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drummer on shrooms

#81
spaz21387 said:
drinking a beer at practice is bad? We drink more than a beer each guess we are going to be judged by everyone else... Isnt playing music about having fun. I like going to a show and the band is trashed but still tearing it up. For example I saw a portland band that is known for playing first so they can get trashed... Well the line up changed and they were last. The singer got so trashed he was laying on the floor on is back singing. It was pretty funny.
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My last gig I showed up to about 3 hours early, before the first band went one. I had one too many to drink while waiting for our set. Thats fine, as I can handle my beer, but the medication I had taken for my aching back did not mix well with the 8% ABV beer I was drinking. I blacked out a few times while playing, coming to and realizing I was in the middle of a song. I left my car at the bar and went home with a friend. The next morning I felt real bad, thinking I must have messed the set up, so I called the bandleader to apologize and he goes "What are you talking about? We sounded great". I got lucky on that one, and learned better than to mix my medication with beer and gigs.
 
#82
Even if they kicked in, he still probably wasn't the most dangerous thing on the road. Am I saying its a good idea, no. It's definitely dangerous but so is talking on a phone, texting and eating while driving. Ever driven tired? Thats probably the most dangerous time, yet no one will say anything to you about that. Overall the guy messed up, but it's not that big of a deal to me. Just my opinion; had it been a gig though... whole different story
 
#83
Considering that the chances are pretty good that this one's going to end up in jail at some time or another, leaving you high and dry (pardon the pun) at a gig, it might be time to think about finding a new drummer who can negotiate a normal routine without being stoned and stupid enough to get stoned and drive a vehicle that is in violation of state inspection regulations. It's only a matter of time before he calls you from the jailhouse needing you to bail him out. Then, when he's facing a DUI and has to come up with $5K for an attorney to work the case you're really going to be needing a new drummer. I'd start looking now if it was my band. But then the title of your post and the levity of your reaction to the whole thing suggests that you and your other band mates find humor in it, which is condoning it, in a way.
 
#84
Hahaha another +1 to TB being way too uptight. This ain't band management forums people, OP never said he had a problem with him. But thanks for voicing your opinion that you think he should quit the band.

I think you should quit YOUR band! See? Sounds stupid huh.
 
#86
Kwin Smith said:
I don't think it's TB being too uptight. I think it's a lot of folks here on TB are more mature, and/or have more life experience than others.
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And some of us are too uptight - but that is all relative.

For those of us who know, the story in a vacuum and disconnected from any other critical thinking, has some humorous stuff in it. It also has stuff that will haunt the OP if the he is unfortunate enough to have his drummer suddenly killed because of his pursuit of a "rock 'n roll lifestyle".

To look back on a thread like this AFTER something like that would be pretty hard. I think about all the stories I told and laughed about back in the day that fill me with regret today. I don't want anyone to have to go through that and if being uptight and bringing down a thread like this makes any difference at all, it's worth being Buzz Killington.

I am not judging the choice to play with drugs. I am haunted by my own past and hearing a story that sounds like it came from my own life's script. Sorry for the buzz kill... If you value your friend and your band, you'll all take steps to ensure this sort of thing doesn't happen again. Laugh about it and be happy that it worked out for the best. Then think seriously about it and make sure it always works out for the best.
 
#87
Kwin Smith said:
I don't think it's TB being too uptight. I think it's a lot of folks here on TB are more mature, and/or have more life experience than others.
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There no rules... Your level of "maturity" is just an idea in your head. I'm old enough to know that the drug dealers of the 70's and 80's got degrees and put on white coats and are now pushing pills that they themselves have no idea about. A LOT of pills... and we see them advertised on TV!!! IMHO opinion self medication is a lot safer!!.
 
#88
MatticusMania said:
My last gig I showed up to about 3 hours early, before the first band went one. I had one too many to drink while waiting for our set. Thats fine, as I can handle my beer, but the medication I had taken for my aching back did not mix well with the 8% ABV beer I was drinking. I blacked out a few times while playing, coming to and realizing I was in the middle of a song. I left my car at the bar and went home with a friend. The next morning I felt real bad, thinking I must have messed the set up, so I called the bandleader to apologize and he goes "What are you talking about? We sounded great". I got lucky on that one, and learned better than to mix my medication with beer and gigs.
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LOL, we need pictures of you blacking out on stage.
 
#90
Biggbass said:
Considering that the chances are pretty good that this one's going to end up in jail at some time or another, leaving you high and dry (pardon the pun) at a gig, it might be time to think about finding a new drummer who can negotiate a normal routine without being stoned and stupid enough to get stoned and drive a vehicle that is in violation of state inspection regulations. It's only a matter of time before he calls you from the jailhouse needing you to bail him out. Then, when he's facing a DUI and has to come up with $5K for an attorney to work the case you're really going to be needing a new drummer. I'd start looking now if it was my band. But then the title of your post and the levity of your reaction to the whole thing suggests that you and your other band mates find humor in it, which is condoning it, in a way.
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LOL!! At one time there was a law that the "lord" of the land would have a crack at your virgin wife on your wedding day before you did!! Would you comply?? or marry in secrecy??? :bassist::D:bawl::hiding:
 
#91
hip63 said:
On the smokin'/drivin' thing:

Not condoning anything but I'd rather have a stoner in the lane next to me than a cellphone talker or a drunk any day of the week. :hmm:

hip63 :p
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What the heck... Might as well chip at the easy ones...

