Stage etiquette.

[Theorybass'd]

What do you guys think of bands, specifically band members performing obviously drunk as headliners at semi-serious shows?

I pretty much just saw a band that I had a load of respect for trash their show due to the fact they thought it was more important to hang on to the emotional drawn out songs and talk crap about war and how they got this gig; in between playing a couple of their well known songs.

The singer and guitarist were drunk almost at the stage of incomprehension, carrying the show down a road the bassist and drummer had noticeably seen before.

I feel like alcohol and ego got in the way of a great set. We left half way through, what do you think? Is this acceptable?

 

[buldog5151bass]

As to the talking, what did Frank Zappa say - "shut up and play your guitar".

IMO, there is no excuse for being unable to play at your best level. It's no different than going to work.

 

[bolophonic]

I have zero interest in drunkenness in any setting or capacity.

 

[Joe Nerve]

What do you guys think of bands, specifically band members performing obviously drunk as headliners at semi-serious shows?

I think they have alcohol problems.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I think that playing drunk is an insult to both the other members of the band AND to the people who have payed good money to come and watch......I LIKE a drink but a time and a place for everything..........Cheers!

 

[charlie monroe]

The world has become a sad place if we have to ask this question.

 

[blubass]

If you paid for a ticket, you should have asked for a refund. Who was this band? I've seen Puddle of Mudd fall apart on stage, but that's nothing new.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

I'm not the fun police, but I have no interest in playing drunk or playing with people who are drunk. I remember my old guitarist sending me a YouTube link a few years of Lynch Mob. George was tearing it up, but the singer was too intoxicated to put on anything resembling a respectable performance. Moral of the story: Even being George Lynch doesn't inoculate yourself from drunk-ass band mates.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

These things often take care of themselves...

One of the best bands I have gigged with finally imploded on itself last year because the two partners in the band couldn't tell the difference between playing at a party or partying at a party. It was a shame... they really did have some good music - originals, covers, nice variety, very marketable for corporate and private gigs, made awesome money too. It became commonplace after a set break, they'd be knee-walkin' drunk, but sadly, that wasn't the worst of it... throw in a couple illicit substances on top of the booze, and they would turn on each other. Often the calamity made it back to the stage. Finally I just gave up, gave notice and quit, walking away from $300-$500/per night gigs. (decent money around here) Not long after that, one of them blew up on stage at a gig.

Poof - The End... it was only a matter of time.

 

[micguy]

I used to have one beer a set in the late 70's. As we were playing bars, it seemed reasonable to promote the product they were selling. It also helped to flush the cigarette smoke down the throat.

Now I play in church. Aside from a tiny cup of grape juice now and then, no drinking.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

There's a Chinese proverb that goes something like,
"The man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man."
Sounds to me as if the drink took the man. (men)

It's a shame that people actually paid their hard earned money for that nonsense.

 

[BassWaffle]

Saw the Rolling Stones last summer
Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood both seemed pretty tipsy

 

[Matt O]

It depends. If it's entertaining, then I've got no problem with it.

Two differing examples from years ago of drunkeness on stage:

I've gone to see the Pogues 3 times and only once did Shane show up to play. Twice, he blew off the gig entirely because he was too drunk. The one time he did show, he passed out in a heap side stage and the tin whistle player rolled his eyes and finished the show on vocals. For more than half the set, they just left Shane laying there. Didn't check to see if he was dead or breathing.

All 3 of those shows pissed me off.

Jesus and Mary Chain arrived to a small club gig in Detroit on their first tour over an hour after set time and hella drunk. They hit the stage, played for 11 minutes, got in a fist fight with each other and smashed every single bit of their gear they owned and then there was a riot in the street.

I feel as though I got my money's worth at that one.

Your example of someone just drunkenly blathering into a mic about nothing anyone cares about, would just cause me to walk out. That's a vote with your feet situation.

 

[micque]

Many moons ago I played with drunks, I've played drunk, was never fun, was never good, been a longtime since, putting on your best show is like working a job, do it right or do something else !

 

[saltydude]

Well, it would make a greater difference to me if it was a cover or original band.
Cover for the most part I'd call a bunch of clowns. Original? Hey, what great band in the past didn't go overboard during a performance we all now hail as gods. I'd have to witness the show myself to judge.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

Next Saturday night, I'll be going to see the Oz Noy Trio, with Jimmy Haslip and Dave Weckl.
I'm pretty sure they won't be drunk. ;-)

 

[40Hz]

Can't ever say I met anybody I liked more after they had a drink, a pill, a snort, or a toke in them than I did before.

Same goes for musicians I've listened to or played with.

 

[wmhill]

that's part of the shtick for some bands. If it works for them, OK, but not my thing anymore.

 

[Stevorebob]

There's no place for impaired performing in my band. If that's the practice, I'm out.

 

[pnchad]

We have pacts - no drinks before final break, period.