Alcohol and The Stage: Dancing with the Devil and Trying Not To Get Burned (My Story)

*Warning: This video's intention is not to promote the use of alcohol in any way. It's my personal story of descending into a world I never thought I'd be in, my struggle to understand it, and my plan to overcome it.
Thanks for watching.
Alcohol and The Stage: Dancing with the Devil and Trying Not To Get Burned (My Story)
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Thanks!!!

[@jaymantisgaming]

I think introverts are especially vulnerable to alcohol addiction. it basically fixes you, turns you into an extrovert for a night. i used to hate, absolutely despise playing live because of stage fright. so had to get extremely drunk beforehand. i never screwed up a gig, but it started happening at practises too. used to pass out hugging my bass. I think once a drinker discovers that they can drink more to make the hangover go away, that's when it really goes downhill, fast. I'm so glad that this generation have chosen not to indulge nearly as much as those that came before. Anyway. i'm 2 years sober now. thanks for sharing your experience

[@oldmanwinter63]

Great point! And keep going!!

[@ZiggyAndTheSpiderFromMars]

I did a lot of voice training by going to the open jams and definitely used beer as the remedy for the initial stage fright. Problem is that the pattern sticks and then you feel the need to drink all performances even when the stage fright phase is long over. If you go pro, you necessarily become an alcoholic. I unstuck my connection with performance and drinking by doing tons of busking dry. I no longer feel like booze goes with performance.

[@slayabouts]

Yep, I think going for the hair of the dog is what separates drinkers from alcoholics. I sometimes drink a beer or take a shot the next morning to help take a nap, but I have an absolute stop, hard limit at one. But drinking to loosen me up was definitely a crutch and it sucks that the social skills you pick up while drunk don’t extend into when you’re sober Happy for your sobriety though!

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

Yup! When you start drinking the hangovers away that's the beginning of the end. Been there man, I've only drank a couple of times in 5 years

[@squidcaps4308]

Beta blockers... What they do is that they suppress the effects of adrenaline in your soft muscle tissue: in this case it is your heart that needs to be steady so you don't get into that cycle of being nervous, being nervous of being nervous, panicking because you are nervous and finally.. panicking because you are panicking. The side effects non-existing unless you run a marathon under hot lights, they lower your heart rate and have minor effect on temperature regulation, you have to avoid extremes but are just fine on a gig. A LOT of artists use them, they are especially favored in the classical side. And since they have no effect in your brain, you don't lose any edge, are not lulled into being "comfortably numb"... I haven't found them having any effect on my energy on stage.

[@corckyromano4187]

I played in a country band (tobogan)for almost a decade. Every bar paid our tab as part of the pay agreement. That's about all I can remember.

[@robbiegarnz7732]

At least you weren’t like the Blues Brothers! Lol! Drinking your pay’ lol!

[@tyreechiejackstone7379]

Open bars are absolutely the Devil!

[@shaunfogarty5744]

All my band got was the booze.

[@Bryan-jd7os]

😂😂😂

[@majorfeelgoodrecords2740]

Same, it was always part of the contract 🎼🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@Krullmatic]

Unfortunately for me, I turned into a raging alcoholic/addict, so my dreams died fairly quick. I've now been 3 years clean after 40 years old f boozing and drugging, and finally got me a couple of new guitars and gear. I'm actually surpassing my talent now.

[@sandman567]

Keep it up!

[@tommybinson]

Thanks for sharing your story. Best wishes.

[@strummercash5601]

Awesome! Is that your Lester in the thumbnail? Very nice.

[@briankahn4218]

"Did he really wanna kick the guys ass? No. Was the guy even Canadian? I don't think so." My favorite quote!🤣

[@musicmanj1642]

Thanks for another great video, Mike. I had to face my alcohol use that definitely ramped up from all the weekends playing shows at bars and band practice. I'm 41 and now more than 3 years since my last drink of alcohol. I found I couldn't just "cut back"- it had to be completely cut off or I just took it too far almost every time. It's harder to be comfortable on stage and talking to people for sure without it. But the constant hangovers, forgetting songs while performing, driving home half drunk after shows, fighting with my wife, not being there for my kids... I'm done with that. I do live looping now I could never pull off drunk - I'd fall on my ass trying to hit the pedals!

[@ellengrace4609]

Congratulations on your three years! ❤

[@zaturnneo]

Man, the more you tell stories, the more I realize just how similar our music journey has been.

[@samwheeler-brown7458]

For the longest time I had to have a drink to get on stage or even be around crowds at gigs. Moved onto to smoking bud to get rid of the hangover. Ended up on MD. Last year I couldn’t stand watching myself in 3rd person not living up to my potential. Went full clean and my playing never felt better or more confident. I can still have a drink, but never do it before I play.

