I can’t play while I’m drinking beer like…. At alllllllll.
I’ve seen so many artists play straight wasted…. And I’m sure that there’s a creative thing that happens with that. But… I ain’t one of em. Do you find that creativity there?
I’m happier otherwise.
Regarding creativity... I don't think drinking opens those doors for many people, certainly myself included. Other substances, perhaps, from the tales that musicians tell, although I have zero first hand experience.
I can have a beer or two and piece in parts after I've already got a concept, or used to have have a couple during practice for cover gigs. And have been bought my fair share of drinks while on stage, which is nice, and has never ended in a problem... although some folks were, let's just say, generous!
I had one hired gig, in college, as duo with a high school classmate, for another classmate (bride)'s wedding reception - nice girl, whatever the musical entertainment was dropped out about 10 days before the gig, so she called me, and I thought she was
asking if we could play. The problem was, I was going on vacation for a week and getting back the day of the wedding, so I said, sorry, no. Then she clarified,
she wasn't asking. Got together with my buddy on vocals one time to practice a set list before the trip. Showed up to the gig, and a pit stop at the redneck party store down the road got us a bottle of get-through-the-set. We were careful not to go overboard, not enough to make us play worse... just enough to make us not care if we weren't that good!