So I auditioned for a band today...

[Robscott]

To each his own, it's possible they were just a on a "good one" and keepin the vibe loose kinda thing. You said you had a great time, they were focused AND driven.

Did you enjoy the jammin? How about the musical chemistry? ENJOY IT, see where it goes. I wouldn't see it as a problem. It doesn't sound like tweekersvile, just some weed/drinks, big woop!

Excessive occasionally I personally could deal with, but sloppy, stupid drunk, gets old fast...Good luck!

Musical chemistry.....see what ya did there!

 

[Drummerboy2]

and honestly...it was great! Jammed 3 original tunes, had less than 36 hrs prep time. Everyone had their head in the right mindset (goal oriented, focused, driven, ect.) Plus they were around my age group and had relatable conversation. However, there was pretty excessive alcohol use, Marijuana and one of the guys wasn't employed. I mean he could be down on his luck, he was a great dude, but the substance abuse...first impressions go both ways just the same as a job interview. Should I stick it out, or duck out now?

For context: the previous bass player was a childhood friend who is having a baby and won't be returning, so they've begun their search for a replacement.

I would pass on the people like that. If it happens at a rehearsal it will definitely happen on the gig. I have no issues with some drinks after the gig or rehearsal but during is not a good sign and usually leads to bigger issues down the road. Now, if you had just gotten together for some good food, drinks , and just getting together and THEN decided to jam some well that is different.

We had a Guitar player in this band I was sitting in with for a few months and the Guy never learned the tunes (never even listened to the songs) and would have some drinks before rehearsal (wine) and the rehearsals turned in to learning the tune sessions from scratch. It just got worse until one day I had it and said something to him about it. I told the band leader I will not waste my time playing with someone that is not serious about learning the tunes and wasting our time and not sober when coming to the practice. I worked, then came home to learn my tunes/ drum parts and was prepared to play when I got at the rehearsal. It got so bad one time I was just sitting there for over an hour while this guy was learning the tunes and rehearsal was only for a couple of hours, I just quietly packed up my cans and left. I told the leader of the band on the way out to call me when they (He) were ready to go through the tune list.

 

[Topkat13]

Hopefully where ever you rehearsed was not near a police station.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

There are several obvious cases: If you’re in recovery, you probably don’t want to be around people who are actively using. Likewise, if you dislike cigarette smoke you shouldn’t be in a band that does a lot of smoking.

And if you have COPD or a cancer survior, same thing.

 

[g-dude]

Sounds like love at first sight right there

She was kind of cute, but when you’re afraid to give someone your address, it’s probably not going to work out.

 

[FirewalZ]

and honestly...it was great! Jammed 3 original tunes, had less than 36 hrs prep time. Everyone had their head in the right mindset (goal oriented, focused, driven, ect.) Plus they were around my age group and had relatable conversation. However, there was pretty excessive alcohol use, Marijuana and one of the guys wasn't employed. I mean he could be down on his luck, he was a great dude, but the substance abuse...first impressions go both ways just the same as a job interview. Should I stick it out, or duck out now?

For context: the previous bass player was a childhood friend who is having a baby and won't be returning, so they've begun their search for a replacement.

I think this is an “it depends”, If everyone shows up does their parts, is cool and professional...I can probably overlooked the substance issues to a point. Also depends on what the bands goal or objective is, the days of making it “big” with making millions of dollars are all but over. If the original material is good enough you can score some licensing deals or play some big shows and earn a few dollars. So again for me whether or not substance-abuse issues are an issue depends on the behavior and attitude as well as the goals and objectives and desired outcome of the band

 

[Taustin Powers]

You had fun jamming, you got along well with them. Honestly, what more do you want? That’s what music is all about!

Don’t overthink it. It‘s not like you are getting married or anything. Keep playing with them until you don’t enjoy it anymore. Then you move on.

 

[MasterG]

You can smoke all the weed you want as long as it doesn't hinder your playing. Now somebody that can suck down a 12 pack in a two hour rehearsal I got a problem with.

 

[mexicant]

I play in both types of bands,one is a church based, totally sober non smoking group and another is a party band. I enjoy both,but the most important part is they have to be good musicians, I think it's possible to do both.

 

[Valvehead]

Wow musicians who drink alcohol and smoke weed? Unheard of!
Get an office job.

 

[WarwickE36]

The fact that you are asking us tells me this is an issue for you. Keep looking for another band.

 

[BassBrass]

There are several obvious cases: If you’re in recovery, you probably don’t want to be around people who are actively using. Likewise, if you dislike cigarette smoke you shouldn’t be in a band that does a lot of smoking.

