Refusing to play at places where smoking is allowed

[Ewo]

Well, life's full of trade-offs, I figure.

I haven't smoked in nearly 40 years, but my band's niche market for gigging is VFW halls--and the patrons sure do like their cigs. I can step outside on break, if I want. Yeah, my clothes smell of smoke after the gig, but I leave my clothes in the laundry room, on my way to bed.

Me, I'm happy that I can turn electricity into noise in a way that helps people in the club have some fun.

By my lights, there ain't no one right answer to the question: it's about trade-offs.

 

[spade2you]

It's unfortunate you think its ok for a small group of men to tell us what's allowed.

Of course I do when it suits my agenda. I don't particularly enjoy paying taxes, but I don't have enough power or ammunition to overthrow the government. I don't quite have enough money to obtain enough land to form my own commune. I guess I'll have to live with it.

Smoking is simply falling out of favor. This would have never been done 30 years ago.

 

[MJ_Sotti]

It's really something when less than 600 people can tell this country and much of the world what to do, huh?

the only thing lower than a politician is a child molester

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I currently play bass and do most of the lead singing in a band. Our aspirations are small, we do it for fun and the occasional money we make. I’ve made it very clear that I don’t play at places where smoking is allowed and this doesn’t go over well with some bandmates. We get asked to play paying gigs where there is smoking and I tell them no way, doesn’t matter how much smoking there is, how good the ventilation is, or how much it pays, I just won’t do it. I’ve told them I will step aside if they find someone to replace me, we’ll all remain friends, but this rule is simply non-negotiable for me.

Here’s my question that I’m looking for opinions on. I may be moving to another area in the next year or two and would try to find a gig in another band. If I look to join a band, how much of a deal breaker would it be if I tell them this?

I’m a good bass player with a very good voice and tons of gigging experience, I’m extremely confident in what I do. I’m not looking for opinions or advise on how to change my ways or whether you think I’m being a jerk (I probably am). I’m looking for your opinion if I was auditioning for your band. What would you say?

It'll be a deal breaker for any gigging band that works in an area that allows smoking. It's already hard enough to get gigs as it is for most bands, and to have a bandmate be further picky about which gigs a band can take will just drive them nuts after a month or two.

My personal advice - learn to get over the smell of smoke. I know it's hard, nasty, and inconvenient to you, but if you want to be in a band that gigs even semi often then you'll need to get used to smoke. Fortunately, that can be done. Just learn to breathe through your mouth

 

[gigslut]

He said that the VFW's in his area (as well as where I live) allow smoking and he doesn't want to gig there.
I guess he is to good to put up with a little smoke in the air to entertain the people that protected his freedoms.

One of those freedoms being able to choose not to work in a smoke filled environment.

The one downside to smoking bans is that the few places that enjoy loopholes are packed with smokers. There's more than just "a little smoke" in those places. Great that the smokers have their refuge, ignorant of you to judge someone for choosing not to go there.

 

[gigslut]

It'll be a deal breaker for any gigging band that works in an area that allows smoking. It's already hard enough to get gigs as it is for most bands, and to have a bandmate be further picky about which gigs a band can take will just drive them nuts after a month or two.

My personal advice - learn to get over the smell of smoke. I know it's hard, nasty, and inconvenient to you, but if you want to be in a band that gigs even semi often then you'll need to get used to smoke. Fortunately, that can be done. Just learn to breathe through your mouth

OP does not do this for a living. He plays because he enjoys it. If the smoke makes the experience unpleasant, then he should stick to his guns and let the chips fall where they may. He may not get hired by some bands on account of it. There are other bands out there. He'll find one that is compatible with his priorities.

I do play for a living and there are venues in this area that still allow smoking. I do suck it up and endure the occasional smokey bar, but there are a few, that do nothing to abate the smoke, that I will not play. Some are so bad you can barely see across the room. A little ventilation, please?

 

[Hopkins]

I have never smoked in my life, but I am not going to throw a fit if someone lights one up in my proximity. I go to and have played in smoking venues, I have never been sick the next day. Sometimes my eyes may burn a little at the end of the night.

I think some people just make things out to be much worse than they really are.

 

[gigslut]

I have never smoked in my life, but I am not going to throw a fit if someone lights one up in my proximity. I go to and have played in smoking venues, I have never been sick the next day. Sometimes my eyes may burn a little at the end of the night.

I think some people just make things out to be much worse than they really are.

I have been sickened by smoke. Some venues just don't have adequate ventilation and the smoke gets so thick it looks like a fog has set in. I've awakened the next day with a sore throat, wheezing and red eyes.
I'm playing a VFW Hall in Il tonight. Some of these places restrict smoking to the "members only" room, but others allow it in the hall. Most do not have smoke eaters.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

OP does not do this for a living. He plays because he enjoys it. If the smoke makes the experience unpleasant, then he should stick to his guns and let the chips fall where they may. He may not get hired by some bands on account of it. There are other bands out there. He'll find one that is compatible with his priorities.

I do play for a living and there are venues in this area that still allow smoking. I do suck it up and endure the occasional smokey bar, but there are a few, that do nothing to abate the smoke, that I will not play. Some are so bad you can barely see across the room. A little ventilation, please?

I wasn't even referencing bands who just do this for a living. Even ones looking for one off gigs every month or so could apply to this if the number of venues that allow smoking is much greater than the number of ones who don't. I think holding the view 'I will never play a venue which allows smoking' will REALLY play to your disadvantage unless you're only interested in jamming and never actually getting out there to gig.

