No Booze for me as I'm not much of a drinker, I mean if someone buys the band shots I obviously drink them. But I'm a guy who likes to play blazed, the whole band does, sans the singer, he waits until after as to not burn his chords out(although he does on the easier gig night where we are only playing one set)
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DRUGS & BOOZE
- Thread starter bassfrenzie
- Start date
As with anything, do the mature thing and use moderation. Knowing your lines with your mind is as important as knowing the bass lines you play.
While I agree that seeing a group of guys staggering drunk playing an acoustic show in a coffee shop is bad...it's equally bad to see a bunch of sober guys standing still at a hard rock show with no personality.
To me, it depends on the band members/audience expectations. At our shows, which are rock/metal (original music) we're trying to create a "party atmosphere"...so if we were to go onstage completely sober it wouldn't turn out as good.
We try to tape every show that we play for this reason. We played one show completely sober. It was horrendous...not much movement on stage, no interacting with the crowd. On the other hand, we've played one show where we thought we had overdone it prior, and we played awesome, had great crowd interaction and tons of movement onstage. Plus I find that I actually play better a little buzzed. I make less mistakes, because I'm not as tight.
I'm not advocating turning into an alcoholic or a drug addict, but it seems like lots of people here on TB have the Holier than thou attitude, and sometimes need to lighten up.
To me, it depends on the band members/audience expectations. At our shows, which are rock/metal (original music) we're trying to create a "party atmosphere"...so if we were to go onstage completely sober it wouldn't turn out as good.
We try to tape every show that we play for this reason. We played one show completely sober. It was horrendous...not much movement on stage, no interacting with the crowd. On the other hand, we've played one show where we thought we had overdone it prior, and we played awesome, had great crowd interaction and tons of movement onstage. Plus I find that I actually play better a little buzzed. I make less mistakes, because I'm not as tight.
I'm not advocating turning into an alcoholic or a drug addict, but it seems like lots of people here on TB have the Holier than thou attitude, and sometimes need to lighten up.
I think pot is fine. If smoking a little bit of reefer makes you mess up, or forget stuff you shouldnt be smoking it. that whole arguement is old and not valid, plenty of people smoke pot everyday and you people don't ever notice. but i agree on the drunkness part, that sucks and no positives about getting trashed and playing. mabey appropriate just jamming with friends but not for a show.
and LOL @ some potheads make good music "reggae"! lol definately! Herb is good, actually helps me focus.
and LOL @ some potheads make good music "reggae"! lol definately! Herb is good, actually helps me focus.
I may take a puff or two beforehand (a band or two before going on). I know my limits. I stay hydrated before and during (H2O or Gatoraide) as our shows are quite physical. I don't drink too much alcohol, a beer before going on and one onstage would be an exageration. Generally hydration before/during the show and a Jagerbomb onstage, then hydration afterwords.
Now my drummer on the otherhand...We had a show lastnight. It's our drummers birthday this Monday and he wanted to get his drink on, not that it is very unusual as he is a HUGE Jack and Coke fan. Regardless, any one gig it wouldn't be unusual for him to have had a few before going on stage and he can perform flawlessly. HOWEVER, when he really is determined to drink, well, lets just say the show lastnight took us to different places often throughout the entire show. He also said that he really couldn't hear our vocalist too well as he had no monitor.
It was a bad show in general, our guitar player broke a string on the first song (new strings only one or two gigs in (he NEVER brakes strings)) then about three songs until the end of the set, the back screw of my strap strips out!!! That's never happened to me on this bass.
Still, a decent crowd, a good guarantee, another late night.
As a band, there are occational exeptions, such as lastnight; a hometown crowd that knew this was a little party for our drummer, many of which probably didn't even catch many of our drummers misdirection. In general however, "F" ing up isn't tolerated. You cannot be wasted and perform professionally. If you have guarantees, sponsorships, endorsements, fans, you owe them respect and you must carry yourself in a professional manner. People expect to be entertained and it is your job to entertain. If your not that serious that's fine, don't keep your expectation too high, but if your trying to move onword to bigger and better gigs, "party everynight" doesn't cut it IMO.
