[TPIN] alcohol on gigs

[Andy Del]

Hi Travis

Some nice suggestions here on taping performances and getting people to hear
what they are doing. I don't think 'shaming' them into changing is going  to
work. Having tried a subtle, gentle approach, with some behind the scenes
communication and biting my tongue in public, I can also argue for avoiding
the softly softly approach and being clear in you feelings.

Get the whole band to meet, and state openly what you are feeling. By all
means have a recording to illustrate your point. Have a plan to propose, be
it 'shape up or ship out' to 'you're out', but make sure that all the
communication is open, frank, and avoids emotional posturing.

Let's face it, if the band is happy to play with tanked members, maybe they
aren't the group for you. Form another band and do it better. That's harsh,
but reality may be that.

All the best with a difficult situation.

Cheers

Andy



-----Original Message-----
From: tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu [mailto:tpin-bounces at tpin.okcu.edu] On
Behalf Of Travis Wilson
Sent: Thursday, 1 March 2007 3:47 PM
Cc: tpin at tpin.okcu.edu
Subject: [TPIN] alcohol on gigs


ok, so thing are not "all " fun and games in the House Band for the taco 
stand.

I am asking a question that I suppose i already know the answer to, but 
maybe, just maybe, someone has a suggestion.

if you are in a band (small combo sort of thing, we have 6 folks 
including singer), and a couple of them have a serious drinking issue 
(as in on our last gig one of them needed to lean against the band stand 
he was standing in front of for support ---during the middle of the 
FIRST set), how do you deal with it?

yes, it impacts the play. (I bet we are different then a lot of groups. 
We are MUCH better the first set then we are on the third after two 
breaks and that much drinking)

these are young people who really believe they can handle it and believe 
it does not impact their playing. (It does).

it has gotten to a point of my wanting to just leave and find some other 
people to play with, and that is a shame, because up until a couple of 
months ago it was not like this. both the serious drinkers were "on the 
wagon'. Now they are not, and it sucks big time.

this band got me started, they brought a lot of joy and energy to me. 
They presented me an opportunity to play way before I probably should 
have, and made it so I had to get ready and be able to do it. Over and 
over again. They have been a big part of my music, but now I don't think 
I can deal with continuing to play with the group because of this.

suggestions anyone?????????????????(all the ??'s to show Mike Vax I have 
been paying attention to his technique)

Travis
>
>

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