- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Ture. Yet IME it can and will become a huge issue for someone who is using it as a solution to a problem.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Performing after a couple beers
- Thread starter DChalo
- Start date
Sometimes I'll throw down one or two, esp when it's at a bar, definitely makes me less nervous, and it didn't hurt my playing. But I wouldn't drink a lot before a show, that's for singers (our frontman is at his best when slammed). PS we play crust grindcore
As a bar band, we get hired to sell alcohol. We usually slam shots with the patrons between sets to help boost sales. I think playing is way more fun when you get a good buzz going.
Are you a young me who has travelled into the future for advice? Well if so, it'll all be ok, in fact it was all along, and those couple beers can turn into hard liquor at lunch time really easy if you don't keep tabs on things. Anxiety sucks and is very real, a couple beers are great, but that can quickly become a habitual 6 or 10. For me, exercise was the key to it all.
Don't know where you live, but I would talk to an herbalist, natureopath (spelling?) etc about calming herbs. (no jokes please), but I know when I brew a tea from bulk valerian root, and add a bag of chamomille tea, I am one mellow dude. That having been said, in my little region of the world, you pretty much presume somebody in the band will be a smoker of that other herb. I don't because I am an Irish drinker boy. Gig night is when I actually back off and just have 2 or 3 of the free beers the club owners around here offer to bands to make up for the low pay.
ask your doctor if talkbass is right for you-
side effects include GAS, EWS (empty wallet syndrome) and TORT
if you find yourself perusing the classifieds for more than 4 hrs, seek medical help.
I do one or two beers; no issues. But for your issues, I wouldn't recommend doing this as a long term solution. If you "have a gig this friday"; you can do it for that gig; no problem. But for the long term; the answers to your problems are not in the pill box or the bottle; in fact, they will amplify them; the answer is inside your brain, in the same way your brain is the reason for your anxiety and panic attacks. This may sound like "yeah, duh!" talk, and I do not mean to be condescending in any way. Just saying it. I've been there myself, and there is no better time to start working on this as soon as possible. It takes practise, like playing the bass, but it's very much doable; getting rid of these problems; one step at a time. These things are not chronic; they may feel like they are because the circuits in your brain for the panic response have been reinforced many, many times. BUT! The brain is flexible and has enormous plasticity and can create new pathways, which is something you can learn! You can rewire your brain, so to speak. Baby steps. 
Also: what Joe Nerve has said rings true. And about the SSRIs: how long did you go on them before quitting? Beacuse in the beginning (perhaps many weeks) you will feel a lot worse; including the suicidal contemplations and impulses; but then you'll start to feel better, calmer and more in control.
Also: what Joe Nerve has said rings true. And about the SSRIs: how long did you go on them before quitting? Beacuse in the beginning (perhaps many weeks) you will feel a lot worse; including the suicidal contemplations and impulses; but then you'll start to feel better, calmer and more in control.
Last edited:
Alcohol is good for that man. It's all about feeling, know your body and how it affects you.
There's not much to it if it works great
EDIT: I reread what you're saying in this thread and from the sounds of it you probably shouldn't be playing on stage if you're prone to serious anxiety and considering alcohol as a substitute to medication.
My guess is you have a high chance at becoming dependant on the depressant.
I'm sorry but if you're going to post a half story to mostly functional people they're going to say yeah it's good to have a couple but not too many. In your case and my case maybe 8 years ago I would most definitely not be drinking alcohol.
There's not much to it if it works great
EDIT: I reread what you're saying in this thread and from the sounds of it you probably shouldn't be playing on stage if you're prone to serious anxiety and considering alcohol as a substitute to medication.
My guess is you have a high chance at becoming dependant on the depressant.
I'm sorry but if you're going to post a half story to mostly functional people they're going to say yeah it's good to have a couple but not too many. In your case and my case maybe 8 years ago I would most definitely not be drinking alcohol.
Last edited:
Alcohol affects everyone differently. Also, once you've had a few, your judgment is suspect so I take many of the replies with a grain of salt,
Ask your band mates if they think a few drinks affect your performance at rehearsal, or better yet record it and make up your own mind.
Ask your band mates if they think a few drinks affect your performance at rehearsal, or better yet record it and make up your own mind.
I can't think of one positive thing that drinking alcohol produces. It Damn near ruined my life. One or two drinks never did anything for me except wanting to have 5 or 10 more. Having a clear head is the best thing that I ever did for myself. Just having turned four years sober, I can honestly say I would never touch the stuff again. It's Poison, and following a professional's advice is probably a wise thing to do. Living clean, eating clean and treating your body and brain like it matters is very important.
Noon, no,no.... It isn't the alcohol. It isn't the drugs. This nations been trying to legislate morality for for 200 years. It can't be done... The problem is personal responsibility. Or more accurately.. The lack of personal responsibility. The lesson every kindergartener is taught. Clean up your own mess. You can criminalize the booze, drugs, religion, books, witchcraft.... Whatever you want and people will continue to indulge themselves....... No alcohol isn't the problem. Self absorbed and irresponsible people are the problem.
Tell that to all the people dead from drunk driving, liver disease, broken familiars, etc. can't change my mind on this one
I'll have a shot of Jack before we go on and a cold beer between sets, but no more. I have a bladder the size of a thimble so I can't be pounding them down without spending half the night in the can.
I used to drink a few beers a set, at some point heard some recordings of my playing the 4th set... I quit doing that... started limiting it to a beer a set. I now play in a band that doesnt take breaks.... 4 hours straight will make you not want do anything but sip water.
I have found that caffeine before the gigs really sharpens me up, tightens up my playing and doesn't make me jittery. You would think it would make me nervous but seems to have the opposite affect. I feel more aware of everything thats going on... so now that's what I do.
I think as long as the alcohol is moderate you will be fine. Ive been playing these places over 30 years... I've seen drinking and hard drugs destroy some great players... we are not all biologically the same, my ability to drink a certain amount without becoming addicted nay not be the same as yours... just be careful, put the music and your responsibilities to the band, and your loved ones first and that will guide you. Peace!
As long as you know your limits, it's all good. A couple of beers, and a shot of whisky before the show do it for me. I can have more, but then would risk being in the comfort zone. I could handle more when I was younger. That's being said, I played shows wasted, and do not recommend that to anybody. Also, playing a show with a hangover is almost as bad as playing wasted imo. Rock.
I agree here. Back in the day it was party during set up and gig, not cool. But, we would get a couple hours sleep and do it all over again. Now a Days, a couple beers to loosen up works for ME. Totally different for those who have may have underlying issues. Best of luck man.
America definitely has a problem with excess. Imo it's the culture of trying to control and regulate everything. It makes drinking cool for kids because they are getting away/rebelling. That's why I did it when young and that made it all the more cool to get 'trashed'. Binge drinking as much as possible. These days I don't even like getting drunk, 1 or 2 beers at night for flavor is it. But I don't feel that's enough to even feel the effects or calm my nerves, etc... That's over several hours.
At that rate I don't think you'd notice an issue playing, but also not enough to get over being shy.
But as others said I don't think it's good to use substances of any kind to 'get over a condition'. Better to face it head on. The drink effect is probably placebo anyway.
At sea level or altitude?
