Have drugs ever enhanced your creativity as a songwriter or player ?
dainbramage
Well-known member
slickjesus
New member
"Yeah bring me champagne when I'm thirsty.
Bring me reefer when I want to get high." -Muddy Waters
Bring me reefer when I want to get high." -Muddy Waters
jigfresh
Enjoying life
Different substances have had wildly different effects on my playing and creativity. Cocaine and MDMA were completely useless for anything in that aspect. Like you said, I didn't want to do anything when on those. Dance maybe... usually just do more drugs. LSD and mushrooms left me able to be creative, but it was over the top creative. Like so creative I would get lost in a single not, floating in the outer spaces of music. It sure 'felt' cool to try and play my guitar on them. But completely pointless from a musical standpoint.
Alcohol and Marijuana are completely different. I have a weird relationship with drinking. I always thought I was better at coming up with stuff AND was better at playing when I was drunk. Not necessarily more technical, but with more 'feeling'. But that's pretty much how I felt about drinking in general. I felt it made me better and more relaxed at everything. I'm sure it did relax me, which in turned helped me to do things with a more relaxed attitude and demeanor, which sometimes helped with the execution of certain tasks. Bowling is quantifiable... and the numbers said I was better at bowling when drunk. So anyways, I played every show my band ever did totally drunk. I was drunk at almost every practice and was drinking when I made up songs. All that said, I also treated people like shit, drove drunk all the time, and fucked up my liver (among other inside parts). This was all going on from age 16-20. I've long since quit drinking.
Marijuana I feel lets me get outside myself a little in the creative department, I try new things. However the problem, same thing when drinking, I could never remember any of it. I swear I had great great ideas, but I was wasted either letting them slip into nothingness or writing them down to read in the morning like someone mentioned above (WTF does that say???). Recording myself would help in this regard. I play worse on pot though. Definitely not as talented technically.
So in conclusion, I believe some creativity was 'enhanced' with the use of drugs, but it was pointlessly lost along with the braincells. I still think I do most things better drunk... except life. And living is a lot more important that playing guitar or going bowling.
Wait, one more thought. Doing acid changed EVERYTHING. The way I listen to music, the way I look at trees, the way I treat animals, the way I think about God... everything. I feel as though taking a trip to the other side of reality really opens things up, in music and so much more. HOWEVER (kids pay attention) I've had friends who have suffered greatly from doing hallucenagens like LSD, perlmanent like. If it was just a harmless substance I would recommend everyone try it... but it's not in some cases. Not to mention illegal (but that never stopped me from doing anything).
Also kids... don't go to jail... it's seriously depressing.
Alcohol and Marijuana are completely different. I have a weird relationship with drinking. I always thought I was better at coming up with stuff AND was better at playing when I was drunk. Not necessarily more technical, but with more 'feeling'. But that's pretty much how I felt about drinking in general. I felt it made me better and more relaxed at everything. I'm sure it did relax me, which in turned helped me to do things with a more relaxed attitude and demeanor, which sometimes helped with the execution of certain tasks. Bowling is quantifiable... and the numbers said I was better at bowling when drunk. So anyways, I played every show my band ever did totally drunk. I was drunk at almost every practice and was drinking when I made up songs. All that said, I also treated people like shit, drove drunk all the time, and fucked up my liver (among other inside parts). This was all going on from age 16-20. I've long since quit drinking.
Marijuana I feel lets me get outside myself a little in the creative department, I try new things. However the problem, same thing when drinking, I could never remember any of it. I swear I had great great ideas, but I was wasted either letting them slip into nothingness or writing them down to read in the morning like someone mentioned above (WTF does that say???). Recording myself would help in this regard. I play worse on pot though. Definitely not as talented technically.
So in conclusion, I believe some creativity was 'enhanced' with the use of drugs, but it was pointlessly lost along with the braincells. I still think I do most things better drunk... except life. And living is a lot more important that playing guitar or going bowling.
Wait, one more thought. Doing acid changed EVERYTHING. The way I listen to music, the way I look at trees, the way I treat animals, the way I think about God... everything. I feel as though taking a trip to the other side of reality really opens things up, in music and so much more. HOWEVER (kids pay attention) I've had friends who have suffered greatly from doing hallucenagens like LSD, perlmanent like. If it was just a harmless substance I would recommend everyone try it... but it's not in some cases. Not to mention illegal (but that never stopped me from doing anything).
Also kids... don't go to jail... it's seriously depressing.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
Bank in my youth, and during my band days...we smoked some weed during practices and sometimes even a quick toke before the gig or during a break.... but it was mostly about taking a little of the edge off and loosening up, and we we mindful of the need to be professional during the gig, so we never got wasted...no one.
I sometimes liked to do one shot of Hennessey cognac right before going on stage when we played at the bars....but I was never really a "drinker". I don't recal anyone in the band reallhy being a heavy drinker...and certainly not during the gigs.