I'd rather have a sober driver who is paying attention to what they are doing around me on the road. Everything else is just varying degrees of bad.
 
#92
lowfreq33 said:
Oh come on, it's not like the guy PLANNED on showing up that way. The OP isn't mad, why should you guys get all sanctimonious about it?
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+1. **** happens. I don't smoke, but IMHO, blowing a number before practice isn't worse than having a glass of bourbon, which I do regularly (as do all my bandmates). YMMV.
 
#94
Maybe some of us just are more demanding of our professional peers? I refuse to settle for amateur foolishness is all. It's just not a game for me. I have too much time/passion/love/equipment invested at this stage. Its not about being uptight, or 'anti drug/alcohol' at all. It's pretty unfair to accuse those of us that defend professionalism in our field of being judgemental or superior in any way. Obviously these are adult choices.

As somebody stated earlier, rehearsal/gigs are actually WORK, unless its just a hobby for you, and of course that's fine. It's recreation then, not a vocation for you. That's perfectly fine. There certainly is a time and a place for libations or other indulgences if your constitution is such that you can enjoy them on that level. I have no desire to take that away from anybody. That's just plain silly.

I think those of us who strive for professionalism and growth in our field just have higher expectations. Its got nothing to do with sanctimony or morality at all. You wouldn't consider turning up to your day job all messed up, or at least I wouldn't. This is because I respect my colleagues, and collectively I wan't to achieve my best every day personally and with my team. Since we all know playing music isn't about turning a dime, these other things REALLY matter. Time is just too short in this life IMHO.

I do enjoy the defensive nature of those heralding these behaviours though. Makes an entertaining read. It's always the same ol' song and dance, and always will be. Seen that all that before, and no desire to go back to personally working in those situations I suppose.

Peace y'all.
 
#95
I definitely didn't expect 5 pages of back and forth view points on this. Love the dialogue though! Theres so many angles about this that can be argued. The band I'm in is a side project. We all have families and full time jobs. We do play gigs, but it's not our full time profession. We may have viewed it differently if it were. I did talk to him, and he's a big boy and knows he took a chance driving with that in his system. The bottom line is that we moved on and laughed it off. There really was great comic value though watching him in front of a kit playing with full attack and speed, but 6 inches above any piece of the kit. I remember saying to myself "Well in his own mind he looks like hes throwing down a pretty nasty beat" Haha. Thanks for all the responses!
 
#98
First, he's very lucky that he managed to somehow not end up in jail after being stopped for a non functioning tail light while being stoned and behind the wheel. Second, if that's the lifestyle he likes to live then it's only a matter of time before he does end up in jail and facing a DUI charge. I don't know how relaxed the LEOs are in this drummers area but in most cities they love to bust dumbass kids who drive while under the influence. There's BIG money in it for the county. In 2009, in Texas, close to 140,000 arrests were made for DUI/DWI charges. The counties pursue those arrests because they have MADD breathing down their necks and the DAs publicly state that they need the revenue from them as well. The law of averages are at play against anyone who drives under the influence of any thing. And it's only a matter of time before they end up in jail. $5 grand, btw, is the average legal fee around here. The additional county fines can go as high as $20 grand. So yeah, man, getting stoned, or schroomed up and climbing behind the wheel sounds like a lot of fun doesn't it?
And, besides, rock & rollers look great in those fashionable orange jump suits. Chicks dig it.
 
#99
Biggbass said:
First, he's very lucky that he managed to somehow not end up in jail after being stopped for a non functioning tail light while being stoned and behind the wheel. Second, if that's the lifestyle he likes to live then it's only a matter of time before he does end up in jail and facing a DUI charge. I don't know how relaxed the LEOs are in this drummers area but in most cities they love to bust dumbass kids who drive while under the influence. There's BIG money in it for the county. In 2009, in Texas, close to 140,000 arrests were made for DUI/DWI charges. The counties pursue those arrests because they have MADD breathing down their necks and the DAs publicly state that they need the revenue from them as well. The law of averages are at play against anyone who drives under the influence of any thing. And it's only a matter of time before they end up in jail. $5 grand, btw, is the average legal fee around here. The additional county fines can go as high as $20 grand. So yeah, man, go ahead and get stoned, or schroomed up and climb behind the wheel. Sounds like a lot of fun doesn't it?
And, besides, rock & rollers look great in those fashionable orange jump suits. Chicks dig it.
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The money they get.... how do they dispense to the public??

Awh crap... we have gone political.
 
#100
Marley's Ghost said:
LOL, we need pictures of you blacking out on stage.
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I dont recall if anyone was taking pictures. If there was, they'll surface soon enough.
I do remember kind of coming to in the middle of a song, and I was bent over all low like if I were playing in a metal band with my bass at my knees. I also remember having a hard time standing upright, so I was continuously swaying the whole show.

No way was I driving out of there, so I rode with a friend to a party afterwards, which I hardly remember, and then went back to her place.
She took me back to my car on a nice rainy afternoon.
 

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