 

[JehuJava]

I tend to avoid people like you, do your thing, but stay away. If someone wants to turn down a gig because they want to stand up for what they believe in, great! However if someone wants to turn down a gig because something "tweaks" them, then they are not a team player. I understand you are concerned about your health, but there are a lot of other things in life that will slowly kill you and we are all exposed to them every day. Not being a team player is a deal breaker to me, 1st world problems IMO.

Yeah, like living next to a freeway, living next to a rail road, living next to a maritime port, eating fast food, not exercising, working with cancer causing chemicals, overexposure to RF, being out in the sun, too much beef not enough greens, etc etc.

Good for you for knowing what you want, but it seems a bit silly to me. Make sure you find like-minded band mates to avoid conflict.

 

[4StringShooter]

<<I'm not sure what the law is in PA, it's never come up at any of the gigs we've gotten but there are private clubs like VFW's and Lodges that do allow smoking and they've asked us to play.>>

ONLY in America....

There is NO smoking in ANY "closed-in " venue in Canada. I dont miss it a bit.

I would'nt play in any venue that allowed smoking. Outside in a large tent is different.

 

[gigslut]

I wasn't even referencing bands who just do this for a living. Even ones looking for one off gigs every month or so could apply to this if the number of venues that allow smoking is much greater than the number of ones who don't. I think holding the view 'I will never play a venue which allows smoking' will REALLY play to your disadvantage unless you're only interested in jamming and never actually getting out there to gig.

As long as he's up front with his policy when he goes to audition, I don't see the problem. His priority is not playing in smoke friendly venues. He doesn't have to play if he doesn't want to. Seems silly to advise him to compromise his standards when there are options. If you are good enough, you will find work in appropriate venues. If you are mediocre, then maybe you have to take the bottom feeder gigs.

 

[MrLenny1]

All public bars are smoke free in my area.
Only private clubs still allow smoking.
Some parties held at a private club will have you smoke outside
so I can't see where you have much of an issue.
My last year gigging was the first year smoking was banned from
public buildings.

 

[odin70]

You have to admit, the whole anti-smoking think went a bit too far.

I dont agree at all. Smokers are stil allowed to smoke..but not in my face. Whats wrong with that?

 

[sonicland]

OP here. Thanks everyone for a lively debate. I knew I'd get responses both positive and negative and every response helps me understand the differing sentiments I may come across.

What state I move to is up to what job becomes available in the next couple years with the company I'm with. I'm beginning to think the laws of the state I wind up in may have a lot to do with my success finding a band.

 

[Lee H]

You have no idea what the weather is like here in Minnesota in the winter. Bouncing is not owning. Keep your BS to yourself. You are the one pushing your one way view. I pointed out ways to have good air quality.

you assume WAY too much. I have been across the US a few times. I have been in 100+ degree weather (last week at work), and in -40 degree wind chill weather (hunting in Elk Wyoming). I have sat in bars overlooking the Pacific (Red Nectar brewery in Northern CA), and the Atlantic (Mangos, in South Beach, Miami). Guess what holds true. Drinkers will drink, and BSers will try to pass off their crap as factual. It is the same in every state and every climate


and before you beat your chest about Minnesota weather, take a wild guess where my wife grew up... Her dad recently jumped the border, and moved to South Dakota... She joked about the possibility of her class reunion being held in a pasture around a keg of beer. Does that sound like the right state?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

As long as he's up front with his policy when he goes to audition, I don't see the problem. His priority is not playing in smoke friendly venues. He doesn't have to play if he doesn't want to. Seems silly to advise him to compromise his standards when there are options. If you are good enough, you will find work in appropriate venues. If you are mediocre, then maybe you have to take the bottom feeder gigs.

That's the thing, he won't be playing at all if the only venues in his area allow smoking. And they might not. If that's the case then what I'm saying is completely irrelevant, but if they do then he'll likely see himself either without a band or with one that will never gig out. If he's cool with that then no worries. But if you do want to gig out and most the venues in the area do allow smoking then you're not likely to find yourself in an actively gigging group. You'd just be too much of a hassle to work with - even if you're a good player. Neither one of us is necessarily wrong or right with this. It just depends on the circumstances. The OP did, however, ask if his stance might be an issue and I'm telling him that it definitely can be. I know if he were auditioning for my group, and all the venues in the area allowed smoking, I'd immediately tell him, "Thank you for your time, but you're not the right fit for us" before he even played a note.

 

[Floyd Eye]

I guess if your hatred of smoke ( or is it smokers) outweighs your desire to gig then you're good to go. You would definitely never be invited to play in my band however.

 

[nortonrider]

There are two conversations going on here, The O.P.'s stipulations and smoking laws.

For the first:
I say that the O.P. should tell the prospective band all of his conditions for working with them:

.Won't play for smokers, O.K.
.How about minorities, will you play for them?
.How about old people (young people), got a problem with them?
.Travel to a gig -? how far are you willing to go?
.Playing times? Don't want to play after 11 P.M., you'd better tell them that.

If you don't want to do it.... then don't!
seems pretty simple to me. I don't even see the reason to get on the internet
and ask the question.

As for the smoking laws:
I think that people should be responsible for themselves and quit making laws
that support their agenda.
Don't want to smell cigarette smoke? don't go to a bar that allows smoking!
again..... seems pretty simple to me!

We don't need these laws.

 

[spade2you]

I guess if your hatred of smoke ( or is it smokers) outweighs your desire to gig then you're good to go. You would definitely never be invited to play in my band however.

I don't know how anyone would go on living if one isn't invited to play in your band.