Drinking before a gig?

[PPPMAT]

I love drinking - but the problem is I don't play so well  :P I generally have a nor more than 2 pint rule before a gig - just wondered if anyone else had a similar outlook.

Also I have a gig tonight that is part of a local weekend warriors scheme (not with my usual band) and the drummer in the band is beyond aweful. So bad in fact that I am quite literally bricking it because I *know* he's going to screw up and I'm going to look a tit in front of 300 people. Normally I'd havea stiff few to calm my nerves but if I do I will be terrible.

You just can't win  :?

[psy]

I rarely drink at all before a gig.  Granted that's because I always drive to them. :) I sometimes wish some else in the band would drink less before playing as they mess up quite often.

[Jonny]

The only thing I would drink (if I ever did perform) is water. 10% consumed. 90% over me as I'd probably sweat like hell.

[_tom_]

1 pint because I always have to drive to/from gigs.

[hamfist]

It's a delicate balance for me. I make more mistakes when I drink, but I actually perform better overall, including stage presence, posing etc.
    It's still a max of 3 pints until I've finished the playing though.

When I used to play sax with a motown/blues brothers type band I could drink as much as I wanted and still play fine. I find guitar technically more challenging though, hence the difference.

I think it takes a bit of trial and error to find out what's the best balance for each person.

[Roobubba]

I play better the more I drink! Or at least I think I do.

Bit of luck I usually drive to gigs, so don't drink anything at all. :)

Roo

[Jonny]

I can imagine the scene from Family Guy with Peter and Lois performing except it's alcohol rather than drugs.

[Twinfan]

Totally sober for me - I can't play drunk, plus I drive to gigs.

[nfe]

Depends on what kind of music I'm gigging.

Wedding/function bands, I'd have one beforehand and probably one at the break. More because I'd not want to have to speak to a client or take their money whilst I smelt of drink than for fear of mistakes.

Otherwise, I'll have a few before hand and a few throughout the gig. I tend to find that my playing barely changes until I' properly drunk and even then, some of my best gigs have been when I've been smashed.

[Fourth Feline]

When I was gigging ;   a quick 3 - 4 units of alcohol to take the edge off of pre- gig nerves ,  and therefore be better able to launch into the first song truly enjoying the song and the sensation of hearing / feeling the band around me . I always liked to play like I was on stage, but listen as if I was in the audience.

Being more of a music lover than an entertainer ;   I just wanted to let someone else take the limelight - and me just  enjoy trying to working out creative and tasteful ways to work around them.

In rough terms, in spirit I'm more a Steve Cropper than a Keith Richards, more Snowy White than Gary Moore  -  But of course with far less talent than all four ...  :lol:

[Johnny Mac]

A pint can't hurt but lots do. I went to see a friends band one night and there were a few on that night. My friends band were delayed so they decided to get on the 1664. When they opened they were all playing different songs as they were slaughtered.  :o That was the only bad gig they had to be fair.
Most don't drink beforehand, I wouldn't its like drinking and driving. You think your ok but your all over the place.

[Philosoful]

I don't really drink at all so it's no prob to me but I would never drink before a show and nor would I want anyone in the band doing so.

I rarely drink at all before a gig.  Granted that's because I always drive to them. :) I sometimes wish some else in the band would drink less before playing as they mess up quite often.

Could you post a larger image of whatever is going on your display pic? Is that a permanent light going up as a binding?

[badgermark]

None of my band drink, so all problems averted there! Don't really get bothered by nerves, and our set opener is simple, loud and rocking. All tension leaves when we all play that big C#5 chord.

[Simon D]

Haven't gigged for a while, but when I did it was no more than 1 pint before going on, if I wasn't driving. If I'm driving, I won't drink anything.

I've heard recordings of me playing when pissed at a jam session at friend's house, and listening back when sober I could hear the standard of my playing (which ain't that high to start with) deteriorate the more I had to drink.

[38thBeatle]

I do allow myself a pint if I am not driving but that is my lot. I am there to do a job and therefore consider it my responsibility to do it as well as I can. I try to encourage the others not to drink but one of the lads does get carried away on rare occasions but fortunately it doesn't affect his playing too much.