Now days, I don't do anything all that much, though I can enjoy playing with a light buzz...like I said, just enough to take the edge off. Anything more, and the playing would suffer, but that little bit usually opened up the creative juices and loosened things up.
That said....I can play just fine without any kind of buzz too, and also be creative.
I sometimes liked to do one shot of Hennessey cognac right before going on stage when we played at the bars....but I was never really a "drinker". I don't recal anyone in the band reallhy being a heavy drinker...and certainly not during the gigs.
Now days, I don't do anything all that much, though I can enjoy playing with a light buzz...like I said, just enough to take the edge off. Anything more, and the playing would suffer, but that little bit usually opened up the creative juices and loosened things up.
That said....I can play just fine without any kind of buzz too, and also be creative.
kidkage
Bored of Canada
Some wine does make software sound designing a little easier for me.
you can only stare at a screen for so long before you get sidetracked with email etc. etc. etc. etc. HR etc. etc.
you can only stare at a screen for so long before you get sidetracked with email etc. etc. etc. etc. HR etc. etc.
miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
Use a seperate, non-networked computer for your DAW.
I don't keep my internet computer in the studio....
kidkage
Bored of Canada
Use a seperate, non-networked computer for your DAW.
I don't keep my internet computer in the studio....
why havent i thought of this?!?!?(im not being sarcastic either. I have more than one capable computer. and i haven't even though of this.)
ashcat_lt
Well-known member
This may come as a shock to some, but I poke smot all the time. I don't honestly believe that it makes me better at anything. Don't believe it hinders me either. What it does is make me feel better about everything. That helps me get things done. Like "Those vocal edits are gonna take forever. I'm not getting paid for this!" turns into "Fuck it, let's do it!" So it's good for that. Helps me not beat on the other band members. It's good.
You know what doesn't help? Alcohol. I had a long tradition whenever LT played a "real show" it was nothing consumed that didn't have alcohol in it the day of. In Circadian Nations we played every Monday night for four years at a bar that would not have been open on Monday night if we hadn't showed up and bought drinks. The discipline of that really improved my skills. I was stronger and more consistent, but I always felt like I was barely holding on. I knew I knew how to play the songs, but I always missed that one transition or flubbed that one turn, and don't ask me to play a real lead. Too slow to improvise and too stupid to remember a pre-arranged part. Then I stopped drinking and found out I actually can play. I liken it to training with ankle weights and then competing without them. I do drink ocassionaly, but I'd kinda rather wait till after I get off stage.
I take psychedelics very seriously, like sex and death. I try to avoid participation in direct action more than a smoke or pee break once in a while. That pretty much precludes any active creative endeavors. I do very much like to dream yes yes right between the sound machine on occasion. That said, I was peaking on shrooms when I unlocked the true potential of the feedback looper on my pedalboard. Course that's a lot more like tuning into the cosmic radio and stuff, man...
. I come out of such excursions ready to rock, though, and full of all kinds of horrible ideas that thankfully usually get tempered by the time they are enacted.
You know what doesn't help? Alcohol. I had a long tradition whenever LT played a "real show" it was nothing consumed that didn't have alcohol in it the day of. In Circadian Nations we played every Monday night for four years at a bar that would not have been open on Monday night if we hadn't showed up and bought drinks. The discipline of that really improved my skills. I was stronger and more consistent, but I always felt like I was barely holding on. I knew I knew how to play the songs, but I always missed that one transition or flubbed that one turn, and don't ask me to play a real lead. Too slow to improvise and too stupid to remember a pre-arranged part. Then I stopped drinking and found out I actually can play. I liken it to training with ankle weights and then competing without them. I do drink ocassionaly, but I'd kinda rather wait till after I get off stage.
I take psychedelics very seriously, like sex and death. I try to avoid participation in direct action more than a smoke or pee break once in a while. That pretty much precludes any active creative endeavors. I do very much like to dream yes yes right between the sound machine on occasion. That said, I was peaking on shrooms when I unlocked the true potential of the feedback looper on my pedalboard. Course that's a lot more like tuning into the cosmic radio and stuff, man...
. I come out of such excursions ready to rock, though, and full of all kinds of horrible ideas that thankfully usually get tempered by the time they are enacted.
Symph
New member
it enhances my ability to see the flaws, but it also makes me see them too much. I'll notice where my singing is off or my lyrics are weak, but I also like... I have no capacity to forgive these mistakes within reason when under the influence, and therefore wind up hating everything. Some of these problems are legitimate and need fixing, but sometimes the drugs can cause me to despise a song that really is pretty good. I'm not going to say what drug I speak of, but it's green....