Now my drummer on the otherhand...We had a show lastnight. It's our drummers birthday this Monday and he wanted to get his drink on, not that it is very unusual as he is a HUGE Jack and Coke fan. Regardless, any one gig it wouldn't be unusual for him to have had a few before going on stage and he can perform flawlessly. HOWEVER, when he really is determined to drink, well, lets just say the show lastnight took us to different places often throughout the entire show. He also said that he really couldn't hear our vocalist too well as he had no monitor.
It was a bad show in general, our guitar player broke a string on the first song (new strings only one or two gigs in (he NEVER brakes strings)) then about three songs until the end of the set, the back screw of my strap strips out!!! That's never happened to me on this bass.
Still, a decent crowd, a good guarantee, another late night.
As a band, there are occational exeptions, such as lastnight; a hometown crowd that knew this was a little party for our drummer, many of which probably didn't even catch many of our drummers misdirection. In general however, "F" ing up isn't tolerated. You cannot be wasted and perform professionally. If you have guarantees, sponsorships, endorsements, fans, you owe them respect and you must carry yourself in a professional manner. People expect to be entertained and it is your job to entertain. If your not that serious that's fine, don't keep your expectation too high, but if your trying to move onword to bigger and better gigs, "party everynight" doesn't cut it IMO.
All things in moderation. Don't do something if you won't be able to perform after, but if you "need" something to perform, go ahead. Most things in life are a fine balance between perfect order and complete chaos, music is not an exception.
man, this sounds like a cult or an AA meeting
drink as much as you want as long as it doesn't affect your playing to a noticeable degree...if you can drink a beer every 15 min's and be fine, have at it
in all honesty, a beer or 2 in a 4 hour set?!
a beer an hour and my BAC is still .0000001
it depends on the person, and yes, getting trashed or blitzed so it is noticeable in your playing is not good (or prof), but, esp if you play in a bar, it's good to drink and at least get a buzz...
esp if your singer encourages the audience to take a shot w/ the band...this puts $$$ in the register, ups sales, and makes the venue owners happy
it also ups the waitresses/bartenders tips...everyone's happy, you get more shows, the world is in equilibrium, world hunger is over, wars are a thing of the past, we live in a unified world, one, unified nation...oh wait, that's the signs of the end times and the antichrist...oh well, at least you'll be onstage....
drink as much as you want as long as it doesn't affect your playing to a noticeable degree...if you can drink a beer every 15 min's and be fine, have at it
in all honesty, a beer or 2 in a 4 hour set?!
a beer an hour and my BAC is still .0000001
it depends on the person, and yes, getting trashed or blitzed so it is noticeable in your playing is not good (or prof), but, esp if you play in a bar, it's good to drink and at least get a buzz...
esp if your singer encourages the audience to take a shot w/ the band...this puts $$$ in the register, ups sales, and makes the venue owners happy
it also ups the waitresses/bartenders tips...everyone's happy, you get more shows, the world is in equilibrium, world hunger is over, wars are a thing of the past, we live in a unified world, one, unified nation...oh wait, that's the signs of the end times and the antichrist...oh well, at least you'll be onstage....
I've been known to toke it up and get my drink on but NEVER before or during a show or practice... I do it on my own time and dont interfere with band stuff. I take my music too seriously to be screwing it up with stuff like that!
I don't tend to equate drunkeness with a good band personality. I've seen plenty of rock bands that were very active, with great stage prescence and personality, and they were not falling down drunk.
If the drinking or smoking is effecting the quality of your playing, you should tone it down.
Twiggy Jr.man said:This is nothing like an AA or NA meeting...if you attended them you wouldn't of stated that. Being in recovery is not a joke ,for many folks it becomes a matter of life or death. Whether its Clapton or Nicky Sixx or some unknown cat that finally had enough of not only pissing on a creative gift, but also got tired of killing themselves....I personally have used every substance known while playing on stage. After listening back to tapes...I can honestly say it has an adverse effect on my musicianship. But that is for me only to say for myself. I choose who I play with...if they can't perform because they are drunk or stoned, its time to move on, nothing like a keyboard player slurring and stumbling on stage, or a drummer so coked up he looks like Doc Gooden(Mets years)sweating bullets and chewing gum on the mound...running away with the beat.
