Drinking

How much do you drink?

 

Music and alcohol are intrinsically linked and this is always going to be the case. Whether it is beer companies sponsoring gigs, venues and festivals or bands happily endorsing their favorite brand of alcohol, it is hard to avoid the crossover. This has made a lasting impression on the minds of many young people and when they think about rock n roll bands and the lifestyle, they automatically think that alcohol goes with it. For a young person, there is an immediate link between the two and as they get older, the cool factor that exists between music and drink is set for life.

 

This leads many new bands into believing that they should be doing their fair share of “rock n roll every nite and party every day” but this is more about image as opposed to a guideline of how to live your life. There is no doubt that many people would be shocked if they saw the actual contents of the bands drink bottles on stage every evening. There have been a number of bands down the years who although they were drinking straight from a Jack Daniels bottle on stage, were actually drinking cola or tea. It is all part of the act and the stage persona which is why people want to live up to the hell-raiser image. However, when you are putting on a show, it is not always possible to do your best after drinking continuously so this is why many bands go through the charade of drinking in this manner.

 

If you are in a band and think that someone is drinking way too much, you will have to think about what it is doing to them and to the band? If it is not affecting the music or band relationships, then it is probably best to leave for the moment and keep your opinions to yourself. However, if the quality of the music is affected by someone being drunk all the time, something will have to be said. Being in a band is supposed to be enjoyable but if the fun is out the window because someone is always drunk, it is definitely time to go about changing matters. Rock n roll will always be about living life to the maximum and doing your best but you have to question can you do your best if you are always drunk or hung-over?
((I have seen too many bands change members after one has had a problem drinking.  One person didn’t have a clue until the performance was video recorded.  After seeing how his drinking changed the bands performance he changed his habits.  Luckily that band was saved.))

 

Pamela www.coachpamela.com