[Traditional_Ale]

You are being paid to provide a professional service.

Regardless of the quality of the music, a professional band treats the owners, staff, and patrons with the utmost respect, does not get wasted and make and ass of themselves on stage, and remembers to publically thank (on the mic) the venue for having you and the crowd for coming.

Also, for god's sake DO NOT TUNE ON STAGE! Have two axes each and a friend re-tuning them between songs. I hate it when a band member tunes on stage, and sucks at it so it takes forever. Practice tuning if you don't have help so you can do it quickly. And get a pedal where it can be done SILENTLY while another band member banters with the crowd.

As for your nerves...man, just enjoy it. Smoke a jay if you have to right before you go on but don't drink.

The nerves you think you can't handle turn into the greatest feeling the world about 30 seconds into your set (if it doesn't suck). When you're wasted, even if you played better than you ever thought you could you'll never remember it or be able to enjoy it properly.

Besides, getting wasted AFTER the best set ever is the best drunk ever!