Peace
butchblack
Life is short. Do good. Find and do what you love.
One of the things when I'm considering joining a band is seeing what their alcohol/drug patterns are during shows (if any) I have nothing against having a drink or two during the course of an evening, but I have never heard anyone sound better smashed or high then when they play straight. My suggestion is to find a band that you're comfortable with everyone's drinking/drug level, otherwise resentments and anger will pop up.
I think the answer is "It depends".
If it is music I am serious about, I rely on myself and my trained musicianship, not chemical crutches to get me through. Thats my personal attitude. I do mostly "call jobs" rather than play with any particular band.
I did go through a phase when I used sedatives to get through some tense big audience sessions (>2000). I don't do that any longer. I still may have a drink at something like jam session or a restaurnat jazz stds gig.
As far as other musicians, if they can do the gig, fine. If they screw it up, word gets out they have a problem and their calls dry up.
Personally, I think there are a lot of musicians don't know how good or bad they are when they are sober, let alone when they are wired. Listen to a board tape and decide for yourself.
If it is music I am serious about, I rely on myself and my trained musicianship, not chemical crutches to get me through. Thats my personal attitude. I do mostly "call jobs" rather than play with any particular band.
I did go through a phase when I used sedatives to get through some tense big audience sessions (>2000). I don't do that any longer. I still may have a drink at something like jam session or a restaurnat jazz stds gig.
As far as other musicians, if they can do the gig, fine. If they screw it up, word gets out they have a problem and their calls dry up.
Personally, I think there are a lot of musicians don't know how good or bad they are when they are sober, let alone when they are wired. Listen to a board tape and decide for yourself.
IME, as far as I know, no other job lets you drink/smoke up before/during the job. You only think you're playing better.
All the other band members depend on each other, especially the ones who drive home.
On off days, I would party just like everyone else.
All the other band members depend on each other, especially the ones who drive home.
On off days, I would party just like everyone else.
my singer used to smoke before our practices(weed) i dont mind people that are high around me, but he is just a giggly smiling pain in the butt when he is high and its just annoying. and i am his best friend so i can tell when he has been smoking, even though he tries to hide it. and he is like yo dont tell the rest of the guys. it was just annoying. we end up stopping for a snack break were said singer inhales a whole thing of oreos/whatever else is around.
but yea, writing songs stoned has never worked for him, it has for other people. but id rather have a clear head when we write. and not have to deal with a stupid pot head.
but yea, writing songs stoned has never worked for him, it has for other people. but id rather have a clear head when we write. and not have to deal with a stupid pot head.
Yeah Keep it 2gether for the show IMO. & while at the "place of employment" !!!
As stated-video 'em when they're out of it performing, See if U can get 'em to do a show straight, & SECTRETLY video that See the difference????? If not- then it ain't really a worry???? ;-)
As stated-video 'em when they're out of it performing, See if U can get 'em to do a show straight, & SECTRETLY video that See the difference????? If not- then it ain't really a worry???? ;-)
I perform high everysingle gig. it dosent effect me at all. Now alcohol is a completely different thing.You cant play for S**t drunk. There is nothing wrong with marijuana in the first place, you can completely control yourself high. I think Jimmy page would have had better playing live if he wasnt drunk, he gets sloppy.
I have never played a gig high but when my band is just jamming at practice and we're all high, I tend to get in the 'zone' and pay attention to my technique a whole lot more. I didn't even pay attention to the others. Well, I did in the sense that I needed to know what to play but never took my focus off my playing. We recorded it and looked back at it and was amazed. The guitarist made some crazy effects and to this day we have no clue how he made them.
In my band, get drunk or high at a gig and start looking for your next band. I've had my fill of that crap.