[@grunge6909]

What's md

[@D-Fens_1632]

​@@grunge6909I've been wondering this too. I really hope they come back.

[@N3gativeR3FLUX]

​@@grunge6909I suspect he's referring to MDMA aka ecstasy.

[@joshyaks]

@@grunge6909 Mountain Dew? :)

[@ryanmalone844]

Mad Dog?

[@johnross5722]

Incredible you played with The Replacements . Your a legend

[@Silas-lc9op]

The thing I always dislike about headlining.... it takes forever to get on stage...sometimes midnight. And you really have to nurse a beer beforehand. Those gigs I'll show up around nine. But still, that's several hours.

[@fretboy33]

OK, so this happened way back in 1980 when I was about 13 or 14 years old. A friend of mine asked me to come over on a Friday night and bring my acoustic guitar and come hang out with some friends of his. His parents were gone, and he had a four pack of Henry Weinhart’s. I was already getting a reputation around the neighborhood as a pretty good guitar player, so I was playing stuff like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath in my friends garage. I had drank half a bottle of the beer, and since my drinking experience was almost nothing, I started to fumble my way through some of the songs. I started playing the intro to Over The Hills And Far Away, which I knew backwards and forwards, but my fingers were not working, and it literally scared the crap out of me. So after our little get together, I went home and went to sleep, and the first thing I did when I woke up the next morning is play that same Zeppelin song, and I was able to do it. So I personally made a vow to myself to never drink before going on stage, because the thought of not being able to play like my guitar heroes, scared the living daylights out of me. 😅

[@StabilityMan]

Telling your story took courage and honesty. Wish you all the best.

[@Rastard12345]

I played in a band called Astradica in Norway, I am a drummer. We played our first gig in a pretty big bar, with literally 5 people watching us. The singer just disappeared 5 minutes before we were going on stage. He had to take a shit, lol. He was very anxious. A few months later we played a place named John Dee, and again the singer went missing shortly before going on stage. Turns out he was drinking himself some courage in his hotel room!

[@DMSProduktions]

HOLD my Jarlsberg!

[@Rastard12345]

You mean Carlsberg? Lol. Jarlsberg is cheese.

[@meadish]

@@Rastard12345It's somehow funnier with cheese.

[@threeleggedman]

I played weddings for 25 years and it was always 2-3 drinks per gig. One after setting up, hangign with band mates in the cocktail hour. Second drink would accompany me on stage for the first set. Third drink- I would play the first break alone (solo guitar) and a bandmate would bring it to me. Three drinks in the first 2.5 hours, with another 3 hours before I'm in the car driving home. I was fine, rarely did I ever feel drunk. Most open bars making them a little weak. Sometimes a bar tender would pour my Tequila on the rocks like it was glass of soda. Those were the times I drank a little too much. Oh, forgot to mention. The 25 years of gigs all included plenty of pot smoking behind the venue or in the parking lot. Good times!

[@LongStrangeTrip3]

I think like a lot of people, for me, hanging out and jamming was nearly always linked with drinking or sparking up. Starting from teenage years onward. Even when that jamming turned into a band, band practices, gigs, it was always a “good time”. And it was, but it was a tough connection to break apart.

[@bryanmcdermott4204]

Thank you for sharing. I'm old and have seen way too many cautionary tales from family and friends. To anyone who doesn't drink, keep avoiding it. You'll get occasional weird looks, but staying sober will save you heartache and pain.

[@Rastard12345]

I also played drums for another band for less than a year, here in Norway. They were pretty beer happy. But at the last concert we played, they did some stripes of cocaine before going on the stage. That made me want to rage quit, I have never been a drinker or a drug man, I just show up and play and go home. Which is what I did, and shortly after I quit the band. Never been happier.

[@Peyote1312]

Total buzzkill dude.

[@DMSProduktions]

You SHOULD have walked out BEFORE that gig! Would have taught them a lesson!

[@Rastard12345]

I have no idea if that was ironic or not, but thanks!

[@Rastard12345]

I agree. But they took the shit just before entering the stage. If they did earlier that night I'd might just leave. I am very happy I left the band (he focking left the band, hello??).

