We did a gig a number of years ago that was a good bit out of town. It was my turn to be one of the drivers so I was totally sober. We played the whole first set with no problems. A couple of songs into the second set I could feel my throat tightening and singing became more of a struggle. I had no nerves by this point as we had gotten used to the crowd and they were enjoying the band. I know I was desperate to have two or three pints of lager which would have settled me down perfectly but I had to endure. I have spoken to people who say alcohol tightens your vocal chords and doesn't help you sing etc. I know this is probably true, it's just that in my case I, or at least my throat, relaxed when I had just a couple of beers. I am not an alcoholic and do not depend on alcohol to get by. In fact just recently myself and Mrs Ubit decided to stop drinking for a month. We did it no problem. We only drink at weekends anyway and in my job, I am required to go away for weeks at a time and can't drink during that time. I just cannot understand this dependancy on drinking in order to sing.