Austin-Area Gig Opening for Tomorrow Night

[txbasschik]

I've also posted this in the Classifieds, under Bassists Wanted, but since time is short...

Do any of y'all want a gig on Saturday, July 7? If the Lone Star Bar in Jonestown still hasn't hired anyone (as of yesterday they were still looking), they need a band for Saturday night. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. The usual pay is $75 or 10% of the bar, whichever is higher, and three or four beers each comped to the band. If the audience likes you, they'll tip, too. You are free to pass the tip jar...you don't have to just leave it on the stage.

This bar is working-class, with a healthy compliment of bikers. They love rock, particularly Southern and classic rock, and blues, there.

If you'd like the gig, call Larry's Lone Star Bar at 512/267-2234 and speak to Larry or Brenda.

This is my very-most-favorite bar, my very-most-favorite-and-fun gig. This audience is very appreciative and interactive. Meaning, if they get up and dance, or hoot-n-holler, they dig you. This is no sports bar where no one is paying attention. These folks are there for the music. Even the folks on the patio are listening, via speakers piping your music to them.

This bar is trying to avoid having karaoke come in and cover the night. If you can take the gig, give 'em a call.

Cherie
Bass
Jul & The Chrome Wheels
and
The Knowbodys

[Freddels]

Is that $75 for the band or per member?

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by Freddels

Is that $75 for the band or per member?

For the band. Most of the gigs around here are 10% of the bar. At least at the Lone Star, they give a minimum. Many places won't. For instance, at another local place, a comparatively high-tone place, we got 10% of the bar, which amounted to $8. Eight. Dollars. At Larry's, even if the night is a dead one, you're guaranteed *something*.

We are having a very hard time finding *any* local bar gigs that pay minimums. Most of the bars used to, but not anymore.

I really love playing at Larry's. We play so many places where the people are just as happy watching tv or playing games, and you have to work hard to even get them to look up at the stage. At the Lone Star, the crowd is *involved*. It is very uplifting and energizing to play for them. Yeah, they have pool tables and foosball, but the fans are still paying attention, even dancing at the game tables!

Cherie

[Moe Monsarrat]

I also play a lot in Austin & surrounding areas. Part of the problem in getting a guarantee out of clubs around here is that so many bands will play without one. Everybody & their relatives has a band & after all, there are only about 200 venues that have live music every night. On the other hand, so many bands stink out loud it's possible to get paid decently if you're good enough & stubborn enough. We won't leave the house for less than $100 a man(for clubs) & we work 3-4 nights a week most of the time . We charge a lot more for private parties & corporate stuff. I'm sure someone will pick up the gig in Jonestown, though. Too many folks are hungry to play & someone will bite.

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by Moe Monsarrat

I also play a lot in Austin & surrounding areas. Part of the problem in getting a guarantee out of clubs around here is that so many bands will play without one. Everybody & their relatives has a band & after all, there are only about 200 venues that have live music every night. On the other hand, so many bands stink out loud it's possible to get paid decently if you're good enough & stubborn enough. We won't leave the house for less than $100 a man(for clubs) & we work 3-4 nights a week most of the time . We charge a lot more for private parties & corporate stuff. I'm sure someone will pick up the gig in Jonestown, though. Too many folks are hungry to play & someone will bite.

We've yet to find many clubs that will pay a minimum in the past six months. We prefer a $200 minimum, but we've not been able to get it except for a very few clubs. A promoter, whom I will not name here to avoid gossip, has gotten to many of these places and made herself the sole booking contact, and she won't give minimums. Ten percent-ers, only. Hopefully, she'll change her tune once she realizes that *she* can't make money that way. My husband's band sent her a dollar, for her 15% of their 10%. She got real mad, but, you know, that was actually more than her cut!

If someone wants a fun gig that'll remind them why they love to play, the Lone Star is a great place for that. We play the sports bars for money (they'll pay the minimums, usually). We play the Lone Star for love, and for the re-energizing effect that gig has on us. Can't do anything but smile and be happy, playing that place!

Cherie

[Freddels]

Sounds like the promoter is getting paid by the bars to get cheap bands. If they pay her $75/$100/150 or whatever and get the band for the $8 (10%) then they save $ in the long run.

I just don't see how a bar can remain open with only bringing in $80 for the night.

[Pacman]

I'm not throwing rocks, but if you agree (as a band) to play for $75 bucks, you'll forever be doing $75 dollar gigs. And you'll cut the throats of every other band trying to make a living. If a club can get someone to play for 8 bucks, that's what they'll pay. Musicians have to stand up for each other, and realize that "exposure" isn't worth anything - you can't put it in your gas tank, and it won't pay the babysitter.

[Freddels]

+1 or should I say . . . +$8

[Johnny Crab]

and they can play?


We've a private party tomorrow night H'town way otherwise I'd be tempted just to see if an old friend of mine is doing sound for them this time by.