Cigarette smoking is a whole other class of discussion. (around here) No one lights up inside without prior agreement and pot smokers are often the most vociferous No tobacco people. Lots of thcanibol users are not burning it either, so a no smoke in rehearsal space rule is easy. If your band is a Tribe of wild bushmen and a tribal Pipe is passed around at every rehearsal making much smoke, chances are you are young enough to partake or pass it on as no one will fault you for your brain chemistry.
So you mention One "obvious case" if your Recovery is so fragile you can't be around the general population of musicians, they have to be vetted. That's fine.
It's alcohol that disappoints me, although one very successful artist I worked with relied on his persona. Think Tom Waits: "I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy". Alcohol fueled star only burns a few years though. It's alcohol that's almost always paired with cigarettes. That is slow suicide and there's a reason.

 

[DeepHz]

Isn't this how Guns N Roses started? Oh wait..... that was in the 80's

 

[Matty Koff]

If someone's not taking money from you directly, their employment status is really none of your business imo. You don't know the guy's circumstances and judging him for it is presumptuous. If he starts begging you for money at some point, or isn't able to contribute his portion of certain band related expenses then maybe his employment status should matter to you.

Excessive drinking is a little scary.. but some people handle their booze better than others. And I mean.. would we know Jazz as we do today without the devil's lettuce? I think not..

If the experience was "great".. give it some more goes.. what's the worst that happens? You leave later? not a big deal. Otherwise you might find some valuable musical experiences that you wouldn't otherwise if you pass.

 

[P. Aaron]

I once asked a friend what had happened to a guy he used to play drums with. There was all this hype and then he dropped off the face of the earth. He told me: "He got going on his star trip before doing the work to become a star".

The last thing any performer should want is any hype prior to product. Hype is fine as a byproduct but, it’s always better to develop the skill set that can deliver the goods.

We’ve seen time & again what media will do to their own creations.

 

[BAG]

I'm a bit surprised at some people's absolute teetotaller rules.
Alcohol, drugs and music have gone together in varying degrees since the dawn of time.

I like to kick back after work with a little doobie (through a dry herb vape so no smoke) and a beer or two while playing some music. I get a nice buzz that usually lasts about an hour and for that time while I play the world's problems disappear and I'm fully into the music.

When we jam or gig I don't use the weed because I make more mistakes than usual..... but, I can have 4 beers during a rehearsal or gig without issue and you know what.... that many over 3-4 hours and I'm still legal to drive with virtually no cognitive impairment.

Everyone had their head in the right mindset (goal oriented, focused, driven, ect.)

However, there was pretty excessive alcohol use, Marijuana

What is excessive?
To some people here more than one beer is excessive, to me 4 over three hours is fine. Excessive is when it affects their playing.
It seems that on that night they knew their limits, the only way you'll know if they step over the line is to keep playing with them.

 

[P. Aaron]

Can I start a betting pool as to how many posts before someone says that it “makes them more creative”?

Disclaimer: I think that’s a load of nonsense.

In them stoner olden times, I sure as felt good...but did it sound good? Probably not.

 

[JRT64]

+1

I used to play with a drummer that said, "There are 168 hours in a week. We're asking you to be sober for 2 of them. If that's too much, this isn't the band for you."

If you're looking for a tight, professional band, this is probably not a good fit. If you're looking for a train wreck, you're home!

Agreed. This is a train wreck waiting to happen. If there is excessive drinking and other things going on at rehearsal, you can only imagine what it will be like when (if) there are gigs? I don't want to be around any kind of smoking either. I simply can't take it. I've been in situations similar to this. You can do what you like, but if it were me. No way.

 

[dr doofie]

I appreciate the responses generated from this so far. What I'm hoping for ultimately is to be in a loose, slow/heavy blues driven band, and this checks all those boxes. I also have a second group I play with as well which is a tighter, more professional cover act, so it's nice to have an outlet for original creativity on that front. So I'll stick it out, keep an eye on problematic situations and see what the normal is for them.

From what you’ve written I can only surmise that this audition was/is the normal for them... and everything you mentioned about them musically was positive... so if you can tolerate the behaviors unrelated to the music, you’ve found yourself a pretty good gig I should think.

 

[LBS-bass]

Meh, we used to have a beer or two, maybe some wine. Our singer liked shots for his voice. Nobody got sloppy drunk, or instrumentally sloppy, but we relaxed and enjoyed our time together. If it's not moving toward excess, I don't see the problem unless you are in recovery, and if you are then that's not the hang for you.

We did have a piano player for a time who was a serious stoner. He played fine, but he had a hard time remembering parts. I don't see how he did it, but that's not my thing, anyway.