum riser. If I decide to take a sip (of whatever is in my cup/bottle) it's between songs and is done discretely.

Now if we're playing a bar - part of the reason we are there is to encourage people to drink and sometimes that includes a big 'social' and can even be supported by obviously taking a nice sip of your bar-purchased beverage.

As for the corporate gig/wedding gig scenario - playing in monkey suits under lights can be hot work. Not being able to have a sip of water can be debilitating - especially for a singer or drummer - so an outright ban on 'cups on stage' seems like overkill - but hey - 45 minutes isn't that hard to suffer without a sip of water - and if the people who hired you make it clear they don't want to see what looks like a band of sots tying one on - even if it's water, then hydrate before the set and suck it up.

Some of that spills over (no pun intended) into stage clutter which is a whole 'nother can o' worms. No reason to be building beer bottle pyramids onstage (unless it's part of the act of course).

As to the OP, unfortunately human beings require water to live, and therefore at least water/pop/juice, etc. should be allowed and if agreeable to at least not having it trash the appearance of the stage.

Personally any BL or the person hiring my band says we can't have drinks onstage (of any kind...not even water), I'd just pack up my gear and leave regardless of the repercussions. Not worth it. To me anyway. Some people have very little self esteem and will do anything for money. Of course, while I get paid to entertain, I actually have some free will left which is part of my reason for being a musician and not some drone with a punch card.

 

[Febs]

I may be misreading the intent of the thread - but it started off sounding like the OP was wondering about the appearance of cups/drinks on stage and whether or not that looks professional - regardless of their content.

I see the bulk of the answers assume booze and are framing their views based on boozing during a gig, but that seems to be a separate discussion.

Since he said "beer/drinks," I read his post to be referring to alcoholic drinks.

 

[peledog]

Depends on the venue and the occasion.

Most of the time, it's no drinking during a gig.

 

[Medford Bassman]

I agree with you. I am, in fact, making my living as a musician. There is no way a musician under the lights and giving their all entertaining are NOT going to have something to drink onstage, even if it's just water. However, having said that, how is anyone to know it is or isn't water?

For some bands, yes indeed, drinking is a part of the act. For others it's a matter of fluid intake, particularly on hot days on outdoor gigs. Again...is that just water he's drinking? If it's not, who cares so long as one is not getting inebriated. I played a large outdoor music festival on a hot day and consumed tons of wine coolers and never felt the slightest bit intoxicated (well spaced and also drank lots of water, while sweating profusely that day).

The following is not directed at anyone and is just a general rant...

We sure live in one strange culture to be getting so worked up over something so minor. Am I worked up? Yes, because this overbearing, unadulterated rule enforcement crap disgusts me, from our society to business and even to education. Rules, rules, effin rules...most of which are absurd and nothing more than an attempt to control others and have them meet our expectations, when we scarcely can manage meeting our own. Ugh!

Why do I hear "Authority Song" in my head?

 

[tZer]

Since he said "beer/drinks," I read his post to be referring to alcoholic drinks.

Yeah - good point. But the substance of what I said stands. Cups or bottles of anything strewn about the stage is tacky. As for stand cup-holders, I think those are convenient, but tacky and should only be used in the most casual of circumstances or if your stand is hidden (like a drummer's mic stand, for example) - for the sake of not looking tacky.

If a band leader makes it clear up front that the band's look includes NO drinks or drinking of anything on stage, then that's the gig and that's how you play it.

If a band leader gets on a high horse and decides to suddenly make such rules midstream, it's tacky, but it's his/her band and as leader, his/her prerogative. You don't have to like it - but if that's how they want it, that's how it goes.

To sum up - clutter/cups/bottles/non-essential nonsense on stage is tacky whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newbie band. It's just not a good look - period.

Obviously drinking (water or otherwise) should be done discretely unless otherwise stated - like the bar owner brings out a round and wants the band to do a 'social' with the bar (to encourage the customers to buy more drinks). As a matter of common practice, if you don't know what kind of band you are in, you should opt to keep your cup out of sight of the crowd and not drink from it during the set. Nothing like hearing the count in mid-chug and being the goofus who flubbed the intro because you were sipping...

