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Pre-Gig Buzz

#41
I`ve heard recordings of myself without a drop in me, recordings of me in the 'happy' zone, and recordings of me completely smashed so far into the earth I was smack dab in the center of China, and in all honesty I sound the exact same in every situation. The only real difference is that I`ll take more chances on doing some really crazy fills when I have more booze in me and it usually turns out really well. That said, do I purposely get hammered before a gig? Of course not. One beer before and another to nurse through the first set is more than enough to keep me feeling loose and will still allow me to be 100% professional in ever other regard. What this really comes down to is individuals. Some people know their limit and will play by the rules. Others will abuse it and think they can handle it. To be so black and white doesn`t seem quite fair to those who can drink and play, but I guess it`s a necessary evil if you`re playing with immature guys.
 
#42
I can play and perform sober or with a few drinks. I'm just as happy showing up to a gig, setting up and playing, all with a couple bottles of water. If I'm in the mood I'll have a beer as we set up and maybe one per set. If people are buying me drinks I'll have a few but know when to say no thanks. I not only have to play well but I have to drive home afterward as well.

Bob
 
#43
I've done gigs stone sober, too tired to think, and too smashed to stand. And had disasters with all states inbetween.

My rule of thumb is stay more sober then the patrons and you're in good shape.

One really good time i remember we were doing a musical, i was playing in the pit band, and there was a 3 hour gap between the matinee and the evening show. We'd go to our local bar, grab some pitchers and drink away our pay. Get back to the theater, way more energetic, there was dancing, eye contact, some funny (tasteful) improvisations. And we were on stage the whole time for the audience to see, wearing our suits all looking a bit haggard. Prob drank at least 50 bucks of our pay each weekend away but i twas good bonding times.

worst time, rented a party bus, took three bands out to toronto to play a gig. Got smashed on the bus, played half a set and the bartender kicked the entire bar out and closed down. Don't remember ride home.

So yeah somewhere less then that is good for me
 
#44
Most places we play provide free drinks. The drummer will have a couple of martinis and a smoke while setting up, 4-5 beers and 3-4 more martinis during the show and a smoke break or two.
The guitarist will have one drink and one or occasionally two beers over the course of the night.
I drink one or two club sodas w/ lime and 3-4 bottles of water. I'm not against drinking alchohol during a show, used to do it, but it sure didn't make breaking down any more enjoyable, and I feel a lot better the next day.
The down side is that I can't blame drinking for the flubbed notes anymore.
 
#46
Kevin.Kevin said:
One really good time i remember we were doing a musical, i was playing in the pit band, and there was a 3 hour gap between the matinee and the evening show. We'd go to our local bar, grab some pitchers and drink away our pay. Get back to the theater, way more energetic, there was dancing, eye contact, some funny (tasteful) improvisations. And we were on stage the whole time for the audience to see, wearing our suits all looking a bit haggard. Prob drank at least 50 bucks of our pay each weekend away but i twas good bonding times.
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What show were you playing? I can't think of many (any?) musicals where that would be acceptable behavior.
 
#50
geeza said:
I just don't get why it takes alcohol to be an entertainer. If you have to drink to get up in front of a crowd and entertain them, why are you doing it in the first place? Why do you need alcohol to do what you should want to be doing?
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I like beer. I like bourbon. I don't *need* them. I like them. If someone wants to buy me a beer or a shot of bourbon, I will take them. Because I like them. I do the same thing with food...if someone wants to buy me a barbeque plate, I say, "Thanks so much!" and enjoy it.

If these things I enjoy are not available, that's ok. I can still play, just fine, thanks, and have a good time. I just happen to enjoy a few drinks. C'est la vie.

Cherie
 
#51
Steveaux said:
It's not even an option around here.

The local police have taken to targeting bands after gigs.

They park where they can watch the load-out. As soon as the band pulls out, the cops pull them over.
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That's not real unusual in a lot of areas. Just ask a cop how likely someone leaving a bar in the wee hours is to be legally intoxicated.
It's kind of like playing Russian roulette with 3 chambers loaded in your revolver.
Which brings me back to...
edbass said:
I suppose it really all depends on how important your playing is to you, or in essence how seriously you take your job.
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Going out to bar or club and getting drunk is one thing (I'm a big fan of this personally), but IMO getting busted for drunk driving on your way home from work may be indicative of a "problem".
You can easily get a cab after a night of partying, but it's pretty tough to hitch a ride for yourself and your gear. ;)
 
#52
Steveaux said:
It's not even an option around here.

