View Full Version : Musicians and drugs.
What do you guys think of musicians who use drugs recreationally, or are drug addicts?
It's often strange, when you hear about a musician being in this category, when up until that point, there were no hints or signs that the person was inclined in that manner.
Over the years, there have been quite a few musicians of major popular note, who have been known drug addicts. Members of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Stone Temple Pilots, The Verve, Oasis, and many others (in bands, and as solo artists) have been known publically to use drugs, or to have a drug addiction.
To some extent, it doesn't really bother me personally. Yet, I'm not sure that I could truly respect a musician, who came out publically, and condoned drug usage, or addiction, as much as a musician who either didn't use drugs, or at least didn't let their habits become public knowledge.
I guess the main problem for me, is those who use drugs over a significant period of time, or for the majority of their careers, without caring either way whether people know, or the consequences of their actions.
I guess to some extent, it could be argued that there are degrees of drug usage and addiction. I mean, do you consider tobacco, alcohol, ecstacy, LSD and marijuana to be any worse, or lesser than heroin, cocaine, speed, or other amphetamines?
Another question, could be, do musicians produce any better or worse music through the affects of drug usage?
There have been some great albums, and great careers, in which the musicians in question were known to have experimented, or frequently used drugs in the time period. However, by the same token, there have also been some diabolical efforts produced by musicians, in which their music has been marred by continual or even recreational drug usage.
Any thoughts?
Bloodstained Angel
11 Dec 2001, 12:48
yeah some interesting thoughts there Olmy
I believe musicians, being comparatively 'free' and liberal and creative and artistic are sometimes naturally pre-disposed towards taking mind altering substances.
In the field of journalism and literature it is often said that alcohol oils the wheels of creative inspiration.
Perhaps its the same for music. Alot of music historians credit the emergence of new musical styles and idioms to the powerful influence of drugs on the artist.
Certainly American-style jazz may never have been invented if Black American musicians had not picked up the habit of smoking marijuana from their Mexican neighbours.
In the same way - would the psychedelic pop music of the sixties have ever happened if bands such as the Byrds and Jefferson Airplane never taken LSD ? - maybe, but I'm not sure.
Same with the House / Dance / Techno movement of recent years - How much is Ecstacy the driving fuel for inspiration for these artists ?
Personally I feel Pop Music is inexorably bound up with recreational drug use - so much so that I'm not really sure whether we would actually have "Pop Music" as such if the musical community was not so pre-disposed to getting stoned all the time.
What I don't like is when a Popstar comes out and 'condones' or 'condemns' drug use.
These people are Popstars and Musicians and should really refrain from preaching to us about their particular lifestyle choices.
Just because your latest album has gone Platinum doesn't give you the right to tell me whether its ok to smoke or not.
Leave drug education to the experts and we'll leave the writing and performing of pop music to youse guys.
Yes - drugs are are an imporatnt part of the pop (and not so pop) music scene, BUT, no - it shouldn't really be an issue.
What really matters is the quality of the music - not whether the muso is stoned, drunk, or plain cold sober.
cheers
Shinboners
11 Dec 2001, 13:19
I pretty much agree with what BSA has written.
I don't have any problems with musicians using drugs......many of my favourite songs were written under the influence.
As for whether I respect a musician or not due to his drug use, it's a non-issue. I think there are other factors to be taken into account before I would make a statement on whether I respect them as people or not....and then there is that other level of respect, that is, respecting their artistic ability.
Take someone like Jim Morrison. I have no respect for him as a person or his artistic (sic) ability. How this joker ever became an icon of the Sixties is beyond me.....but then again, I guess there was lot's of drug use then and that probably hindered everybody's ability to make any sane judgements ;) Then you have someone like Grant McLennan (of the Go-Betweens). He's written many of my favourite tunes, and whilst I have the utmost respect for his artistic skill, I don't have that much time for him as a person (like everybody else, Robert Forster is my favourite Go-Between :) ). If you want to talk about someone like Joe Pernice, I respect his musical ability and him as a person (he's one of the friendliest muso's that I've ever met).
Originally posted by Shinboners
Take someone like Jim Morrison. I have no respect for him as a person or his artistic (sic) ability. How this joker ever became an icon of the Sixties is beyond me.....but then again, I guess there was lot's of drug use then and that probably hindered everybody's ability to make any sane judgements
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
Jim ruled. :cool:
Shinboners
11 Dec 2001, 13:36
Take any acne-ridden 16 year old off the streets, give 'em some drugs, a pen, some paper, and a quick run down on aspects of symbolism, and they will come up with lyrics that are about the same (low) standard of Jim Morrison.
Originally posted by Olmy
I guess to some extent, it could be argued that there are degrees of drug usage and addiction. I mean, do you consider tobacco, alcohol, ecstacy, LSD and marijuana to be any worse, or lesser than heroin, cocaine, speed, or other amphetamines?
Usage isn't entirely bad. Really the only drugs out of those that will give you any insight into music is LSD and Ecstacy.
Listening to music on dope can be OK, but you'd usually be too stuffed to write anything on it! I think it is the most underrated drug in terms of its danger. Mentally it doesn't help anyone, despite continual protestations from habitual users that it is all good!
I can see how LSD would allow you to construct new and interesting music. Visual and Aural hallucinations can be rife and could easily help you find a new direction in music. Your senses are at a whole other level. Hendrix benefited from this greatly, aside from being gifted anyway. Seriously dangerous stuff though!
