Drugs, Big Macs, and Rock n' Roll

Posted some thoughts about drugs yesterday, which got me a few comments from people wondering if I am condoning drug use.  I'm not, but let me clarify some things...

Some people use drugs.  That is a reality of the world and the music business.

Personally, I don't touch the stuff.  I'm also vegetarian and I never drink alcohol.

But as I said, some people use drugs.  And I'm not going to ignore that reality, nor am I going to write everybody off who makes that choice...just like I'm not going to write everybody off who makes the choice to eat meat or have a beer every once in a while.

If I wrote off everybody who wasn't like me on these issues, chances are that I'd be ignoring you.  And that's no good, is it?

This brings up another great topic when it comes to deciding when to fire a band member...

People make their own decisions.  You don't control people.  You only control yourself.

There are some things which you'd prefer and some things which are deal-breakers...  You have to get clear on who you are and what you want to be able to decide which is which.

Would love to hear your opinion on the topic.  When it comes to people in your band, what are the things that you won't put up with?  And what are the things that you prefer, but are a bit more flexible about?

Post your thoughts.

Comments

[Paul]

I thought your article was very right on AND VERY HONEST. In fact, most of the experiences you listed we've encounted with PAST members. Many times, a few go hand in hand with others too, but why stereotype, right?

Call a spade a spade, I agree with your inclusion of drug use in your listing. I also agree with your reasoning of including it. Not condoning or condeming, but if it's a problem, then eliminate the problem before it becomes too late for the greater good of the band. If a band is united, then it becomes a no brainer.

[John]

I am a child of an alcoholic parent and a drug addict parent. I am also the sibling to (2) older drug addicts/alcoholics. I too realize that drugs/alcohol are a part of life and of this particular industry. One need only look at the entertainment news to see this. However, I will state that if more straight edge people (non-drinkers/smokers non-drug addicts, and including those who don't even dabble) were more vocal and stand strong against those who continue down the paths of addictions, then this would'nt even be an issue. Yes, we can place some of the blame on the past glorification of drug use/abuse on others in the entertainment industry, but we must all of us - let me repeat - ALL OF US (myself included) share responsibility for the continuation of drug abuse. As I am quite sure not all of us have stood our ground against such behavior. I am not perfect, nor am I a "goody two shoes," but I simply refuse to destroy my talent for about 20 minutes worth of euphoria at price that is financially and ethically too much to bear.....especially with today's gas prices. I DO NOT write off band members, but I have on many, many occasions told them exactly how I felt with regard to drug abuse. More times than not, they at least kept the drugs out of my sight. In closing, let me also simply state that there is NO SUCH thing as "peer pressure" - this is a cop out easily used by cowards. I have had more friends in the drug culture than out of it and NEVER once was I ridiculed for not taking part, nor did anyone continue to offer me drugs once I declined.

[Steven Kippel]

I don't think it was the fact that you listed drugs as an issue, but when you said drug use is sometimes part of the musical culture. If you just skimmed past the section it might look like you said drugs were OK as long as it wasn't interfering.

[Hog Whitman]

"but I simply refuse to destroy my talent for about 20 minutes worth of euphoria at price that is financially and ethically too much to bear.....especially with today's gas prices..."

I have to agree. Twenty minutes is about how long it takes me to go through a gallon of gas too. I've tried to quit many times, but I just keep going back to it. Plus, all my friends are addicted to it as well.

I need help. I know that now. Perhaps a hybrid?

[Tyrone hornbuckle]

I am not one for drugs but i have been with those who could play and others who could not .
There is a limit on anything . to muck food can be bad. so judge but what is going on and not just what a person does . i have let many go for being to wasted on stage but what one does when not with me or my band i could care less.

[matthew t mccourt]

