charleshaupt
Hi all, what is it with some guitarists boozing it up before playing live ,and then still thinking they played a flawless set ? A drink or two is still ok,but if the player,s judgement and skill/proficiency is affected , then it,s not good... just my personal opinion,please don,t be offended,if it works for you then your,e lucky..peace C
Tokai-SA
I think it's disrespectful to the audience.
If a guitarist thinks he's at his best when pissed, then he's mistaken, in his own mind he might think he was great, but not to anyone else. ?
I remember watching an interview with Clapton where he talks about his alcoholic days.
He says there was a period of 5 years where he remembers nothing, he can't remember any of the gigs or recordings he did during that 5 year period...totally blank.
evolucian
Well, some need it to settle imaginary nerves. Alcohol does bring in the fearless complex... but it also tends to bring in the god complex too (Oh my gods, I wasss da shiiit tonight!). When that was said to me by one drunk band member I merely responded "Yes, you were shit tonight."
If it's within your band, talk to them. I'm not talking intervention crap where you get everyone to pitch in... one on one will do. If its some other guy you get along with very well, tell him that if he didn't drink too much prior to performing it would have been better. Unless it's punk. Sober or not its still gonna be poo.
Otherwise, you could just leave them to self destruct. It all depends on your sadism level.
Having said that, some people do function with drinking... I was just never one of those people.
sharonzaz
the ''i drink cos i play better'' BS has been a part of us for many
years, personally i dont drink much, and the times i have
been drunk on stage, or drank even one or two drinks are very few.
most of my professional years i havent drank at all.
ppl drink cos they can, thats what it looks like to me. i think most ppl
would drink if it was considered ok in their day jobs too.
a glass of wine here and there, or a beer with some pizza is good
for relaxing in my own life, everything over that is a waste of time and money.
?
coynegfsa
All I can say about that, know where your limits are. ? Drinking a bit to steady the hands works just fine for some but you have to know the line between that and showing up on stage shitfaced.
evolucian
or a bear with some pizza is good
I realise you fixed it, but I just have to maybe mention it might have been too much wine that day... just saying. You know, forumites looking out for each other and stuff, imaginary brotherly love kinda thing. Got your back man
Bob-Dubery
As you say, it's a matter of degree. Many folks do better with a little something to relax before the show.
There are people who repeatedly delivered great performances whilst under the influence, but I lean towards the idea that, to name one notorious example, John Martyn played well DESPITE being three sheets to the wind rather than BECAUSE.
What we don't know and never will is whether these guys would have done better if they played straight.
Keira-WitherKay
In the 21st century we have become rational and responsible .... In 1930's - 80' excess was rife in music industry .... And i doubt any of the act who are icons of that era from jazz to stadium rock ...can recall with clarity their exploits in those years ..... Not condoning it and most stories of exploits in that era may be wild but many were tragic too ..... But they still let talent shine through ....
So yes maybe this generation views things differently ....
sharonzaz
I think many guys who played well while drunk also may have
been blown out of their minds on some kind of drug, or perhaps many drugs.
One of the bassists who played with me many years have drank so much, before, through and after the gigs, and while he stayed a great player throughout all that, he also done sober gigs playing just as well.
singemonkey
It's the same as playing pool. For an average sized man, you play better with your first two beers - then you start getting rapidly worse with each extra one. The first two are relaxing you and allowing you to concentrate without fretting. After that the motor-coordination stuff totally overwhelms the relaxation. It's as simple as that.
A couple is good for most people. More is bad for everyone.
Interesting how much more incentive to drink less there is when you've been well-treated by the organisers. With decent pay, and solid commitment to putting on a good, well-attended show, it's astonishing how temperate musicians become.
Bob-Dubery
Keira WitherKay wrote
In the 21st century we have become rational and responsible ....
So instead of doing as our idols did we consult a Gillian McKeith book, cross reference that against Gwyneth Paltrow's book on healthy eating, and make sure we use the correct aroma therapy oil and be sure to get lots of acupuncture.
Unfortunately some of us had the MMR vaccination, but some folks do come through that unscathed.
Arno-West
Ok, I'll put my head on the block here. I don't have any problem with dudes boozing while playing. I booze a few beers and sambucas at most gigs, what can I do? Most times the shots are bought by people in the audience. If something influences a band member's playing, whether it,s booze, personal problems or whatever, it,s a bad thing. I've seen and heard guys play horribly becvause their girlfriends left them. Sure, if you are an international star and people paid R1000's to see you, don't fall over, but personally I am sick of this PC world we live in where everybody is too scared to be anything but a goodie-2-shoes. Give me Motley Crue and Guns 'n Roses anyday. There are no more hardcore rock 'n roll stars, just a bunch of dweebs following orders from stylists and publicists. I'd rather watch a legless Slash playing than a squeeky clean boy band executing perfectly choreographed dance moves.I vote: Sex, drugs and Rock 'n Roll!!!