[@robbiegarnz7732]

This is the most informative and concise analysis of most drinker’s’ experience with alcohol. Your account of your first time drinking experience was spot on. You come to associate drinking with having fun and you want to do it again asap. I drank throughout most of my adult life whether during jam sessions or on my off days back when I was in the military. I thought I had earned it and saw it as a way to relax and enjoy your downtime. I haven’t drank in five years but I never did quit. I just kept saying “I’ll have a beer tomorrow.” However since retiring from the army I no longer have gainful employment and thus haven’t felt compelled to drink anymore. Maybe I think that if I drink when I don’t have a career anymore I’ll be a bum? Maybe it’s because money has been tight for so long and frankly there just isn’t anything to celebrate? Either way, I’m sober now and even if my luck changes I won’t go back to drinking. At this point it’s kind of like Eli Manning -I don’t want to break my streak. Whatever the reason my story has got to be the most pathetic “I’m sober now” story!

[@ellengrace4609]

Any sober story is not pathetic. Congratulations! ❤

[@robbiegarnz7732]

@@ellengrace4609 thank you so much for your kind words! God bless you!

[@BuzzBuzzbuzzbuzzcutlight-zy7yv]

Think better of yourself. Your doing good.

[@Docsjeff]

Nope,not pathetic at all. We all have different circumstances in our lives.People drink or not drink for all kinds of reasons.You are no different or ANY less important.

[@anthonycook5238]

I am very fortunate to have gone through my struggles with substance abuse before I started my current band , and I have to say that my level of control and everything definitely helps but it makes it very hard to find other players to help play in the band because so many people are in denial of their substance abuse.

[@johnnyfreedom4117]

What a refreshingly honest take. Well done sir. Good luck to all on thier journey and god bless.

[@rebelcat420]

This has quickly become my favorite guitar channel! Thank you for sharing your story. I was one who, also playing in a country band, would limit myself to a drink before, a drink between sets, and one after end of night, and of course the drink between sets turned into shots when we had a regular group who followed us would buy them for us, and them giving us drinks during the set, which I normally declined or passed off to the keyboard player. But I always kept it sober, while other members would drink all through the set, ok usually…I had a few buzzed sets, and it affected my playing so that toned back. It was when we had to let our bass player go, because his drinking and toking got to affect his performance and attendance to practices. He was lifelong buddies with the other guitar player (we were around 40 at the time), and he had to fire him.. not only lost a band member, but saw a lifelong friendship strained at the same time. It was at that moment, I immediately went to the practice of NEVER drinking when performing, and started treating it more professionally. Ps. And yes, Easyriders magazine also helped me through my adolescent years lol

[@HannahCope88]

Congrats on 864k Subscribers. I'm pretty lucky that I've never had any struggles with alcohol. I've grown up seeing friends and others use it and not having complete control over it and their behaviour from drinking it. I'm proud to say that I've never been drunk, from a very young age the desire to get drunk never had any appeal. A slight phobia of vomiting did have a little to do with this but the majority of my choice was down to just not wanting to be in that state of drunkenness.

[@gregd.4865]

I just thought I’d add my own experience to your great video. I drank heavily for 20 years during and after working on full-time band even when music became a hobby. My energy and motivation for playing increased so much when I quit drinking last year. Also, I had to humble up to the fact that am getting older and cannot handle the same amount as when so was 20. The guitar looks better on my body playing live because I have no beer gut lol. Also, alcohol causes inflammation which is very bad for your hands synchronization and playing fast. Not only for sloppiness but the amount of stress you are putting on your left or right hands during heavy intense playing during inebriation. Love your channel keep up the great work.

[@jellydonutdrummer]

It's a vicious cycle to get out of. I used to play in a party band where the shots flowed freely. I didn't realize how much it affected my playing until I saw some video playback. That's where all that crazy drinking stopped.

[@cindercyan]

I just woke up from a similar night so thank ya for sharing Mike!

[@BeatlesCentricUniverse]

This is such a great channel for so many reasons. Plus, you're a great guitarist and teacher!

[@enochcrosby6630]

I was just thinking to myself "man, this guy's a great story-teller." I really enjoy listening to his stories from all the different stages of his life. He recalls them well and you can kind of see the connections between them all, and how they created the guy we now "know".

[@rebelcat420]

This has quickly become my favorite guitar channel! Thank you for sharing your story. I was one who, also playing in a country band, would limit myself to a drink before, a drink between sets, and one after end of night, and of course the drink between sets turned into shots when we had a regular group who followed us would buy them for us. But I always kept it sober, while other members would drink all through the set. It was when we had to let our bass player go, because his drinking and toking got to affect his performance and attendance to practices. He was lifelong buddies with the other guitar player (we were around 40 at the time), and he had to fire him.. not only lost a band member, but saw a lifelong friendship strained at the same time. It was at that moment, I immediately went to the practice of NEVER drinking when performing, and started treating it more professionally.

