Meera Atkinson

Sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. It's a catch phrase that makes clear one undeniable fact: drug use and abuse does not happen in isolation but in a cultural context. And very often, music is a big part of that context. Even Christian musicians aren't immune.

The modern-day marriage of music and drugs began with rock 'n' roll's predecessors, jazz and blues. Legends like Billie Holiday and Miles Davis emerged as early casualties. It wasn’t until rock began its meteoric rise in the 50s and 60s that the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll credo hit the mainstream, with millions of young people the world over flocking to join in.

By the 70s it had become something of a cliché, due largely to the substances excesses of bands like The Rolling Stones. Nonetheless, its hold over the psyches of western youth remained strong and, when it finally exhausted itself in the 80s, a new relationship between music and drugs was forged in the form of ecstasy, known as 'E', and dance parties known as 'raves'.

Raves, featuring electronic forms of dance music including 'trance' and 'house', dominated throughout the 90s and ecstasy was known to promote sexual attraction. Such was the popularity of dance parties, even 'grunge' — associated with heroin use — and the more recent 'emo' incarnations of rock 'n' roll couldn't deter them.

Everyone who engages with any music scene, whether as artists or punters, has to make critical decisions about what, how much and when to consume mind-altering substances. For Christians, though the decisions may seem obvious, they are often challenging; and young Christians in particular can find themselves torn between their faith and peer pressure.

Mardi Lumsden is 29, a Transit Lounge contributor, Christian, and Brisbane-based singer/songwriter. Mardi says there's a fine line between use and abuse — and crossing that line can be bad for your health. And while some musicians and fans might try to be moderate, others flaunt their excesses.

“I’ve heard about parties with famous Australian bands where people are walking around with lines of cocaine on a tray,” she says.

As she points out, the type and degree of drug use is often related to styles of music. Cannabis is associated with reggae, ecstasy with raves, cocaine and heroin with hard rock, and alcohol used by fans of all kinds of music.

And, according to Mardi, not even the growing Christian rock genre is safe from the drug dilemma.

“I think sometimes we assume people in the Christian rock scene don’t have their vices. A lot of them have struggled as Christian musicians. They have to keep questioning what they’re doing because they want to set a good example,” she says.

Despite the dangers, the marriage of drugs and music rolls on. Mardi acknowledges its undeniable pleasures for those that manage to avoid crossing the proverbial line: "A couple of beers watching your favourite band is just an enjoyable experience."

Unpack the issues...

• Social effects of rock and roll (Wikipedia)

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