The Whistler’s Rant (Prog is High Music)

There's no way we'll ever know unless you get some buddha from your friend Larry and try it out!

I listen to music just like you do, analyzing it until there's nothing left, but at the end of the day: music = experience! I think I've read somewhere that cannabis enhances experiences...

Well, I agree that each individual has to figure out what works for them.

For myself, getting high was what got me into prog in the first place.  It also got me into reading, got me serious about learning (as opposed to education, which is often the opposite of learning), and made me want to create more interesting and adventurous music.  There is no doubt that many 70's prog bands got high from time to time (or, in some cases, all the time).  My friend had a Jethro Tull LP, which album I can't recall now but it was an older one, that had a poster in it that showed the band member all around a table (with Ian at the head) and one of the band members was holding up a huge joint while the others were all laughing.  Members of Pink Floyd and people around the band have talked about their drug use (though for the 70's and the kind of music they played, it was pretty light).

I always felt that getting high heightened my appreciation of music, helped me focus more fully on it, and helped me pay closer attention on what each instrument was doing and how they all interacted to create the whole.  But maybe I was just high

Nowadays it's rare that I get high at all, and pretty much all my listening time is done with a clear head.  I still love the music, I still listen intently, and I still get the same feelings (well, mostly) as I got back when I used to always listen high.  But I have to say that I'm not sure I would have gotten interested in prog at all had it not been for my pot smoking.  But I guess I'll never know now.

I did know a couple people who actually didn't like to listen to music high because they said they found they just couldn't enjoy it as much in that state.  So it's different for everyone.........obviously.  Just like pretty much everything relating to music.

For me, the music IS the drug, no other substance is needed for euphoria.

ROCK ON WHISTLER

sleeper wrote: For me, the music IS the drug, no other substance is needed for euphoria.

Well, I can't speak for others, but I never felt I NEEDED drugs to appreciate the music ("need", implies that one could not enjoy the music without them, which for myself at least, simply was never true).  They just heightened my appreciation for it.  Nowadays I would agree with your statement, as I almost always listen without the use of any substances (though I still think music sounds awesome when stoned).

Well, I gotta weigh in on this one...

I've always been into music, and prog music especially at an early age (bought my first bona fide prog record, Moving Pictures, when I was 9). But what really got me into music, I mean really got me into music was in college, going out to my bands rehearsal space after classes, passing a joint around, and jamming for several hours 5 nights a week. Do I need to get high to enjoy music? No. Do I think others need drugs to fully appreciate music? No. Do I recommend people get high before listening to certain music? No. But for me, smoking pot (along with a couple of experimental forays into mushrooms and acid) was the catalyst for opening my mind to musical possibilities. Do I think this route should be undertaken by everyone? Nope again. There are many other ways to alter ones consciousness to be more receptive to music (headphones in a dark room is a very basic and effective way), but for me, thats how it worked out.

Its just that a lot of times in discussions like this, the drug free prog fans tend to take a very didactic and condescending tone when touting their abstinence. You've made a choice to not take drugs, and good for you. I fully respect this. But when I hear the "I don't need drugs to enjoy music" argument made with a decidedly judgemental tone, I tend to get a little miffed. And quite frankly, many times this statement is made without a valid reference point (the person has never done drugs).

Years later, I'm a bit older and more responsible, so my drug experiences are limited to the very occasional toke. But I gotta tell ya, when I do, the first thing I do is grab some headphones, pick a great album, and just enjoy. But this is certainly the exception and not the rule.

So smoke up and rock out, or stay sober and rock out, we're all prog fans here so its all good. Whichever camp you place yourself in, just realize that you are not "right" and people that feel differently about it are not "wrong".


Edited by Nipsey88 - February 19 2008 at 15:26

Nipsey88 wrote: Well, I gotta weigh in on this one... I've always been into music, and prog music especially at an early age (bought my first bona fide prog record, Moving Pictures, when I was 9). But what really got me into music, I mean really got me into music was in college, going out to my bands rehearsal space after classes, passing a joint around, and jamming for several hours 5 nights a week. Do I need to get high to enjoy music? No. Do I think others need drugs to fully appreciate music? No. Do I recommend people get high before listening to certain music? No. But for me, smoking pot (along with a couple of experimental forays into mushrooms and acid) was the catalyst for opening my mind to musical possibilities. Do I think this route should be undertaken by everyone? Nope again. There are many other ways to alter ones consciousness to be more receptive to music (headphones in a dark room is a very basic and effective way), but for me, thats how it worked out. Its just that a lot of times in discussions like this, the drug free prog fans tend to take a very didactic and condescending tone when touting their abstinence. You've made a choice to not take drugs, and good for you. I fully respect this. But when I hear the "I don't need drugs to enjoy music" argument made with a decidedly judgemental tone, I tend to get a little miffed. And quite frankly, many times this statement is made without a valid reference point (the person has never done drugs). Years later, I'm a bit older and more responsible, so my drug experiences are limited to the very occasional toke. But I gotta tell ya, when I do, the first thing I do is grab some headphones, pick a great album, and just enjoy. But this is certainly the exception and not the rule. So smoke up and rock out, or stay sober and rock out, we're all prog fans here so its all good. Whichever camp you place yourself in, just realize that you are not "right" and people that feel differently about it are not "wrong".

well put


Edited by keiser willhelm - February 19 2008 at 19:34

When posting in this thread remember Rule #5 :

laplace wrote: ROCK ON WHISTLER

I agree!

I resent the implication that prog fans must all be hopped up on goofballs. It's ironic to be told so (in an Alanis kind of way) because I'd have to be stoned to enjoy listening to the music most people like.

I must admit that I used to try to "accentuate" the prog experience with drugs. It was my belief that they went hand in hand. When my substance abuse problems began to get serious, I actually listened to less prog. Now that I am clean and sober, I appreciate it more than i ever did. With a clear head, it is much easier to pick up on all of the nuances. I also doubt that I could do my collaborator work if I was still drinking and drugging.