The local police have taken to targeting bands after gigs.

They park where they can watch the load-out. As soon as the band pulls out, the cops pull them over.

:scowl:
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That's harsh!!!

I make sure I'm not drunk, and I make sure, if I had a doob in my pocket, its gone before I leave. If they pull me over, they won't get anything.

But they never pull us over. They wait across the street to see if anyone looks wasted, but they don't bother us. Now, on 6th Street, the cops are a pain, and in Williamson Cty, they'll jail you for a seed. But here, beyond The Chicken Wire Curtain, its all good.

Cherie
 
#54
MikeyFingers said:
We all know the dangers of getting drunk at a gig, I've been there, and I know a lot of you have done the same. On the contrary, I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels more relaxed and confident after a few drinks. So my question to you:
In order to achieve that golden state of mind where you feel like a million bucks, you ooze confidence and have a rock-star strut onstage, and still have to ability to play your ass off, what do you like to drink before/during a gig?
My perfect drink menu:
Before going onstage:
1-2 mixed drinks, usually Jack & Coke. Followed by a beer (Beck's if available)
Onstage:
I like to nurse a beer in between songs, usually I'll go through 2 or 3 in a set.
It usually works out that I sweat enough of it out so I don't get too drunk, but I have enough coming in to keep me feeling nice:cool:
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works like a charm for me too!
 
#55
when I screamed for a metal band, I needed more than a few shots of rum to get into show mode. Plus it helped the "image" to be a bit stumbley. When I'm playing an instrument though, the alcohol is offstage until the end, unless it's a relaxed gig, in which case i'll nurse a beer or two
 
#56
Febs said:
What show were you playing? I can't think of many (any?) musicals where that would be acceptable behavior.
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Should've rephrased that. It wasn't a musical, much more of a Broadway "review" type of thing. A bunch of singers would come on and do their act, usually getting a lot of crowd participation. And yeah in re-reading that I looked like a drunk. I meant we'd have a few get that "buzz" this thread was started for, and generally have a good time.

We're were still respectful of the job we had to do. "Know your limit, drink within it" that whole thing.

EDIT: forgot to add, if anybody thought they knew there limit and messed up a gig cause they were drunk, several times, id fire them. I don't mind if my band members have a few, but once it affects their job, that's fine, drink up, cause it's the last gig you are doing with me. A drunk obnoxious musician in my band, gives me a bad reputation. And i'm the type of guy that mails thank you cards out to venues the next day, I value my reputation.
 
#57
Kevin.Kevin said:
if anybody thought they knew there limit and messed up a gig cause they were drunk, several times, id fire them.
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I hope by "several" you mean twice.
IMO drinking and playing is fine if you are in a garage band and a "gig" mostly consists of playing and drinking with your friends. It's certainly a great way to pass an evening. A large percentage of my friends are musicians, and most of our parties turn into drunken jam sessions in someone's rehearsal space or studio. I thoroughly enjoy these outings, and they usually end with my better half dragging my drunken butt home against my will.
However, when you are being paid to do it, and several other people are counting on you (band mates, promoter, venue owner, bartenders/servers, etc.) to do your JOB, it becomes just that; "a job", regardless of how much fun it may be, and as such should be treated like any other job as far as inebriation is concerned.
I can't think of too many jobs where you could stay employed after showing up for work drunk twice. As I posted earlier, if you NEED to drink to have a good time, or to get through a gig, there’s a pretty good chance that your problem goes a lot deeper than flubbing a few notes or forgetting a lyric.
 
#59
MikeyFingers said:
In order to achieve that golden state of mind where you feel like a million bucks, you ooze confidence and have a rock-star strut onstage, and still have to ability to play your ass off, what do you like to drink before/during a gig?
Click to expand...

Water before the gig. Water during the gig.

I take excellent care of myself, so I feel like a million bucks at all times.

I am a freakin' rock star (in my mind), I own that stage, I have worked my butt off to be up there, and it's where only I and other musicians who have worked that hard belong. It's my second home.

I play my ass off, and I do it well. Every gig. I don't know what a "bad night" means.

Water before the gig. Water during the gig.

If you need a chemical to reach that "golden state of mind," I pity you.
 

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