Weird that a once drunken asshole like myself would be banging on about sobriety, but here we are as I approach the two year mark in a couple of weeks. I had 16 years sober, then my dad died. I think I turned what could have been an understandable short run ‘slip’ into a few years vacation back into it – NOT like the old days with a bag of prescription speed in my pocket and a bottle of something always – but enough to eventually feel a need for clarity and a pause. Perhaps it is not an accident that I got sober 9 days before launching the museum – Feb 12th 2021.
I’m particularly inspired this week to see an
article from Kevin Lyman in Billboard – mentioning some research that says 56% of industry professionals cite problematic substance use. Back in the day, that number seems low. How forward thinking to have an AA meeting ON THE WARPED TOUR, modelling behavior, as well as talking about it. Certainly our own relationship with artists on the label and in Pigface onstage or crew and Coldwaves and Darkest Before Dawn makes us aware of the additional dangers to third shift workers. We donated space in the catalog to these causes along with
harmreduction.org too.
I’m aware that me banging on about Brew Dog, PUNK AF, or Guinness 0 might be triggers for people or frowned upon by traditional AA, but it has certainly helped me. Watch out though! When I popped a Guinness 0, the sound and the weight of the widget in the bottom of the can kind of freaked me out a little.
Anyway, I just wanted to mention all of this. If you are struggling, you are not alone. And, although I have some (a bunch) of high-larious stories from my times on the edge, not all of the stories have such a funny ending, nor should they be used as a blue print for anyone moving forward. I’m always going to tell my stories (and ask others to do so too – Steve Silver? Chris Connelly? Michael Alago? Randy Blythe?) but, maybe we should have a monthly meeting at the museum too? Open to Founders by appointment and available to anyone trying to recover? I like that…..want to come see Trent’s passport photographs? Listen to some unreleased music? Sit behind my kit? Smell the Killing Joke piss stained banners? Then, sober up motherfucker!
peace, love, and respect always
MA
Chicago illannoys
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, the National Drug and Alcohol Treatment Hotline is 1-800-662-HELP(4357)!
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Become a founder of the Museum itself (and be included in the next catalog’s founders list), have the opportunity to visit the museum by appointment, and access to exclusive events! You can become a founder by getting the Founders Package Here, or consider Donating an Item Here.
Consider bidding on one of our auctions! We have a few items up currently, Spend a Night at the Museum, Trent Reznor’s Suck Lyrics Prints, a Signed Kozic Poster from the first Pigface show, with more soon to come! Check out our live auctions here
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Invisible, All rights reserved.
