Author Topic: Johnny Ramone,Rick James (Read 528 times)

bigredbass · « **Reply #15 on:** September 23, 2004, 10:22:54 PM »

But yes it is a double standard, isn't it?

Imagine the inspiration your Delta captain could have on your next trip to Cancun, doing a couple of barrel rolls after he hits the bong. Or the amazingly far out stitch patterns your surgeon could run right after he finishes your bypass surgery while he's amped up! I bet my CPA could make me a paper millionaire when he does my taxes
(wait a minute, I may be on to something here..)
I just can't wait for my root canal from my dentist, while he's more loaded on novocaine than what he's gonna give me.

Turn up the nitrous, and Let's Rock ! ! ! !

J o e y

(Yes, I KNOW I'm being a real pain about this.)

keavin · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2004, 06:32:38 AM »

There are a lot of 'big stars' that are still using thats the thing about the music business (getting high) is a very big part of the entertainment business and it going away no time soon, it all boils down to supply & demand

David Houck · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2004, 07:46:46 AM »

Keavin; I don't believe that it is accurate to say that it all boils down to supply & demand. Read a biography of Miles Davis or Charley Parker. The life experiences each person accumulates, along with their genetic chemistry, leads to the choices we each make. Saying that it is merely a question of supply and demand, suggests that it's merely economics. Such a position ignores the mental state of a teenager who has been continuously beaten by his father or the musician who is the star attraction on the bandstand at the hotel ballroom but because of segregation is not allowed to eat or sleep in that same hotel. For many people, drugs are an attempt to escape from the suffering of the world in which they live. In some parts of the world teenagers sniff gasoline to get high and escape the extreme poverty they suffer. If they are sniffing gasoline then supply and demand doesn't seem to really apply. People suffer. And they want the suffering to end. Personally, for me the answer to the end of suffering lies along a spiritual path. Some folks, who seek an end to their suffering, do not see or are not aware of that option. For many, drugs are a quick and easy answer, though brief and destructive.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2004, 08:18:18 AM »

Joey: I guess I must be confused, I thought we were talking about people playing music, not performing brain surgery.

I have torn life's throat and slaked my thirst from the salty froth. I've walked the razors edge, and been cut, but I still regret none of it.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2004, 08:29:06 AM »

Joey,
Oh yeah, just imagine the inspirational path the drunk driver can take home as well. Being and adult means taking resopnsibility for your actions, and there are plenty of other temptations without the necessity of villifying an inanimate chemical due to societal stigmas. Anyone who endangers someone else with their actions is acting irresponsibly, and I would never defend them. However, I do believe that personal freedom does not mean having all the difficult decisions made for you in your life. And afetr all, it is their own body, let them do what they wish. These muscicians as happy as they make us, are not here to serve our ends, but rather their own.

dannobasso · « **Reply #20 on:** September 25, 2004, 09:23:00 AM »

Life alone is enough stimulation and inspiration for me, thank you very much. Each to their own but by all means, leave my life out of it. If someone is in a controlled enviornment like a studio or escorted around a stage that is one thing. If they are out among us that is quite another. It is a shame that some fans try drugs to emulate their heroes. Some to success in creating, more to tradegy in reality. If you believe that your experiences have molded and transformed in a way that you embrace, you are one of the lucky few and have accepted your choices. Like I said I also deal with teenagers. That is a paramount influence on my forming opinions. I found greater inspiration in making my music by listening to others and buying better gear. Hence Alembic! I never popped, shot, toked, smoked, snorted or swallowed anything thinging that it make me a better player. I did cop a lot of vinyl and plastic to help in that area though. Those of you who have no regrets are extremely fortunate indeed. I think most folks have tons. I have a number of them but never my Alembic aquisitions!
One man's opinion,
Danno

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #21 on:** September 25, 2004, 11:05:45 AM »

When I say I have no regrets I was referring to my choice to experiment with chemicals earlier in my life. I wouldn't argue that anyone under the influence plays any better either. I was just trying to say that the change in perspective for some people can provide tremendous inspiration. There is no denying that many people end up destroyed. There is also no denying the connection between drugs and culture. From Sammuel Taylor Coleridge with his opium to Van Gough with his Absinthe to Louis Armstrong with his New Orleans Gold. Or, to consider religion, from the eucharist wine to peyote rituals to the sects of hinduism that employ marijuana. I simply object to the bias in our society that there are good and bad compounds, and that we are not individually responsible enough to make good decisions about whether to use them. A fact often excluded from drug abuse statistics is that perscription drugs kill several orders of magnitude more people a year than illegal drugs. I can understand why working with teenagers would present a new perspective, however, because as confused as they often are, objective decisions may be difficult to reach. There are many ways to enjoy life, and I don't think any person has a best way. Ultimately all I am arguing for is freedom for responsible adults.

dannobasso · « **Reply #22 on:** September 25, 2004, 11:36:52 PM »