[@NateButlerFresnoCA]

This was a great video, man. I’ve been following you for a couple months now, and enjoying your approach to all the various aspects of being a pro musician, but this video was different. I really appreciate you speaking honestly about your experiences, and I hope that your story will influence your young viewers and the choices that they make. I’ve been performing professionally for some 40+ years now, and I’ve gone up and down with the alcohol onstage many times over the years, including embarrassing myself with over-indulgence on more than one occasion! But I learned from a few tough experiences that to get too f**ked up on the gig is to let my band mates down, not to mention myself. So I’ve gotten my act together and know my own limits. Like yourself, nowadays I mostly use it to take the edge off my performance anxiety (which, even after decades of performing, I still have). The key is to know your own limits, and to not exceed them! For me, it's about 2 shots of whiskey, and then maybe a beer later in the set--any more than that and I get into diminishing returns. Keep up the great work, good sir!

[@badtripmoses]

Playing in bars, clubs, ect & in all kinds of styles of music since i was 13yrs old & free drinks always being included in our contracts, definitely contributed to my alcoholism & drug use!! & after many ups & downs, I am happy to say i am clean from all for 10 yrs now! But what a crazy ride it all was & i chose NOT to go "big" & tour because of all the evil temptation on the road & i would have most likely overdosed or something!! Plus i just couldnt miss out on my children growing up!!

[@markwarner9471]

Hey Mike. I'm a brand new student on your website, trying to learn to play guitar at a stage in life when most people start winding down instead of up. The clock is ticking loudly in my ears, I guess, I don't know. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I appreciate you. You seem like you're a young guy who really has himself together, and brother I'm here to tell you, the booze is a lie. It's a lie that tells itself to those who drink. It whispers in your ear that you're relaxed, and cool, and fun... but that just ain't so. Like I said, you seem to me to really have your life together. You're doing something you love, and earning a living doing it. Who could be more comfortable in his own skin than THAT guy...? You don't need the booze as much as the booze needs you. Who else is going to pay for those gargantuan Jägermeister flags and Super Bowl ads...? I'd wish you luck, but you don't need luck. All that is needed is a decision. I'm looking forward to learning a lot from you, and I'm looking forward even more to watching that next video you mentioned.

[@TheArtofGuitar]

Thanks for the awesome comment. Much appreciated.

[@thatguyyarg]

Love hearing someone talk about the fun times with alcohol. Most people have horror stories about becoming an alcoholic instead. Hopefully you don’t catch too much heat for telling it like it actually is rather than scare tactics. Love the channel!

[@Idollisimo]

One drink before the gig - that's what I came to in only 3 or 4 shows. I wasn't very good with my instrument and drinking made me play even worse. Everybody was drunk and no one would notice but to me 40 minutes of set thinking "What the hell am I doing?? I always played this part well! What is happening with my fingers?!" was just too much. I wasn't having any fun, so I stopped drinking before the concerts. And then I stopped drinking after them because one time someone stole all equipment from a band who played before us. It was a time when clubs didn't even have guards. I was damn afraid someone would steal my bass and stuff, so I was keeping my eye on everything and everybody :) I could enjoy a beer but nothing too strong.

[@squidcaps4308]

1 before, maybe 1 during. Sports drinks are awesome on stage, you lose a lot of stuff when sweating and blood sugar needs to stay between margins.

[@mmdoof]

I'm not a performing musician, but even from my 110% bedroom guitarist perspective, I know gigging would make me crave a drink. And I'm actually sober in my everyday life too. I think there's a few reasons why I'm so temped about the idea. 1. Getting into a band and on a gig would be a huge accomplishment for me, and I would like to celebrate it. I'm never going on a world tour, so make the few prescious gigs a party 2. Because I'm both a poor player and a perfectionist, I actually play better slightly tipsy. My tone and my timing may suffer, but I don't get hung up on my mistakes, which is a much bigger problem for me. I get a bit of that 'best player in the world' vibe when I jam after a couple of beer. So I'm pretty much the opposite of you, and that's a huge trap factor 3. The overall 'alcohol = good time' social norm in western societies. Including all those kool rock stars who played arenas high as a kite 4. Possible stage fright. I'm an ambivert with some decent stage fright management techniques, and I don't think psychological stress would be a career-threatening problem for me, but narcotics are just such a cheap shortcut!

[@majikmuzik8036]

Alcohol just causes problems, this career muso no exception. Story: c. 1999 worked 5 days a week about 90 days with a group putting together tight arrangements for a wedding/corporate band. No boose by design during rehearsal, as we were all drinkers. Got great work done, good attitudes to that point. Killer vocal harmonies, great arrangements. One day rehearsing, we got first nice booking, and had a first celebratory drink as a band. Immediately got into a big argument, over stupid shit "Dude you're sposed to sing 3rd. Dude it does that twice there.," Band did well for a couple years, but boose eventually played a prob. Alcohol sucks. Finally learned to stay away from it altogether.