even though i ve used everything available to humans and some animals when it comes to the BUSINESS of rocknroll i will not tolerate the following:heroin use,cocaine, meth, or anyone who drinks a fifth a day to keep from convulsing...
heroin leads to thievery,so does teh rest- even if teh guy is a good a drummer as my former bandmate whois now in the pop supergroup JOURNEY the whole lifestyle and lie-style that comes with every chem addict is never worth their performance. EVER not to mention the crossing tstaelines federal rap you canget while losing all your gear...for ever under the zero tolerance act, teh jail time you can get (mandatory sentencing guidlines) and the lucrative drug dealing life which will end up with all of the above...you have to ask yourself-- would i go to work at mcdonalds,or the corporate offices of a large business out of my head on meth coke or heroin? if the answer is yes- you have no chance in hell in the big uindustry called entertainment. if you tour you are a legal liability at the very least...and a very selfish one at that.however. stating the above - casual recreational use on YOUR OWN TIME not mine is completely fine by me..if you arent harming or compromising MY life and career fine do what you will to YOURSELVES just leave me out of it.
and if youre in my band you cant hide anything i know what everything looks like...if you are ajunkie you will never be anything else even if you get clean...that stigma you get to keep for life~! be it pills or shooting up tar.street junkie or elvis junkie makesno difference if you are tired and your eyes are pinned youre done with me,- and if you steal form me due to drugs withdrawal would be a pleaureable experience next to teh beating youll get form me and my hard hiiting irishmen. in teh 70's laws werent what they are today..one bud of pot can lose your vehicle and everything in it.. 2 bags with one bud in it shows intent to distribute..and tehres a guildeline for that...lose your car, your license all your gear*((you canbuy it back at auction time if you bid high enough- but your lawyer bills will eat any money you have to buy back your gear...so many people think that becuase of the stupid medical marijuana laws - they are above the law..i have family in law enforcement who'd love to show you the truth
and if your from out of state..your card doenst mean a thing it means youre a junkie in their eyes.. and a liar....medical marijuana is a big farce and LE knows that! most of the cops came from a criminal background~!

[Satro]

In every art-form the most difficult part is to own (by own I mean to create the atmosphere you think will allow the best possibility for brilliance to occur) your art.
That requires you to own YOURSELF
Create time for your art
The tools necessary to create
Freedom from any distractions to your creative mindset
ETC
To Own Yourself You Must Have Money
We (Society) do have rules. Right or Wrong (Most of the very basic and important are very wrong) does not matter they do exist built by the majority mainly out of fear and ignorance. How much money? Only the amount it takes for your art to bring in enough money to be self-sufficient. If we all only knew the importance of Art to Humanity and to evolution itself maybe it may get the support it needs.

[Rebeca Randle]

In one of my past bands, I turned down many drugs while the guys got coked up and after I left the band, they got busted.

There is no need for me to be politically correct right? I believe I am the new paradigm of artist that does not need anything outside of myself to receive inspiration. A medicine women I studied under believed one or two well planned out peyote experiences are all you would ever need as a key to unlock the mind if desired. Anything used on a daily or weekly basis is a trap leaving you bound in hand cuffs with the only option being drugs as the key. One of the best songs I believe David and I have ever written (at our last gig people, yes mainly women, were crying uncontrollably) came where I dreamt the melody. David's lyrics are profound, heart touching, and free from being drug induced.
Here are some facts about one common drug. Pot coats the Neuro synapses in the brain with a tar-like, sticky substance which in turn, slows down your brain functioning. Why would anyone want to do that to their brain? To let go of thinking is one reason. I have found Meditation and intense self growth work expands my consciousness and is the only lasting way to achieve true artistry.
Rebeca Randle

[Lynn]

Some members of bands that I've been in have been sacked for reasons not on your list... such as:-
1. Being continually too loud on stage.
2. Receiving too many adverse comments from audience members.
3. Leaving early after gigs and letting the rest of the band pack away their gear.
4. Refusing to play gigs in certain areas due to their notoriety!

[JULIAN]

Drugs are a plain and simple reality of the music industry. They are also a reality of the medical industry... and the legal industry... and accountants... and cashiers... etc.

My point? Drugs are a private problem of many professionals. Musicians simply don't always get to keep their problems "private." I'm not certain that musicians DO more drugs. I'm only certain that we get a LOT more bad publicity for every artist whose problems is made public.

Julian aKa CCG Pop Superhero

[Jay Sandifer]

Drugs cleverly disguise the confidence and courage already present to explore the working dynamics between people and music.

At first, drugs may tend to promote creativity. However, more so than not, drugs tend to trap the user into physical and/or psychological addiction. Over time, this addiction clouds the purity of creativity in the music and relationships for which we are responsible.

Without this purity, focus becomes dismantled.

A dismantled individual is very often hard to work with.

[Mgregory]

I am a bandleader. In my bands I do not allow drug use or excessive alchohol consumption. I have never found that anyone, including myself in my younger, dumber days, played better or was more creative on any type of drugs. Usually they just think they sound better. I have recorded some of these fine moments only to find some of the worst playing imaginable or at best purely mediocre. Interestingly enough when I stopped using drugs the newer people who I attracted to the band were non-drug users as well. So there is hope if you have to let someone go due to drug use. I suggest being very upfront about it. Even my player-wanted ads now state clearly no druggies or alchoholics need apply. So far it seems to have worked.