Backing tracks V live performance

My  Band  for  two  years before we  added a permanent  drummer and  bass player  used  backing    when we  played  the  clubs and  bars over  here  here  in Crete  to good  effect .It  enabled  us  as  a  trio  to  have   a  much  fuller  sound  and on occasion if  I  played  solo   to  still  sound  like  a  band .
The  main down side  I  found  was  that   you  could  not  vary  from the   format  laid  down by  the track  and  also   if  you  happened  to  miss  your  cue  for the  start  of  a  verse  then you couldn't  cover  a  mistake ,however  the  good  side  to  that  is  it  made  you  play    tighter as  the  backing  track makes  no  allowance  for  other  players  it  just  carry's  on regardless.
I  dont  use  them now   but  I  wont  dismiss  the  possibility of  future  use .If  i  play  solo   I  use  a  boss rc2 looper   and  a  zoom  effect  pedal for  drums  .The  zoom  I  have  modified  with  an external  switch  so  I  can turn the  drum  track   off  once  Ive  recorded it  into  the looper .
Summing up  there  is  no   substitute  for  a  live  band  it  gives  more  scope  for  improvisation  and  a  better  show  for the  audience but  theres  no  shame  in  using  a  backing track .

Thanks guys!
Yeah, we like it live and as you say, you can improvise and not stick to a track. Good feedback it has made our minds up to stay live. Johnny Guitar 'Shades Of Silver'

Thanks for your comments. I agree with you as most of our work is 4 part harmony soft rock and blues