[@fafnir187]

Love the authenticity of this.

[@tombate9105]

I'll allow myself 1 beer before or during the 1st set. Non-alcoholic beers & water for the rest. Discipline isn't easy but I always thank myself for it later.

[@lanechasek5560]

I never realized “half in the bag” had anything to do with drinking. I only ever thought of it as a series by Red Letter Media, lol.

[@miahthorpatrick1013]

Haha I thought that same thing!! 😂

[@KodiKaiyote]

i struggle a lot with anxiety in social settings too. it really takes the fun out of things sometimes because it is kind of exerting to have to battle with it while its happening.

[@leaharrington4472]

I wound up on the "max one drink per set" rule after hearing a recording of a show. Everyone else was drunk, so they said we were great... but the recording did not lie. 😬 But, you know, there's a reason introverts call the stuff Liquid Courage.

[@mijlaid]

Your story is highly relatable to a lot of people. Well done.

[@dala5568]

I completely understand where you’re coming from and thanks for your honesty because your admission can get you a lot of criticism. I always associate having a drink with flying and whenever I try to justify that I get labeled an alcoholic. Up to a point I can consume and still have my faculties, having the feeling of relaxation that a moderate amount gives you without it impairing your ability to perform is acceptable in my opinion.

[@WayneBarroncffcs]

A band here in NC, damn good band. Every time we saw them the lead guitarist was always glad i was there. The reason why. I was the only person in his life that cared enough to tell him. "You need to stop drinking before it kills you " By the end of every show he was hammered. But never messed up the gig, therefore the band mates never complained about his alcohol abuse. Look through the history of music. Fellow band mates never stop their mate from slowly killing themselves. Joe Elliot from Def Leppard said it best. We never told Steve to stop or to get help, because if we did, we would have to look at our own addiction's. Band members in most cases will eventually stop on their own. Then you have the cases like Steve from Def Leppard. He drank himself to death. My advice to you. Stop now before your 40 and look 60. My niece and nephew's aunt is like that. I look younger than my age. She looks like she is about 20 years older. Stay safe and be careful and stop begore it's too late.

[@patrickgregory4]

Thanks Mike!

[@nickmastro6870]

Thanks for sharing, it’s important to talk about this

[@t-shutts]

It can be incredibly difficult to detach from certain vices especially in the environments that the music career puts us in. I went a decent amount of years ruining myself with drugs and alcohol. I had to move to another state to get myself away from the people and places I associated with those vices. I've been sober for 6 years now and I'm happy for it, but I still think I would struggle if I was in the same situations I put myself in back then. Thank you for this video it helps to have such a real story instead of an after school special like you referenced in the beginning thank you.

[@mattgoodwin-king2228]

You are a great raconteur, I could listen to you talk about anything

[@R3TR0R4V3]

Man hearing this brought back so many memories.. I've been in so many similar situations, drinking/partying before the gig to get my nerves calm, drinking/partying way too much while on stage, during breaks, then trying to drive home afterwards, etc, but luckily never any major disasters. I've been extremely lucky. Lol. It was fun though, but I can't say I recommend it, or that I'd do it all over again. I still like to have a couple drinks to calm my nerves before or while playing, but I have a lot more self control than I did when I was younger & dumber. Remember, "all things in moderation". 👍

[@GuitarMAXMusic]

Thanks for the reminder! I need to renew my Easyrider subscription.

[@leemcintyre3943]

Thanks for sharing!

[@timo6830]

Was the "quite legendary band" you mentioned The Replacements?

[@Octalux]

Thank you for sharing this. I’ve seen plenty of my friends fall prey to being drunk on stage and ruining a gig. I was once that guy. Our guitarists bday, giant crowd AND one of my hero’s let me borrow his modded head (it sounded amazing) but sadly I ruined the gig that nite. I’ll never forget my best friend Chase (the drummer) screaming at me after the gig “YOU’RE DRUNK!” He was so pissed and so was everyone. From that nite forward, I vowed to never let that happen to me again. Shortly after that I made a new friend and he was a hardcore alcoholic (he got help and is clean and sober now) and living with him was ugly. Now I only have water before the gig, I have 1 beer on stage and sip it when I need a drink and then afterwards I will have a few with friends. Moderation is king!!! Ps. Playin sober is 10x as fun now to me!!