I agree with many of the points made here. Personal freedom is to be cherished. But as you mentioned some individuals are irresponsible and intrude on the rights and lives of others. I chose my lifestyle on experiences and seeing the experiences of others. Being in a band years ago with an alcoholic herion user, and drummer who od'd after letting loose with some old friends, and a guitarist I played with in High School dead at 41 because his heart wore out from too much living on the edge have left their marks. I also agree that certain substances are deemed tolerable and others not. I lost my mom to her choice to smoke for many years. She chose to smoke and ignore advice. I miss her deeply. For me not smoking, not drinking (most of the time) and not doing drugs makes sense and affords me more toys from Santa Rosa. Adolf Coors is probobly mad at me, Not to mention the cartels from South America, and don't get me started on the poppy growers in Turkey. Juan Valdez is none too pleased either but Thomas Lipton likes me. I never get a Christmas card ever from those other folks! We never Have to agree with one another on everything, but we do agree on some things. That would be that my life would be further enriched with a series 2 5er or 6er with custom inlays.
Alembic, my addiction. Hi I'm Danno and I'm an Alemboholic. ( Hi Danno) It's just one bass at a time..... one bass at a time.

hydrargyrum · « **Reply #23 on:** September 26, 2004, 07:13:09 AM »

Don't bogart that Alembic! Seriously though, it is too bad that we all have to live by the rules necessary to govern the least among us. BTW, I always preferred home grown, no terrorist support there, just American tax payers.

dadabass2001 · « **Reply #24 on:** September 26, 2004, 08:33:48 AM »

Danno,
It's just one bass at a time..... one bass at a time.

...unless you're Michael Manring, then it's just three basses at a time (LOL)

Mike

(Message edited by dadabass2001 on September 26, 2004)

dannobasso · « **Reply #25 on:** September 26, 2004, 09:59:15 AM »

Not to stear this in that direction, you are correct sir! I saw him and Michael Hedges at the Bottom Line and it was sick! Maybe this is the inspiration to have a triple neck built! Now it sounds like I'm on drugs! Good point about the least among us. Perhaps Alembic folk are the upper edge of the bell curve?
Danno

lbpesq · « **Reply #26 on:** September 26, 2004, 10:25:05 AM »

Let's get real guys. American society is a drug culture. Every town has a big sign DRUG STORE. Have a problem? Go to the doctor and get DRUGS. Heck, something like 95% of adults in this country are addicted to speed (can you say double mocha cappucino). Let's call a spade a spade. The government is conducting a war on some drugs. It just makes no logical or scientific sense that substances like cocaine and morphine (schedule 2) can be used medically; substances that regularly cause death are sold over the counter, even to minors, (aspirin poisoning causes 1000 - 1500 deaths per year nationally); while congress is now considering a bill that could result in a ten year mandatory miniumum sentence for selling a joint, even a first offense. In recorded history there is not a single account of a death from cannabis overdose. Scientists have estimated that you would have to smoke a joint the size of a telephone pole in 15 minutes to receive a lethal dose. Hey, if you want to sit in your underwear, drink two sixes of Bud and watch the cheeseheads beat the hell out of the Giants be my guest. If you want to stop at a bar on the way home and chug a few, then get in your car on the same road as me, then I've got a problem. Same with cannabis, or any other substance, even allergy medicine. We are adults, we should at least be allowed the opportunity to act irresponsibly before we are imprisoned for it. That's how they do it in a free democratic society.

Bill, the guitar one

son_of_magni · « **Reply #27 on:** September 26, 2004, 11:55:26 AM »

Wow, what a thread! Really guys, my head is spinning trying to digest all this. But there are a couple points I feel compelled to add.

I personally cannot understand the whole concept of using drugs to 'get away' or 'escape' from our problems. I feel that if I was in a hellish situation like that of a teenager who is beaten by his father, taking drugs would tend to amplify my feelings about my situation. My experience is that if someone has the idea that he wants to 'trip', before taking that plunge the individual needs to put all his baggage behind him. Have a clear mind and be prepared to deal with any ugly thoughts that spring up. Know how to meditate. Understand about the 'internal dialog' and it's tendancy to encourage indulging in negative emotions. Make sure you are in a setting that is comfortable and that you are with friends or are very capable of being alone with yourself.

Read Leary and Alpert.

Drugs are not in and of themselves destructive. It's what we do with them.

It's been said that LSD can allow you to see Jesus, but it's only temporary. Only a true, long, and difficult spirtual path can bring true enlightenment. But for some people, drugs can help show the path.

Generally speaking, people that have not taken 'mind altering' substances cannot really understand what it means when we speak of 'experiencing the world from a new perspective'. So when someone says that they have never taken mind altering drugs and in the same breath that these drugs can have no value, I have trouble understanding on what they base their opinion.

Many years ago I indulged in and abused some drugs. Maybe not the the extent that many others do. Today I feel that some drugs can be valuable tools for the right people in the right situation. But like with anything else, if they are indulged in and abused, they can just as easily be dangerous and destructive.
- SoM