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Sober musicians playing bar gigs...

#81
Guiseppe said:
I realize this is a personal topic, but I've known a few friends over the years that were good players but aren't comfortable playing bars/clubs. Personally, I have some alcoholism in my own family, and admit from time to time I've thought about the wisdom of spending a considerable amount of time in bars - for you (that are comfortable addressing this topic) that are sober, do you find it a risk? Any "tricks" that you use to avoid temptation?
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This may sound cold, but, Grow Up, become comfortable with the choices you make in life, and move on. Playing music in a club or bar is just as JH said, "A job". you are there to perform, and not to party. This is why you get paid. So become an adult, do your job, and just be yourself....stay sober/play sober.
 
#84
One of the guitarists I used to work with is a sober guy. He had to quit drinking 'cause he loves bourbon, but it turns him into a total jerk.

He plays bars. He drinks water, the whole time. He is just very determined to not let alcohol stop him from playing and having fun. When he is tempted, he remembers what he is like when he drinks, and he just, you know, doesn't.

Don't know if this helps you, but ya never know.

Cherie :)
 
#86
I've been dry now for over two year's but not a dry drunk if you know what i mean i don't want to preach but you are kidding yourself if you think it make's you play better,it only cloaks your feeling's,i need to feel the music and interact with it i don't need to dull my sense's,i need to be sensitive and alert not foggy!anyone serious about being true to themselve's and the music will come to this conclusion,hi my name's alcoholic and my name's Hank.
 
#87
Musiclogic said:
This may sound cold, but, Grow Up, become comfortable with the choices you make in life, and move on. Playing music in a club or bar is just as JH said, "A job". you are there to perform, and not to party. This is why you get paid. So become an adult, do your job, and just be yourself....stay sober/play sober.
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sound cold - grow up. you got to be kidding. There are alot of poeple that are recovering alcolholics that cant go in a bar. i have been sober for 22 years and i can go anywhere and be ok with it ,but the are alot of ppeople that it doesnt work for . going in a bar and staying sober is hard for some and i hope that they do what is right for them. so you become an adult and try not to say something so completly stupid
 
#88
Guiseppe said:
I realize this is a personal topic, but I've known a few friends over the years that were good players but aren't comfortable playing bars/clubs. Personally, I have some alcoholism in my own family, and admit from time to time I've thought about the wisdom of spending a considerable amount of time in bars - for you (that are comfortable addressing this topic) that are sober, do you find it a risk? Any "tricks" that you use to avoid temptation?
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Guiseppe
There are no tricks . and it a deadly desease . not to be taken lightly .alcoholism will kill you . some people can go places and others can not. no shame .you have to do what is right for you. if you are a recovering alcoholic you probably will better off staying out of bars .
 
#89
fdeck said:
I think a bar might be harder for an ex-smoker than for an ex-drinker.
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Its hard as all-get-out. At the bar is the one time I cave, and smoke. I can not smoke at home, I can not smoke at work...but get me in that bar, and I'll have a smoke or three before the night's over with. But beer? I have my three, then go to soda, with no problem.

I guess its just whatever you happened to be addicted to. Alcohol's not a problem for me, but ciggies are.

Cherie
 
#90
It's ok to have a drink but you don't want to get "drunk" on a gig. If you have a problem with alcohol then maybe you should limit your exposure to bars. If thats not the case it's not a problem. You're a musician not an accountant.
 
#91
I think a lot of it does come down to willpower and knowing your limits. If you don't think you have the willpower to avoid drinking in a bar situation, then look into alternative venues ex: college campuses, vfw shows, all ages shows at bars where the bar won't be open, coffee houses, strip clubs that don't serve alcohol, etc.

personally I like to have between 1 and 3 drinks before and during the set (usually stick to 1 or 2). I find with that amount it doesn't negatively affect my playing, and I'm a bit looser onstage. I can also play completely sober and have no problem with that. My guitarist will usually have a beer before and a beer after, my drummer stays completely sober (mostly due to medical issues), and my singer is only 18 years old so hes sober at all shows as well.

Making friends with the bartenders is always a good idea, even more so at shows where fans are likely to buy you drinks. When you get there early you let them know that you're drink of choice is ______ (cranberry juice, 7up, or seltzer all work pretty good) you tip them nicely, and then when a fan wants to pick you up a drink you just ask for your usual.
 
#92
Ultimately, if one does not want to drink, for whatever reason, it comes down to a question of what works for you. If you cannot stay away from drinking in a bar, I can think of only two approaches to keep you on the wagon - one is to avoid bars altogether and the other is to take a sober wing man with you to help (kind of like an AA sponsor).
 
#94
Iced tea or house cola for set 1, then a maximum of one beer per set for the rest of the night. This keps me loose enough to match the crowd's vibe, and tight enough to play and sing within acceptable parameters. When in doubt, I will stay with the soft drinks. Of course, being 6'2" and 210 lbs means that I can handle this kind of minimal drinking with ease, whereas it might kick the @$$ of someone of smaller stature or tolerance.
 
#95
I don't drink, I need all the inhibition that I can get. There's nothing moral or health related to why I don't drink, I just don't enjoy it. I have no issue if bandmembers have a drink or 2, but I do if they get drunk at the gig. After the show is done, if they wanna get blitzed, it's fine by me as long as they have a safe ride home. I try to treat my bandmates like grown-ups unless they choose to act otherwise. But as I've grown and been involved in more professional outfits, I see less and less drunkeness at a gig.

I sorta grew up in bars, so they are comfortable for me. I used to live on a block where my neighbors were 2 bars and a liquor store. And still to this day, I don't mind hanging out in a bar even though I don't drink. But I do smoke, and if I were to quit, bar gigs would be hard for me. For those in recovery, and doing these gigs, I tip my hat to you.

If we get comped drinks, I have no problem ordering a beer for a friend. I don't abuse that privilege. The way I look at it, it's part of the compensation, and if they just give me water, I'm getting paid less.

It's a little awkward when someone buys the band drinks, but I usually thank them, put the drink on stage, and during a break discretely give it to a friend.
 
#96
Freddels said:
I don't drink when I practice and I don't drink when I gig.
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I'm almost there, no drinks when I practice or rehearsal (first way to tell how a band is going to go) but at a club date I'll have a beer before the show and one after, sometimes never. Only a beer and never a drink handed to me by other than waitstaff. I always accept a shot handed to me, say cheers, and never drink it.

I'm another 6'2'' 200 lber so those two drinks have little effect. No drinking at all at rehearsal seems to be a good band discipline rule. Drinking while practicing ruins beer time.
 
#97
txbasschik said:
Its hard as all-get-out. At the bar is the one time I cave, and smoke. I can not smoke at home, I can not smoke at work...but get me in that bar, and I'll have a smoke or three before the night's over with. But beer? I have my three, then go to soda, with no problem.

I guess its just whatever you happened to be addicted to. Alcohol's not a problem for me, but ciggies are.

Cherie
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Wow, Texas must be one of the last states without a smoking ban. Even North Carolina, tobacco central, enacted one.
 

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