[@kenmauge8032]

Good vid. A lot of non musicians have no idea how being in a band can sway you. I have been a drummer for bands since i was 15 yo ,and it's been a crazy life. I've seen so much crazy that im jaded.you have to love the life or it will ruin you. Been able to pull myself out of the gutter more than once . It's so much better now that i quit drinking. I have more fun ,and the memories are clear and vivid now. Your stories are hilarious. Good work

[@kilgoretrout321]

It's hard to convince young people of anything. But if they're lucky enough to safely get through learning the hard way, they get it.

[@Krommer1000]

Great video, Mike! You're as good at telling stories as you are at guitar.

[@shanewilliams247]

I've seen a few videos with Hatfield, right before he goes stage smoking a big cigar. It's amazing that he still gets nerves after all these years

[@brianrowland55]

Your stories were great and fun to listen to. I hope you make it to your goal to zero drinks. I'd love to hear the follow up when you make it, and I know you will. Good luck!

[@skeletontime]

Hey Mike, just want to let you I'm super grateful for the stories you share with us. You're a legend man!

[@musicmann1967]

Back when i was playing out with my band in the late 70s-80s, I tried to never drink because I just didn't want to make mistakes or forget how songs went etc. I only broke that rule once on a gig where we had two sets. (we usually had only one) After the first set, which went really well, various cutomers in the club started buying me drinks and giving me drugs as a sign of appreciation! lol When I stepped onstage for the second set, I felt like I was floating a foot above the stage and I couldn't feel my body very well. Everything was pretty numb. I remember thinking, "Oh no, I'm too high right now!" But lucky for me, I wasn't completely gone, and I actually played fine. But still, I never repeated that mistake again!

[@MattGranz]

there was the time my band headlined a gig, and while waiting for our turn on stage friends were buying me beers and shots. When we finally hit the stage I came to the realization I was loaded. After stumbling through the first song, I forced myself back into sobriety, and make it through the performance... Definitely compromised. Never again!

[@c-LAW]

Honest and vulnerable. Thank you.

[@andrewkratz226]

Great post, I appreciate you sharing. I agree how quickly it turns into a trap/bad habit.

[@johnmackenzie5136]

Good on you for sharing this ! I'm sure this will help other musicians.

[@rotmusic8505]

Thanks for sharing. It took a long time to get to the point of playing out and understanding moderation. I still slip, glad it's not just me.

[@pat2717]

I appreciate your story and I salute your courage for telling it so honestly. I'm also an introvert so I rarely comment. Thank you.

[@clementc7840]

Thats funny how (as a classical french horn player, student in a belgian conservatory), the state of mind before getting on stage is between classical and pop/country/metal... I play metal guitar myself but never did a side show with a band, the only occasion was in my conservatory. We did a jazz with a metal part composition😂. Anyway, in the orchestra, on stage we cant drink at all (even water). Its funny for me to touch the sides of both worlds. Thank for all of your videos I really enjoy it! It always a fun and learning time😊

[@CorbCorbin]

That snare hit, right when he hits, was perfect. I have a traditional beer, when I gig, because it’s usually part of the payment, whether one wants it or not. I only have a second, if I’m doing a three hour show. When I was younger, it was easy to play, and still be precise and fully focused. Sometimes more so. That changed at a certain age, at least when performing actual paid gigs. I don’t smoke before a show, but I’ll have a puff or two during a set break, unless we’re having a problem.

[@jezmez68]

"I felt so good after that drink, I had fun playing 'Chattahootchie.'" Man, I feel ya. I used to hear that song over the PA during my days at my first job from 1993-96 (Industrial facility). I used to want to make it a song about teenage murder at the river's edge like the move, "River's Edge." This was before that post-grunge song "Water's Edge" by Seven-Mary-Three.

[@bryanbrewer4272]

Country music has that effect on everyone involved

[@ragnadrabinowitz7629]

the replacements?

[@cnilecnile6748]

"I'll be you", lol.

[@perfectlygoodslouch5212]

I was starting a band with Tommy ,he ODed 3 weeks after we met him sad as hell, he was supposed to have quit

[@jsalvatori]

I had a similar experience, but thankfully not as deep in. I mixed in a club for a while in university, and it get to be regular to have a 2-3 beers while mixing the shows. A year or so in I realized I wasn't mixing as well by the time the headliner was on. At that point I decided 0 alcohol until work is done.

[@zacharymartinez1506]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, I had to learn the hard way that drinking shots during breaktime of sets is a disaster. Especially when your the frontman and your running rhythm guitar. I’ve been doing live shows for 2 years now however I have been sober since last November and the shows have improved in drastic ways.