Dark Side of the Moon is simply one of the greatest albums ever. Without LSD usage by Floyd, it wouldn't have been as good as it is.
Ecstacy helps you appreciate music at another level. If writing, you would definitely prefer to create electronic music. Basically, you know what you like and you know what you hate, even if they are things that you normally like (eg. can't listen to Radiohead). I think music production under the influence of ecstacy would be limited. You'd rather sit around and talk or dance like a madman!
The Hitman
11 Dec 2001, 14:02
Originally posted by Shinboners
Take any acne-ridden 16 year old off the streets, give 'em some drugs, a pen, some paper, and a quick run down on aspects of symbolism, and they will come up with lyrics that are about the same (low) standard of Jim Morrison.
Yes people, I too can become an icon of a generation...
;) :D :D
The Hitman
The Hitman
11 Dec 2001, 14:05
Nirvana, Led Zep, and Stone Temple Pilots are all three bands that come to my mind immediately as bands who have successfully made great albums while under the influence.
Frankly, I don't care if they are on something. I buy albums, or like music, for exactly what it is - music.
Sure, I don't like the fact that Kurt Cobain was a smackhead, or that I won't ever get to see the Stone Temple Pilots live in Australia thanks to Weiland's prosecutions, but I love their music none the less.
The Hitman
Macca19
11 Dec 2001, 15:16
I think many many MANY musicians use drugs on a semi-regular/regular basis. A LOT more than people would think.
As for Weed....some of my favourite riffs were written by guitarists who were stoned at the time.
Some of my favourite albums and songs were written by people with a drug addiction. Jon Davis wrote all of Life Is Peachy while he was addicted to Meth and Speed.
Robb Flynn wrote most of Burn My Eyes and The More Things Change while battling a Cocaine and Special K (not the breakfast cereal) addiction.
There is tons of others.
As for Ecstacy....Dance/Techno music is created for people to take Ecstacy. You experience feelings and emotions you would not even imagine while off-tap on E. And the music....you can literally feel the music flow thru your body. You feel the music on the inside and let it flow on the the outside.
I can see that plenty of people would of created some fantastic dance tunes while on E....you think up stuff you wouldnt dream about!!!
Great stuff!!
So in other words i dont care that some of my favourite musicians have been drug addicts or drug abusers. Drugs help heighten ones senses and access a more creative side in a person.
Rusty Brookes
11 Dec 2001, 15:36
Most of my favourite bands were noted junkies (The Stooges, New York Dolls, MC5 etc). At the outset let me note I hate straight edge bands who preach about sobriety etc. Damn it, after a hard day at work I love to come home to a beer and no whining politically-correct twat is going to change my mind.
HOWEVER...hard drugs in the long run ruin artists. I've had several friends who were musicians who have either O'D and died or committed suicide after years battling hard drugs. I love the music of the aforementioned 'junkie bands' but the lifestyle repels me.
Macca19 I understand where you're coming from with "Drugs help heighten ones senses and access a more creative side in a person". However they also can f*ck up your life in the biggest way possible.
gPhonque
11 Dec 2001, 17:48
Drugs + Music = Cop out.
(a fun cop-out though!)
Either you like listening to or creating music when you're on drugs, or you don't. I too have seen many brilliant musician friends completely screw themselves up on drugs, yet at the same time, create some of the most amazing music! Where do you draw the line?
It's all a matter of self-discipline, and unfortunately, many musicians, brilliant as some of them may be, don't know where the line is.
There's no doubting that listening to/creating music when on drugs is a completely different experience. But is it neccessarily better? Of course not. Just different, and nothing else.
I've had many great experiences creating and listening to music whilst being completely off my face on whatever - but i've had just as many when i've been stone cold sober as well, and that's one ability that every person, musician or not, should never ever lose. Once you lose the ability to create or enjoy music while you're sober, then it becomes all about the drugs, and the music gets forgotten.
John Frusciante is a perfect example - Blood Sugar Sex Magic is probably the best guitar album EVER. He'd never touched heroin at that point in his life. He hasn't come close to creating anything near that good ever since.
Or Frank Zappa - never touched drugs in his life, yet his music is constantly mentioned in the same sentence as the word "drugs". Every time i play some Zappa to somebody, the general response is "what drugs was he on!?" He is the ultimate antithesis to the belief that you have to be on drugs to create new weird things. It's all crap. It's just a cop out.
That's why i can't help laughing at all these "ravers" - drugs are just a fashion accessory to them and nothing more. There's many other kinds of music that are interesting to listen to whilst on E. Or is it just that dance music is "cool".....?
The Hitman
11 Dec 2001, 18:07
Originally posted by gPhonque
John Frusciante is a perfect example - Blood Sugar Sex Magic is probably the best guitar album EVER. He'd never touched heroin at that point in his life. He hasn't come close to creating anything near that good ever since.
Amen... :(
The Hitman
Originally posted by FIGJAM
Ecstacy helps you appreciate music at another level. If writing, you would definitely prefer to create electronic music. Basically, you know what you like and you know what you hate, even if they are things that you normally like (eg. can't listen to Radiohead). I think music production under the influence of ecstacy would be limited. You'd rather sit around and talk or dance like a madman!
The Verve's second record, "A Northern Soul" was infamously reported as being written and recorded while most, if not all of the band spent most of their lives under the heavy influence of ecstacy and booze.
It's one of my favourite records!