A team of writers and myself look into different issues effecting today's music industry; from the digital age to drug use to ticket touting. It is an aim of ours to expose the dark side and highlight the best parts.

In 2014 Britain we are ALL looking at our bank accounts. With austerity measures and cuts galore, we're looking at what we're earning and making sure that money goes to good use. We look to get more bang for buck and how to stretch finances without cutting out all of the fun. Work hard, play hard right?

You're probably wondering what this has got to do with you and more importantly what this has got to do with the music and metal industry. Well in light of the tragic deaths of musicians due to substance abuse, we thought we'd look into how much the average person spends on the top 5 illicit street substances on a monthly and yearly basis and then look into better alternative ways of living a real Rock 'n' Roll lifestyle for roughly same amount or less.

Marijuana
Average monthly spend: £130
Rock 'n' Roll alternatives:
- 1 Early bird Bloodstock weekend ticket including camping (saving £3).
- 2 standing tickets or 1 hot ticket package to see Slipknot live (saving £11-40).
- Across the year average is just over £1,500 - which is the same as a 2 week stay in Miami including a return flight from London Gatwick with roughly £300 ($479) spending money for one person. Not too shabby!

Cocaine
Average monthly spend: £3192
Rock 'n' Roll alternatives:
- Start your own music business venture such as a service, recording studio or spruce up a small local venue.
- For bands, why not get a small used van/bus for you to tour in!
- Yearly average for daily cocaine usage is £38,304 which can buy you a brand new Mercedes-Benz C-class coupe with roughly £8,000 to spare. With that extra dough why not throw in a 2 week trip to Australia in a 5 star hotel (including breakfast) for two people including return flights from London? Nice!

Heroin
Average monthly spend: £924
Rock 'n' Roll alternatives:
- RIP ticket for one at Download Festival which includes weekend arena ticket and hotel stay at Hilton Midlands Airport across the weekend.
- VIP ticket to see Rolling Stones live.
- Yearly average works out to be just over £11,000 which could be used to tour and see the sights in the USA.

MDMA and Ecstasy
Average monthly spend: £190
Rock 'n' Roll alternatives:
- VIP tickets to a show at O2 Arena, London.
- Party at the Hard Rock Cafe for 7 people.
- Yearly average is £2280 which is the same as a 1 week all inclusive holiday for one to Mauritius with nearly £800 spending money.

Amphetamines
Average monthly spend: £300
Rock 'n' Roll alternatives:
- 1 weekend ticket to Download festival including camping and travel.
- 2 weekend tickets to Bloodstock including camping.
- Yearly average works out to be £3600 which is the same as a holiday for 2 to LA including flights.

After all of the math, it works out that having a weekend high could be so much more with a few simple changes made. We all have choices, but what will you choose?