Pre-Gig Buzz

[ProfGumby]

You have to be careful. You may not sound as cool as you think. After listening to board tapes of gigs I got a wake up call.

Link Removed

 

[Stealth]

Can't say I've much to contribute here seeing as I prefer not to drink before the gig - and I smoke a cig once every half year or so.

However, coffee before the gig - now that's the stuff. The frets just fly out by themselves

 

[higgi]

He plays great high but if he can't get any weed watch out. He gets whacked out and "hears things". Had to hospitalize him once because of this and fly in another player to do his job at extra expense to the band. I know that this is an extreme example...

I think your friend may have a real problem that was concealed by pot. That is not a normal reaction at all. I know people that freak out on caffeine, which is a drug. I freak out when I don't get caffeine.

 

[txbasschik]

I just had to quit a band that was on it's way up because the leader was a pothead. Now I don't mind if someone gets a buzz on if it doesn't affect their work or whatever but this guy burns up a bowl about every hour to hour and a half from late morning to early morning. Consequently, he doesn't take care of business and business is what keeps a band working and making money to pay the bills. Also, no fun to tour with someone that is constantly rolling down the window to burn one or having to wait at each rest stop while he finds a place to self medicate. Not to mention the problems that could come from a bust. Did it affect his playing? Yes and no. He plays great high but if he can't get any weed watch out. He gets whacked out and "hears things". Had to hospitalize him once because of this and fly in another player to do his job at extra expense to the band. I know that this is an extreme example but it has been my experience in 20 plus years as a working musician that those who get loaded on the job just don't do the job as well as they think. Now I'm not preaching about reefer madness or anything God knows I've indulged enough myself through the years and I've been known to have a glass or two of wine but not on the job. Being able to play music for a living is a priveledge IMHO and should be taken seriously.

I think that person may be in big trouble, and not from weed. If he gets freaky and hears things when he's not high, he could have a real problem...mental illness. People who are schitzo hear things like that. He needs to see a doc.

I like to smoke pot, but not all day long. I once dated a guy who was like that. But not for long. He would never go anywhere! I can smoke a joint, go have fun, and not want anymore for a long time. But this guy? Toke all day, toke all night, sit on his butt and never go anywhere. Borrrring!

Cherie

 

[Ferret]

If you worked at Ford, walmart or were a dental surgeon would your boss allow you to drink or puff? Would fire you in a sec in my band, party at home but on my dime I expect same as any other job. Sorry

 

[modulusman]

If you worked at Ford, walmart or were a dental surgeon would your boss allow you to drink or puff? Would fire you in a sec in my band, party at home but on my dime I expect same as any other job. Sorry

This thread is from 2009. Half the posters that advocated getting drunk have probably drank themselves out of the music business by now.

 

[fhm555]

...I just don't get why it takes alcohol to be an entertainer...

A lot of folks would ask why would anyone want to be an entertainer.

The short answer to why some folks want/need a little drink before they hit the stage...liquid courage...lowers inhibitions...mild mood elevator...helps turn down the workaday white noise of life to a dull background roar...because they want to...it makes dealing with overly judgmental bandmates easier...

The answer is as varied as the people who have a drink or two before a performance.

Point being, just because you don't get it does not by default make it a bad thing. If it hurts performance enough the crowd notices, it's a problem that needs addressing. If OTOH it's the occasional clam and a couple drinks become an excuse to make an issue out of a simple misstep, it's also a problem that needs addressing, but in this case it's not a drinking problem, it's a personal problem for anyone who would get so overwrought over a simple error (in a bar band fer christsakes), they make it an issue rather than accepting it as simple human imperfection and move on.

I don't drink at all and never felt the need prior to taking the stage even when I did drink, but I've never given any thought one way or the other to what my fellow band members might use as refreshment before, during, or after a performance so long as they do a reasonably good job during. I've had to be "that A-hole" who let a problem drinker/drugger go, but only because it became a problem big enough to hurt the band. These folks were always warned, and given chances to improve before being tossed, but I've never been in a band where someone was judged for their drinking over the occasional musical faux pas.

Striving for perfection is an admirable trait, and essential for any entertainer looking to be their absolute best, but where so many people mess up is assuming because they (or their fellow travelers) strive for perfection, they are in fact capable of achieving it.

 

[Ender_rpm]

It all goes back to Bacchus folks. Humans are a pretty uptight bunch, what with dealing with tigers and all, so it sometimes takes a long time to get us into that "spiritual" state. Music and dance CAN get you there, but it takes a while (trance drumming anyone), but one or two drinks (or a similar equivalent) sincerely shortcuts the time required. Why is the 4th set the most fun? Cuz the crowd is finally where you were 3 hours ago

FWIW, 1-2 mixed drinks, then a beer per set if a long cover night, or the same 1-2 mixed drinks then water for a short original set (45-1 hour). Don't like to drink too much beer, goes right through me, and it can get awkward

 

[Stormer]

You just have to be mature about it.
Sometimes I will have a drink/smoke, sometimes not.
I don't need to, sometimes I want to, but you have to know when to stop. After 34 years i'm pretty sure I know my limits.

 

[Fender05]

Usually a Jagerbomb as the band before us is getting onstage. Then a beer as I do my warmups (heavy metal band=full stretches as well as hand exersizes). Just takes the edge off so I can really relax. Typically drink water onstage, cuz I run around like an A$$hole, but once the gig is over, its time to PARTY.

 

[fhm555]

...but once the gig is over, its time to [DEL]PARTY[/DEL] go home and get some sleep...

Fixed for us old farts.

 

[RedMoses]

One Beer per hour before the show but cap is 2 Drinks. Usually keep a Beer on stage to cool off in between songs, only time its a problem is if the set is 3 hours and the waitress keeps bringing you fresh Beers but i tend to sweat most of it out anyway...

STAY AWAY from Hard Liquor before and during your set, Keep hydrated the entire time, loosing steam mid way through sux.