 

[Sundogue]

Obviously drinking (water or otherwise) should be done discretely unless otherwise stated - like the bar owner brings out a round and wants the band to do a 'social' with the bar (to encourage the customers to buy more drinks). As a matter of common practice, if you don't know what kind of band you are in, you should opt to keep your cup out of sight of the crowd and not drink from it during the set. Nothing like hearing the count in mid-chug and being the goofus who flubbed the intro because you were sipping...

I think what gets lost in all the "rule making" is just plain common sense.

Then again, rules are for those without common sense.

 

[dukeorock]

Yeah - good point. But the substance of what I said stands. Cups or bottles of anything strewn about the stage is tacky. As for stand cup-holders, I think those are convenient, but tacky and should only be used in the most casual of circumstances or if your stand is hidden (like a drummer's mic stand, for example) - for the sake of not looking tacky.

If a band leader makes it clear up front that the band's look includes NO drinks or drinking of anything on stage, then that's the gig and that's how you play it.

If a band leader gets on a high horse and decides to suddenly make such rules midstream, it's tacky, but it's his/her band and as leader, his/her prerogative. You don't have to like it - but if that's how they want it, that's how it goes.

To sum up - clutter/cups/bottles/non-essential nonsense on stage is tacky whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newbie band. It's just not a good look - period.

Obviously drinking (water or otherwise) should be done discretely unless otherwise stated - like the bar owner brings out a round and wants the band to do a 'social' with the bar (to encourage the customers to buy more drinks). As a matter of common practice, if you don't know what kind of band you are in, you should opt to keep your cup out of sight of the crowd and not drink from it during the set. Nothing like hearing the count in mid-chug and being the goofus who flubbed the intro because you were sipping...

I think we can safely say 'hydration' isn't the issue that's being discussed.

 

[jswingchun]

...I saw a frontman in a local band who would have a large Jack Daniels bottle filled with iced tea and would make a show of guzzling it through the night. It was part of the act and I always remember people commenting on his ability to polish off a whole bottle of Jack and still walk straght after. lol....

I thought the only people that put iced tea in a Jack Daniel's bottle was the Clash baybeeeeeee!!!!

 

[SBassman]

As for stand cup-holders, I think those are convenient, but tacky

Suffice to say, many of us would disagree.

 

[Sundogue]

Why do I hear "Authority Song" in my head?

Except in my case the lyrics would have to be changed. Authority seldom wins with me. I have common sense and I don't deliberately set out to challenge authority for the sake of a challenge. And despite what many on TB might think , I am genuinely a nice guy and care a lot about others. I just don't follow the rules simply because they are the rules. I'm not a four legged grazer.

But...I am an artist and musician. I'm self employed and have been for over 30 years. I choose to live life on my terms and it's worked out pretty well over my last 50 years. I don't live a fear based life always worried that I somehow need to be living up to others expectations. Rules? I have common sense and respect for others... which includes having respect for myself. I don't do things to hurt people, but I don't base my life decisions on others directives. I don't need to. The world is my potential client so my livelihood is essentially limitless. I don't fear losing gigs, not making money, and most importantly not being something someone else wants me to be. And yet I will be that for them if it doesn't contradict with my life's philosophy.

I fight Authority when there is just cause to do so. And I do so without fear of retribution because I can drop people out of my life in an instant if they choose to strangle me with their absurdity.

Life is too short to not live it fully. So I do. Even if it means some people get confused simply because I won't live it for them.

I like to drink onstage. It's mostly water or soda. Sometimes a mixed drink. Regardless, if I joined a band going in knowing I couldn't drink alcohol onstage I'd be fine with it. I wouldn't be if I joined a band and down the line the BL decided to change the rules mid-stream unless he had a good reason for it and there was some common sense to the rule. I don't take orders and I don't play follow the leader. Bands come and go.

 

[tZer]

I think we can safely say 'hydration' isn't the issue that's being discussed.

Right - that was pointed out. I was mistaken.

Suffice to say, many of us would disagree.

OK. It's just my opinion.