[@Ok_Computer_98]

I have a decent amount of experience gigging. I usually have a beer before a gig because I think it helps loosen me up a bit on stage and gets me out of my head from worrying too much about mistakes. Alcohol also relaxes your muscles which helps because the adrenaline can cause you to tense up. In longer shows that last 2-3 hours I sometimes have a second one an hour or so into it and sip on it throughout the rest of the gig. To me that amount is a healthy balance since it doesn’t impair me or worsen my playing. Once I get a noticeable buzz on that’s when I start getting sloppy. I also make sure to do some shows without a drop of alcohol to remind myself that I don’t need it.

[@perfectlygoodslouch5212]

Yes did ALL of it , lived through it, it was a blast for a while... quit all now playing in 2 top bands in big clubs and events playing is sharp as hell, being super clean and playing great is its own trip like it's the new high, Rock on Mike from Mpls.

[@johnbelfiglio562]

This was a great video! I was in an original band when I was younger and all the guys in the band would be almost falling over drunk before we would get through the second song. We still played good, but I always had a rule that when I am behind the drums, I would never drink/smoke weed before or during a show or at practice. The music is my natural high 😉. I’ve stuck to that for 41 years now. I would hate the feeling of waking up the next morning and watching a video of how bad we were because of substances. Let the music be your high. I promise it’s better!

[@rockerbuck967]

I had I similar issue when I was gigging. It started with "Oh I'll just have drink to loosen up at the start, and stop after that." It snowballed quickly. When I realized I couldn't play right, or forget whole parts of songs, I knew it was time to stop. But by then, all three of us were like that, and the project fell apart due to lack of bookings. I can't imagine why. The worst part was the bassist and I decided to kick out the first drummer due to his "drinking issues." For the record, Jack and Coke was my weapon of choice.

[@cantcoact4412]

I stopped drinking, but when I did and I played out, I never drank at gigs. I can't hit a lick if I even have just a couple of drinks. Kept me out of trouble.

[@dvrapant]

I played in several copy bands and I also found that drinking really helped stage anxiety. People who dont inderstand this here is an example. You get so amped up that your hands sweat, they tighten up and you tend to grip and play with strength rather than finesse. It’s a real problem. I would start the night with a bucket of tequila which was in our house band contract. They had to cover the cost of our drinks and our singer made sure it was top shelf tequila. I would just sip on it between songs and by end of set I would be feeling really good, talking with the audience and getting people going and dancing. I used to grab a girl up onstage so they could dance for the crowd here and there. I wouldn’t have done that completely sober. We would usually start the last set of the night with me playing bass by myself and I would go out into the crowd playing the intro line to Flesh for Fantasy. I’d just walk around to tables and sometimes sit with people just jamming while the rest of the band came in one by one. It’s was a lot of fun but honestly would have never done that completely sober. By that time of night I would be pretty lit. It can easily become a problem because you start to really rely on that and as time progresses you need more and more. Next thing you know you’re basically drunk all weekend🤷‍♂️

[@Hallow334]

I'm a Captain Morgan Silver Spiced guy. I think one, maybe two, beers was the most I ever drank during a show. Never drank before shows. Never drank after shows either, because we had to load out and leave. I was too scared to drink very much because I didn't want to mess up my parts.

[@andrewjacobs5579]

I've always been the same- no drinking before or during my work. The rare times I do have a drink is a few songs into the last set or between tear down & load out.

[@DeanoHCGuitar]

Approaching 16 months sober myself. Best decision I’ve ever made for the long run and my playing on stage has really benefited from it

[@johnmccracken8023]

I too use the one drink per set rule. Thankfully I’ve managed to stick to that rule and keep a level playing buzz.

[@dinkeredwards5187]

Alleged.. Classic!!! 🤘🤘🤘😎

[@damonsdeliberatedetour492]

I have had good times and bad times. I have done some shows lit and others stone cold sober and I think the best I got out of myself was when I decided to take a 4 year hiatus and the band tripped out on it but understood. After the 4 year hiatus I only drank a little here and there but had moments when I would let loose but whenever I watched video of those moments I played terrible. So I guess my take away was do the shows as close to sober as you can then enjoy the night after your in your room or back home. Oh and as of right now I haven't had a drink since October so I guess the older you get the less attractive it is at least for me anyway!

[@AndrewTate2Prison]

I like these stories. I've been super nervous and sober for the 7 gigs I've played...nice to be the opening metal band and then you can get buzzed and watch the other bands ha ha

[@brandinlea7137]

I sing for the band Flickerstick. Played Minneapolis many times. Good advice! Lol

[@gilbertnorum4366]

Cool story Mike! 🙂

[@minkorrh]

Used to bartend at a pretty rough place back in the early/mid 90's. One weekend the singer of the 'band of the week' had his birthday on the Saturday of their tenure at the bar. His folks had come out to see them, a couple of their friends, and it started out fine. Halfway through the third set the singer was so hammered he literally fell off the stage. After that we started limiting drinks for the hired bands lol.

