But it's only two days per week!

tekhedd · #1 09-06-2010, 07:44 PM

Question:

What's the difference between a) an unpaid rehearsal and b) a gig where only the band leader gets paid?

Answer:

c) I quit

Observation:

If you tell the band there's no pay, and you tell the bar owner that you need the money to pay the band, you may be burning bridges from both ends.

Apology:

I may be a bit... agitated at the moment. Does it show?

puddin tame · #2 09-06-2010, 07:45 PM

kesslari · #3 09-06-2010, 07:51 PM

Agitation is appropriate if things are as you describe.
The word "dirtbag" seems appropriate for the bandleader.

Billnc · #4 09-06-2010, 09:00 PM

Since there is a leader and he got paid, well he thinks you are worth nothing. Time to show him otherwise.

Infidelity · #5 09-06-2010, 09:01 PM

Time to disband!

ButtUglyJeff · #6 09-06-2010, 09:25 PM

How long was this going on for? Not that it matters. Just be glad its over...

tekhedd · #7 09-06-2010, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtUglyJeff

How long was this going on for? Not that it matters. Just be glad its over...

It doesn't feel that long. OK that's a total lie. I was trusting at first, and I figured we'd eventually start making more money. It makes me laugh uncontrollably just typing that sentence, thinking back on it. I'm such a sucker!

I'm sort of ashamed to think of how long I've known about it. At some point it became clear that I was not getting respect, in terms of treatment or money. I'm talking at least six months ago. I rationalized it away and went into denial, I guess. For the last few gigs somebody has been playing the game "I wonder how little I can get away with paying the bass player."

I'm also angry at myself for not having more self respect. But I can't stay mad at myself. I like me! But the more I think about it, the more pissed off I get. I didn't burn any bridges yet, and I'm trying to be cool and move forward... Forward is working. Cool will have to wait a few weeks I think.

Thanks (everyone) for the feedback--when I put it in writing I had more or less exactly the same thoughts, but... I was brought up not to ever even think bad thoughts about people. It's a handicap.

Edit: Oh, that "play only for myself" sig has had me singing louder for a couple of weeks.

jazzblade · #8 09-06-2010, 11:21 PM

What was the reaction of the other members of the band??

Did anyone suggest grabbing a rope?

tekhedd · #9 09-06-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzblade

What was the reaction of the other members of the band??

Did anyone suggest grabbing a rope?

Well... Let's just say that I've had the opportunity to work with several good drummers in the last year or two.

(Yes, several drummers have been considerably quicker on the draw than I am. Should I be filled with shame?)

jazzblade · #10 09-06-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekhedd

Well... Let's just say that I've had the opportunity to work with several good drummers in the last year or two.

(Yes, several drummers have been considerably quicker on the draw than I am. Should I be filled with shame?)

Naw... Someone smart has to bail the drummers out of jail afterward.

Schlyder · #11 09-06-2010, 11:37 PM

Call the IRS on his ass.

puddin tame · #12 09-06-2010, 11:51 PM

This is what happens when you give people the benefit of the doubt!

They don't teach this **** in barney the dinosaur

tekhedd · #13 09-07-2010, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schlyder

Call the IRS on his ass.

Mr. I Better Get Paid In Cash is making too much to hide it I think. I'm expecting a 1099.

The IRS hates it when I report my music income, because I lose so much money on mileage and GAS.

FunkMetalBass · #14 09-07-2010, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekhedd

Mr. I Better Get Paid In Cash is making too much to hide it I think. I'm expecting a 1099.

The IRS hates it when I report my music income, because I lose so much money on mileage and GAS.

This makes me wish I had licensed my last band or myself as a DBA. I spent a majority of 2009 and at least 4 months in 2010 losing money in gas mileage.

mid_life_crisis · #15 09-07-2010, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tekhedd

Question:

What's the difference between a) an unpaid rehearsal and b) a gig where only the band leader gets paid?

Answer:

c) I quit

Observation:

If you tell the band there's no pay, and you tell the bar owner that you need the money to pay the band, you may be burning bridges from both ends.

Apology:

I may be a bit... agitated at the moment. Does it show?

If you get along with the rest of the band, it sounds like it's time to fire the ~~scumbag~~ leader.

dpbass613 · #16 09-07-2010, 07:46 AM

Whats so funny about this is that i have a show coming up that i have a $400.00 guarantee for, i am the band leader. I have an opening act that I am playing $175.00 for and then have three musicians that are making $100.00 each...so that totals...$475.00, hopefully the night goes off well we make a percentage of the door as well, so the better that I and the bar do at promoting the less money i spend out of pocket or potentially make. That is a little lame...i could understand if he explained that he was only making a really small portion and it was agreed that it needed to go towards band expenses...but if not really lame and unprofessional.

Mayers · #17 09-07-2010, 07:58 AM

Well ... if you're not happy with your band ... what are you waiting for leaving it ???

tekhedd · #18 09-07-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mayers

Well ... if you're not happy with your band ... what are you waiting for leaving it ???

I chose option c, and quit last week.

I'm just wishing I'd done it earlier.

tekhedd · #19 09-07-2010, 03:16 PM

If you live in the area and want this gig, it's up on craigs now. apparently the rehearsals are actually paid, if you're not me. I suppose it's not a bad gig if it paid. Maybe I'll audition.

http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/muc/1940773771.html

Good news. "Site reading" is not required.

mid_life_crisis · #20 09-07-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TGLbass

I played in a band where the "leader" told us we were making $350 so we would split that equally between us. The thing was that we were making 400 and he was getting his share of the 350 plus 50 more per gig. What a great guy.

This sounds like he was doing the booking, collecting the fees, etc. In other words, taking on additional responsibilities beyond just rehearsing and performing. He should get paid a little extra. If you had a four piece band, that meant each of you were paying him $12.50 per gig to avoid the headaches of doing that job. Sounds like a fair deal to me.