[John_Strychnine]

Few pints before,

Smoked weed a few times before playing, not a good idea tbh.

I have been totally fucked before going on stage a few times, not a good idea either.

both our vocalists are normally baked on stage.

[chavhunter]

Reggae band: a few Jack n Cokes before I go on, helps loosen me up and get in to the groove. Our frontman is usually very VERY stoned when we go on but so long as he absolutely nails everything, we dont mind.

Metal band: total opposite, usually dosed up on lots of caffiene so I can keep up with the ridiculous speed we play at. Then Jack n Coke after the gig!!

[Rick Pierpont]

Absolutely not! There is no way I can play like that. I've had a drink before, but even that's not a normal occurrence and can affect vocals. Naren, you are correct -- it does affect vocals. Alcohol dehydrates you, which is the worst thing for your vocal cords. In fact, I take the opposite direction and make sure I stay really hydrated the day of a show (like today). You really need it in your system. Getting dry and then drinking water on stage isn't really good enough. And even when I was a teen, weed would absolutely kill my playing. If I'm in the right mood and already warmed up and little is OK for just jamming, but to play anything complex or with structure, there is NO WAY! And don't even talk about what THAT does to your voice!

Playing on stage is enough of a rush that I don't feel the need to "enhance" it with anything. Afterwards I'll party a little bit, but I'm not a big drinker anyhow. Good thing I don't play in Division! Don't know how Ron has lasted this long!!

[TheMissing]

I had 3 drinks before we went on once, and that was enough to make me say "Fuck that" the next time we played.

It makes things spin, and causes me to say stupid things.

[ZeroSignal]

I've never seen a band that was under the influence of anything and actually enjoy the gig. For the sake of the fans don't do it!

Originally Posted by stuh84

I'm tee-total and don't touch drugs, so this concept is a little alien to me

[7 Strings of Hate]

i wouldnt say trashed, but i smoke a big fatty before, but thats not really different because i am high pretty much 24/7 ,

[MerlinTKD]

Yeah... they always make you FEEL like you were amazing... but get honest feedback (or better yet, video! ) and you'll find you were mediocre at best, or majorly sucking at worst.

I've played in 3 bands now where one of the members had a substance problem (pot and/or alcohol) and it always cause problems with motivation, attitude, and ability.

To me, playing music is a job, only better: I get paid (sometimes ) to do what I would do anyway. I don't indulge before or during work, I don't indulge before or during music.

And afterwards I'm usually just too damn tired!

Next time someone says they play better when a little buzzed, ask them if they drive better a little buzzed, too.

[7 Strings of Hate]

Originally Posted by ZeroSignal

I've never seen a band that was under the influence of anything and actually enjoy the gig. For the sake of the fans don't do it!

i find that to be a bit of b.s. tons and tons of bands get ripped out of their head before they play , but they are probably used to it and its a normal occurance for them, i'v seen so many bands i KNOW for a fact are high, and rock it out, so, the fact is, just because someone is high or a little drunk it really doesnt mean they are better or worse in their performance if they are used to it

i mean, i'v seen pantera, i know dime was blazed and phil was tore, but it was the best show i'v ever seen to be honost

just because YOU cant do it, doesnt mean everyone cant.
i cant reccomend driving with no arms, but there are alot of armless people with licenses and drive with no incident in this country

[ZeroSignal]

Originally Posted by 7 Strings of Hate

i find that to be a bit of b.s. tons and tons of bands get ripped out of their head before they play , but they are probably used to it and its a normal occurance for them, i'v seen so many bands i KNOW for a fact are high, and rock it out, so, the fact is, just because someone is high or a little drunk it really doesnt mean they are better or worse in their performance if they are used to it

i mean, i'v seen pantera, i know dime was blazed and phil was tore, but it was the best show i'v ever seen to be honost

just because YOU cant do it, doesnt mean everyone cant.
i cant reccomend driving with no arms, but there are alot of armless people with licenses and drive with no incident in this country

Dude all you said was that I was wrong simply because you enjoy it and I don't. Then that disabled people were comparable to people on drugs in terms of mental faculties. Nice.

[ZeroSignal]

You know this thread is just going to degrade into a pissing contest between the pro and anti drug camps. One side'll say something and the other will just go "Nuh huh!"