[@matcoffidis1135]

I've been drunk approximately 4-5 times in my life. Since then, I have a couple beers or a mix drink on occasion. For the Super Bowl I actually had 3 beers, which was kinda a lot for me. Hey, it's great you decided what's important and how you'd handle yourself moving forward. I know some people who can't take that step, so that's good for you. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoy these stories/glances into your life. 👍👍🤟

[@user-rw2pu7fv3i]

Your first story with alcohol was how I felt with opiates. I couldn’t drink…it tasted awful, but that H, omg…HEAVEN!

[@jayrossi4081]

This one time at band camp! Thanks for the stories

[@john564holloway]

At 7:50, Minna-soda?! Classic, Mike. Great video! Thank you for sharing the skeletons with us!

[@jonathoncurle9981]

Back in the 90s I was a very heavy drinker but my terrible stage fright prevented me from playing live drunk. I was so paranoid about screwing up, so I would only have a few drinks before a show and then about 10 after we were finished playing. On stage was the only time some of my friends ever saw me sober.

[@biggiechin69]

3 am, got up to piss, now im watchin the goat 🐐 😊

[@RiloRox]

I think its important to set some boundries regarding the drinking if you cant control yourself. I for the most part can but it happened more than once, that I wasnt up to par with the expectations my bands had. So since 2018 I basically have a max of 2 beers before and one on stage (usually less). But no one gets smashed (if they want/need) until the equipment is where it has to be (practice room or truck or warehouse or whatever). That way seems to work pretty well so far for me

[@joe73ffdq5]

There are various music related channels, and I had to check this one out... Ive never played in a band, but I do play guitar and piano, and I have met a few people who know Aaron Lewis and Shadow's Fall. I drank with people after local shows, and saw some of what your experience was like... Ive been sober for 7 months now, albeit I smoke too much weed, and I dont miss it, cos I could never stop at 3-4... Really good story, and you described the origins of it well. It goes from feeling risky, to the courage to open up, to the difficult maintenance part of it. Sure it was fun to drink in the park, and meet up and go where ever, or go to the bar after dish washing all night, or jam with different friends, or go for our wild rides in the meadows, or experiment with various hard drugs... Once I hit 30, it was no longer fun, and I have watched too much consumption destroy many lives. I got out of dish washing, and went back to fast food, because I wanted away from the alcohol. This job had live acoustic shows TH/FR/SA 6-10, and half of us were lit by 8, but we didnt get done until 11. It was a shitshow in the kitchen, a party in the dining room every night, and I did have the rare occasion to sing, or jam for a bit if I got out of the kitchen on time... Its good to recognize that I want to be sober, not that I have to stop drinking, and avoiding places of drinking has been a good thing for me since last summer... I appreciate the honesty of your story, and it definitely helped me out to listen.

[@robertedwards3822]

I have a similar story to the following the drunk driver. I was 19 and seriously impaired one night after we all passed around a smoking substance in the parking lot of a club. Everyone was messed up. I was following one of the boys in my car and he was flooring his car and smashing on the brakes and skidding to a stop over and over and it was like his actions were channeled to my arms and legs, and I started doing the same thing uncontrollably. finally, he spun his car and hit a telephone pole head on fortunately not hard enough to hurt him. I pulled my car over. Handed the keys to my passenger and got a ride home. I never used that “product” again after that night. I’m 68 years old now.

[@Jake-uw6bh]

Thanks for sharing

[@baneverything5580]

Case of beer...or a few shots of whiskey and 15 beers for me playing drums/singing in a Southern band Friday & Saturday nights doing four 45 minute sets. Some shows when we went to Jackson, Mississippi lasted from 9pm until 5am...70-80 beers for the weekend. But we did great.

[@waltjames407]

Booze is a big piece of the "Why I don't perform any more" pie chart. You end up in situations that you never would have gotten into otherwise. Like your only way home from a gig a hundred miles away is by riding with a drunk driver. Or I'm the driver and suddenly my bandmate in the back seat cracks open a beer and I'd better be cool with it, even though I'm the one gonna get arrested for open container if we get pulled over. That kind of thing. And that's only brushing the surface.

[@smokinjoetaylor]

Thank You!

[@TooSlamToGiveADamn]

Without having strong opinions about alcohol, I do think there is something exciting and reinventing about musicians who get sober. 🤘

[@ctrockstar7168]

Wise musicians will hear this message and learn from it.