sharonzaz
i prefer it clean, and ive lived sex and rock'n'roll to its fullest. (never done the drug bit and never will)
i prefer clapton clean, cos to me he sounds and looks way better than drunk.
youre not wrong for drinking and playing, thats just your way.
coynegfsa
Arno West wrote
Ok, I'll put my head on the block here. I don't have any problem with dudes boozing while playing. I booze a few beers and sambucas at most gigs, what can I do? Most times the shots are bought by people in the audience. If something influences a band member's playing, whether it,s booze, personal problems or whatever, it,s a bad thing. I've seen and heard guys play horribly becvause their girlfriends left them. Sure, if you are an international star and people paid R1000's to see you, don't fall over, but personally I am sick of this PC world we live in where everybody is too scared to be anything but a goodie-2-shoes. Give me Motley Crue and Guns 'n Roses anyday. There are no more hardcore rock 'n roll stars, just a bunch of dweebs following orders from stylists and publicists. I'd rather watch a legless Slash playing than a squeeky clean boy band executing perfectly choreographed dance moves.I vote: Sex, drugs and Rock 'n Roll!!!
Couldn't agree more. :applause:
Bob-Dubery
Arno West wrote
Ok, I'll put my head on the block here. I don't have any problem with dudes boozing while playing. I booze a few beers and sambucas at most gigs, what can I do? Most times the shots are bought by people in the audience. If something influences a band member's playing, whether it,s booze, personal problems or whatever, it,s a bad thing. I've seen and heard guys play horribly becvause their girlfriends left them. Sure, if you are an international star and people paid R1000's to see you, don't fall over, but personally I am sick of this PC world we live in where everybody is too scared to be anything but a goodie-2-shoes. Give me Motley Crue and Guns 'n Roses anyday. There are no more hardcore rock 'n roll stars, just a bunch of dweebs following orders from stylists and publicists. I'd rather watch a legless Slash playing than a squeeky clean boy band executing perfectly choreographed dance moves.I vote: Sex, drugs and Rock 'n Roll!!!
If somebody wants to have a toot or two (or three or four) then that's their business. However, I've travelled long distances to see some guys I really wanted to see playing, and if they'd have taken the stage in a state not conducive to playing their best or if they'd generally had an attitude that sloppiness is OK and part of the game I'd have felt robbed. And so, I'd hope, would all the other people who got on the number 22 bus or took the tube. It's self-indulgent to expect the audience to put up with your habits - they paid to see you do that stuff you do really well.
This goes back to the point that Lance made earlier in this thread about respect for the audience. You've got to give it a decent shot. I don't care if Bob Marley (or other musicians I can think of) smoke a massive joint before they hit the stage. That's their business and only theirs. How well they play and how together they are ON STAGE is something I'd feel entitled to have a stake in if I've paid to see them.
IceCreamMan
Arno for prez...
reality is, when alcohol robs u of motivation and playability its better to cut back cos it will affect you in the long run to the detreiment of the muso.... that's a fact..... an ultimately I don't think alcohol will kill u ...very few guitarists die from alcohol..... the preferred method seems to be a heady cocktail of speed, smack and coke.... ?
Arno-West
IceCreamMan wrote
Arno for prez...
reality is, when alcohol robs u of motivation and playability its better to cut back cos it will affect you in the long run to the detreiment of the muso.... that's a fact..... an ultimately I don't think alcohol will kill u ...very few guitarists die from alcohol..... the preferred method seems to be a heady cocktail of speed, smack and coke.... ?
....and even that cocktail did't do it for Dave Gahan. He used to wake up with a speedball and Weetbix dipped in Tequila in the morning....stuff the day job. Ha ha ha.
Jayhell
I always drink before gigs, especially when they are bought by supporters, but I know my limits and know when to stop. But afterwards I usually get hammered. With all the adrenaline and stuff. I just stay the hell away from the weed, makes me forget my words. Also, I'm the only one that drinks in my band so when I get out of line I get the Evil eye.
Arno-West
Jayhell wrote
I always drink before gigs, especially when they are bought by supporters, but I know my limits and know when to stop. But afterwards I usually get hammered. With all the adrenaline and stuff. I just stay the hell away from the weed, makes me forget my words. Also, I'm the only one that drinks in my band so when I get out of line I get the Evil eye.
Jayhell-yeah!
DaFiz
When the groove is good and the dancing girls bring something strange ina shotglass, I ask no question but knock it back and get on with the show.
Why does alcohol get the only mention...? It the "good old, bad old days" we'd smoke a spliff before the show, while the drummer went off and snorted something that gave him the required boost.
I recall guitarists taking "stuff" that enhanced their performance and I even recall a cough syrup that soothed the larynx...
Why must cyclists have all the fun ???
