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DRUGS & BOOZE

#42
I can still handle a gig if I have about 1 beer an hour before the gig, but usually, as I sing lead as well, I don't drink much beverages containing carbon dioxide. It makes be burp. A small glass of wine is better in that aspect. ;)

I'm often the driver as well, and that's another reason for limiting your alcohol consumption, if you want to be able drive home later in the in the night after the gig. A couple of beers in the evening is ok, if you take the last one before midnight and hit the road sometime after 2am. There's times the police have stopped me after a gig when I have been drinking a couple of beers, and the alcometer have never shown anything but 0,000. The limit is 0,05% here.

I've never done drugs, not even tried. It's illegal and I respect that. And I definitely don't need it.
 
#46
If the band's drinking/drug use is too much for you, then leave the band. If you can live with it though, then stick with the band. It's as easy as that.

I can side with the other guys in the band though. I like the get pretty baked when I play but then again, I am in a funk/psychedelic jam band. Like it's been said before, drunken/messed up mayhem adds character to a band in my eyes. It's rock n' roll man!
 
#47
Deacon_Blues said:
You don't get drunk at work, do you? :rollno:

Some bands take the business seriously, and they're usually the one that survives.
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Wait a minute... didn't Metallica "make it?" Some of their best music, IMO, was from the period where they were lovingly referred to as Alcoholica. They stopped drinking and playing.... and next thing you know, everyone gets a Load of St. Anger on 'em. :p :D
 
#49
When I first starting gigging seriously, the 2nd ever gig I did was a huge showcase in NYC with 1500 people there. Representatives from alot of the major labels, people from MTV news were there...there were something like 20 bands but still, I was a total nervous wreck.

I drank probably 3-4 beers in the couple of hours before we went on and, Im GLAD I did! It loosened me up to the point where I could at least LOOK like I belonged there and didnt really affect my playing at all. Any gigs after that, it depended on how nervous I was before going on. I would never get totally drunk before playing but, it does loosen me up.
 
#50
jgroh said:
When I first starting gigging seriously, the 2nd ever gig I did was a huge showcase in NYC with 1500 people there. Representatives from alot of the major labels, people from MTV news were there...there were something like 20 bands but still, I was a total nervous wreck.

I drank probably 3-4 beers in the couple of hours before we went on and, Im GLAD I did! It loosened me up to the point where I could at least LOOK like I belonged there and didnt really affect my playing at all. Any gigs after that, it depended on how nervous I was before going on. I would never get totally drunk before playing but, it does loosen me up.
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I agree with that. I'm not a big drinker most of the time, but on practice nights, I have 4-5 over the course of the evening. Not enough to get drunk, but I'll pound 1 or 2 fast, then maintain. It does help to loosen up when your excited.
 
#51
Curtybob said:
Wait a minute... didn't Metallica "make it?" Some of their best music, IMO, was from the period where they were lovingly referred to as Alcoholica. They stopped drinking and playing.... and next thing you know, everyone gets a Load of St. Anger on 'em. :p :D
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This doesn't make a call either way, but,
well, in this case reference--- St. Anger SUCKED! :hmm:

I've done it both ways. For a while there, it was difficult to play sober. I'd prefer to be in the shadows. More often than not now, it's more trouble to play stoned, so that's by the wayside too.
...but I'm an old guy; been there/done that. whadoyaexpect?
I really like being very aware of what's going on onstage - I think for some people, getting high may take them there. But drunk? I doubt it.
 
#52
Curtybob said:
I agree with that. I'm not a big drinker most of the time, but on practice nights, I have 4-5 over the course of the evening. Not enough to get drunk, but I'll pound 1 or 2 fast, then maintain. It does help to loosen up when your excited.
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Yeah I would probably do the same as long as practice is on the weekend. I just cant drink during the week...coming to work is hard enough without a hangover (and even if I have only a couple, I still have a headache and nasty stomach the next morning). This is precisely why Ive switch to a couple hydrocodones for my needs :D
 
#53
i say by all means anyone can do anything to themselves (and yes i do it to) but doing in a situation where others are relying on you aswell, i would suggest having a few pints maybe a joint or whatever you fancy to get loosened up. BUT only do these things to a point where you can still play to a decent level.

everyone makes mistakes while playing. its expected but should never be increased by your recreational choices IMO.
 
#54
bassfrenzie said:
I'm more interested in everybody's take on the drugs & booze issue.
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Back in the day, I would regularly get stoned at gigs - never drunk. For spiritual/religious reasons, I quit all that stuff many years ago, and am glad I did. But even if I hadn't, I doubt very much I'd be stoned at gigs anymore. I just think it's childish and unprofessional.

If you have to get a buzz on in order to perform, something's wrong... :eyebrow:

MM
 
#56
bassfrenzie said:
...
I'm more interested in everybody's take on the drugs & booze issue.
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Drugs, booze, sugar, caffeine, sleep (or lack thereof), anger issues, the list of 'things' that can interfere with a person's ability to perform is as limitless as the list of performers.


bassfrenzie said:
...It's not enough to ruin the show, but it does bug me when mistakes are made because of drugs & booze.
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I'd restate that and just say, "It's not acceptable to ruin a show."

Judging them based on your perception of why they mess up is, well, judgmental - holier than thou, so to say. Unless you're concern centers around them as friends and/or people you care about personally, you're comments about "why" they mess up shows are just you pontificating about their actions. A bad note is a bad note - a missed part is a missed part. Saying, "You missed a part because you were high" is saying one thing too many. "You missed a part" ... Period.

Actions speak louder than words. Either they do the job or they don't. Why they can or can't is their responsibility. If you have the authority, let them know that their performance is not living up to the needs of the band and tell them they need to either do their job or find another band. If you don't have that sort of authority, tell them you plan to leave the band because they consistently fall short on their end of the bargain and if they don't want to be looking for your replacement, they should fix it.

It's on them to deliver the show.
 
#57
MysticMichael said:
If you have to get a buzz on in order to perform, something's wrong... :eyebrow:

MM
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I understand where you are coming from but, I am a naturally shy person to begin with and it just loosens me up enough to not just stand there. I dont say I drink at every gig because I dont. Occasionally. And if others want to partake in their d.o.c., I am ok with it as long as it doesnt affect their playing to a noticeable degree.
 

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