Symph
New member
I agree about the alcohol, I cannot play/think/record/or even CARE for anything when I'm even somewhat buzzed. It CAN make me enjoy my finished recordings later on, but this isn't really beneficial, as I'll enjoy them regardless of how good they are when tipsy.This may come as a shock to some, but I poke smot all the time. I don't honestly believe that it makes me better at anything. Don't believe it hinders me either. What it does is make me feel better about everything. That helps me get things done. Like "Those vocal edits are gonna take forever. I'm not getting paid for this!" turns into "Fuck it, let's do it!" So it's good for that. Helps me not beat on the other band members. It's good.
You know what doesn't help? Alcohol. I had a long tradition whenever LT played a "real show" it was nothing consumed that didn't have alcohol in it the day of. In Circadian Nations we played every Monday night for four years at a bar that would not have been open on Monday night if we hadn't showed up and bought drinks. The discipline of that really improved my skills. I was stronger and more consistent, but I always felt like I was barely holding on. I knew I knew how to play the songs, but I always missed that one transition or flubbed that one turn, and don't ask me to play a real lead. Too slow to improvise and too stupid to remember a pre-arranged part. Then I stopped drinking and found out I actually can play. I liken it to training with ankle weights and then competing without them. I do drink ocassionaly, but I'd kinda rather wait till after I get off stage.
I take psychedelics very seriously, like sex and death. I try to avoid participation in direct action more than a smoke or pee break once in a while. That pretty much precludes any active creative endeavors. I do very much like to dream yes yes right between the sound machine on occasion. That said, I was peaking on shrooms when I unlocked the true potential of the feedback looper on my pedalboard. Course that's a lot more like tuning into the cosmic radio and stuff, man...
dainbramage
Well-known member
I remember my first gig. It was all Nirvana covers and we were about 16 years old. Had to literally drag the bass player in from lying in a pool of his own vomit and put him on the amplifier. Needless to say, that gig sounded absolutely horrible. Everything was completely out of tune and we played like shit. When we started "Aneurysm", the drummer started "Territorial Pissings" and we didn't even notice before halfway through the songs.
A few beers definitely help me loosen up, but too much of it has no value at all. It ruins everything.
A few beers definitely help me loosen up, but too much of it has no value at all. It ruins everything.
mjbphotos
Moderator
Ha! I can remember playing Aminor-Gmajor endlessly on my father's grand piano one night tripping away while symphonies of sound and color played in my head!
Similar for me (the good part)
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miroslav
Cosmic Cowboy
After checking out a couple of your band videos....there was never any doubt in my mind.
Oh....your HR avatar, is that supposed to be Duane Allman...?... I always thought so, but not 100% sure.
R
radi0j0hn
New member
No to drugs but a funny story about a prescription.
A few years back I ate something that gave me a servere allergic reaction...blew up like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. I was prescribed some steroid tablets that had a side effect of a mild upper or eurphoria.
That week I needed (via phone) to discuss the purchase of some writing I did and when the guy asked me how much I would make in a year selling the the item, I blurted out (totally guessing) $35,000. He then paid me that for the rights to the writing, which BTW were technical instructions of a very perishable nature and useless in a couple of years.
But that is the only time a drug has enhanced something was doing. I stayed away from that whole scene in the 60's and have never regretted doing so.
A few years back I ate something that gave me a servere allergic reaction...blew up like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. I was prescribed some steroid tablets that had a side effect of a mild upper or eurphoria.
That week I needed (via phone) to discuss the purchase of some writing I did and when the guy asked me how much I would make in a year selling the the item, I blurted out (totally guessing) $35,000. He then paid me that for the rights to the writing, which BTW were technical instructions of a very perishable nature and useless in a couple of years.
But that is the only time a drug has enhanced something was doing. I stayed away from that whole scene in the 60's and have never regretted doing so.
S
sava66
New member
No, they just bought me to really low points that later on, much later I could reflect on and draw depressing inspiration from. When I'm actually high, I got better stuff to do than make music! Music is to fit the space in between
ashcat_lt
Well-known member
No, that's me about 15 years ago all psychedelafied via Corel PhotoPaint. I'm really not sure whether any of that post was compliment or insult... Imma go smoke on it.After checking out a couple of your band videos....there was never any doubt in my mind.
Oh....your HR avatar, is that supposed to be Duane Allman...?... I always thought so, but not 100% sure.
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P
phil fridge
New member
Being totally honest 'yes' but that doesn't mean my awnser would be 'yes' as a recommendation that somebody else try anything. If you look at the amount of great songwriters who have gone that way....the list starts with Dylan and just goes on and on, i think perhaps that says something . The 'no's i can respect more if they speak from personal experience but if they haven't how can they give an honest awnser. However people react to things in different ways and some people have very addictive personalities and i have to add that as a coda.
ashcat_lt
Well-known member
The list starts tens of thousands of years ago around a campfire in a cave our out on the savanna with somebody whose name is long lost.